Hello, thyroid, can you hear me?

13

Replies

  • bjune5
    bjune5 Posts: 70 Member
    Had my thyroid removed in 2004 due to cancer. It's been a hpyp roller coster ever since. I take 250 mcg Levothyroxine every morning when I wake up. I take my mutli-vitamin and other supplements at lunch. To lose weight I have to stick to a low carb diet and exercise at least 3 to 4 days a week.
  • abenardini
    abenardini Posts: 43 Member
    I was born without a thyroid, so I have been hypothyroid my entire life. It has always been as struggle to keep my levels right, especially when I would hit a growth spurt or gain/lose weight. I am currently on 150mcg of levothyroxine and 5mcg of cytomel 3xDay. Now that I have that added T3, I have seen a HUGE improvement on how I feel and finally don't have the hypo symptoms anymore. Since the thyroid produces both T3 and T4 it makes sense that I need to replace both hormones that my absent thyroid SHOULD be producing.
  • justjenny
    justjenny Posts: 529 Member
    So glad for this thread. My gyno did a total prenatal blood workup on me. My TSH came back at a 5.1, and according to her it's supposed to be 3.7. She used the term "sluggish thyroid". I have an appt with my PCP next week. I did some googling and found a site called Stop the Thyroid Madness where the author claims that "TSH LAB TEST: Supposedly measures the actual TSH in your body, called the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, a pituitary hormone messenger. Yup, they are using a pituitary hormone to tell you if you have a thyroid issue."

    So I guess I am wondering if anyone knows if my doctor will just monitor it, or if they will put me on meds? Is there a way to regulate it without meds? This is all so new to me, and honestly makes me a little nervous...
  • melissajean911
    melissajean911 Posts: 2
    100mcg synthroid here.
  • DeeJayTJ
    DeeJayTJ Posts: 355 Member
    me toooo
  • crabbyab90
    crabbyab90 Posts: 111 Member
    I have hypo! I was diagnosed with postpartum thyroiditis 1.5 years ago. Im on 100mcg of levothyroxine :) Feel free to add me!
  • aricbramlett
    aricbramlett Posts: 16 Member
    I'm Hypo and have no thyroid at all. Been that way since birth. I'm on 150mg Levothyroxine daily. Actually, does anyone know why it should be taken first thing in the morning? Ever since I was a baby I have taken it before bed but I noticed on the packaging the other month that it should be taken AM. Finding it very hard to break that habit!!!

    Add me!

    From what I was told by several Drs was that almost everything we eat or drink will affect the way it is absorbed. I was told to take it with water at least 30 minutes before ingesting anything else in the morning. I was even given an example that a woman had been on the same dose for years, but when she started taking it with OJ her level plummeted (or raised based on which hormone they were looking at). I had Thyroid cancer and had a thyroidectomy. I will be cancer free for 5 years on the 8th of May. I am on synthroid.
  • IngloriousBastard
    IngloriousBastard Posts: 1 Member
    I had Follicular carcinoma thyroid cancer 12 years ago. I take 250 µg, daily, every morning.

    At least you have a thyroid to speak too ;-)
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    I, fortunately, do not have thyroid issues, but several family members do. My cousin recently passed away at the age of 38 with an enlarged heart. Though the autopsy didn't show it, we believe her enlarged heart was due to her hypothyroidism. Please... if you do have hypothyroidism, be sure to have your hearts checked regularly. An enlarged heart is easily treatable, but it has to be caught early. My cousin's condition was completely undiagnosed in spite of monthly visits to the doctor.
  • vytamindi
    vytamindi Posts: 845 Member
    Quick question, since this is a summit of thyroid sufferers: does weight loss affect the dosage of Synthroid? I've lost some weight and was wondering if maybe that's why the brain fog has returned.

    Don't worry, I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for Wednesday, I was just wondering if anyone knew off the top of their head.

    ***I understand that any response shouldn't be taken as medical advice, so don't worry***
  • jsd6078
    jsd6078 Posts: 26 Member
    I am hypo due to total removal. I played russian roulette for years on Synthroid, I do really well on a split dose of Armour (45 in am 30 in pm).

    The biggest issue I have now is when I am working out I have to be very careful not to overheat.
  • 44by44th
    44by44th Posts: 289 Member
    Hypo. Diagnosed with Hashimoto's about 3 1/2 years ago during a routine blood test with my regular doc. She sent me to an endocrinologist at first, just to make sure there wasn't something more going on. All was clear with the specialist, so my regular doc is managing it now via blood tests every six months, but both told me I'll be on daily meds going forward.

    Before, I had no idea what the symptoms even were, so *if* I was suffering from the effects, I was blissfully unaware. That diagnosis turned out to be a blessing in disguise, though. Now that I know the symptoms, I'm WAY more in tune with and committed to my health than ever before. The only annoying symptom I have is loss of some facial hair here and there, but I've always been a pretty clean-cut guy so that's not a big deal to me.

    I've lost 40+ pounds since February of 2012. It wasn't exactly easy, but it wasn't really that difficult, either. I walk an average of 20 miles a week, and I try to eat smaller portions at mealtime. And it may seem like a chore to some, but I love the MFP food diary - I fill it out every day, whether I'm under or over. My bigger goal is better overall health, and the diary reminds me of that every time I add to it.
  • ltriggi
    ltriggi Posts: 1
    Hypo/Hyper it's different every other month. They just can't get the synthroid dose right these last few month. It makes losing weight a nightmare!!
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    i aswell have hashimoto and i take 50mg of levoxyl 6 times a week ... i have had NO side effects... and im grateful i LOVE my medicine.... it made me feel better.... because before i took it.... all i could say... is that..... i was.. Crazy.. lol... emotional wreck...
  • STC189
    STC189 Posts: 34 Member
    I'm hypo. Most likely hashimoto's but I don't have an answer back yet. Taking Armour. Feel free to add me.
  • lovelyMYlovely
    lovelyMYlovely Posts: 1,066 Member
    So glad for this thread. My gyno did a total prenatal blood workup on me. My TSH came back at a 5.1, and according to her it's supposed to be 3.7. She used the term "sluggish thyroid". I have an appt with my PCP next week. I did some googling and found a site called Stop the Thyroid Madness where the author claims that "TSH LAB TEST: Supposedly measures the actual TSH in your body, called the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, a pituitary hormone messenger. Yup, they are using a pituitary hormone to tell you if you have a thyroid issue."

    So I guess I am wondering if anyone knows if my doctor will just monitor it, or if they will put me on meds? Is there a way to regulate it without meds? This is all so new to me, and honestly makes me a little nervous...
    many medicines that the doctors put you on do NOT cause side effects because it is a natural hormone... but yes medicine will help.. they will probably refer you to an endo doctor and they will do blood work and give you the pills... in my case i have to take it for life... but i am grateful about it because before i found out my side effects were horrid...!! i was emotional/moody/ cold ALL THE TIME/ sleepy/ and i had anxiety about many things... now i feel MUCH better.... its sad because im only 22 but its better that i found out because my hashimoto did ruin my relationship with my babies father so.... im glad i am emotionally stable now with no side effects! YAY! :) you will be fine.. do not worry...
  • alexis49er
    alexis49er Posts: 16 Member
    Hashimoto's since 2010 here! It moved in with a 60 lb. weight gain that doesn't want to come off!

    75 mcg of Tirosint (gel cap version of levothyroxine without the side effects) and 5 mcg of Cytomel.


    Feel free to add me, always like new friends!!
  • elana87
    elana87 Posts: 5
    Hashimoto's and PCOS here. I'm not on any meds for thyroid as of now, but that's mostly because my endo hasn't seen consistently high TSH levels to put me on anything (also considering I'm not trying to get pregnant yet). Supposedly this will happen in the next 5-10 years.

    I find my metabolism is super slow, and I'm pretty much always ready for a nap. While I'm good about maintaining my weight, it's a huge effort to lose any. And because my energy is low, I'm super unmotivated to work out. Also, I have inflammatory arthritis, so I'm trying to preserve my joints and not do too many high impact workouts. I just joined MFP and I would love to have some buddies to motivate me to get up and moving!
  • dkgoetz
    dkgoetz Posts: 65 Member
    I have Graves' Disease, I just recently got off of methimazole, and hoping my thyroid will regulate itself now (fingers crossed!)
  • Lmc_32
    Lmc_32 Posts: 6 Member
    Hi, I'm hypo too, also hashimotos diease, & pof. I lost 2stone a couple of yr ago, but it is slowly creeping back on, I went to see endio dr today & he is upping my levothyroxine to 100mg one day & 75mg the next day. I have been at the same weight for a while, hope the weight comes of easily.
    Please feel free to add me
  • roseyposey2
    roseyposey2 Posts: 1 Member
    Hi, I have Graves disease, i have been very hyper went on meds n levels looked good so went off meds n leaned towards hypo..now i am going hyper again and back on meds ugh Makes it hard to know how to eat! I was almost at goal but i guess now i know is because i was very hyper..i have since gained most back and starting again! I need help to know if i am on the right track! feel free to add me :)Thanks!!
  • ash8184
    ash8184 Posts: 701 Member
    Hey! I have Hashimotos as well...found out by accident. I'm on levothyroxine 40mg daily to keep me "steady" but other docs are saying some other issues I have may be caused by my thyroid. How bout you?

    Ah! I'm on a natural thyroid.... sooo thankful I started taking it!!

    Ooh, by your Endo or someone/something else? I would be interested to know about it...would be nice to get off the med:smile:

    I am seeing a naturopath for hashimotos! I'm not sure how the synthetic compares to the natural thyroid, but I have no complaints! Before I started taking it, I was soooo fatigued and sluggish, and couldn't lose any weight :/

    Severely hypo here - always fatigued and have had a heck of a time my whole life losing weight. Are you on Armor? I got up to 30 grains/day before I switched from the natural doc to the Western one. now I'm on 100mcg of Tironsint, which isn't nearly as good.
  • clchris811
    clchris811 Posts: 2
    I am hypo also. And I went to a specialist to inquire about Armor Thyroid - and she freaked out on me!! So I am on the syn meds - but the "people's pharmacy" had a great article about the benefits of the Armor thyroid - maybe i should try a natural dr? Just not happy with this at all. Very slow metab too.
  • nicolie88
    nicolie88 Posts: 35
    Please add me! Going through issues with my thyroid and need to stay encouraged!!! :)
  • yogagirl320
    yogagirl320 Posts: 1 Member
    Also hypo ..just started Armour 8 days ago .energy already back..changed my diet to gluten free dairy free
  • TBoom915
    TBoom915 Posts: 115 Member
    I have hyper but had hypo. Mine has played a game with me.

    Same here ^^^. I'm on Tapizole
  • RoseTears143
    RoseTears143 Posts: 1,121 Member
    Fellow Hashi head over here - gluten and dairy free since beginning of march and have had a vast improvement in many areas affected by AI thyroid disease. :)

    Edit: had issues since 2001, Dx with hypo in 2006, Dx Hashi in 2009 - talk about a lag in help from the medical community!!! -_- I'm currently on 2 grains of Westhroid but my most recent appt with the endo yesterday suggests I need to lower my dose and I'm thrilled!! With my weight loss and better diet my BP is getting too high on this dose so blood results in a few days should confirm all this.

    People with issues: I myself had NO help on Synthroid or levo at all. The only thing those did for me was bring my TSH to "normal" but didn't resolve ANY symptoms or allow me to lose weight. I tried a combo with Cytomel and it made me literally crazy. Switched to Armour and it took 8 months for my body to accept it and start to feel better. I switched to Westhroid about 3 1/2 weeks ago by accident when I asked my endo for the new Wethroid-P that just came out which has only 3 ingredients in it and I want the thyroid hormone option with the least amount of fillers and I was given regular Westhroid instead because my pharmacy is incompetant. But I am going to keep trying to get what I want!
  • Elisirmon
    Elisirmon Posts: 273 Member
    I know I have a thyroid problem runs heavily in my family but I have no insurance and the clinic won't take me serious they did a t3 t4 test but wouldn't tell me my lvls. So irritated i tried a natural thyriod called Thytrophin PMG and it helped with my fatigue and being overly cold but don't want to screw myself up more with wrong dosage.

    Any suggestions?
  • grumpster72
    grumpster72 Posts: 43 Member
    I feel very lucky...I didn't have a problem with my thyroid, but they found a huge nodule on the left side. After consultations concerning the nodule and the sheer amount of nodules on the other half of my thyroid, I decided to go ahead with having the whole thing removed. My biggest fear was that I was going to have issues and end up gaining even more weight. A year later, I'm still doing well, I never ran into any issues and have in fact lost weight. I wish you all the best with your issue.
  • nolongerXXL
    nolongerXXL Posts: 222 Member
    I have no thyroid due to cancer, trying to get my meds regulated. Add me if you would like!

    Same here.

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