Thyroid Problems..Anyone else??

snockers3112

I was diagnosed with an under-active thyroid about 10 years ago but I personally think I'd had thyroid problems a few years before they eventually tested for it. I can't blame all my weight gain onto my thyroid problem but I know it has played it's part. At times I have felt so unbelievably knackered all I want to do is sleep and have had cravings for carbs & sweet things, I'd get home from work, sit down and nod off in an instant. I stopped going out so much because I felt depressed and stopped exercising, spent many a night in front of the tv with a choc bar - just letting myself get fat because I didn't feel healthy enough to do anything about it. My medication has never balanced my hormones sufficiently, just as it begins to work my thyroid function will crank down another notch and has done this for years. My doctors try and leave the blood testing a year between tests which is terrible management of it when I think about it. I've just got myself a new doctor so will see how it goes. Meanwhile I have been taking thyroid vitamin tablets (I didn't know there was such a thing until I read about it on the internet) and have been forcing myself to exercise more and eat healthier. As the weight is starting to come off, I'm feeling determined to keep at it.

What I do wonder about, however, is WHY so many of us women develop this awful problem???

dorriep

I have Hashimotos and I am trying to get my doctor to go the Armor route....I heard it's wonderful. I have an appointment with a new and supposedly very informed endo next month.....I am trying to figure out though, what kind of affect my thyroid has on my base metabolism and if I should adjust my calorie intake accordingly. Have you thought about that?

bjshields

It really takes time, I think is the best answer. I am hypothyroid ever since having my first baby almost 15 years ago. I was stable for a long time, then last summer, I got very, very tired suddenly and gained about 15 lbs. in the span of about four weeks before they realized my thyroid was off again and they upped my meds.

Insofar as exercise, I would highly recommend sprints, interval training, and weights. That's what is really helping me right now. Good luck!

cjudesaenz

I was diagnosed with HYPOthyroidism when i was in 8th grade and it took the Doctors almost 10yrs of fine adjustments to my meds to get me under control... I know the feeling believe me... I was having storms and losing tons of weight... then it just switch off and the lethargy and the weight would come back... it was horrible but now I am pretty controlled.... the trick is to make sure that you are taking your med everyday and at the same time everyday if possible and that you take it on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after eating that helps with absorption... I even do that with my patients I pass out their Synthroid an hour before breakfast at the hospital

lisa4kids

I have Hashi's too...since 2001 (dx'ed in 2002) and it is such a struggle. I am here to chat with about it if you want!!!

lisa4kids

Ok, are you on Synthroid (aka Levothyroxine)???

If you are, ask your doctor for a NATURAL Thyroid supplement, which is Armour Thyroid.

The reason you may be having problems with getting your levels straight is because Levothyroxine is a T4 only drug and Armour Thyroid will supply you with TSH, T3 and T4 - which your body needs.

The problem is that your body probably needs more T3 and since Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is a T4 only drug your body is lacking, hence the reason you are exhausted all the time.

My doctor made the switch for me from Synthetic to the natural thyroid and I have made HUGE improvements over the last few months.

PM me if you would like more information.

My mom has had wonderful success with being on Armour....and feels very energetic. I, on the other hand, went through about 3 weeks of sheer misery when I tried it. I couldn't sleep, I would sweat profusely and I felt like I was going insane. Everyone's levels are very different, so it really depends on the individual as to whether they do well on it or not. After I went off it, it took several months before I could get the Levoxyl regulated and to this day I am only on about half what I was taking before that. It was the craziest experience!!!

kimiel

bumping

butterbug1

Hello everyone
I am new here and just found this thyroid post. I have had a thryoid problem for a while now in December last year i had to drink the radio active idoine to shock it into working agin now my thyroid is underactive i hope got more blood tests in a few weeks to see and then the specialist. On top of this I have a pitutary adenoma which I am on medication for.
I have ballooned in weight which has been so down on myself. I have very little energy and when i do exercise I feel so faint for hours later on so its little at a time. I am wonderin what sort of food you all eat? My body craves carbo's and if I dont eat at least 5 times a day I feel so yuck I get hot and cold sweats feel really faint and the list goes on. So I need ideas on what food helps you to maintain you daily,am hoping once I see specialist he will put me on some medication or something to 1.ease the sypmtoms and 2. to help get my body on track.
Any help would be really appreciated
Thanks

dianelk

I have been diagnosed with hypothyroid about 9 years ago. I put on over 30
lb. and it will not come off. I eat between 500-1000 calories a day, I own 4
horses which I care for- ride/ stalls/ groom. I'm fairly active and have always
been thin up until I started to gain and it took 3 years and 5 doctors to find
my problem! Doctors do not help, they thru me in Synthroid and tell me I'm cheating
on my diet. Really makes me mad! I write everything I eat down and when in doubt
I always add the calories so I'm not missing anything. I only eat 1-2 1/2 meals a day.
I do not eat out and if I do it's may be on average if 1x every month. I eat nothing
Pre-packaged, I eat venison and chicken and everything is homemade.
I'm at the end of my rope, I have completely list myself and the depression at this
point is so bad I do not want to leave the house. I'm so fat and its not even like I have
enjoyed getting this way- NO I have gained a little over 30 lbs dieting, eating in a day what
most people get to eat in one meal, and exercise. DONE AND DEPRESSED!
At the end of my rope, sure my husband doesn't even find me attractive.

Ely82010

I have been diagnosed with hypothyroid about 9 years ago. I put on over 30
lb. and it will not come off. I eat between 500-1000 calories a day, I own 4
horses which I care for- ride/ stalls/ groom. I'm fairly active and have always
been thin up until I started to gain and it took 3 years and 5 doctors to find
my problem! Doctors do not help, they thru me in Synthroid and tell me I'm cheating
on my diet. Really makes me mad! I write everything I eat down and when in doubt
I always add the calories so I'm not missing anything. I only eat 1-2 1/2 meals a day.
I do not eat out and if I do it's may be on average if 1x every month. I eat nothing
Pre-packaged, I eat venison and chicken and everything is homemade.
I'm at the end of my rope, I have completely list myself and the depression at this
point is so bad I do not want to leave the house. I'm so fat and its not even like I have
enjoyed getting this way- NO I have gained a little over 30 lbs dieting, eating in a day what
most people get to eat in one meal, and exercise. DONE AND DEPRESSED!
At the end of my rope, sure my husband doesn't even find me attractive.

If you eat between 500 and 100 calories a day, then you are not eating enough. Thyroid problems or not eating below 1200 calories a day is not good for you or anybody else. If your doctor does not see that, then he needs to go back to medical school. Maybe you should get a second opinion or see a dietitian.

Your body is holding to those few calories for dear life due to severe calories restriction, and that is probably the reason for also gaining weight.

I have been on medication for about 4 years, and I also gained about 15 lbs, and I managed to loose all the extra weight but I keep my calories between 1200 and 1400 a day, and I also exercise 6 days a week.

Up your daily calories, give it a try. You don't have anything too loose, except weight.

Best of luck!

sam363

I have had thyroiditis since I was 18 (I'm now 28). First it started out as hyper then a couple years later switched to hypo. I have had my levels checked every 6 weeks for most of that 10 years. Only recently did I go 6 months with out a dose change. It can be very frustrating but knowing that my doctor is watching everything closely makes me feel better. Plus since I got pregnant with my first child 4 yrs ago I have been seeing the same endo and love him! I also found that if my T4 is in the normal range my T3 wasn't so I am now taking synthroid for T4 and cytomel for T3.

I have been trying to lose weight since I had my youngest and she is now 2. I found that the best diet for me is The Zone. Even my doctor recommended it to me. So I try to stay within my calories but also make sure that my protein, carbs, and fat ratios are in The Zone.

I also have hypoglycemia which makes it hard to work out for long periods of time. I recently took up running but have to make sure I eat a snack before and have energy jelly beans with me so I can last. Does anyone else have this problem?

sam363

I have Hashimotos and I am trying to get my doctor to go the Armor route....I heard it's wonderful. I have an appointment with a new and supposedly very informed endo next month.....I am trying to figure out though, what kind of affect my thyroid has on my base metabolism and if I should adjust my calorie intake accordingly. Have you thought about that?

Have you thought about Cytomel? It is a T3 drug and you can take it with Synthroid. I have had very good luck with this for my energy levels. I currently take 5mcg twice a day - once in the morning and then another does around noon. It has been fantastic! Plus if my levels are off it's usually my T4 so I don't have to change my T3 dose.

Remember that T3 is your short term energy (4 hours) and T4 is longer term (6 weeks). Good luck!

jansus

Anyone on this thread want to add me as a friend? Just been diagnosed today with under active thyroid with hopefully explains why I have been struggling ,so need some support.

jan

halielilith

I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's after 9 years of random symptoms. It took an allergist to finally order the right blood test! (I was covered in Hives!) My thyroid levels were still in the normal range, but a new doctor put me on levothyroxine. It took awhile for me to finally wean off the antihistamines, but I haven't been having the problems with the hives lately. I still feel "out of whack" and somedays still do not want to get out of bed (with reason, I am currently in grad school). How do you all find the motivation to go work out when you'd rather stay in bed? Also, have any of you experience more hormone issues (PMS, cravings, cramps, etc) when you're on your period? I have too much riding on losing weight and getting healthy...I've been totally screwed genetically (both sides of the family have tons of health issues). Any help, suggestions, etc. would be greatly appreciated!

Fu09

Hey Branuant! Just in case you didn't know, Wal-mart has levothyroxin (the generic Synthroid) for $4/ 1 month, $9/ 3 months. It's the same price whether you have insurance or not. I believe a lot of pharmacies have added that to their $4 generic list.

mkspriggs

It took forever for my levels to get straight and it took my nutritionist to explain it to me. you have to have a balanced diet the right about of fruit veg and protein. also when you get your blood done make sure you fast 8 hours prior no matter what dr says. this should help you. I wish you luck if you need anything just write me

sunshine79

I have an underactive thyroid which caused me to gain about 14lbs - have lost 5lb so far but it's real slow. I'm currently taking L-Tyrosine and sea kelp (herbal supplements) which seem to be working. I'm sleeping better, hair and nails aren't as brittle and I'm not gaining weight.

My Personal trainer also advised me to eat every 3hrs with some protein at each meal. It's a pain but it seems to be working. All the best and feel free to message me if you need any more info.

Grokette

I have Hashimotos and I am trying to get my doctor to go the Armor route....I heard it's wonderful. I have an appointment with a new and supposedly very informed endo next month.....I am trying to figure out though, what kind of affect my thyroid has on my base metabolism and if I should adjust my calorie intake accordingly. Have you thought about that?

Have you thought about Cytomel? It is a T3 drug and you can take it with Synthroid. I have had very good luck with this for my energy levels. I currently take 5mcg twice a day - once in the morning and then another does around noon. It has been fantastic! Plus if my levels are off it's usually my T4 so I don't have to change my T3 dose.

Remember that T3 is your short term energy (4 hours) and T4 is longer term (6 weeks). Good luck!

Just curious, but why would anyone want to add on another synthetic medication when Armour is complete including TSH, T3 and T4? And Armour is natural due to being pig's thyroid.

If I can help it I will never, ever take any synthetic drug again. I got on Armour and started eating healing foods and I am nearly off the Armour too. My goal is to get completely off any medications.

Don't let any Doctor tell you that once you get on any medication that you will be on it for life..............The body can heal itself with proper nutrition. It's not about the calories, it is about nourishing our bodies!!!

Ely82010

I have Hashimotos and I am trying to get my doctor to go the Armor route....I heard it's wonderful. I have an appointment with a new and supposedly very informed endo next month.....I am trying to figure out though, what kind of affect my thyroid has on my base metabolism and if I should adjust my calorie intake accordingly. Have you thought about that?

Have you thought about Cytomel? It is a T3 drug and you can take it with Synthroid. I have had very good luck with this for my energy levels. I currently take 5mcg twice a day - once in the morning and then another does around noon. It has been fantastic! Plus if my levels are off it's usually my T4 so I don't have to change my T3 dose.

Remember that T3 is your short term energy (4 hours) and T4 is longer term (6 weeks). Good luck!

Just curious, but why would anyone want to add on another synthetic medication when Armour is complete including TSH, T3 and T4? And Armour is natural due to being pig's thyroid.

If I can help it I will never, ever take any synthetic drug again. I got on Armour and started eating healing foods and I am nearly off the Armour too. My goal is to get completely off any medications.

Don't let any Doctor tell you that once you get on any medication that you will be on it for life..............The body can heal itself with proper nutrition. It's not about the calories, it is about nourishing our bodies!!!

Yes, Armour is a complete combination of TSH, T3 and T4, but if you have a problem with only one of these hormones, you can not reduce the dose of Armour because you will be also altering the doses of the other three.

I had to reduce the dose of T3, so Cytomel tablet ( or its generic), has to be cut in half. Besides, most Health Insurance do not cover Armour, and even not being a very expensive drug, not everybody can afford it or want to increase their medical expenses.

Just like RA and Lupus, Hashimoto is a autoinmune desease. Very hard to cure itself even with proper nutriion.

kbanzhaf

I'm determined to lose the weight, with or without a thyroid problem!

And it's very possible....I am living proof. Don't let having a thyroid issue deter you from your goal or be an excuse as to why you aren't doing it!

Kaye

jpitsy088

Same thing was doing well taking my synthroid stopped taking it for about 6 months put on 40 pounds while doing cardio daily and a low cal no diet. just started back on synthroid dr says wait it should come off easy if you keep working hard, without synthroid have no materialism so will not lose weight without drugs. take in morning wait 1 hour to eat and no dairy for 4 hours.

jpitsy088

gained 40 plus pounds from my low thyroid unfortunately carry it in my stomach which is pressing on my wind pipe esophagus causing severe shortness of breath and extreme gerd. doctor says keep working out weight will come off, give medicine time to work, so fatigued, hair thinning, terrible migraines , abusing Zantac 150 tablets heartburn so bad. working out daily is helping mt SOB, i went from gasping for air to really uncomfortable shortness of breath fat pressing on my organs so gross