Thyroid Issues Anyone?

Poods71

I have been suffering for years with Underactive Thyroid issues and have been tested in the past and been told my thyroid is fine. So carried on feeling crappy and putting on weight even when I was on a diet thinking the doctors knew what they were talking about. When I had my second daughter 2 and a half years ago I felt even worse. After blood tests they confirmed that I was Underactive and put me on Thyroxin. My life changed almost immediately. Losing weight, no more depression and mood swings, no more feeling achy and sore all the time like an old woman, no more forgetting everything not constantly feeling like I can't get on top of things work, housework, kids etc., having more energy and getting better sleeps. I had my life back. They keep checks on you when you are on it and after about maybe 6 or 7 months later they said that I didn't need to be on them anymore. I worried about going back to the way I was but thought, the doctors know what they are talking about so I'm sure it will be fine. For the first maybe few months I was fine but then little symptoms I had before started. I tried to ignore then at first thinking it might just be my imagination but once it got really bad I went back to the doctors. Turns out I was Anemic, which was why I was feeling so bad. But even after the Anemia was sorted I still didn't feel great so went for another thyroid function test only to be told it is unequivically normal!

The doctor did say I could go back on Thyroxin if I really insisted but would have to sign something to say I am doing it at my own risk. I was going to do that but he managed to talk me round to not doing it, which I am really annoyed about now.

I now feel even worse than I did then and don't have the energy to fight with the doctors and wait months to see the specialist and test results but guess that is what I am going to have to do.

Just wondered if anyone else has had these issues and have you taken Thyroxin against doctors orders and, if so, how have you got on?

Getting really desperate now and just want my life back.

PS there is a family history of Underactive Thyroid. My Auntie was told for years she was fine until she ended up in hospital. She didn't get sorted till she was in her 50's! I don't want to wait that long to get my life back.

tracypotgieter

HI very similar story to me - after loads of blood tests over the past 9 months and extremely low doses of thyroxin prescribed by my GP and putting on 13.5 kgs of weight - I went to a specialist who ordered more tests - definitely an underactive thyroid but again put me on a low dose to come back in 3 months - I have upped the dose myself and take2 kelp tablets and have lost 6 kilograms (12 lbs) in 4 weeks since upping the dose - but what a battle to get the doctor to agree with me - they are extremely conservative on the doses and worry about one having too much and getting thyroxicity but then the suffering of the insidiuous creep of an underactive thyroid is hideous and I am willing to take the risk to feel normal again.
My friend who has over active thyroid and is very clued up said to get yourself to a specialist or endochrinologist

Poods71

The doctor usually sends me to the thyroid clinic at the hospital. Is an endochrinologist different?

What do kelp tablets do for you? Willing to try anything at the moment.

Poods71

Actually, now I think about it I am sure the department I went to at the hospital was Endocronology and something else. They are the ones who are saying my tests are normal.

LittleMissDover

You really shouldn't self prescribe thyroxine doses as too much can also be dangerous.

Get yourself back to the doctors and insist on more tests, also get him to do blood count etc as it could be that you're anaemic instead.

Lionidle

I'm on Thyroxin for an under-active thyroid. Have been for a few years now and didn't lose weight until i started MFP and exercise. I firmly believe my under-active thyroid is a result of me putting on weight and feel that my thyroid function along with anything else that is struggling to work will be sorted when I'm at my optimum weight.

Poods71

I didn't lose weight with diet and exercise until I started on Thyroxin and then the diet and exercise actually started to work. Before that it was really demotivating being good all the time with no results.

But it's not really all about the weight as I am at a health BMI just (just don't want to start putting on again), it is more about how crappy I feel all the time. I was want my life back before I am too old to enjoy it.

mfprichard1

I was found to have under active thyroids levels about 6 months ago. I felt like crap everyday. My GP sent me to a endocrinologist and he only wanted to monitor me for 3 months. I gained 1- 1 1/2 pounds a week for total of 40 pounds. I went from running over 3 miles a day to barely being able to make myself get out of bed and taking mid day naps. My GP did a complete comprehensive profile including vitamin D level. My vitamin D was extremely low. I now take 100,000 units of prescribed vit. D a week. It has made all the difference. I'm slowly starting to feel like me again. Not to mention, I found out that low vit. D levels can cause decreased thyroid function. Feeling bad is not normal. Have your GP to keep looking.

Poods71

Thanks for that. I don't know if I have been tested for Vitamin D, will have to ask about that.

Poods71

I know what you mean about the exercise. I used to go to the gym 5 to 6 times a week and it just got to the point I physically couldn't do it anymore and completely stopped. I hate the fact that I used to be so fit and now I'm not.

mfprichard1

I went from wearing a bikini a year ago to wearing empire waist dresses only. WE will get back there together. Pray and stay focus. God is in control. I have lost 16 pounds so far in 3 month. I am walking 5-6 miles a day. Slowly but surely.

Poods71

I'm trying to stay positive. Going to make an appointment with the doctor. You're right, we will both get there (I don't think I will ever have a bikini body again after two c-sections though lol).

Sounds like you are doing everything right, good luck :flowerforyou:

Poods71

Also, are you on Thyroxin just now or is it just vitamin D?

omma_to_3

What are your test results? Do you have actual numbers?

Rockmyskinnyjeans

I have been on Synthroid for years. This past week, for the first time in 2 years, I had a normal reading on my thyroid. That means my current dosage (which is prescribed) is working. I hope you get answers soon!

dlmowrey

I feel you pain!!! I had my thyroid removed 7 years ago and have been stuck ever since. Please friend me and let me know what helps you!!

llsand

Ok

So here’s the « downlo » on the Thyroid issue. If your family has a history of Thyroid issues (underactive OR overactive), like any other disease, you are considered high risk for also developing and/or transmitting the disease.

The only specialist that can accurately confirm this is an endocrinologist (they often also treat diabetics this maybe why you have the feeling you saw something else + endocrinology). Because a Thyroid dysfunction is sometimes hard to identify, the best way to get tested is the following: 1 - “Blind” test -> The doctor feels the Thyroid on your neck either looking away or standing behind you to feel if it’s enlarged. 2 – Bloodwork, to see if the levels are correct. 3 – An ultrasound: It enables the doctor to see if the Thyroid is enlarged and/or if there are nodules. In case of doubt, these three tests are very important because you can go on not being properly treated all your life and basically suffer the consequences without any solution. Example: How I got diagnosed.

Had pretty much the classic Thyroid symptoms but when I got bloodwork, it would say that the levels were low but normal. When I got the “blind” test, sometimes my Thyroid was slightly enlarged and sometimes “normal”, doctors just said that “it happens” and that the Thyroid is sometimes tired (weight gain, stress etc etc) which is true and happens, but, one day one doctor said enough refused to accept the “low but normal results” and ordered an ultrasound. Conclusion: I have Hashimoto Hypothyroidism which is basically one of the worst you can have because it’s considered genetic, auto-immune and an open book to all forms of Hypothyroidism. Not bad hun ?

Been taking Levothyroxin and Euthyral (which is also a form of Levothyroxin) for ten years, because it’s kind of sketchy, I get tested every 6 months and see my endocrinologist right after to see if my treatment needs adjusting. I also got a ultrasound check up this week to see if there are any nodules – all ok thank god!

In any case, you need to not only rely on one test or one doctor. I had dentist tell me things were strange when I was a teen just to have other doctors only trusting the blood results and saying that everything was ok. I was left untreated until my late 20s. Also, if in fact you are OK and you are taking Thyroxin, it’s dangerous in the long-term. They are hormones; your Thyroid manages everything in your body. Imagine it this way : If your brain is the motherboard and your heart the battery then the Thyroid is the ventilator. Without it, you over heat, you burn out, no going back.

In France, years ago a pharmacy sold “herbal medicine” that they made to help loose weight . The women who took it had lots of energy and lost a lot of weight, but, some also died of heart attacks (over active heart rate). They discovered that the "herbal medicine" was acutally hypothyroidism medicine ( Thyroxin ). That was dangerous and needless to say illegal.

Get properly checked by a specialist and talk to him/her about your family history and your symptoms.

Hope this helps!

Jenn728

An underactive thryoid is so frustrating. I've been dealing with it for about 3 or 4 years now. I have all the classic symptoms: weight gain (around 70 pounds), low energy, hair loss, memory loss. I lost my health insurance a couple of years ago and couldn't afford the frequent blood tests anymore, so I have not been tested in a while. I have an appointment at a clinic on Monday to finally get this under control.

Poods71

What are your test results? Do you have actual numbers?

I honestly don' know sorry. I find all of the numbers really confusing and even the doctor trying to explain it doesn't help. But the wording they used on the last letter they sent to me was uneqivially normal. Shame I don't feel normal lol

Poods71

I have been on Synthroid for years. This past week, for the first time in 2 years, I had a normal reading on my thyroid. That means my current dosage (which is prescribed) is working. I hope you get answers soon!

That's great, you must be over the moon and thanks I hope I do too

Poods71

Ok

So here’s the « downlo » on the Thyroid issue. If your family has a history of Thyroid issues (underactive OR overactive), like any other disease, you are considered high risk for also developing and/or transmitting the disease.

The only specialist that can accurately confirm this is an endocrinologist (they often also treat diabetics this maybe why you have the feeling you saw something else + endocrinology). Because a Thyroid dysfunction is sometimes hard to identify, the best way to get tested is the following: 1 - “Blind” test -> The doctor feels the Thyroid on your neck either looking away or standing behind you to feel if it’s enlarged. 2 – Bloodwork, to see if the levels are correct. 3 – An ultrasound: It enables the doctor to see if the Thyroid is enlarged and/or if there are nodules. In case of doubt, these three tests are very important because you can go on not being properly treated all your life and basically suffer the consequences without any solution. Example: How I got diagnosed.

Had pretty much the classic Thyroid symptoms but when I got bloodwork, it would say that the levels were low but normal. When I got the “blind” test, sometimes my Thyroid was slightly enlarged and sometimes “normal”, doctors just said that “it happens” and that the Thyroid is sometimes tired (weight gain, stress etc etc) which is true and happens, but, one day one doctor said enough refused to accept the “low but normal results” and ordered an ultrasound. Conclusion: I have Hashimoto Hypothyroidism which is basically one of the worst you can have because it’s considered genetic, auto-immune and an open book to all forms of Hypothyroidism. Not bad hun ?

Been taking Levothyroxin and Euthyral (which is also a form of Levothyroxin) for ten years, because it’s kind of sketchy, I get tested every 6 months and see my endocrinologist right after to see if my treatment needs adjusting. I also got a ultrasound check up this week to see if there are any nodules – all ok thank god!

In any case, you need to not only rely on one test or one doctor. I had dentist tell me things were strange when I was a teen just to have other doctors only trusting the blood results and saying that everything was ok. I was left untreated until my late 20s. Also, if in fact you are OK and you are taking Thyroxin, it’s dangerous in the long-term. They are hormones; your Thyroid manages everything in your body. Imagine it this way : If your brain is the motherboard and your heart the battery then the Thyroid is the ventilator. Without it, you over heat, you burn out, no going back.

In France, years ago a pharmacy sold “herbal medicine” that they made to help loose weight . The women who took it had lots of energy and lost a lot of weight, but, some also died of heart attacks (over active heart rate). They discovered that the "herbal medicine" was acutally hypothyroidism medicine ( Thyroxin ). That was dangerous and needless to say illegal.

Get properly checked by a specialist and talk to him/her about your family history and your symptoms.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for that. I have had the blind test and he did say they felt enlarged and I tell myself. Sometimes they feel bigger than others. I have had the blood tests too, which they keep saying are normal. I haven't had an ultrasound though, don't know if they do that in Scotland but I could ask about it I suppose.