Questions for those of you with hypothyroidism

cupcakelover103 · January 2011

Hi guys,
I'm a 19yr old female, and have not been feeling well lately and my doctor had my blood tested for many things including my thyroid (i think it's measured by your level of the THC hormone, correct me if i'm wrong).
I knew nothing about thyroid function and after reading up on hypothyroidism, i'll be shocked if i do not have it. My symptons are as follow: Resting heart rate at 49bmp (and no, i'm not fit), fatigue, cold hands and feet, thinning hair, mood swings, dry skin, irritated eyes the list goes on. So i will be quite surprised if i dont have this as the common symptoms fit how i've been feeling for about a year.
My questions for you are
1) What symptoms did you have/still have?
2) How has it affected your weight, if at all?

Also, i know i shouldn't worry about this until my results come back, but i've been reading that testing for thyroid function by looking at your bloodwork doesn't always give the full picture. Everyone's 'normal' is different, and i'm concerned that i'll be at the low range of 'normal' , and therefore considered 'normal'by my doctor, when in reality this 'normal' isnot right for me.
I'd be interested to hear your stories

Triquetra · January 2011

I was diagnosed after the birth of my daughter (about 6 years ago, she's 8 now). At the time I had gained about 40lbs since her birth, was very cold all the time no matter what I wore or how high the heat was, mood swings, dry skin, and always very tired. I finally got my doctor to test me and he basically called me and said that he was going to call in a prescription to the pharmacy and I was to start taking it that night and come see him the next day. Apparently my numbers were so far off that he said I could have had a stroke that night. Now I take Eltroxin every morning. I basically have been at the same weight since then, I didn't find that I lost or gained but if you read my blog I had a lot of other stuff going on (cheating ex, eventual divorce, disabled child, etc) so I wasn't really watching what I was eating either. I am now eating 1200 cal/day and start my C25K and Shred on Monday, I have set myself a modest 5lb/month goal so that I am not too disappointed if it comes off slowly, but also want to make sure I am accountable to lose something. Most of my symptoms are gone now except for the being cold thing, but I am a bit of a joke at work wearing my sweaters in the sweltering heat!. Good luck with getting your results.

AlannaPie · January 2011

My gyn just sent my blood for thyroid tests also

danyelpink · January 2011

I got tested when my son was a baby... I didn't realize I had the symptoms b/c I thought it was just part of the "new mom" package. My doctor said that my thyroid felt large when he was feeling my neck. I'm on 100 mcg of Synthroid every day. There are no side effects, but you just have to watch what you eat b/c there are some drug interactions that reduce the effectiveness of the drug. They'll keep testing you until they get you on the right meds.... or you could go the homeopathic route, if that's your thing.

cupcakelover103 · January 2011

Thanks guys for your responses. I will actually be relieved in a way if my doctor says i have this. Only because i've been feeling off for so long and doctors have continously told me that these things such as fatigue, standing up and getting dizzy are 'normal' for teenage girls. But i know something is not right.

maryann73 · January 2011

I have hypothyroidism as well. I find that I lose weight very slowly. My tell tale signs for medication adjustment are fatigue and when my hair falls out. I am one of those people that "normal" is not normal for me. Fortunately, I have a doctor who listens and is wiling to adjust my medication. However, the more frequently I exercise, the less adjustments I have to make to my medication. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!:flowerforyou:

missmaya24 · January 2011

I had the same symptoms at your same age and had a nodule on my thyroid. I was on synthroid for 3 years, then decided to have the nodule and half of my thyroid removed. My doctor weened my off the synthroid. I've been off meds for 8 years now. If you start a medication, make sure you get your TSH levels tested regularly. My levels would fluxuate and it the meds would be too strong or not strong enough.

J_Leigh · January 2011

I'm a teenage girl as well and was dyagnosed with Hyperthyroidism (the over active kind) about 2 years ago. I went back and forth from Hypothyroidism to Hyperthyroidism a couple times due to the medicine never being exactly right. Long story short, I was treated with Radioactive Iodine to destroy my thyroid this past June. Since then I have gone from hypothyroidism to hyperthyroidism and back again numerous times. From what my doctors say, the medicine to treat hypothyroidism is much, much safer than the medicine to treat hyperthyroidism. Sadly though, hypothroidism does make you gain weight and have a really low metabolism. I currently have a hypothyroid and every symptom that you have described is exactly what I'm going through as well, so I would be extremely surprised if you are not hypo-active. I hope this helps!

Nixb19 · January 2011

Hey! I would be surprised if you didn't have it as well. When I was first diagnosed I thought I was pregnant actually. But those are common sypthoms. If you do have it, you'll be put on a pill that will help to regulate your hormones. It does affect your weight, but I think it's different for everyone. Me personally, I can lose it's just 1-1.5 pounds a week if I'm lucky. Our bodies work differently than someone without the problem. One thing I will largely suggest is keep track of sypmtoms at all times, because even though you may be put on a pill, you body may still need a stronger dose. This happened to me before I started this site, I was on one dosage and started to feel the normal syptoms and so I got myself rechecked and turns out I needed a higher dose. I still have fatigue time to time, but as long as you eat right (and trust me there are foods that are better and worse for us thyroid ppl) and do exercise you can keep it pretty balanced. If you have any questions, feel free to message me, I was also diagnosed with it at 19 so I know your pain

mommyjos · January 2011

I found about about a year and a half ago about my hypothyroidism. I was struggling in many of the same areas as you were! I talked with my doctor and told her that even if I watch what I eat I couldn't lose weight ( I was fit and trim throughout high school and about 2 years before my diagnosis had lost 40 lbs with diet and exercise so I knew what I was talking about!) She blew it off as depression (which I was dealing with a few issues, but not depressed) and that I really wasn't trying hard enough to lose weight. I told her I was always exhausted and it has NEVER been that way. She mentioned thyroid, but said it probably wasn't that. Since it was my first time seeing her, she ordered regular bloodwork.
When it came back, I was barely in the range to be considered a hypothyroid issue by the "old standard" and by the "new standard" that I was perfectly normal. I told her, maybe by my body's standard, I have a thyroid problem. She tried to persuade me against taking the meds, but I said, what are my other options. I feel like I've tried a bunch of stuff and it's not working, so if this could maybe be an answer, I want to explore it. I started and it took a little over a year to get my levels right, but now I've been able to drop over 30lbs and I can tell a difference in other areas of my life as well! It definitely has taken me longer to lose the weight than it did 2 years ago and it fluctuates more than it used to.
Testing when you're supposed to is important. I have to go back soon as my hair is falling out like crazy again and I'm tired, but I've lost weight so it may need to be adjusted.
I hope you can find some answers, and if it's not hypothyroidism, don't be afraid to look farther! You know your body! If something's not right you can tell. I am going to be speaking to my doctor about a few other things as well, because it seems like she blew off other things claiming it was because of my weight and if I wasn't so heavy it wouldn't be that way. Now that I'm thinner, I'm going to push again!
Other than that, I haven't had any symptoms, not even when they increased my dosages several times! Good luck!

sdereski · January 2011

I was diagnosed at 18 (am 50 now) and have been on Eltroxin or Synthroid ever since. I call it my "one-a-day".

All the same symptoms you mentioned and do have my blood tested a few times a year. Same weight gain issues and slow, very slow weight loss.

I have had spells of several years where I was stable (on meds) but recently they have gone wonky again and they are trying to adjust the dosage. Could be hormones - I am getting to that age.

Years ago people with hypothyroidism were treated for depression or senility because of some of the symptoms we experience - we are often misdiagnosed.

Good luck with the test results - hope you get things under control

YogiGirlLucy · January 2011

My symptoms were extreme before I got diagnosed. I was really skinny at the time, and my symptoms were backwards. I had racing heart, dizzy spells, ringing ears, panic attacks, felt like I would pass out, a feeling of detachment and surrealness. It was scarey. I remember only a few times when I would get dead tired in the afternoon, completely exhausted. Nothing with hair, I did tend to run cold, but I had very low body fat. Since then I have been on Levoxyl. I went from .88 to 100 to 112 mcgs. At one point about three years ago, I got really bad --- symptoms were horrible even though blood levels were normal. Listen to your body, I knew something was very wrong. They had me over adjusting my meds because they didn't know what to do with me. My body was in overdrive, I dropped to 95 pounds and they wanted to put me on Effexor -- I said NO WAY! I ended up with extreme adrenal exhaustion because of the stress on my body, and the stress in general. It took me three months to get well and for my levels to even out. I gave up wheat and started yoga. I quit working 7 days a week. I stopped smoking. My meds dropped from 112, to 100 and back to .88, where I am now. I really attribute lifestyle, exercise (especially yoga), and diet (being gluten free, although I am struggling to quit corn, too, which I know will help even more). I do run colder than other people, and while I get tired sometimes, I am a server who works 8 hours shifts running like mad, do yoga regularly and never sit still. Once I turned 41, I did start to put on weight, and now at 44 it's really hard to take it off. I don't blame that on thyroid as much as age though since it was never an issue with my hypothyroidism before. And while I am not at my ideal, I am still way within normal range, and I am healthy, so I can't complain really. Don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions, get a 2nd opinion if necessary, see a specialist (Endocronologist), if you go on meds, don't let them forget about you -- get your labs done on a regular basis, esp. if you don't feel well. And don't worry, it sucks but lots of women deal with this and we manage. Good luck! And let us know how you are doing!

Lucy

AllietheLOSER · January 2011

I was just about to post a topic asking if anyone else out there is being checked for or has hypothyroidism and this was the first post to appear! YAY!

I went to the doctor Wednesday to discuss depression and possibly being put on medicine. He sat down and said "alright, tell me all about it". After I rambled on for atleast 30 minutes with some bawling mixed in there, he told me that he wanted to do bloodwork because I have every symptom of Hypothyroidism---I WAS SHOCKED to hear this!...I would never have thought it. The results still have not come back yet, and I'm not sure if having it is a good thing or not, but it would explain as to why my hands and feet are always freezing cold, why I can't handle winter like I used to (I thought it was because I'm getting older lol) why I feel like I live in the land of PMS, why my weightloss has come to a halt, why I have become a professional sleeper but regardless of how much sleep I get, I am still sleepy:yawn: ....I could go on and on with all the whys. The doctor said if my test result comes back normal, that he would be quite surprised.

I was looking for answers and thankfully all of you have answered them! THANK YOU!! :happy:

I will add that part of my confusion is IF I have it and it's causing me to gain weight or stay stuck at my current weight, then why wouldn't the medicine make me "normal" and enable me to lose like a "normal" person? (think I am showing my ignorance here, but I'm confused by this LOL)

Allie

amydcarlson · January 2011

I have been tested twice for hypothyroidism. I was having most of the same symptoms, and it also runs in my family. Well, it turns out that my thyroid is fine, but I was quite anemic. Now I take an iron pill every day, and I have much more energy, which gets me moving around more, which has helped my weight loss!

So, if it is not your thyroid, have them check the iron levels in your blood. You never know.

YogiGirlLucy · January 2011

I have been tested twice for hypothyroidism. I was having most of the same symptoms, and it also runs in my family. Well, it turns out that my thyroid is fine, but I was quite anemic. Now I take an iron pill every day, and I have much more energy, which gets me moving around more, which has helped my weight loss!

So, if it is not your thyroid, have them check the iron levels in your blood. You never know.

Good call. I have Anemia as well -- double Whammy between the two. I try and use MFP to bring my iron levels up, as well as keeping the calories, fat, carbs and sodium low!

Which iron pill do you take Amy? I am iron deficient, I guess due to being a vegetarian. I try to get enough through food but it's hard. I have heard iron pill can be hard on your system, cause constipation, etc.

Thanks!

robynrae_1 · January 2011

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 8 years ago. TSH is you Thyroid Stimulating Hormone. This is the hormone in you body that causes the thryoid to make T4.
If you don't have enough of T4 in your system, the pituitary gland will release TSH. The pituitary gland will keep releaseing TSH until the T4 levels are normal to YOUR body. If your T4 levels stay low the TSH will continue to increase. (my thyroid dosen't work so no matter what my body will not be able to produce enough T4.)
When the Dr test the TSH they are testing how much YOUR body whats or dosen't want. When I was tested my T4 hormone was "normal" but my TSH was very high.

Ok I am done with the Technical stuff, I work in a lab where we test TSH and T4 so if you have any questions just ask.

There are no food restrictions as far as what you can eat. It is more about when you can eat, or even take a vitamin.
Before I was treated I slept all the time. I would sleep in bed for 10 hours and than go lay on the sofa to watch TV and fall asleep again. I always blamed it on other things like working 12 hour nights.

amydcarlson · January 2011

I have been tested twice for hypothyroidism. I was having most of the same symptoms, and it also runs in my family. Well, it turns out that my thyroid is fine, but I was quite anemic. Now I take an iron pill every day, and I have much more energy, which gets me moving around more, which has helped my weight loss!

So, if it is not your thyroid, have them check the iron levels in your blood. You never know.

Good call. I have Anemia as well -- double Whammy between the two. I try and use MFP to bring my iron levels up, as well as keeping the calories, fat, carbs and sodium low!

Which iron pill do you take Amy? I am iron deficient, I guess due to being a vegetarian. I try to get enough through food but it's hard. I have heard iron pill can be hard on your system, cause constipation, etc.

Thanks!

I take 150mg of Iron Polysaccharide every day. I haven't had any problems with constipation, as long as I keep enough fiber in my diet. :blushing:

servilia · January 2011

I was recently diagnosed.. my symptoms were cold hands and feet, low body temperature upon waking and I was very tired (though I don't get enough sleep so that might have caused the tiredness).
I didn't have too many symptoms but my bloodwork showed my thyroid was screwed lol I've been taking synthroid and my TSH is now under control yay! It's really easy to take the medication - just one little pill a day, but I can't eat breakfast until 2 hours later.

YogiGirlLucy · January 2011

In regard to RobynRae_1's post:

With all respect, this is incorrect. Diet can impact thyroid function. Goitrogenic foods should be avoided, or at least not consumed raw. If you google "food to avoid with Hypothyroidism" you will see many articles come up on this subject.

Sorry, I meant to quote, and I commented instead.

Lucy

dreamc08 · January 2011

I was diagnosed as hypo within the last year. I had many of the symptoms already described here. My doc started me @ 50 mcg of Lexothyroxine and I felt sooo good. I had energy, body temp was better regulated, my skin and hair were better, and I lost 25lbs. After about 5 months, I felt myself fall back into my pre-diagnosis "slump." Back to no energy and plateaued (sp?) weight loss.

My endo refused to increase my meds and told me that I "would have more energy if I lost weight" WTF?! Anyone w/ hypo knows that that isnt how it works! I talked to my women's care specialist about how I had regressed and she upped me to 75 mcg. I'm back to feeling more energetic, rested, less moody, and I'm slowly losing weight again. (I'm switching to a different Endo!!)

Good luck! Find a doctor who will listen and understands what you're going thru...it takes a while to find a good level and you'll need to be retested frequently. And yes, from the doctors I've talked to and the research I've done, foods DO interact with thyroid levels...especially calcium, iodine, and goitergenic (sp?) foods (i.e. my favorite fruits & veggies lol)

Let us know how it goes....

jsharpnack · January 2011

I was diagnosed with Hypo this past May. I have had blood test for it before, but I was only marginal so no meds were prescribedl I was having crazy long and heavy periods- became anemic because of, tired all the time, cold hands, holding on to weight, some dizziness ect. so my OB/GYN sent me fo blood work again and it was bad enough to have 50mcg sytheroid daily. I started on 25 mcg for a month and got another blood test, my levels were moving in the right direction, but not where they need to be yet, so she doubled my script. I did have what I called the "crack shakes" when I started the 50mcg, but those have subsided. I thought after my thyroid finally working properly I would wake up skinny...lol.....yeah, that didn't happen. I am able to lose some wieght with diet and excercize. My Ob also told me to take a tablespoon of unsulphered blackstrap molasses every day. She doesn't practice in homeopathic medicine but has heard great results at conferences. It's LOADED with calcium, iron,magnesium and the b vitamins that give you a little energy (nothing crazy.) I have been able to work out longer, not ready for bead at 9pm and feel rested when I get up. Its also gluten free. Seems to be PERFECT for us girlies!

robynrae_1 · January 2011

In regard to RobynRae_1's post:

With all respect, this is incorrect. Diet can impact thyroid function. Goitrogenic foods should be avoided, or at least not consumed raw. If you google "food to avoid with Hypothyroidism" you will see many articles come up on this subject.

Sorry, I meant to quote, and I commented instead.

Lucy

My Dr. has never had me change my dieat because of my thyroid. This might because of the type of hypothryroid that I have (autoimmune.) That and when I posted that I was thinking more along the lines of what you can not have with the medication because it intrerfers with absorbtion. I no longer take my vitamins in the AM because of this.

I might have to look in to goitrogenic food just so I know what they are.

yayamamma · January 2011

Wow. I also have hypo and thought I understood it relatively well (diagnosed about 10 years ago). I've been having a doozing of a time managing my weight and thyroid as well as cholesterol and depression, all overlapping each other, it seems. Thanks to all your comments regarding symptoms and your trials and tribulations, I'm starting to think I need to see my doctor again. I took it all for granted and have possibly allowed other symptoms to be ignored and/or mis-attributed....

YogiGirlLucy · February 2011

In regard to RobynRae_1's post:

With all respect, this is incorrect. Diet can impact thyroid function. Goitrogenic foods should be avoided, or at least not consumed raw. If you google "food to avoid with Hypothyroidism" you will see many articles come up on this subject.

Sorry, I meant to quote, and I commented instead.

Lucy

My Dr. has never had me change my dieat because of my thyroid. This might because of the type of hypothryroid that I have (autoimmune.) That and when I posted that I was thinking more along the lines of what you can not have with the medication because it intrerfers with absorbtion. I no longer take my vitamins in the AM because of this.

I might have to look in to goitrogenic food just so I know what they are.
[/quote

YogiGirlLucy · February 2011

In regard to RobynRae_1's post:

With all respect, this is incorrect. Diet can impact thyroid function. Goitrogenic foods should be avoided, or at least not consumed raw. If you google "food to avoid with Hypothyroidism" you will see many articles come up on this subject.

Sorry, I meant to quote, and I commented instead.

Lucy

My Dr. has never had me change my dieat because of my thyroid. This might because of the type of hypothryroid that I have (autoimmune.) That and when I posted that I was thinking more along the lines of what you can not have with the medication because it intrerfers with absorbtion. I no longer take my vitamins in the AM because of this.

I might have to look in to goitrogenic food just so I know what they are.
[/quote

I honestly don't think Western medicine docs know that much about nutrition, and the correlation between hypothyroidism and foods. I think some of them are learning more, and are more open to it, and to holistic approaches, but many are not so knowledgeable. Taking a pill is their only solution. But then again, they are in bed with the pharmacuetical companies...label it, prescribe a pill, send 'em on their way! I also have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimotos), and much of what I have learned about nutrition and thyroid health is through holistic health, and research. As much as I would liked to have found a holistic approach, Levoxyl works for me, so I don't mess around with it, but I really do believe that diet -- including staying away from caffienne, refined sugars, alcohol, tobacco and wheat, as well as most of the goitrogenic foods has helped. And I am the same, I take nothing else in the a.m., I am super cautious about it!

Lucy

ud1000 · February 2011

I was diagnosed with mine at 19 as well (11 years ago) I was in first year at University and instead of partying I slept! Slept for a whole year. I had pretty much the same symptoms as you, always cold and had a real problem with my hair falling out. My skin was ok, but the skin around my nails just flakes away (and still does). I had also gained about 20lbs in weight. I started on 25mcg of Levothyroxine and within a year was on 200mcg daily. I have taken this everyday for the last 10 years.

Weight loss was slow, I really had to work at it. Its hard when you don't have energy to exercise, but you have to remember exercise will give you energy. Any weight I lost, I earned it through sheer determination- it wasn't the drug that helped me loose weight.

About 2 years ago I got a new Doctor who didn't agree with the high dose I was on and she moved me to 175mcg daily, within a month my hair was back to falling out and I was feeling very lethargic. So I asked to go back to 200 and she reluctantly agreed. Now I feel great. I ran two marathons last year and it never affected me at all. I did injure myself and had to stop running and have since gained weight, but I know its cause I'm not exercising and it has nothing to do with having and Underactive Thyroid.

Good luck, I hope you get it sorted soon

bmbellamy · February 2011

I too am hypo. Going for my yearly check-up this week (labs this morning) to get an updated level. I've also requested to have my Cortisol levels checked due to some recent high stessors in my life which can impact weight loss.

Also, going to request referral to Endo and Nutritionist to maximize my efforts for weight loss while managing hypothyroidism.

Thanks for starting this post. Sounds like the beginnings of a good Hypo-support group!

Questions for those of you with hypothyroidism

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