I have hypothyroidism. Would love to add friends that have this as well.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis here. I was diagnosed about 5 years ago. I am recently settling in to a dosage, probably due to the final and complete failure of my thyroid. My weight loss up until now has been a roller coaster.

My thyroid activity has been on a steady decline for the past 8 years or so. That being said, when I was diagnosed 5 years ago, I was at my heaviest (220+lbs). I was put on a light regiment of Synthroid, and I felt better, slept better and was able to lose some weight. In the next 6 months, my thyroid continued to decline and the medication wasn't as effective and by 3 months after my appointment, my weight loss was stagnant again. After seeing the doctor again, he increased the dosage and repeat, repeat, repeat every 6 months. Fast forward 5 years, and for the first time, my dosage hasn't needed to be increased.

I finally feel like I have a shot at losing the weight this time. It is frustratingly difficult to come to grips with the idea that no matter what you do, your body is working hard to make sure you have trouble with it.

annie422 wrote: »

Realtree2429 wrote: »

I was diagnosed about 8 years ago....you can add me I'll be honest, I haven't had my levels checked in over a year (bad me!) but I feel great when I take Armour Thyroid. Felt horrible on Synthroid!

Hi Realtree, what were your side effects on synthroid vs. Armour if you don't mind me asking? just starting to look into this and hope to talk to my doctor later today. they automatically prescribed me levothyroxine, but I get the feeling it's their default and not really specific to the patient.

Sorry, I lost track of this board When I was on Synthroid I felt "off", heart racing, shaky, and my hair started falling out. I only went on it because my pharmacy was having trouble filling my Armour....after about 2 months on Synthroid I found another pharmacy that could fill my Synthroid and vowed I would never ever go back!!!!!

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos and hypo when I was ~12.

The most common side effect for me is the cold intolerance.

You can add me I have hypothroid as well (due to Hashimoto's Disease) and was diagnosed in 2009. I also was just diagnosed with PCOS. I need more MFP friends.

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

I have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease). Thyroid meds (in my case, Synthroid & Cytomel) reduce the fatigue so I can be more active. But I still kept gaining & gaining until I learned to log everything I eat & drink accurately & honestly.

Anyone can add me, and/or PM me with any questions.

ksolksol wrote: »

A couple of people on this thread were testing normal but at between 3 and 4.5. You might want to know there is some debate on what "normal" is, with some doctors believing it should be .3 to 3.0. I kept testing on the high end of what was considered normal and they kept saying I was fine, even though I had other symptoms -- extreme fatigue, weight gain, dry hair and skin, and thyroid nodules.

So if you are having symptoms, and you're testing high-normal, you might want to seek a second opinion.

^^^This. A good endocrinologist will adjust your dosage(s) based on both your levels and on symptoms.

You have three treatment options:
• Armour (dessicated pig or pig & cow thyroid glands)
• Synthroid (levothyroxine), which is synthetic T4
• A combination of Synthroid & Cytomel (liothyronine), which is synthetic T3

Endos in the US are highly resistant to both Cytomel & Armour, so it's really important that we educate ourselves and ask questions. It took me a year & a half to persuade my doctor to prescribe Cytomel—even though my T3 was super low. And my quality of life is so much better now. Do not give up!

My endo's the same way! I tell him I feel unwell, and he tells me I have unrealistic expectations about how good I should feel. Gah! Then he said "I don't know what your problem is, but it's not your thyroid."

My GP found my vitamins D & B12 are super low, so I'm taking supplements. Are you seeing an endocrinologist? Since Synthroid didn't work for you, try Synthroid + Cytomel.

portlandsundevil wrote: »

I also recently decided to go gluten-free so this may also have something to do with it; when I told my Naturopath, she mentioned that gluten can inhibit the absorbtion of the thyroid so it could be a combination as to why I'm feeling better.

I'm glad you feel better (yay!), but your Nauropath is wrong about any connection between thyroid & gluten.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hypothyroidism-diet/faq-20058554

"Although claims about hypothyroidism diets abound, there's no evidence that eating or avoiding certain foods will improve thyroid function in people with hypothyroidism."

editorgrrl wrote: »

I'm glad you feel better (yay!), but your Nauropath is wrong about any connection between thyroid & gluten.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/expert-answers/hypothyroidism-diet/faq-20058554

"Although claims about hypothyroidism diets abound, there's no evidence that eating or avoiding certain foods will improve thyroid function in people with hypothyroidism."

Interesting! Thanks for the link.