Thyroid Problems

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corky90
corky90 Posts: 35 Member
in Motivation and Support
Good morning,

I want to know if any one here and an under active thyroid??? and what were your symptoms???
over the last year I have been depressed for I think no reason I have really bad anxiety and my doctor put me on Xanax low dose. I have gain 56 lbs in 1 year after I had lost 30lbs and I just couldn't seem to stop gaining. I have a family history of Thyroid problems on my moms side not sure of my dads side... my grandmother, her sister, and my grandmothers 3 kids including my mother. my mom had to have hers removed twice( didn't get it all the first time) .im tired all the time, my hair is thinning( i have very thick hair and i notice my ponytail is not as wide anymore and my brush is full of hair all the time...

called my doctor because i was worried and i thought she checked my thyroid every time we did blood work but when i called yesterday the girls said i have not had it checked in a long time and that i was due.... me and my mom have the same doctor so you would think knowing my mothers history she would check me for it...
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Replies

  • brebre0789
    brebre0789 Posts: 14 Member
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    I too have an underactive thryoid, although not naturally. Mine used to be overactive, but I had to have the radioactive iodine treatment done due to mine not responding to pills. My major symptoms are dry skin, hair shedding, and just moodiness. I have had issues with my thyroid for almost 10 years(I will be 25 in July) so I understand your frustration. You need to make sure your doctor is checking your levels on a regular basis, even if you have to call and tell them to do it. Mine are checked approximately every 4-6 weeks as I am still trying to find the "correct" dosage for my body. Just remember, exercise increases endorphins which can actually help reduce depression and anxiety. I wish you luck and happiness!
  • brebre0789
    brebre0789 Posts: 14 Member
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    Also,
    I just looked at your profile and realized you are from Illinois! I live in Georgia now, but grew up a little south of there! Nice to see a fellow Illinoisian!
  • WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr
    WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr Posts: 2,150 Member
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    Get your thyroid checked by an endocrinologist, not your family doc, the endo will do a more thorough exam, especially since you have a family history of thyroid problems (I don't) and are exhibiting signs that it could be starting. My primary only did TSH test and kept telling me there was no thyroid problem, couldn't figure out why in spite of eating right and exercising I could not lose weight (in fact gained 40lbs in one year).
    Went to endo with two TSH results from earlier in the year by primary, she did an extended thyroid panel (plus a whole bunch of other hormone tests that can cause symptoms similar to thyroid issues). This time my TSH level was out and my c-peptide result was also out, doc said that I was early stage hypothyroid (at the point that most of the time the level is in then it shoots out of range, eventually it would go out of range and stay out) and Insulin Resistant. Have been on meds for both since last summer, just starting to get things under control now that meds have leveled out. It means a long SLOW process for weight loss, but at least now I know what's wrong and can take care of myself.
  • corky90
    corky90 Posts: 35 Member
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    brebre0789 what town did you grow up in ? I am by st.louis mo just on the other side of the river lol.... just got back from getting blood work they didn't say how long it would take for results but I found out she hasn't checked it since july 2011 I was very upset
  • perseverance14
    perseverance14 Posts: 1,364 Member
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    It sounds likely, ask for a thorough check, not just tsh, the whole shebang, antibodies show if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) and 85% of hypothyroid is autoimmune, T4 and T3 tests (as well as free T4 and T3) show the whole picture. TSH test alone never diagnosed my Hashimoto's it was a thyroid panel (or whatever they call it these days) that found it...my antibodies were sky high, while my TSH was only a little over the normal range (over at all is bad, it should really not be over 3.0 much less some Doctors use the old 5.0 standard) and a lot of Doctor's just ignore it till it is so out of range by that time you are sick as a dog.

    Be proactive, you have to be if you want help.
  • bekahlou75
    bekahlou75 Posts: 304 Member
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    Get your thyroid checked by an endocrinologist, not your family doc, the endo will do a more thorough exam, especially since you have a family history of thyroid problems (I don't) and are exhibiting signs that it could be starting. My primary only did TSH test and kept telling me there was no thyroid problem, couldn't figure out why in spite of eating right and exercising I could not lose weight (in fact gained 40lbs in one year).
    Went to endo with two TSH results from earlier in the year by primary, she did an extended thyroid panel (plus a whole bunch of other hormone tests that can cause symptoms similar to thyroid issues). This time my TSH level was out and my c-peptide result was also out, doc said that I was early stage hypothyroid (at the point that most of the time the level is in then it shoots out of range, eventually it would go out of range and stay out) and Insulin Resistant. Have been on meds for both since last summer, just starting to get things under control now that meds have leveled out. It means a long SLOW process for weight loss, but at least now I know what's wrong and can take care of myself.

    Totally agree. Go to an endocrinologist. Also, my endo told me to never take the generic medicine. You will not get the exact same dosage in each pill as you would with the name brand. I'm been taking 125mcg of Synthroid for 10 years and the only reason I gain weight is when I eat too much.
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
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    I love this excuse, please continue.

    Duhhhh..... go pound sand somewhere, you don't sound bright enough to walk upright yet......
  • say_pocket
    say_pocket Posts: 54 Member
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    I'm Hypo. The only symptom I really ever notice is a numbness in my hands and feet, so I'm not much help. If you're interested in talking to more MFPers with thyroid issues, we have a MFP group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/770-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism
  • brebre0789
    brebre0789 Posts: 14 Member
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    I grew up in Ellis Grove, down by Chester, but a lot of my family lives in the Belleville area now.
  • feedmedonuts
    feedmedonuts Posts: 241 Member
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    I love this excuse, please continue.

    You can get out of here with that. The only reason you clicked this post was to troll, not to offer any actual advice. Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain. And yes, there ARE those people that do use it as an excuse and aren't committed to diet and exercise, but don't assume that applies to everyone with hypothyroidism.

    Get it checked, it's worth the look. My symptoms were extreme fatigue, light headedness, extreme sensitvity to cold (actually, I had bad Reynauds which has been linked to hypo), digestive issues, and 20lb weight gain after maintaining 130lbs for 10years. Could not lose it for the life of me.

    I am on synthroid but I think the generic kind, my insurance won't give me the good stuff or Armour. It still has helped with my energy and lightheadedness a decent amount. Weight hasn't come off but I can take the blame for that and also I am pregnant anyways. Cold sensitivity/Reynauds disappeared but I also moved from Washington state to Florida. However, grabbing a carton of milk no longer causes my fingers to go white and numb.

    Go to the endo. I wish I could, military docs say yes I'm hypothyroid but "not enough" to refer me to an endo so I'm not really confident that I'm being medicated correctly. They also gave me way too high of a dose that caused me heart palpatations, leg swelling, and extreme insomnia which was worse than the hypothyroid symptoms. It does take a lot of trial and error to get the right dose though and frequent checks are recommended...
  • corky90
    corky90 Posts: 35 Member
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    eggoz87 what do you mean your fingers turn white .... not like spotted white? and brebre0789 im in alton so im not far from Belleville at all ... I was in Belleville around Christmas to see their lights .... small world
  • feedmedonuts
    feedmedonuts Posts: 241 Member
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    White like some of my fingers will be normal, fleshy and pink and a couple will be completely ghost white, cold, and numb...look a little corpse like. Happened to my toes too and sometimes spotted white or purplish...google Reynauds and you will see pix. Not always a hypo symtom but was for me and don't seem to have it anymore.
  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
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    My first symptoms of hashimotos were insomnia, weight gain and inability to lose, and bipolar misdiagnosis.

    Being treated nkw, I am no longer "bipolar" lol, never was.... I don't gain unless I'm off my meds or eat too much, and sleep is getting better.
  • aliu00
    aliu00 Posts: 61
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    My friend has thyroid problem. She is taking a powdered vitamin B complex. She said that give her a lasting energy.
  • runner475
    runner475 Posts: 1,236 Member
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    Get your thyroid checked by an endocrinologist, not your family doc, the endo will do a more thorough exam, especially since you have a family history of thyroid problems

    Totally agree. Go to an endocrinologist.


    +1 Go to an endocrinologist and here is what I would do.

    When you get the blood work done ask the lab to send you a copy as well. The lab reports are very easy to read and you'll see that numbers are highlighted if not within the acceptable range.

    Secondly if you at any point think your endocrinologist is not up to your expectation please take a second opinion from another endocrinologist. I have experienced this where my previous endo wasn't proactive. The new doctor is fast and quick.
  • WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr
    WarriorCupcakeBlydnsr Posts: 2,150 Member
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    White like some of my fingers will be normal, fleshy and pink and a couple will be completely ghost white, cold, and numb...look a little corpse like. Happened to my toes too and sometimes spotted white or purplish...google Reynauds and you will see pix. Not always a hypo symtom but was for me and don't seem to have it anymore.
    Don't want to hijack the thread, but real quick since I saw you have Raynauds I just wanted to do a quick inject. I'm a native Floridian and my Raynauds was not diagnosed til we moved up north to Massachusetts (it's worse in my feet than my hands) but even after moving back to Florida, I still will get ice cold toes if the temp drops below 75, so just keep an eye out for your symptoms, you may find that after you've been in Florida a while you may show signs of mild symptoms at certain temps. I no longer have toes and fingers that go from blue to purple to ghost white depending on the temps, but now they will just get achingly cold and turn slightly blue.
    Sorry to jump in on a different subject in the middle of this, OP I do hope that those of us who have posted info about thyroid symptoms and things to do that will help have given you the info you need!
  • runner475
    runner475 Posts: 1,236 Member
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    My friend has thyroid problem. She is taking a powdered vitamin B complex. She said that give her a lasting energy.

    Is your friend an endocrinologist? If not, I would keep this at bay.

    Thyroid can't be messed around with.
  • corky90
    corky90 Posts: 35 Member
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    thanks everyone for your feed back it helps a lot I got blood work yesterday and she only ordered the thyroid and b-12 ( whole other problem) I just hope it comes back quick
  • corky90
    corky90 Posts: 35 Member
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    ok so my levels came back my b12 is a 351 ( 200-1100) and my TSH is 1.26 .... they told me my b-12 is a little low but I knew that I take a pill for that and use to get shots ... and they said my tsh is normal so idk what is wrong with me ... I guess I need to just keep going and try to lose weight :( ..... thanks everyone
  • ZoroDUssop
    ZoroDUssop Posts: 9 Member
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    Good morning,

    I want to know if any one here and an under active thyroid??? and what were your symptoms???
    over the last year I have been depressed for I think no reason I have really bad anxiety and my doctor put me on Xanax low dose. I have gain 56 lbs in 1 year after I had lost 30lbs and I just couldn't seem to stop gaining. I have a family history of Thyroid problems on my moms side not sure of my dads side... my grandmother, her sister, and my grandmothers 3 kids including my mother. my mom had to have hers removed twice( didn't get it all the first time) .im tired all the time, my hair is thinning( i have very thick hair and i notice my ponytail is not as wide anymore and my brush is full of hair all the time...

    called my doctor because i was worried and i thought she checked my thyroid every time we did blood work but when i called yesterday the girls said i have not had it checked in a long time and that i was due.... me and my mom have the same doctor so you would think knowing my mothers history she would check me for it...

    I have a terrible hypothyroid and have to monthly get blood work and dose changes on my medication ( I don't think I have a good specialist at all but I live on an island where there's only one endo nearby). My symptoms are brittle nails, constipation, MAJOR WEIGHT GAIN, insomnia, loss of appetite and major depression.

    Recently I've started taking vitamin D3 1000IU and my depression seems to be getting a lot better! ????
    Heads up if you are a hypothyroid, a lot of thyroid patients will say well "I did this and this worked for me, you must be lying or not trying!" And it's a load of bull, every thyroid patient is different, what works for one person might not work for the next. Surround yourself around supportive people and get rid of the bad. Good luck!

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