Underactive Thyroid Issues

I'm just starting on this myself as I had my thyroid removed three weeks ago. I have a very strong history of thyroid issues. Heck, even my dog is on thyroid meds. I know the first few days the mood swings were really bad. Anything would set me off. I also know it's important to take the meds on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and wait at least 30 minutes before eating. Some foods limit the effectiveness of thyroid meds. Also it's important to take calcium and magnesium to avoid cramping and other issues. Check with an endocrinologist for more information. I wish I had done that YEARS ago rather than struggling with this problem for 20 years. Good luck.

You are far from on your own. There are many for whom levo is not the answer their body needs. People can react to their medication because of the fillers/binders or preservatives, knowing which or how many issues are yours are next to impossible to isolate. Many general practitioners view the thyroid in a very simplistic way, this is not their fault it comes from thyroid function almost being a subtext to endocrinology.

Our thyroid gland functions are implicated in many of out bodies systems, it can be compromised by disruptions in these other systems too which makes it all very far from simple. Referring to the Tsh measurement, that is thyroid stimulating hormone, as a measure of thyroid function can be misleading. Using Levo is known to suppress the thyroid stimulating hormone so preventing the thyroid from working even as poorly as it did, making active hormone less possible. Also knowing the t4 numbers, the hormone which becomes active in the t3 form does not predict the amount being turned into the active state because there are several points, in this "change", at which problems can present. On their own tsh, and t4 alone do not identify the underlying causes of thyroid issues. Even t3 in seemingly adequate numbers may hide there being insufficient in our cells. Men are less likely to have thyroid issues than women so being diagnosed is something of an achievement for you.

Try reading the Stop the Thyroid Madness web site or book, this site was set up some 20 plus years ago in the US to help people understand their thyroid problem, know which tests should be done, how numbers should be interpreted, the need to know if you have thyroid antibodies which means you have an autoimmune condition where the body rejects the thyroid itself because it thinks its something we should not have, so the immune system becomes involved. For those of us who live in the USA there is also a list of doctors who are known to offer a comprehensive service which helps people to their best outcome. I also look at our Thyroid UK site, this has information on how to be treated as an "individual" here our prescription policy can be employed in a one size fits all way which is not always true. There is also a group on here for all things thyroid though it is quiet at the moment.

For those of us who have thyroid antibodies the answer may be to discover the cause of these antibodies, the things which drive our autoimmune thyroid problems. The general title of "Inflammation" seems to cover this problem. Many of us have symptoms related to IBS joint pain and more. It seems our immune system starts with our digestive tract, calming our personal digestion seems like something to try. If only general medicine was able to keep up with the latest thoughts.

Please read and make notes on anything with true medical authority, hospitals, universities, doctors who's qualifications are available and authenticated. Be directed by your self-knowledge, for each person with thyroid problems there is their own personal relief though we may tend to share part of the same umbrella, possibly only for a while till you get closer to being well.

I recommend switching to synthroid. I was on a an ever increasing dose of levothroxin for years struggling with energy levels, dry skin and hair loss. Thankfully when I moved to a new city my new doctor told me he writes scripts for generic drugs except thyroid medication. He prescribed a low dose of synthroid for me and within weeks I could tell a difference in my energy level. Within a month my hair loss dropped to practically nil. Ive been on synthroid ever since. It's not much more expensive than levothroxin and with a letter from your doctor most insurance company's cover it. If they won't just ask your pharmacy for a discount. Walgreens does this. Also my doctor always had lots of samples that have coupons on the box that I gave to my sisters so they could switch too. It's worked for me. My weight problems didn't start until my lifestyle became sedentary. Now I'm tackling those.

Everyone I know that takes Levothyroxine/Synthroid goes down hill....I am hypothyroid and told my doctor I wouldn't take it, she prescribed nature throid. It has helped me out a lot. That and getting everything else tested, You have to find a doctor that will test every little thing, so many of mine said "you are within normal range" and "just keep taking your antidepressants, and the fact your gaining, well yer just getting old".

Hashimoto's runs in my family (mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother). There is a very compelling link between gluten and auto-immune thyroid issues, if you google "gluten thyroid link" you will find plenty of articles/studies with details. I really feel that going totally gluten free is the best thing for anyone with a thyroid problem, but of course that is an individual decision. Also, your body needs certain nutrients for your thyroid to function properly so I take Thyroid Activator and Adrenal Support (both from Nature's Sunshine) whenever I start to feel kind of fatigued for no reason.

DoctahJenn wrote: »

I've been on levothyroxine for twelve years, and it works wonderfully for me.

Yup, me, too - 15 years. It took a while to get the dosage in the right spot, and I've needed a couple of increases since then, but I really don't have complaints. Taking meds very consistently *is* important. Please *don't* think I discount the reports from folks with more difficult situations. However, I think you might get disproportionately many responses from folks with more severe problems, since the rest of us probably take the situation more for granted. Hypothyroidism is very common.

With consistent meticulous food weighing/logging, I've found it fairly simple (not always easy ;-) ) to lose weight, dropping about 57 pounds since April (SW 183, CW 125-point-something, very near goal). And I'm old (60), and menopausal, two other circumstances that others sometimes find to hinder weight loss efforts.

+1 to advice to be very compliant with when & how you're supposed to take meds, and to seek help from a specialist (endocrinologist) if things don't seem to be working out for you. -1 to any attempts of anyone who might try to diagnose you and change your treatment via a forum post.

Success is possible.

briters89 wrote: »

My doctor will ONLY give me synthroid. I always assumed levy and synthroid were identical, but supposedly not. He said there is a huge difference on generic of this particular medication. Maybe that's a contributing factor? It's worth a bit of research...

My understanding - which is not a professional's - is that this is a type of drug where the exact formulation can make a difference in efficacy. With the generic, you could be getting a slightly different formulation when the script is refilled. I used to be on Synthroid (which is a specific *brand* of levothyroxine), then switched to levothyroxine generic. So far, it hasn't made a significant difference for me. But I'm kind of a sturdy, insensitive peasant in ever so many ways, so maybe this is just another such way. .

I agree with dontwannabafatgirl recommendations in switching to synthroid, its more expensive, but better. I do not believe in taking generic for certain conditions and thyroid functions is one of them.

I would recommend getting your Vitamin D levels checked out. I had mine checked last year, my levels were extremely low. My endocrinologist put me on 2000 IU and it was like night and day, the fog was lifted from my brain, I was able to function better, not so emotional and in a better state of mind, was even able to cope with the dark winter days.

From my last test everything is fine, now I need to starting taking a multivitamin - looking for a good one for the New Year.

Diet is very important, also exercise (everyday) something I am not very good at, need to make a change in 2016 and stick to it.

Give up eating all that white stuff, no soy etc. From tomorrow, I am going Premium, will be do calorie cycling, that is something that have worked in the past and I am willing to give it another try.

For people like us, it is a struggle to lose weight, it can be done, but we have to get in the habit to exercise every day and watch our calorie intake.

I have not being logging for the holidays, but will start tomorrow. If you want you can look at my diary, but you will have to look back to November to find some of the things that I eat (clean) daily.

Good luck.