Low Thyroid

Hi, Skittlebug!

I too, have struggled with hypothyroidism for nearly 20 years now. I have "yo-yo"-ed ever since I had my first child, and was diagnosed with this condition while in early pregnancy with her. It has been frustrating for me, as well.

I have read a book called "The Thyroid Solution" by Ridha Arem, MD. It is a bit technical, and I have yet to read it all the way through; but it states that the book is a doctor-developed, clinically proven plan to diagnose thyroid imbalance and reverse thyroid symptoms. There is a lot of material it covers, yet I have been able to pull bits and pieces from it. There IS no "one way fits all" solution, as there are so many variables. But I have found this book to have the most comprehensive and thorough coverage of our condition out there. I highly recommend it. Don't know if it is available on Kindle or any other such device, though.

Hope this helps in some way. I would love to become friends, so we can exchange findings along the way! Thanks for posting!

Hi, millesun! I just posted a response before YOU about the low thyroid. I experience practically ALL of those symptoms you spoke of, even though my thyroid levels ALL say they are within the normal range. And I, too, have struggled with the condition for nearly 20 years now.

Would you like to become friends, so we can exchange info from time to time? Nice to meet you!

Yes Sukeisme have it tested! Here is a better list of symptoms. (I * the most common ones) You may have one or more of them. Most MDs will look for other reasons before they think of thyroid. And to be honest the Fatigue, weight gain, constipation, hair loss, heavy periods and depression can all be side effects of being over weight so most MD's will assume thats the reason.
•* Fatigue and weakness
• *Low basal temperature ( cold intolerance)
• Dry and coarse skin
• *Hair loss
• *Cold hands and feet
•* Weight gain
• Insomnia
• *Constipation
• Depression
• Poor memory, forgetfulness, dementia
• Nervousness and tremors
• Immune system problems
• *Heavy menstrual periods

Hi ladies, I have been on thyroid medications since I was 23 years old, so for 8 years now. The doctor was hesatiant to test me, at such a young age, but I had insisted because my mom has it. My TSH was 3 times the normal and my free t4 was normal. The doctor than tested to find the type. I have an autoimmune disease that attachs my thyroid.

Both Synthyroid(name brand) and Levothyrixine(generic) are very safe medications to take. In my General Organic Bio Chemistry class we had to pick a drug to analyze, so guess what I picked. Any way the drug is very very similar to what the thyroid gland produces.

Another symptom to add to the list is brittle hair and nails.
When my levels get low my hair gets tons and tons of split ends.
and my nails flake and peel.

I know this is weird to say but I am glad that I am not the only one that has hypothyroidism and I am glad that you ladies have been there and done that! Now I know who to go to! I have been hypo-T for 3 years and it really stinks if your meds aren't correct! My endo is awesome and it took forever took get my meds right 2 and a half years. I know a long time but finally I am starting to see the weight come off with diet and exercise. I hate that it has taken this long to finally see weight come off. Like everyone else I sooooo despise the symptoms. You can def tell when something is off when those symptoms come back! I hope that you get started on meds asap! I have to get my blood checked every three months. How many of you ladies get checked every 3 months. My friend back home that isn't in the military says she only gets checked every 6 months and I am trying to figure out if they are checking me out more because I am in the military or if that is just how my doctor does it.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroid a few years ago (I'm 33 now) and had very similar questions. I was convinced that I had some how put myself in this position (w/ poor diet, lack of exercise) and therefore there must be some natural, non-pill way to fix the problem. No such luck! I take a thyroid replacement med (synthroid) and will for the rest of my life. I have my levels checked about every 6mos. because they have been a little off the wall since the birth of my son. I have had all the symptoms mentioned in the previous posts, esp the coarse horse like hair that just falls out, heavy periods, fatigue... Just make sure if you are medicated to take them as indicated- thyroid meds have a lot of stipulations and interactions (ie vitamins, antacids,) and it best to follow them all! Good luck and hope you are feeling better soon! And please feel free to friend me if you have any questions

Wow, I have at least 5 of the symptoms listed. Unfortunately my insurance deductible starts over in January and I haven't used it yet, so I think I will call and make an appointment for the beginning of the year. Thanks ladies for all of your help! I don't like when things are attributed to "age" because that's too wide of a spectrum and overlooks something that could be potentially dangerous, but I had no clue what else it could be. Now I do. I appreciate your sharing!

One more thing...low thyroid tends to run in familys. My grandma, aunt and mom all have it. I was tested 1st at 13 at my grandmas insisting. I was low then and started meds. I have my level checked twice a year and my meds are changed onece a year or so. With each baby my level changed....also with the weight loss it changed again. I have a 8yr old who started to show symptoms and had to fight with his MD to get it checked. He was low and he now sees the endocrinologist and has his levels checked every 3 months since he is so young. All though my other two kids don't have any problem.

Hashimoto's hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease, this is where your body attacks (makes antibodies) and destroys you thyroid. Hashimoto's also is genetic, my mom has it. If you want to know if you hypothyroid is Hashimoto's ask you MD to do a antibody test called Anti-Thyroglobulin. There are other test that you can also have done.

The reason salt has added iodine is to prevent goiters. A goiter is a iodine deficency that causes the thyroid to malfuntion, (it can either make to much or not enough) Wikipedia has more technical info.

I had a heck of a time to get my MD to test me at 23. I can only imagine the struggle you had to go through to get an 8 yr old tested.

Try reducing your carb intake. You want to keep the "good" fats in your diet to help you feel full. I do much better when I cut carbs.

I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism for 8 years. Im taking Synthroid. My advice is to find an endo that works with a lot of thyroid patients and understands it! A lot of endocrinologist deal with diabetes patients and spend a lot of their time researching that. I feel they forget about us with the bum thyroid. Having Drs that don't understand or look at each patients on an case by case level. I have a Nodule growing on mine that i have to have monitored every few months. this could have been fine if my past drs would have checked all my levels thoroughly, that being said find a good Dr & Do your own research! the better prepared you are when you go in there the more serious they will take you. Print up what you find if its to hard to remember everything! I've learned a lot from reading articles i find online. even if it has nothing to do with losing weight just feeling better is great. I've found its very hard to lose weight with my low thyroid levels. Its very easy to get discouraged cause we have to work out and diet much harder then your average person. The pounds shed slowly, but, Im confident that with proper medications, diet and exercise they will all come off! I found some articles the other night online thought I'd share!

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/dietweightloss/a/losingweight.htm

http://thyroid.about.com/od/loseweightsuccessfully/ss/dietsecrets.htm

Im going to try the approach that they talk about with insulin resistance. Hoping I'll have better luck with losing the weight!:happy:

Anyone out there who is a Thyroid cancer survivor? Technically, I am hypothyroid, since I've had mine removed, but at the med. levels they have me on, it would look on paper as if I'm HYPERthyroid. Talk about confusing. I never had a wieght problem until the combination of two pregnancies and the cancer. According to the food diary I started, I'm not eating enough calories, yet I can't lose any weight and have a really hard time fitting in excercise. I'm gonna start making it a priority though. Any one have a similar story and ideas?

I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto's disease 12 years ago. Although it is more difficult to lose weight, it is not impossible. I comes off slower than most and goes up easier than most, but it can be done. As long as your meds are adjusted to your normal levels. Hang in there. Don't give up

I didn't read all of the responses so I'm sorry if this is repetitive but I wanted to add my two cents.

You need to see an Endocrinologist. I strongly suggest this because they are the only ones who really know the right tests to run. An Endo needs to be managing your synthroid as well. I started out with hyperthyroidism then went to hypothriodism. I the was diagnosed with Hashimotos. The goiter (enlarged thyroid) got much much bigger. I had surgery to have it out because it got so big it was blocking my air way. AFter they took it out I got diagnoised with thyroid cancer.My body went through hell but I learned an important lesson. Don't let your PCP run you thyroid care. How often are they checking your levels? Are you on any medication for it?