Hypothyroidism

From what I know I think you always need medication of some kind... if left untreated certain thyroid disorders can cause other medical problems. I believe there are different kinds of medications though so maybe talk to your doctor about trying a different one?

if you feel worse taking the pills, then its highly likely your dosage wasn't right...it can take time to get everything squared away

I was asymptomatic when diagnosed, but I take the pills anyway. They made no noticeable difference, but I haven't experimented with going off them, so these days who knows?

I take pills to level out my hypothyroidism because my thyroid doesn't make enough to sustain my body so I have to supplement it and there is nothing in the world I can eat besides a pill that can create what I need. In fact, I have to watch the things I eat because food interferes with thyroid medication. Things like soy proteins (not lecithin) which means I can't have things like a lot of Chinese foods, or soups, some breads, ice creams...

Well ok, I don't have a thyroid at all, so you know if anyone wants it, it's people like me cause I hate waking up to take pills and wait an hour to eat. It's not mandatory.

Edit: Make sure your doctor checks your TSH, T3 and T4, they both need to be in balance and most times they only check the T3

Try to find an Endocrinologist to help you. Your GP might just take basic blood tests and not all that you need. If you are Hashimoto's hypothyroid, you have a possibility of getting goiters on your thyroid, which will appear as a "bulge" in your neck. Ensure you have neck palpitating done by your GP (your Endo will for sure) to check for that. Also, your symptoms can go from hypo to hyper if you actually have Hashimoto's. Overall, you should really go to a specialist. Ask for T3, T4, TSH at a minimum. Some will recommend reverse T3. Also, be sure you find a doctor who will listen to you about your symptoms, not just your lab results. You can be "in range" but still feel like crap. Keep an Excel spreadsheet with your current dose, what your blood tests were, and how you're feeling (1-10 or something) with some space for comments you can add text. Fill it out daily. When you get new blood work, add in the new dose, the blood results, etc. Keep going until you're hitting a good number (7? 8?).

Also, be sure to read up on proper dosing. As someone above alluded to, you need to take the medicine on an empty stomach, and don't take calcium, iron, etc. within a four hour range of the dose. Most people will set alarms to take the pill early morning, then go back to sleep and then when you wake up, you can eat/drink like normal. Also, soy and walnuts and a few other foods have poor interactions with thyroid function, so you can read up on that as well. Be mindful of the manufacturer and whether you are given brand names or synthetics. They do make a difference for people because the fillers are different.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have if you want to PM me. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and was on various doses until I started developing nodules (goiter) and ended up having a full Thyroidectomy. I'm 100% dependent on medicine and it took me at least 18 months of different doses, brands, etc. to find the right amount for me. I'm feeling good now.

Good luck. It's a long road, but you CAN feel normal again.

took me nearly a year to get my dosage right, once my levels were optimal for me, then did i see the benefits, tiredness has gone, and im still working on the weight loss.

CSARdiver wrote: »

There is no debate on this. You cannot fix thyroid issues with diet. This can only be addressed with medicine.

What are you taking and what dosage are you on?

What are the latest results of your full thyroid panel - TSH, fT3, fT4, rT3?

I agree. Some diets may quiet (slow) an autoimmune attack on the body. For a while. It can't fix it though.

Work to get the right dosage of meds. If you still don't feel right then try different meds, like something with a T3 (ie. Armor).

Try to get a copy of your lab results. It'll help you track your thyroid levels and watch for any trends. My doctor didn't diagnose me until I pointed out that although I was at the high end of the normal range, my levels had been steadily trending upward for years.

Also, it could be that you are anemic. If your thyroid levels are normal, ask to have your hemoglobin and ferritin levels tested. Ferritin are your iron reserves and it's possible to have normal hemoglobin and low ferritin, thus being anemic.