Hypothyrodism????

I've been hypothyroid for 13 years and am prescribed a combination of natural thyroid and Cytomel because the man-made thyroid medication doesn't work for me. I haven't tried iodine. I was good for awhile, but my thyroid started slowing again the past year and I've gained back 25 pounds. Regulating the thyroid can take a very long time, so be patient.

JaydensMama418 wrote: »

HI everyone. I have been on my journey for 26 days. At my 3 week weigh in I lost 5lbs. Making me go from 185 to 180. Hoping to be out of the 80's comes Mondays weigh in. I went to my Drs. He had blood work done. Everythings healthy. Cholestrols good. Blood pressure was finally good which it usually aint. He said my thyroid numbers needed to be 0-32 and mine was 151. He prescribed me iodine pills to fix it, Anybody else diagnosed with hypothyrodism and were prescribed iodine. Im at the end of week 1 and hoping its helping me lose weight.

That may be one health problem that will have to be addressed before there is much weight loss.

Is your doctor an MD or DO?

Iodine deficiencies in the US and other developed countries aren't very common. The tie to hypothyroid was figured out a long time ago, so we get supplements in things like salt. I've never met a person who had an iodine deficiency. I'm sure it's possible, but it's not a common problem.

What tests were done?

You should get referred to an endocrinologist. Any good doctor would refer you.

Weight problems are common with hypothyroid, but so are many other problems, so you want to be on top of it and get the best care available.

I began losing weight when my thyroid problem was fixed. Not everyone does, but I was never able to lose before - just gained and gained, lol. Now, it comes off. I hope you'll be as lucky!

You were prescribed iodine to treat hypothyroidism? Typically individuals with hypothyroidism are given thyroid medication. However, as the body’s iodine levels fall, hypothyroidism may develop, since iodine is essential for making thyroid hormone.

Do you happen to know what your iodine level was?

Bottom line is you need to get a referral to see an endocrinologist.

JaydensMama418 wrote: »

He said something about a number suppose to be 0-32 and mine was 151. You know Drs cant understand em. They just did blood work for my adrenal glands and thyroid and cholestrol. Everything came back okay. He just said I had a iodine defiecency. Hes a Dr that doesnt believe in taking medication. He only believe in taking vitamins to heal whats wrong. He actually slapped me and my boyfriend with a he and her bible when I was 16 because I asked him for birth control. Said he couldnt do it inless I was married.

If you're serious about wanting to fix the problem, you should consider seeing a real doctor - the kind that does believe in fixing things.

Taking iodine pills would be considered medication. I'm not sure what the logic would be that makes them okay, but not Synthroid. They're both pills.

The choice is, of course, yours to make. If you feel that you must see this "doctor" for whatever reason, then you must.

Thyroids get discussed here for their ability to make people too thin or too fat, but there are other things they handle. A punked out thyroid doesn't just affect your weight.

I would advise seeing a real doctor, one who is an MD or DO and does believe in taking synthetic hormones as well as synthetic vitamins and minerals. The kind who believes in medication...and will refer you to a specialist.

If you refuse to go that route, I wish you luck. You're going to need it.

Please, see an endocrinologist.

MFP has a hypothyroidism & hyperthyroidism group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/753-hypothyroidism-and-hyperthyroidism

Different docs/healthcare systems use different standards/ranges for "normal," though they're all similar. Kaiser (my insurance) uses for the normal range:
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): .35-4.0
T3: 58-159 ng/dL
Free T4: .8-1.5 ng/dL

Based on what your doc said your numbers are, I have no idea what he was measuring. I'd encourage you to ask him what test it was, and what the normal range is for results so you can see the whole picture. Medication (T4 and/or T3 supplement) also has to do with quality of life, not just the numbers of "normal" (what other symptoms are you experiencing?).

In my experience, there are places within the "normal range" where people feel better than when they are at other places. I feel much better at the lower end of the normal range. So my doc and I medicate to keep me down there. I take a T4 and a T3. While some doctors will consider the T3 "controversial," the peer reviewed studies in the medical journals talked about it not impacting TSH so much as it improved patient quality of life. It did for me.

Maybe do a little online research at the mayoclinic.com or with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (aace.com). Docs are great, but not infallible or perfect, and there are specialists and second opinions for a reason. It's your health and it's important for you to be informed so you can be your own advocate.

I've never heard of treating hypothyroidism in the US (are you in the US?) with iodine. Here's an article from the Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hypothyroidism-iodine/FAQ-20057929

Good luck!