Inactive thyroid

Cloe
Cloe Posts: 435
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Just found out I have an inactive thyroid. Causes weight gain, fatigue, mood swings. Guilty of all the fore mentioned. Anyone else suffering thyroid trouble? Any advice?? Go Thursday for follow up with doctor to discuss what now??:mad: :sad: Don't know what to feel??

Replies

  • SharonsJetSet
    SharonsJetSet Posts: 159
    I accidently found out I had a thyroid disease about 10 years ago. I actually went to my doctor because I had a sinus infection and wanted meds. She took one look at me and said I didn't look right, had me do a fasting blood test (for the NEXT DAY) and the results came in. Normal TSH levels should be .4 to 4.0. Mine was 39. My doc kinda freaked and sent me to get an emergency ultrasound of my neck along with a biopsy.

    End results was I had Hashimoto disease. My meds are now regulating my TSH levels and I feel better

    If you really want a good laugh, I had no idea I was sick. YES i was tired, lethargic and fat but I thought it was because I was old LMAO!!!!
  • messyhare
    messyhare Posts: 366 Member
    I have thyroid issues too. Medication controls most of the symptoms.

    You may have a bit harder time losing weight but it's not impossible! Just hang in there - your doctor will get you going on something!
  • ct1986
    ct1986 Posts: 200
    I have hypoactive thyroid and take meds. It seems to help but I was diagnosed when I was 10 so not a lot of experience without it. If you can get it regulated with meds it can really help with all of the afore mentioned symptoms.
  • bmr5770
    bmr5770 Posts: 13
    I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's as well almost 7 years ago. I was always tired, gained, weight, etc. I chalked it up at the time to having worked the night shift for three years.

    From my own personal experience, it was really more a relief than anything else that I got diagnosed. Once I got the proper dosage, I started dropping weight and was able to sleep normally again.

    The dosing was a small annoyance when they gave me too much (felt like someone was revving my engine all day) but other than that, it was easy.

    Beemer
  • bubblez_x3
    bubblez_x3 Posts: 43
    I also have hypothyroidism, You can lose weight it will just be a little tougher. Depends on how you look at it I go in every 6 weeks to get blood work drawn so they can keep an eye on it and mess with the dosage to get it correctly it takes some time to figure out dosage. One thing I will say is too stay POSITIVE! Good luck!
  • tater8589
    tater8589 Posts: 616
    I found out end of SeptemberI am borderline hypothyroid. I'm not on any meds yet though. The dr is making me wait until Jan to test again. My levels were around 5. I can't help ya out with med info, but I can understand frustrations. It took 1.5 years to make the drs test me. I'm just glad to finally know whats causing some of my problems.
  • AngelSharum
    AngelSharum Posts: 74 Member
    I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis also, which is the autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism in some people. If your thyroid is truly inactive all together, you probably have it also. They will give you medication, most likely synthyroid, that should help. If the synthyroid doesn't help, ask to try Armour thyroid. It is the natural form and works better for some with thyroid disease.

    I actually can't take synthyroid at all because it messes up my heart. Found this out recently when I developed premature atrial contractions and palpitations and could do hardly nothing.

    Listen to your body. If the medication works, you'll start to feel better within a few months, if not, you'll still feel bad and have to make adjustments.

    I've been through way too many adjustments since I've had this since I was 16 years old. I hope your doc is able to get it under control for you quickly. One thing a lot of people with thyroid problems find helps with weight loss is lowering carbs. Good luck!
  • YogiGirlLucy
    YogiGirlLucy Posts: 290
    I also have Hashimotos. When I was diagnosed my symptoms included racing heart, shaking, anxiety attacks, lightheadness, tinitus, and only occassional lethargy in the afternoons. At the time I was UNDERWEIGHT. I did not have typical symptoms, I almost had Hyperthyroid symptoms, but blood tests revealed Hypothyroidism and my NP was very surprised. I was put on Levoxyl and within a week my symptoms went away. However over the years, my levels dipped further and everytime the symptoms returned I had to have an increase in medication. Interestly enough, when I reached my 40's and put on weight my thyroid started going the other way. The last couple of tests revealed Hyperthyroid and my medication has now been reduced back to the original dose I started at years ago.

    I am very holistic, but when it comes to thyroid, natural did not work for me. Levoxyl seems to do the trick, and I am not going to mess with it. The symptoms are far too devastating. Of course now that I AM in my 40's I do think the thyroid has a lot to do with the 5-10 pounds I am trying to lose, in conjuction with whatever other changes are going on in my body naturally. So, as a result, I try and eat as well as I can and really try to kick *kitten* on my working out.

    I think once they get you on a a thyroid replacement treatement regime, you will find relief. You will still have to work hard, but it will be much easier for you. I wouldn't worry, this is very common, especially in women. Friend me if you want to talk more about this! And good luck!! :)

    Lucy
  • Cloe
    Cloe Posts: 435
    Thank you so much everyone. I love the site for the support of everyone. You just made me feel so less discouraged and alone with this. THANK YOU! :flowerforyou:
  • hunterr
    hunterr Posts: 16 Member
    I have an underactive thyroid, and am underweight. I'm on cytomel, because the more commonly prescribed safer drug did not work. Some docs don't like me to be on thyroid drugs because I'm underweight, but when I'm not on them, my heart rate goes down and I don't metabolize my other drugs properly, and my digestive tract slows down, leading me to eat even less. Also my hair thins and nails break when unmedicated.

    You CAN lose weight with a low thyroid. Eat a LOT of non starchy vegetables and hot, clear liquids.

    People think low thyroid is all about weight. It is much more serious than that. My case wasn't caught till I was very sick, partly because a doctor was forcing too much of a drug on me that I was not metabolizing correctly.
  • ME02134
    ME02134 Posts: 26
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroid a few months ago. I actually went to the dermatologist for something and she thought I had PCOS so sent me to an internal medicine doc but turns out it was my thyroid. I had no idea but had been gaining weight. She increased my dosage of synthroid 2 weeks ago because we're still working on getting it regulated. Do any of you follow a particular diet for it? I am not good at dieting but after working out 5 days a week and not changing my diet much 10 lbs creeped up in no time. I havent been gaining anymore since I started my meds but now I want to focus on loosing!
  • JustBeckyV
    JustBeckyV Posts: 182
    I found out about 6 months ago about mine. My dr tested me for it when I thought I was going through pre-menopause. Tired all the time - freezing - losing hair and bad nails. Those were the bulk of my issues. Luckily it never affected my weight loss. I started on meds and they seem to help keep my levels in check though I do still have "bad" moments.
  • tdh302
    tdh302 Posts: 57 Member
    Today marks 1 week on 25mg of levothyroxine for Hashimoto's (hypothyroid). I had symptoms for over a year (cold all the time, my weight started creeping up and would not budge- never had a problem with this and I am very regimented with food and workouts, and I had difficulty concentrating for long periods of time and retaining detailed info). I haven't noticed any significant changes yet, but it's only been a week. I have to go back for a follow up on 12/9. Just and FYI for anyone who may benefit from this: I was originally sent for thyroid blood work as a routine visit with my primary care doctor. She said it was slightly "off" but not abnormal. She then had me get a full thyroid panel done 6 mos. later and it came back with positive anibodies and the numbers were "boderline." Now I love her- she's a great doctor, BUT...she was willing to say, "you're fine. Just keep doing what you're doing. The weight is still normal even if it is 6 pounds up from 8 months ago." I was dumbfounded with that simply because when you eat like I do (low carb, lots of veggies, lean protein, calorie counting, etc.) and run 10 miles a week on top of walks and whatever else...there should be NO weight gain.Also...my other symptoms were sort of ignored. Anyway...I went to an endocrinologist who looked at those labs, previous labs, and combined that with my history of Celiac disease, Raynaud's, and weight gain for no reason, to conclude that antibodies present =hashimoto's and in my case, there was no reason to wait to see what would happen...she knew what would happen and so did I...increased weight and symptoms over time. So...long story to suggest a specialist if you really feel like things just aren't right.
  • YogiGirlLucy
    YogiGirlLucy Posts: 290
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroid a few months ago. I actually went to the dermatologist for something and she thought I had PCOS so sent me to an internal medicine doc but turns out it was my thyroid. I had no idea but had been gaining weight. She increased my dosage of synthroid 2 weeks ago because we're still working on getting it regulated. Do any of you follow a particular diet for it? I am not good at dieting but after working out 5 days a week and not changing my diet much 10 lbs creeped up in no time. I havent been gaining anymore since I started my meds but now I want to focus on loosing!


    This is a decent link with some info on diet:

    http://www.suite101.com/lesson.cfm/18912/2313/3
  • jimswmn
    jimswmn Posts: 1,350 Member
    I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and put on levothyroxine. Dr only did something about it when he felt a nodule on my neck in the area of my thyroid. They did Thalium test in nuclear medicine and then a ultra sound and found a goiter. Not big but still there. I have an appt coming up some of my symptoms have returned with added little surprises. You can lose weight, just takes a little more effort.
  • YogiGirlLucy
    YogiGirlLucy Posts: 290
    Today marks 1 week on 25mg of levothyroxine for Hashimoto's (hypothyroid). I had symptoms for over a year (cold all the time, my weight started creeping up and would not budge- never had a problem with this and I am very regimented with food and workouts, and I had difficulty concentrating for long periods of time and retaining detailed info). I haven't noticed any significant changes yet, but it's only been a week. I have to go back for a follow up on 12/9. Just and FYI for anyone who may benefit from this: I was originally sent for thyroid blood work as a routine visit with my primary care doctor. She said it was slightly "off" but not abnormal. She then had me get a full thyroid panel done 6 mos. later and it came back with positive anibodies and the numbers were "boderline." Now I love her- she's a great doctor, BUT...she was willing to say, "you're fine. Just keep doing what you're doing. The weight is still normal even if it is 6 pounds up from 8 months ago." I was dumbfounded with that simply because when you eat like I do (low carb, lots of veggies, lean protein, calorie counting, etc.) and run 10 miles a week on top of walks and whatever else...there should be NO weight gain.Also...my other symptoms were sort of ignored. Anyway...I went to an endocrinologist who looked at those labs, previous labs, and combined that with my history of Celiac disease, Raynaud's, and weight gain for no reason, to conclude that antibodies present =hashimoto's and in my case, there was no reason to wait to see what would happen...she knew what would happen and so did I...increased weight and symptoms over time. So...long story to suggest a specialist if you really feel like things just aren't right.

    You were smart to listen to your body, and know what your normal is. The first doctor I saw wanted to treat me with Effexor, for anxiety! I told him NO WAY, the anxiety was a symptom, not the cause, of my issues. He was not happy, and told me I should not have come to see a Western medicine doctor if I was going to question his answer. I rescheduled with the NP, she was the one that suggested a blood test and found the Hypothyroidism. I never took the Effexor, funny how my "anxiety" went away all on it's own after I started on the thyroid meds. So, now I am stable, but It is so hard for me lose, as I stated previously. More confusing is not knowing whether to attribute it to Hypthyroidism or over 40-ism ;)

    Also, I poked around a bit more on the internet and found this, interesting...

    www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

    Any thoughts?

    Lucy
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