Hi! (hypothyroid & PCOS)

Hi! I have the exact same health diagnosis. Feel free to add me!

I have hypothyroidism since I was little but just barely started meds in July. Got tested again last week and my levels are perfect now my doc said. Before meds I was never able to loose weight. I have dropped 24lbs since I started on them and feel so much better. I cried when I saw the scale go down. You can add me:)

I was "borderline" hypothyridic for many years.... but my thyroid was "not underactive enough to treat" according to several doctors. I have struggled with depression as well.... which also can be linked to hypothoroidism... & more recently labs revealed high cholesterol (also a possible side effect of hypothyroidism). Now I'm not saying that I was eating perfect... or working out as much as I should have, I DEFINITELY wasn't. I made choices & I take responsibility for that. But..... Hypothyroidism was definitely a contributing factor to the big picture. It contributed to the way I was feeling & made me feel too tired to get through my day... let alone worry about exercise & cooking healthy meals. 3 months ago my doctor decided to try treating me with a very low dose of synthroid (levothyroxine).... which has made ALL the difference! I feel so much better, have energy, feel happy & like myself again. It is sad that I went for so long without anyone listening... but I am so happy someone finally did. I am glad you finally got help too... & hope everyone is able to advocate for themselves well enough to be taken seriously too!

Hi

Great to see the positivity - hypothyroid conditions are manageable. I don't know much about PCOS but I've been hypothyroid for 18 years - but only diagnosed for 6 of those - and the difference in my life between medicated and unmedicated is crazy. I sometimes feel like I could be a posterchild for hypothyroid NOT ruling your life now - when in the past it did dictate a lot because it wasn't diagnosed and managed. I've met people who see a diagnosis of hypo as an awful thing - I saw it as being set free and able to live my life in a better, healthier way.

Good luck on your journey! It won't happen overnight but if your meds are right and your lifestyle is healthy you can achieve this

Hello, I am here to support and encourage all of you. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism over 13 years ago and diagnosed with PCOS over 7 years ago. Everyone told me I would never be able to lose weight and be normal. I am excited to share that it can be done it will take a little extra work but can happen. My dietician share's my story with her patients and I also lead the Challenge for life group at my church. I have been on my journey for almost a year now. September 13, 2012 I made a comittment to myself and family that I was going to lose 100 lbs in 1 year and I am almost there just a few ounces to go. When I went in for my annual exam last year it dropped me to my knees, I lost my Mom at a very young age and when I saw those numbers I made up my mind right then and there that I did not want my children to go through what I have gone through.

I can tell you it takes some serious commitment, there will be good days and bad days. Days when you feel like giving up, DO NOT! I highly suggest that you take your measurements now and do that 1-2 monthly. The scale is NOT your best friend. Do not become to attached to a scale they are nice and all but can really through you into an emotional tail spin. You will have plateaus, those two will pass and there are various ways to work through them. But as you are going through your journey keep in mind that your body needs to catch up as you are going along too. That is why I strongly suggest taking measurements, because there will be times when the scale will not budge but you will notice the changes in the numbers of your measurements. As you work out and become more active you will also start to build muscle.

I would be happy to encourage and support you along your journey. But one thing I will say is this is NOT a diet, this is a lifestyle change. So keep in mind that once you reach your goal that does not mean you can go back to the way it used to be. You need to continue on with the clean eating and living. You will succeed!!

ok.... along the lines of PCOS... has anyone found something that helps with jawline breakouts/clogged pores and excess body/facial hair? I get upper lip/chin hair, belly hair and chest hair. I've been waxing/plucking/shaving/depilatory creams. All of these seem to amplify the problem.

my endocrinologist doesn't listen to me! What steps did you take to find a dr who will listen?
What are you doing to lose?

I've had health problems since I was 16. It started with lethargy and got worse over 10years.
Every single doctor I had been to had me get general labs drawn (whatever that means)
an insisted I had ADD, depression, or anxiety, or some sort of combination.
I finally started an initial visit with each new doctor, giving them a long speech of crap I've been through,
the meds I had been put on, and finishing by insisting I did not have depression or anxiety, and begging them
to find what was wrong with me.
I had a Dr tell me I had a form of narcolepsy (LMAO), and another sent me to a neurologist.
After my second baby I tried telling my obgyn I thought I had a hormonal imbalance. She was a smart *ss
and told me there was no way, because I had just had a baby months before.
I wound up in the hospital 4months later bleeding to death. According to the ER Dr (surprise!) it was due to
a hormonal imbalance.
it's 2 years later, and I finally had it in me to try a new Dr, (and needed to for migraines)
He was amazing! He listened to everything I had to say, and sent me to a new gyno.
My new gyno immediately new I had PCOS since I have every single marker for it, and sent me to get all
my hormone levels tested.
I started my meds 2 days ago.
I'm taking yaz for the PCOS, and Levothyroxine for my thyroid.
I will go in in 2 months to retest and up my meds.

I eat a mostly whole foods, organic diet.
I eat a minimal amount of meat (once every few days), and try to make sure at least half of what I've eaten through out the day is fresh produce.
I buy sprouted grain breads, and organic gluten free pastas.
I try to eat 1200-1400 calories a day, and make sure to not go over 1800 calories.
My biggest problem is not having energy to cook and ordering in.
Even though I watch the calories, the carbs are bad because of my PCOS and ho straight to my belly.

As far as advice for a doctor... Keep trying. If they don't listen try new ones.
I think the reason I was finally successfull is because I had a new doctor (meaning he was young &new to being a Dr)
and he was excited about making a difference in his patients.
GL

Haven't read all the way down, but as someone that was diagnosed with "anxiety and depression" before being diagnosed with PCOS.... I found your story interesting. I wonder how much PCOS plays a role in those things. I've noticed reduced anxiety and depression just through treating PCOS with diet and exercise.