Anyone else with thyroid issues?
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3bsmom03
Posts: 11 Member
I have a really really stubborn lazy thyroid. I am always looking fir ways other than regular meds to try to improve it's function. Any ideas?
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I have low thyroid. My body performs well and I lose normally. I take synthroid for years. I have also studied thyroid issues for years and I have a great doctor as well. I know the moment my thyroid is off by the way I feel and I have blood work and we do the readjustment. If you are taking thyroid medication it should do the work and fills in the gap where your own thyroid is lacking. Perhaps you need to change doctors. And it is very important to check your thyroid levels especially if you feel sluggish. My late husband was a physician. He handled my thyroid. After his passing I found a great doctor to take over but not until I interviewed my new doctor first. I felt comfortable with him right away. On rare occasions when I begin to feel sluggish I have blood work. My body likes best when my test results fall in the middle of the normal range. The director of the lab who also has lie thyroid feels best if her results are at the high end of normal. Simply adjust doses until you feel great. Something is wrong if you feel sluggish. You might need to change doctors or you may need a specialist. They have the expertise needed in thyroid issues. Your body may like you on the higher end of normal or in the center or more toward the lower end of normal.1
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If your thyroid issues are autoimmune, which is usually the case, there is nothing you can do about it other than cooperate with your endocrinologist, test regularly and take your meds as prescribed. Anything else is just asking for trouble. If you have some other diagnosis, then there might be other approaches, but your dr will tell you which.0
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Usually thyroid problems are secondary not initionally primary unless you've been exposed to radiation. It'll be a good idea to find a good doctor who can investigate deeper into it.0
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I think working out can help you improve both physical and mental health because it can make you feel fresh, and increase the metabolism system. I used to feel very lazy, in other words, I slept all day and I wanted to do nothing. One day I found that is the result of low thyroid hormone so my physician added dose of thyroid medicine. Besides, I have started running together with taking medicine regularly. After that I have got a good result; my laziness decreases and I feel stronger.
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I do and losing weight is a very slow process. I have Hashimotos. I just take the meds prescribed and exercise daily.1
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I had my thyroid removed and it took over a year forced to even feel half human again.
I spent a lot of time arguing with doctors over it, very frustrating.
There are supplements you can take to support thyroid function and there are certain foods you shouldn't eat a lot of like the broccoli family of foods.
Anything is worth a try to feel better.
There are people who have corrected their thyroid function - but I think it's usually with iodine therapies.
I think trying to feel better is not something your doctor (surprisingly) can always help you with0 -
hello!
I'm sorry to hear about your lazy thyroid. I know a bit how you feel as I have hashimotos. It can be so frustrating can't it!
For me It's been really up and down as my thyroid has either been on a bit of a roller coaster but now it's finally settling I am finding it hard to shift weight. I have been taking my Levothyroxine daily with selenium to help absorption as I was on 250 mcg a day with absolutely no effect haha. I don't know if anything really works for improving thyroid function, I live in the Uk and all the endocrinologists I've seen have been sceptical of anything other than meds, but I've heard that anything in the broccoli family is to be avoided, as is soya and kelp. Do you consume any of these in vast quantities? I've also heard that a handful of Brazil nuts a day really helps Levothyroxine absorption but I don't know if you're taking that.
Does anyone else get the brain fog, the complete inability to concentrate on anything ?!0 -
I've had thyroid problems since my older daughter was born, and I don't recommend trying to fix it with foods and supplements alone. Be sure you see a doctor or endocrinologist to be diagnosed and take synthroid if it's prescribed.
Untreated, hypothyroidism can cause heart and liver damage, as well as nerve damage. It can wind up causing depression, and it even slows down every system in your body. It's very serious, and it is an autoimmune disease, not a secondary condition.
If you have the right dosage of synthroid (or the generic levothyroxine), you'll find you have more energy and can also lose weight more easily (when you're following a good nutrition plan).2 -
@bear17
YES! When my meds are off, I get very "foggy" in the head and can't think. When I had problems getting my refills delivered, I was off meds for two weeks and felt like I was going crazy. (Short trip, but still…) it took nearly three weeks to feel normal again and be able to think straight.0 -
I'm a nurse and I've worked exclusively in endocrinology for the past 5 years. I just want to add that there are many different types of thyroid disorder that will affect your metabolism differently. I see people everyday come in who truly do not feel "themselves". I cannot even imagine some of the symptoms I see, and I feel deeply for anyone who has to go through with this.
Make sure you are seeing an endocrinologist. Your primary care provider may or may not have the true depth of knowledge to fully assist you (not saying you shouldn't give them a chance, but be open to a referral if your treatment plan seems difficult). Make sure you are taking the medication that is prescribed for you. Do not try homeopathic remedies by yourself.
Get your levels checked once a year AT A MINIMUM, and only that infrequently if you have been stable for long periods of time. Newly diagnosed patients or those who aren't feeling right, should be tested ever 6-12 weeks.
Good luck all!1 -
Ughhhh yes.
I was told I had papillary thyroid cancer. I went for a second opinion and was told the same thing. I still wouldn't schedule the surgery... something just wasn't right. After tons of nagging I finally caved and agreed to the surgery for a total thyroidectomy. Found out 4 weeks later it was a total misdiagnosis - no cancer (tumor was completely benign - HTT), ugly scar, met my out of pocket max of $3500 (goodbye vacation) and a lifetime of meds, blood work, and checkups. I detest doctors now but that's another story for another day. Started on Armour 90 mg/day. First blood test went great (about 10 weeks after surgery). At the time I felt great and was losing weight. Second blood test (6 weeks later) showed I'm full on hypo again - I thought the sluggishness and weight loss plateau was just due to working more/sleeping less. Just increased dosage to 120 mg/day... now just waiting to see if this does the trick - next blood test is in 4 weeks. I'm was down 27 lbs but have gained back about 2 lbs. Since being cleared for exercise, I lift weights twice/week and usually get 10k-12k steps on my Fitbit. Since surgery I've been very limited on my carbs - no bread, pasta, rice, quinoa, alcohol, high sugar fruits, etc. and eat about 1200-1350 calories/day. To do all this and start to gain the weight back is very discouraging. My endo reminds me to be patient and keep doing what I'm doing but it's hard... especially when everyone around you is enjoying delicious carbs. On the bright side (gotta always look for one!) and a big surprise to me - my resting heart rate has drastically improved. I was nearing 80 bpm and now am getting close to 60 bpm. Also, even though I haven't had time for yoga classes my flexibility is getting so much better. Thyroid problems just suck... no two ways about it. Hang in there. 0 -
I have mild hypothyroidism. I take NOW foods brand supplement called Thyroid Energy. I got it from Amazon. I take 1 in the morning with breakfast and 1 at dinner as directed on the bottle. It is great and has improved my energy level. I now feel much clearer as well , no more brain fog! Vitamin d is also very crucial for thyroid health. Make sure to get some sun! Watch intake of raw veggies like cabbage and broccoli . Cook them instead. I also watch my gluten intake.1
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lindsaywaldorf wrote: »I'm a nurse and I've worked exclusively in endocrinology for the past 5 years. I just want to add that there are many different types of thyroid disorder that will affect your metabolism differently. I see people everyday come in who truly do not feel "themselves". I cannot even imagine some of the symptoms I see, and I feel deeply for anyone who has to go through with this.
Make sure you are seeing an endocrinologist. Your primary care provider may or may not have the true depth of knowledge to fully assist you (not saying you shouldn't give them a chance, but be open to a referral if your treatment plan seems difficult). Make sure you are taking the medication that is prescribed for you. Do not try homeopathic remedies by yourself.
Get your levels checked once a year AT A MINIMUM, and only that infrequently if you have been stable for long periods of time. Newly diagnosed patients or those who aren't feeling right, should be tested ever 6-12 weeks.
Good luck all!
Thank you for this full response. I hope the poster finds it useful. I'm being treated through primary care but my GP is excellent and I'm retesting every 12 weeks.
To the OP, happy for you to add me just mention thyroid in your message so I know where you're from. I'm losing on levothyroxine, and logging etc0 -
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Does anyone else get the brain fog, the complete inability to concentrate on anything ?!
Brain fog is the worst! I can deal with a slow metabolism. In theory, my thyroid levels are normal, as my TSH is normal, but I feel like crap, and every stupid meme about dead children or cruelty to animals is making me cry - sure sign for me that something is off. My vigilant and understanding nurse practitioner got laid off, which I'm still upset about, and I've been stuck with health care professionals who don't know my history for the past 20 years. These doctors and PAs don't take the time to listen to me, and I don't think they read my records either.
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lindsaywaldorf wrote: »I'm a nurse and I've worked exclusively in endocrinology for the past 5 years. I just want to add that there are many different types of thyroid disorder that will affect your metabolism differently. I see people everyday come in who truly do not feel "themselves". I cannot even imagine some of the symptoms I see, and I feel deeply for anyone who has to go through with this.
Make sure you are seeing an endocrinologist. Your primary care provider may or may not have the true depth of knowledge to fully assist you (not saying you shouldn't give them a chance, but be open to a referral if your treatment plan seems difficult). Make sure you are taking the medication that is prescribed for you. Do not try homeopathic remedies by yourself.
Get your levels checked once a year AT A MINIMUM, and only that infrequently if you have been stable for long periods of time. Newly diagnosed patients or those who aren't feeling right, should be tested ever 6-12 weeks.
Good luck all!
This is good information. I was diagnosed and I'm being treated by my Primary Care Doctor. She only tested my levels 6 weeks after starting the medication and I haven't heard from her since because my TSH dropped to a normal 0.70. I also take B12, 5,000 I.U vitamin D daily and Forskolin. I guess I won't be tested again until my next physical in August. I suppose I won't be too concerned since I continue to lose weight (.8-1lb week) on 1,200-1,400 gross calories a day with 10,000-12,000 steps a day.1 -
Thank you for this I am going to give Now Thyroid Energy a try....I am between dosages, 175 synthroid works too well, and I lose too much weight, but 150 synthroid keeps me quiet plump0
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