underactive thyroid!!!!

firstsip

Spiffy I'm confused. If you had your thyroid removed and you're now on Synthroid, you should no longer be hyper, unless your dosage is not optimized. I'm pretty sure they only give Synthroid for hypo patients, which you would be since you don't have a thyroid to produce thyroid hormones anymore.

I'm fairly newly diagnosed, so I could be wrong. Just trying to figure it out.

*shrug* None of my doctors (it was my OBGYN who discovered that I was most likely having thyroid problems, and I've had three Endocrinologists over the past 5 years) have used the word hypOthyroid to describe my situation ever, even after the surgery. I have never been told that I'll ever be able to stop the medication (which makes sense to me since I no longer have my thyroid gland), which has been adjusted a few times but not for a good long while. I don't know, what do you think?

Without a thyroid, you will forever have hypothyroidism. That's just the current medical diagnosis of it; many endos may just be taking for granted that you know this. Speak up and ask questions!

However, without a thyroid, you CAN still "manifest" as hyperthyroid based on a variety of factors, which can include incorrect thyroid dosage, poor reaction to thyroid meds, extenuating issue with pituitary gland, etc. I actually went through thyroidtoxicosis about a year and a half ago as a result of "manifestation of hyper" symptoms; apparently I would have gone into a coma if I had the levels I did and still had a thyroid. All of this was after being put on too high of a dose for too long that we just didn't catch until it was too late (and I was in the ER with an irregular heart beat, TSH of 0, skyhigh cortisol, etc.).

SpiffySilpion

How dare you, it's an organ shaped like a BUTTERFLY. Probably the most attractive organ...

LOL, this cracked me up so much!

I'm still eating cheetos, and doritos - BUT i'm eating smaller portions than before, and I'm balancing it out with AWESOME baby spinach on my sandwiches, more fruit, cleaner meats, etc. In other words "doing what I'm suppose to". It's hard but I find it can be done for me personally.

I'm kind of the same way. I think MFP has really helped me to realize how much I used to snack, and I actually realize when I'm getting full and stop eating when I really need to. I'm definitely developing better eating habits.

in December of the next year had to have my thyroid gland removed

You should not have any issues other than your med not being at the correct amount. Anything other than this is a pure excuse.

As for HYPO, take the med or work harder. easy as that

Well, maybe I should clarify. I wasn’t using my thyroidectomy as an “excuse.” I was just trying to provide a little background on my history, that’s all.

SpiffySilpion

Spiffy I'm confused. If you had your thyroid removed and you're now on Synthroid, you should no longer be hyper, unless your dosage is not optimized. I'm pretty sure they only give Synthroid for hypo patients, which you would be since you don't have a thyroid to produce thyroid hormones anymore.

I'm fairly newly diagnosed, so I could be wrong. Just trying to figure it out.

*shrug* None of my doctors (it was my OBGYN who discovered that I was most likely having thyroid problems, and I've had three Endocrinologists over the past 5 years) have used the word hypOthyroid to describe my situation ever, even after the surgery. I have never been told that I'll ever be able to stop the medication (which makes sense to me since I no longer have my thyroid gland), which has been adjusted a few times but not for a good long while. I don't know, what do you think?

Without a thyroid, you will forever have hypothyroidism. That's just the current medical diagnosis of it; many endos may just be taking for granted that you know this. Speak up and ask questions!

However, without a thyroid, you CAN still "manifest" as hyperthyroid based on a variety of factors, which can include incorrect thyroid dosage, poor reaction to thyroid meds, extenuating issue with pituitary gland, etc. I actually went through thyroidtoxicosis about a year and a half ago as a result of "manifestation of hyper" symptoms; apparently I would have gone into a coma if I had the levels I did and still had a thyroid. All of this was after being put on too high of a dose for too long that we just didn't catch until it was too late (and I was in the ER with an irregular heart beat, TSH of 0, skyhigh cortisol, etc.).

Wow, sounds like you have been through the wringer! Things were worse for me before my diagnosis. I didn't even realize half of what was wrong with me until I got diagnosed. The only symptom I even noticed was that my period was starting to skip months, that alone had me scared. After I got diagnosed it turns out my eyes were bugging out, my heart rate was insanely high, I was totally sensitive to heat (I had noticed that before but never attributed it to my period problem), my skin was clammy, and I had a huge goiter. God knows how long all this was cooking up inside me--slowly enough for me to not notice most of the symptoms I was having!

I think part of my problem is that I've had so many doctors dealing with this with me. I love my OB and am still with her and she's really great with me. My first Endocrinologist was awful and actually lied to me about my options. After being miserable for a year just on medication, I finally got a referral to see another Endocrinologist who was like, "Um, if your goiter has shrunk since you first started medication and it's still this big now... I would have recommended surgery from the get-go." That guy was great! He was all about total well-being and was always on my case about getting enough vitamin D. Then my insurance changed. Now I'm back in the same office as the first Endocrinologist but with another doctor, who is the lease personable doc I've ever met in my life and makes me feel stupid when I try to ask for clarification. I think you're right about some docs assuming I/we *should* know or understand certain things about our condition, and this guy always seems annoyed at me if I don't. I definitely need to learn how to be a better advocate for myself.

Le sigh. /rant

I will definitely look into joining the group you recommended. For now, I'm going to Bedfordshire. Goodnight all!

141by2016

My first Endocrinologist was awful and actually lied to me about my options. After being miserable for a year just on medication, I finally got a referral to see another Endocrinologist who was like, "Um, if your goiter has shrunk since you first started medication and it's still this big now... I would have recommended surgery from the get-go." That guy was great! He was all about total well-being and was always on my case about getting enough vitamin D. Then my insurance changed. Now I'm back in the same office as the first Endocrinologist but with another doctor, who is the lease personable doc I've ever met in my life and makes me feel stupid when I try to ask for clarification. I think you're right about some docs assuming I/we *should* know or understand certain things about our condition, and this guy always seems annoyed at me if I don't. I definitely need to learn how to be a better advocate for myself.

I hate hearing things like this. Docs have a responsibility to make sure their patients feel listened to. Next time you see your endo let him know he is being an *kitten*, and that he works for you. Ask any questions you might have, and if he still is treating you poorly ask to speak to the hospital or group administrator. Your health is the most important thing, and if he can't be on your team you may need to find someone else.

Good luck!

Cassierocksalot

My first Endocrinologist was awful and actually lied to me about my options. After being miserable for a year just on medication, I finally got a referral to see another Endocrinologist who was like, "Um, if your goiter has shrunk since you first started medication and it's still this big now... I would have recommended surgery from the get-go." That guy was great! He was all about total well-being and was always on my case about getting enough vitamin D. Then my insurance changed. Now I'm back in the same office as the first Endocrinologist but with another doctor, who is the lease personable doc I've ever met in my life and makes me feel stupid when I try to ask for clarification. I think you're right about some docs assuming I/we *should* know or understand certain things about our condition, and this guy always seems annoyed at me if I don't. I definitely need to learn how to be a better advocate for myself.

I hate hearing things like this. Docs have a responsibility to make sure their patients feel listened to. Next time you see your endo let him know he is being an *kitten*, and that he works for you. Ask any questions you might have, and if he still is treating you poorly ask to speak to the hospital or group administrator. Your health is the most important thing, and if he can't be on your team you may need to find someone else.

Good luck!

It's also important to understand that Endos don't just focus on thyroid issues (hypo, hyper, etc.) they also tackle diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system. Unfortunately, most Endos (at least in my experience) know little to nothing about thyroid specific diseases because they have spent their careers focused on diabetics.

When I discussed Cytomel with my Endo a month ago, he spent 20 minutes explaining to me how it wouldn't do me any good but if I was insistent on it then he would do it anyways. Also telling me that there is no generic for Cytomel and so I would have to pay more for the brand name. I was insisting on adding Cytomel because an Endo that I had when I lived in another part of the state 6 years ago put me on it and it worked wonders! They had the generic available 6 years ago.... this is how out of touch with my condition my "specialist" is.

firstsip

My first Endocrinologist was awful and actually lied to me about my options. After being miserable for a year just on medication, I finally got a referral to see another Endocrinologist who was like, "Um, if your goiter has shrunk since you first started medication and it's still this big now... I would have recommended surgery from the get-go." That guy was great! He was all about total well-being and was always on my case about getting enough vitamin D. Then my insurance changed. Now I'm back in the same office as the first Endocrinologist but with another doctor, who is the lease personable doc I've ever met in my life and makes me feel stupid when I try to ask for clarification. I think you're right about some docs assuming I/we *should* know or understand certain things about our condition, and this guy always seems annoyed at me if I don't. I definitely need to learn how to be a better advocate for myself.

I hate hearing things like this. Docs have a responsibility to make sure their patients feel listened to. Next time you see your endo let him know he is being an *kitten*, and that he works for you. Ask any questions you might have, and if he still is treating you poorly ask to speak to the hospital or group administrator. Your health is the most important thing, and if he can't be on your team you may need to find someone else.

Good luck!

It's also important to understand that Endos don't just focus on thyroid issues (hypo, hyper, etc.) they also tackle diabetes and other diseases of the endocrine system. Unfortunately, most Endos (at least in my experience) know little to nothing about thyroid specific diseases because they have spent their careers focused on diabetics.

When I discussed Cytomel with my Endo a month ago, he spent 20 minutes explaining to me how it wouldn't do me any good but if I was insistent on it then he would do it anyways. Also telling me that there is no generic for Cytomel and so I would have to pay more for the brand name. I was insisting on adding Cytomel because an Endo that I had when I lived in another part of the state 6 years ago put me on it and it worked wonders! They had the generic available 6 years ago.... this is how out of touch with my condition my "specialist" is.

Ah! You are hitting on everything I'm missing girl!

YES. Endocrinologists often have 'specialties'; you can go to get treated for any endocrine problem, BUT, many specialize in certain things. My sister sees an endocrinologist specializing in PCOS in the same office I see my endo who is incredibly well known for specializing in thyroid and adrenal issues. Diabetes is the most common issue endocrinologists treat, so if anyone ever has issues with your endo, it's definitely worth checking to see what their specialty is... and trying to find an endo who DOES specialize in thyroid.

The pediatric endo I saw who severely underdosed me resulting in adrenal fatigue (near adrenal failure) ended up going on to specialize specifically in pediatric diabetes and no longer even treats thyroid (lucky me, I had her in her residency, and her attending was incompetent/rarely there... long story). Just pointing out: not all endos are the same personality wise, let alone specialty wise.

sharonmac

Wow thanks everyone!!! It gets so discouraging sometimes. The energy level is a huge problem for me. Plus I don't have that much will power to begin with but just trying to take one day at a time and push through this. I have an image in the back of my mind of what I want to look like. I know eventually I'll get there

RobynMWilson

Do you take levothyroxine or Synthroid?

I'm gonna send a FR. I don't have an underactive thyroid, just yet, but Mom developed one in her early 40s and my main goal was to put a metabolism in place in case that happened to me. I don't have a fast metabolism naturally. I've tricked it by eating several meals and snacks throughout the day and building lots of muscle.

I really hope it doesn't happen to me but if it does, I will be READY! lol

Cassierocksalot

Energy was a big thing for me too! Especially since my two favorite things to do are sleeping and playing video games. But once I got my diet worked out (proper nutrition) and started getting to the gym regularly, I started feeling naturally more energetic. Now, if I miss a day at the gym it sets the tone for a pretty lousy day. You'll find your stride. Just keep in mind, on those days when you're feeling discouraged because you're not seeing progress like you expect, that it's not necessarily that you're doing anything wrong. Your thyroid is working against you. Keep your head up, be proud of how far you've come and keep doing what you're doing. You got this!!

fmebear

Hi - I have been on the hypothyroid roller coaster for 13 years now. I was under control for quite sometime but then decided I could magically "cure" myself and quit taking the medications. BAD IDEA! I am now trying to get control of the beast again and it sucks!

The few things I have learned - take your medication at the same time EVERY day, wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking, do not mix with multi-vitamins/calcuim or vitamin D (I take all my supplements before bed), LEARN as much as you can about your condition, be your OWN advocate, find a doctor who will work WITH you and if the doctor does NOT, move on. I advocate for an endocrinologist for you BUT with that said be sure that the doctor does specialize in thyroid conditions. Know your symptoms so that if they return you can discuss with the doctor. Now as for my diet, I eat healthy and clean. Some people feel better on a gluten free diet ... me personally I do not. This is where you are going pay attention to how certain foods make you feel. If you feel sluggish with gluten, try removing it see what happens. For me, I have to have carbohydrates in my diet. I am too lethargic without them.

Also know the medication options, I am currently on Synthroid and Cytomel. Original diagnosis, it was just whatever the pharmacy gave me. Then I found a great endocrinologist - he really LISTENED to me. I read Thyroid Power, went to his office and asked for Cytomel. He listened and put me on it. Amazingly all my results, came back better and I FELT better. I have researched a new medication, Nature-Throid, and I am going to ask my endocrinologist to put me on it. It is natural thyroid not a chemical based one.

As for finding the right doctor, I would say endocrinologist but just not any endocrinologist. Be sure the doctor works with hypothyroid regularly. But maybe your family doctor, is better because he/she may listen to your needs better. If the doctor does NOT listen, time to find a new one. I have been through quite a few doctors because they do not listen to me and how I feel. Each person is different on their thyroid. You could be fine at the "normal" range but my "optimal" range is slightly higher.

A few authors I follow on the condition is Mary Shomon - Thyroid Power and a few other books. She is also on FB and I do follow her and read her articles regularly. Also on FB, I follow Thyroid Sexy. They have great articles, resources as well as lists of doctors that followers have posted on FB.

www.facebook.com/notes/thyroid-sexy/thyroid-sexy-faqs/310216568997305