For my fellow Hashimoto's Thyroiditis folks...

merton

I have Hashimoto's too- it's such a pain isn't it!? I was diagnosed about three years ago and was so happy to finally know what was the matter with me; for so long I just thought I was crazy, depressed or just plain lazy. I've been taking quite a bit of supplements and thryroid meds, getting levels tested regularly, seeing an amazing dr. and while I definitely feel better it seems harder than ever to loose any weight. I'm sure that has something to do with getting older but it seems a bit extreme. I'm getting really frustrated.

Airadet

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's at 18. Since then, I have been gaining five pounds here or there, and it is driving me insane. I am eating at a calorie deficit and exercising, no change. As if having the multi-nodular goiter in my neck wasn't enough.

My neck used to be my favorite part of my body. If I could do whatever I wanted, I would have my thyroid removed and be placed on full replacement..

I freeze all the time, have regular migraines, and have TMJ as well. I just feel so alienated from other "normal" people my age. I used to feel invincible! Not anymore.

I also don't have any insurance, and can't afford to go the doctor. I was rejected for my state's health care. So, I'm not receiving any treatment and I have no idea if the condition has progressed or what since I lost my insurance.

She_Hulk

I just found out I have Hashimoto's this last week, though I've had long-running thyroid issues for the past few years. I've been wondering why I've never been able to balance out my thyroid and stay on a dosage for very long before having to change it up again but now it makes sense. I'm beginning to eliminate gluten from my diet and I hope that helps.
Last year I went to a 'holistic nutritionist' of sorts to see if my underlyilng stomach issues that no doctor has been able to pin down could be solved by diet changes. She did the muscular resistance test and determined that I had wheat, gluten, spelt even though my celiac test from my GI came back normal, as well as peanut, and dairy sensitivities. I tried a diet without all of those and didn't make a difference on my stomach issues so I went back to normal. Now I am wishing I had stayed on it!

I'm glad you found a doc to listen! I personally think taking you off of Armour and putting you on Synthroid was a bit drastic, he could have just lowered your dose. But maybe you will be OK on Synthroid. Personally, it didn't do anything for me other than make my labs look normal. I didn't feel any different because my body wasn't actually using the hormone.

My fingers are crossed for you!!
I found a new GI doc who gave me a range of tests, and has diagnosed me with gastroparesis...hallelujah! He also referred me to an endocrinologist who thought my TSH levels were way too low and my dosage of Armour was too high--I was on 150 gr of Armour. He took me off thyroid meds for a week and has since put me on Synthroid. Honestly, I'm a little nervous about how Synthroid will make me feel because I've heard that a lot of people have never felt better than when they were on Armour...but my heart rate was so high that I agree with him that I was on too high a dosage...my resting heart rate was between 102 & 135!

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I was taking Synthroid and now I'm on Armour 60mg plus 15 mg (since they don't have an actual 75mg dosage). I feel better on the Armour, but everyone is different. Best wishes with your switch. Many people do better with Synthroid.

By the way, thank you so much for posting this. Yes, it is such a roller coaster ride. It took years to get me on the right medication and dosage. Those were very tough years that I would never want to go through again. Ever. I still get depressed just remembering. I'm so grateful to have a wonderful doctor now that's on top of things and he checks my levels every 6 months.

Thanks again for the post and best wishes to all!

sinoodle

I've had it for about 8 years now, last ultrasound showed I have no thyroid left, all gone...I've been on Synthroid the whole time with the dosage going up and down. To be totally honest, I had no idea I had it, until a routine blood test showed my levels were wayyyyy off. I really think lots of people have this problem, but have no idea what's going on.

The real pain for those trying to drop the pounds, is that your dosage is most likely weight based ( synthroid is ) . So as you lose weight, you should get your levels checked more frequently. After losing 12 lbs, and my dosage moved from 175 to 150. If my dosage is wrong ( too high ) I tend to stare into empty space for long periods of time.

nannymarty04

thank you for this information, it has been very helpful,

walk_fit

My husband April 2013 found his TSH was 12.5 and TPO was 1200 range.Immeditely he went on gluten free diet, brazil nut, resveretrol vit D supplements along with synthroid 50. His vit D was low. 3 months TSH was 3.5, TPO 80. The only thing I notice After 6 months is he was thin but now thinner 183lbs, slighly low moods. Definetely being gluten free is no joke hard on the long run but he continues it also noted his pulse is always Round 57-60. He is not an athelete. So there is always hope.

annakow

Its all excuses..there is no disease to make you fat, there are few who can trigger some weight gain while you eat wrong food. I am underactive too. Just eat less and exercise

hOw2lozeAgiN10dAze

:drinker: Cheers! I've been hypo since age 13. I get labs done today, keep your fingers crossed for an upped med dosage for meeeeeeee!

RoseTears143

Its all excuses..there is no disease to make you fat, there are few who can trigger some weight gain while you eat wrong food. I am underactive too. Just eat less and exercise

This just shows how ignorant you are to the disease. Maybe do some research before spouting off information you know nothing about. Just ask the thousands of people with Hashimoto's if it did (or did not) make them gain weight.

Yes it has some to do with not having energy to exercise, and with what you eat - but more than you obviously know this condition DOES mess up your body and your hormones which make the person gain weight a lot of the time. It affects everyone differently.

ET - being hypo is NOT the same thing as having Hashi's either

RoseTears143

I'm so glad I've found more butterfly chasers! I hope you all find support and comfort here, I am actually contemplating creating a group now...yup...gonna do it. stay tuned for the link

RoseTears143

Created a group - http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/16887-butterfly-chasers . I've sent everyone here that posted an invite to join.

hashimotosabitch

HI there, I loved your poem!!! It sums it all up. I have been dealing with this insidious disease for over 20 years. It started when I was in a bad marriage, with twins (one with special needs), and a teenager that was acting out (in criminal ways). The stress of it all caused me to get sick. I have tried yoga, walking, etc, diet modifications, natural remedies and medications. I have numerous certifications in fitness and holistic healing (all earned in my quest to heal myself and others).

The medications I have tried, prescribed from the 15 to 20 Endocrinologists that I have seen over the years, made me want to jump out of my skin and run for the hills. I have tried all the mediations mentioned on this board. I now have so many food sensitivities that it is hard to even eat. I have swollen ankles and feet, high blood pressure, adult acne, gastrointestional attacks, and muscle pains. I have constant sinus infections and brain fog. I have battled suicidal thoughts for many years. The only thing that stops me is my mentally handicapped adult son--what would he do without me? Besides that, I am scared I might have to come back here again, as a punishment, and be in worse condition then I am in in already. One time I broke out in a fungal infection all over my body, from eating mushrooms. And then I broke out in tremors and twitches, that lasted for eight months from taking Clartin for the numerous allergies I have developed. Now that the boo-hoo-poor-me discourse is over. Let me tell you beautiful people what has worked. I take a liquid B-complex vitamin (Naturalist brand--it gives you great energy), EmergenC multi-vitamins,and liquid calcium with vitamin D mag. and phos. I don't take everything everyday. I rotate the supplements. I have been taking liquid NatraBio thyroid support for years, and now my thyroid function tests are low normal. Because of the onset of prediabetes, I can't eat many carbs. I cut out gluten and dairy, due to food sensitivities. I eat a lot of seaweed products, like seaweed chips and sushi, etc. Since I stopped the dairy and gluten I have lost 17 pounds. I eat a lot of organic veggies, and hormone free chicken and turkey a couple times a week (Walmart has some cheap organic meats).. Sometimes t work out for 10 minutes at a time--with my various 10 minute dvds, or I walk for 30 minutes. I have found that if I go longer I swell up more, and according to the books I have read, it causes people with hashimoto's to have too many free radicals, which we can't process well. I take natural apple cider vinegar and bottled water with a squeeze of lemon. This is good for cleansing and weight loss. People with hasimoto's disease tend to bulid up toxins in their bodies. I buy all my products online at The Vitamin Shop, they have good prices! If you have noticed, all of the natural products Ii take are liquid or dissolve in water, because it is easier for your body to assimilate the products. I plan on doing a 2 week juice cleanse in January. I will let you guys know how it goes.

I am far from well, but I am better then before, and I am able to attend college, care for my son, and write my first novel. I would love to go back to work, but my condition is so unstable. I never know what is going to break out from day-to-day. I would love to hear from someone who is successfully holding down a job with this illness. Happy New Year folks! God Bless and keep fighting to regain your wellness.

RoseTears143

Thank you for sharing your story!!!

focuseddiva

I got diagnosed after I delivered my first child. Turns out, my mother also has it and never knew it.
I was on Synthroid for about 6 months and then got weaned off of it. I get my TSH checked every year and have been fine, but lately I have been feeling off. Wondering if it's acting up again.