hypothyroidism - obstacle or excuse?

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  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    Ah - okay it's been a year - your levels may have changed and it may be time for you to go on some medication. I would recommend you visit your doctor and ask for a blood test for your thyroid levels.

    You're probably right. I should call my doctor and set up an appointment. He's a great doctor, always listens and explains things to me rather than shoves a prescription in my hand and shoos me out the door. The ONLY problem with my doctor is that it sometimes takes weeks or even MONTHS to get an appointment, which is the other reason I rarely go. I tend to ride things out. I didn't realize that it could really be dangerous. My sister went on it right away but my mom didn't (she was diagnosed but wasn't on the pills till just the past year) so I figured it was one of those "take if you feel like it" medications.
  • superrjo
    superrjo Posts: 112 Member
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    If youve got an underactive thyroid you have to get on meds for it , the longer you leave it the worse things'll get. Bad side effects of dry skin, exhaustion, depression, feeling cold. If you leave it too long it can have severe effects. Thyroxine doesnt just regulate metabolism, it helps everything keep going.
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    Ah - okay it's been a year - your levels may have changed and it may be time for you to go on some medication. I would recommend you visit your doctor and ask for a blood test for your thyroid levels.

    This. And maybe pester your doctor to tell you your number (there are three, I believe, but usually one is used to determine whether you'll get medication or not). That way you'll know just how borderline you are. Don't listen to vague reassurances, either. Get a copy of the blood work numbers and look them up online. That was the only way I could find out I was borderline low, the doctor who ordered the blood work refused to tell me I was, despite the fact that it must have been obvious to her.

    Good point. -I- will have no idea what the numbers will mean but I'm sure somebody here will!
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    If youve got an underactive thyroid you have to get on meds for it , the longer you leave it the worse things'll get. Bad side effects of dry skin, exhaustion, depression, feeling cold. If you leave it too long it can have severe effects. Thyroxine doesnt just regulate metabolism, it helps everything keep going.

    I have all of those -_-;
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
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    Ah - okay it's been a year - your levels may have changed and it may be time for you to go on some medication. I would recommend you visit your doctor and ask for a blood test for your thyroid levels.

    This. And maybe pester your doctor to tell you your number (there are three, I believe, but usually one is used to determine whether you'll get medication or not). That way you'll know just how borderline you are. Don't listen to vague reassurances, either. Get a copy of the blood work numbers and look them up online. That was the only way I could find out I was borderline low, the doctor who ordered the blood work refused to tell me I was, despite the fact that it must have been obvious to her.

    Good point. -I- will have no idea what the numbers will mean but I'm sure somebody here will!

    Well if your doctor is good, you won't have to hunt around the net for answers. My doctor was just wanting to avoid an argument she knew she'd get if I found out how close I was to being in the medication range.

    When you go for the test, find out which one it is, too, there is one that only checks the one number, and another that checks three. I don't know how doctors determine which test to order, I was told last time mine was checked that the three number test wasn't even available through the company that did the blood work. Very annoying, but what can you do?
  • snockers3112
    snockers3112 Posts: 190 Member
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    [/quote]

    Yeah, I had a blood test about a year ago, along with everything else. I thought about it again because it's been a while. I eat around 1000-1500 calories a day but I'm also very active and go to the gym nearly every day where I burn an extra 400-800 calories. I eat healthy and watch the nutrition of what I eat. I was doing pretty good till about four months ago or so where I just stopped dead no matter what I did, and now for the past bit, I just keep putting on weight and feeling extraordinarily tired and ceaselessly frozen stiff, even though my heat is constantly on at 70F. When I was talking to some friends, they said it may be the hypothyroidism so I figured I'd ask. I havent' been back to the doctor because - nothing personal against him - but I hate doctors.
    [/quote]

    I think the main problem here is you aren't eating enough calories for your body to work properly?? if you eat around 1500 calories and work off 800 of those in exercise you have only given your body 700 calories to survive on....your body may well be in starvation mode?
  • CoolBos
    CoolBos Posts: 4 Member
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    The under active thyroid could be one of the symptoms for poly cystic ovarian.
    Which means a very sluggish metabolism overall.
    I've had a slight form of it, and started to take a few supplements.
    My metabolism has now improved and I am actually starting to lose some weight.

    Cinnamon bark
    http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Cinnamon-Bark-240-Capsules/7268?at=0&rcode=PEV216

    Maca Root
    http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Way-Maca-Root-525-mg-100-Capsules/2020?at=0&rcode=PEV216
  • Luandanielle1979
    Luandanielle1979 Posts: 747 Member
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    Believe me without my medication after a few days I would be feeling terrible. I think it is unwise to not go and see your doctor and ask why you havent been given a thyroid suppliement mediction. I am on 150mg of levothroxine. I manage to lose weight consistantly and feel much better only if I take my meds properly and dont forget them. My mum has an underactive thyroid like me. I was diagnosed with it when I was about 25years old.

    I hope you manage to sort something out soon x
  • SCOUSERWENCH
    SCOUSERWENCH Posts: 74 Member
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    You should be taking medication for it, cos if you dont your body will start shutting down and you will become very ill.

    I take 100mg of Levothyroxine every day and will be taking it for the rest of my life. You can lose weight with an underactive thyroid and it's best to take the medication 1st thing of a morning and leave it 30mins to kick in before you eat food. it works for me.

    I didnt think it was possible to lose weight with an under-active thyroid but it is possible with fitness pal i've lost nearly a stone and 1/2.

    So why cant you get medication?
  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
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    I was born with an under active thyroid (Congenital Hypothyroidism) which caused a number of difficulties and disabilties for me in my life, but I was brought up to believe 'Disability is not an excuse' . Weight wasn't a major issue for me as a child as my doctor always had me on high dose so as not to stunt growth and my parents always kept me active.

    When I developed Ataxia from it in my early thirties and had problems with my body not converting the T4 tablets to T3 I piled on weight and at my heaviest was 16st... I did get down to 11st 7 over the years as the ataxia increased the energy I needed to do stuff but it was still slow process as they didn't have my meds right to start with and I wasn't burning a huge amount of extra calories in early stages whilst it was so mild. I was also still eating carbs normally and hadn't heard of the link between Hypothyroidism and allergies.

    After I put a stone back on reaching 12st 7 (175lbs) I joined a diet forum as the pain I was getting in my back was unbearable and needed to lose weight around my middle, first four months were slow then I discovered low cab and the link between wheat intolerance and Hypothyroidism, so I cut out wheat, I allow gluten free bread and a brownie once a week and rest of meals are veg, salad, fruit, lean white meat or fish, allow red meat once a week.. usually sunday dinner as I enjoy lamb or chilli made with lamb mince and corn tortilla'.

    The weight has been dropping off regularly since, and as the weight has been dropping off the pain has been less, I've been able to exercise more and so I can keep a deficit in my diet even if I fancy a treat. I've now managed to lose 27lbs since June and reached 148lbs (10st 8).

    Where there's a will, there's a way, as they say! ... but sometimes it just takes a while to find what works for you.

    Good luck! :happy:

    I have terrible allergies in general, and I've already started cutting back on wheat simply because I've been craving meat instead. This makes me think I should cut it down even more and see what happens.
  • superrjo
    superrjo Posts: 112 Member
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    If youve got an underactive thyroid you have to get on meds for it , the longer you leave it the worse things'll get. Bad side effects of dry skin, exhaustion, depression, feeling cold. If you leave it too long it can have severe effects. Thyroxine doesnt just regulate metabolism, it helps everything keep going.

    I have all of those -_-;

    You really really need to get on your medication, its not an optional thing and even missing a few days of pills can just take it all out of me. You'll be feeling better in no time as well !
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    Maybe they purposely make it confusing so us non-medical people have no idea what's going on? Hee! But I'll see what I can do. Maybe my numbers HAVE changed. My sister was diagnosed at age 27 and immediately put on. My mom (well, she'll be pissed if I say how old she was) but it wasn't too long ago that she was diagnosed. So maybe it takes more time for some to cross that line than it does others. I know I've ALWAYS had a low iron issue (in fact, the only time my iron wasn't low was when I was pregnant!)
  • snockers3112
    snockers3112 Posts: 190 Member
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    I think the main problem here is you aren't eating enough calories for your body to work properly?? if you eat around 1500 calories and work off 800 of those in exercise you have only given your body 700 calories to survive on....your body may well be in starvation mode?
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
    Options
    I think the main problem here is you aren't eating enough calories for your body to work properly?? if you eat around 1500 calories and work off 800 of those in exercise you have only given your body 700 calories to survive on....your body may well be in starvation mode?

    I thought about that actually but it seems to work for me. When I first started on the diet/exercise, the exercise made me sooo hungry. I was consuming 2500 or more calories a day and forcing myself to stop even at that point. I think starvation mode is if you eat under around 500 calories or something. I'm not quite clear on that whole topic but this spare tire I have around my waist? Definately NOT starvation!

    @Luanwalton197 - This is terrible, I know, but I hate doctors as much as pills. I know it's unhealthy for me. I do, but I'm one of those people who have to be on the floor or my death bed before I tend to willingly see a doctor.

    @SCOUSERWENCH - My last lab test was over a year ago and I was told that I didn't -need- medication yet and so I figured I was set for the rest of my life but after this discussion, I think I"ll get a new test done.
  • jotapaula
    jotapaula Posts: 19 Member
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    Your story is very similar to mine... 4 years ago I was tested in Denmark (where I live) and the doctor said it was under control... I got blood tests every 3 months and the same results every time. The problem though, is that all the symptons of hypothyroidism started happening to me... one by one. 4 years later I was on vacation in Brazil when I had the strongest pain I have ever felt in the area I believe to be my ovaries, lasted 3 days. I then went to a specialist who asked for some exams, including thyroid and progesterone. The result is that the thyroid got worse and my progesterone levels were quite low - the specialist believes the progesterone levels are being affected by the thyroid. She started me on 25 mcg, and let me tell you... I feel so much better!

    Then I came back to Denmark and saw the general practitioner who has been insisting that "everything is under control" even after all I told her... and even said that she still would not medicate me... I lost my patience, really. I saw a specialist, I had the test results with me which she spent 3 seconds looking at, and on a 5 minutes doctor visit she is telling me this??? I repeated every one of the symptons I've had, explained again how it all happened. And then asked her why then was my progesterone level so low? She then took another look at my test results from Brazil and sent me to a specialist...

    Before the specialist visit, I went to a series of tests. Well, this endocrinologist repeated EVERYTHING the Brazilian specialist said, and said I should have been medicated a long time ago... she increased the dosage to 50mcg, and said once I get back to 4.0, she will do the progesterone level test again and see if that's back to normal. You see, when I went to the general practitioner my level was fluctuating between 5.1 and 5.6, and now it is 4.8 and the doctor said I should be at 4.0...

    Doctors don't know it all, and some are more lenient than others. So, all I am saying is: get a second opinion.
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    Due to my type of insurance, I can only go to either my doctor or the hospital unless one of them recommends a specialist on paper.
  • shakybabe
    shakybabe Posts: 1,578 Member
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    Some doctors are arrogant and don't like been told by patients what you think you have... you have to be smarter than them!

    They can't stop you going to casualty (ER dept) in an emergency... go to your ER dept and list all your symptoms of hypothyroidism (without saying thats what you think you have) tell them you are exhausted and can barely function.. let them run some blood tests to see whats wrong with you, if they are good doctors they should figure Hypothyroidism maybe be one of the causes of your symptoms.

    If they test for that and it shows up and they then tell you that you have this and need synthroid, your doctor would have to prescribe it and you insurance would have to pay for it!
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    Some doctors are arrogant and don't like been told by patients what you think you have... you have to be smarter than them!

    They can't stop you going to casualty (ER dept) in an emergency... go to your ER dept and list all your symptoms of hypothyroidism (without saying thats what you think you have) tell them you are exhausted and can barely function.. let them run some blood tests to see whats wrong with you, if they are good doctors they should figure Hypothyroidism maybe be one of the causes of your symptoms.

    If they test for that and it shows up and they then tell you that you have this and need synthroid, your doctor would have to prescribe it and you insurance would have to pay for it!

    I have to find a new hospital anyway. The one near me is full of idiots. I'm not going to say which but I had a terrible ear infection once and went there. They gave me ear drops. It got worse. Went back, told them, gave me same meds. This went in three more times while I told them I was in pain and the meds weren't doing anything to help. They just nodded as they didn't listen and kept giving me the same ****. I finally went deaf and went to a specialist who fixed me up - and emptied my bank account. I still can't hear as well as I used to. But the point being that yes, I agree. Those of us without a medical degree are obviously too stupid to know our own bodies. So that's a good idea. Sad that it has to be done that way in this world.
  • dippystick
    dippystick Posts: 168 Member
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    Check out this lady and her information. http://thyroid.about.com/bio/Mary-Shomon-350.htm

    It's the best I've found to get information on the disease. She explains what it is, how to tell if you need meds, how to take your meds, what to eat, how to eat, etc. She is a great advocate for people pushing through to get the help you need when it comes to thyroid. She also has a nice newsletter that has suggestions for weight loss and why or why not things are working for you.

    The number 1 reason for people with thyroid issues not losing weight is not eating enough. As if your thyroid is sluggish your metabolism is slow anyway and if you don't eat enough, you body goes into starvation mode and will hang on to everything it can. Just follow links until you find what you need. She shares a lot of great information and it's free.
  • jotapaula
    jotapaula Posts: 19 Member
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    Due to my type of insurance, I can only go to either my doctor or the hospital unless one of them recommends a specialist on paper.

    What if you insist on the symptons that you are having, and ask if he can recommend you to a specialist? How often are you taking the tests?

    I found online a list of foods that improve and foods that worsen the problem: http://alicas.wrytestuff.com/swa95859.htm

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