Hypothyroid HELP!

There are several private groups on here for people with Hashimoto's and also for people with Celiac. I'd suggest searching for one and asking some questions in there. I'd try to help but I have next to no knowledge about either.

Hello,

I have hypothyroidism and have been taking 50 mcg of Synthroid for years. Although I felt better, I really didn't feel normal until Cytomel was added.
My symptoms before adding meds were extreme fatigue: I had to take a nap after shopping for groceries--no energy to put them away. Falling asleep watching the local news at 5:30 or 6 p.m. at night. Never really feeling rested
I never had a real weight problem until I started nursing school and I was stress eating a lot.
I have an interest in nutrition and ate a spartan diet in my 20's, mostly eggs, cabbage, beef liver, mackerel or tuna (canned), rice, elbow macaroni, green beans, and chicken that I bought whole and cut up. When I had a real job, I ate out more and gained some weight, which I lost after joining a gym in the late 1980's, and pretty much kept it off until attending nursing school, and I gradually started gaining weight.
My question to you is did your physician check your T4 uptake and T3. My physician only checked TSH and I was a little high on that test. She didn't want to start me on meds but I asked her to due to my having symptoms. When I saw a specialist, they checked a thyroid panel and added the Cytomel, which really helped a lot. I would not even think about discontinuing these meds.
I lost weight this last year, but really watched my diet and exercised hard. I have lost and kept off (really important) 34 pounds. Was it easy--no! but doable, yes! You can't get discouraged because your mfp friends are going to lose the weight faster than you will. But it can be done.
Sad to hear that you also have a problem digesting gluten. The good news is that the food industry has recognized it and there are more options than there were 10 years ago.
Good luck. I hope that you can get on meds that will help you feel better.

Hi! I hope that this reply helps! I made a post that is super long called Healed most thyroid symptoms but still need advice. It gives you a pretty detailed description of my thyroid journey to being mostly healed to the point that I was able to get pregnant without a thyroid. It may help you further. I was never really told what I had when they removed my thyroid five years ago. However, I was told that at the time my blood levels were considered "normal". I had cysts on both sides of my thyroid with one that ruptured and continued to fill with liquid which would push on my nerves in my neck. Not fun!! I have been at this place where I have done everything correctly and could not lose one pound! So frustrating!!! I would first point you the website stopthethyroidmadness.com. If your doctor won't prescribe you the meds maybe you should find another doctor (a good one is so hard to find that knows anything about the thyroid because what they were taught in medical school isn't near enough) or you can find a way to order them black market. Your very best place to start is on the website mentioned above. They will reply to your questions very quickly and tell you what type of blood tests you should have your doctor order. They can also help you read your blood test results. Honestly, they saved my life. I have been on synthetic hormone, nature throid, armour, thyroid s...now I am going to try Effa from canada. They say it is the best Natural dessicated thyroid to try right now because the fillers are not made from gluten or anything hard to break down. You have to have your doctor write a script for this and then fax it to canada to have it mailed to you. I think that you are on the right track going gluten free, soy free, and diary free. It is difficult but it did help me feel better. However, it is not necessarily a weight loss type of diet. Sugar free is also helpful but difficult.

There are several private groups on here for people with Hashimoto's and also for people with Celiac. I'd suggest searching for one and asking some questions in there. I'd try to help but I have next to no knowledge about either.

Yes, there are private groups for both. I wish you the best.

So, if your lab work is " normal " and you don't take meds for it, why are you diagnosed with Hypothyroidism ? The doctor has to base his diagnosis on something. Or maybe you need to get a second opinion. I know that it is an area where people often get " normal " values even though they have thyroid trouble, but usually the diagnosis is based on something and then meds are given. In my case it was all blamed on menopause and I believed it. Only when I went to two different doctors in two different countries was I correctly diagnosed, but it was too late to save my thyroid.
I lost my thyroid due to cancer which means by definition that I am hypothyroid and it took almost 2 years to have my meds well enough adjusted. I also learned through lots of research that hypothyroidism itself does not cause weight gain. What it causes however is an increase of appetite.....and it's up to us to either give in, or not. I did give in and often...lol. I now take several meds, but am well enough adjusted that I lost 45 pounds since April .

My thyroid levels tested marginally over the bottom of the normal range, but my hormone tests were through the roof. That could be where the confusion is for the OP too?

So, if your lab work is " normal " and you don't take meds for it, why are you diagnosed with Hashimotos/Hypothyroidism ? The doctor has to base his diagnosis on something. And if there is a diagnosis there should be a treatment. Maybe you need to get a second opinion. I know that it is an area where people often get " normal " values even though they have thyroid trouble, but usually the diagnosis is based on something and then meds are given. In my case my symptoms were all blamed on menopause and I believed it. Only when I went to two different specialists in two different countries was I correctly diagnosed, but it was too late to save my thyroid.
I lost my thyroid due to cancer which means by definition that I am hypothyroid and it took almost 2 years to have my meds well enough adjusted. I also learned through lots of research that hypothyroidism itself does not cause weight gain. What it causes however is an increase of appetite.....and it's up to us to either give in, or not. I did give in and often...lol. I now take several meds, but am well enough adjusted that I lost 45 pounds since April .

Tests for Hashimotos and tests for Hypothyroidism are different tests. Hashi will lead to hypo but just because you are diagnosed hashi does not mean your thyroid is underactive yet. It sometimes takes a while for it to finally quit functioning.

but am well enough adjusted that I lost 45 pounds since April .

Tests for Hashimotos and tests for Hypothyroidism are different tests. Hashi will lead to hypo but just because you are diagnosed hashi does not mean your thyroid is underactive yet. It sometimes takes a while for it to finally quit functioning.
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That is true. But since the OP mentioned Hypothyroidism in her thread title and Hashimoto's in her post, I wanted to be mindful of both conditions. I don't think I implied anywhere that one leads to the other. But I do believe, based on what my doctors told me that Hashimoto's should be treated even if it is only in the beginning stages and especially if there are symptoms like fatigue, swelling/puffiness, sleeplessness and loss of mental acuity among others. Unfortunately there is a tendency to let people sufer, often for years just for the benefit of more obvious lab results.

I have Hashimotos, thyroid was stable for years then last year started gaining, finally in January my numbers got wacky and was put on synthroid. Much easier to lose weight once I got started on the synthroid. However, besides the weight gain, I have no hypothyroid symptoms. Have always been cold. Always, like since I was a teen. So I don't count that.

Good luck!