Thyroid Issues Anyone?

I have been underactive also, with family history. I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease (overactive) when I was 19 and had radioactive iodine treatment to kill off my thyroid. I've been on hormone ever since....but went through a period of years where medical doctors, including endocrinologists would not listen to me. I had the same problems you have....tired, achy, weight gain leading to depression. I was miserable. My mom had her thyroid removed and is taking less hormone daily than I am currently cause she still goes to the same quack doctor that told me I just wanted him to prescribe me a higher thyroid dosage so I would lose weight. I was furious....that was not it at all. I had 3 little ones at home and felt like I was a great grandma trying to care for them. I was not grossly overweight, but needed to get some off. I went to a specialist who, to my face, said if I needed to work out 4 hours a day to lose weight, that is what I had to do. It seemed everytime I listed my symptoms, all these *kitten* did was hone in on the struggle with weight loss and throw that as my reasons in my face. I FINALLY found a doctor, a D.O. (doctor of osteopath) vs. an M.D. He is a godsend....he actually listens to me and said he treats how I feel, NOT JUST the lab results. Of course he has to weigh all the information, just like an M.D., but a very very very slight increase in my thyroid hormone did NOT affect my lab results but made me feel like I was no longer some aging alien being from another planet.....i had read books and studies on thyroid deficiencies and there are so many people with the same issues when going to their M.D. or an endocrinologist for help....they are so text book/lab result oriented. Thyroid disease is not something you can treat based on those resources alone....the patient is the #1 barometer for what is the right course of action...I'm not discounting that the labs have to be used, and I'm not some non M.D. freak....I just think in the case of thyroids, most m.d.'s have their heads in the sand.

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.