hypothyroidism - obstacle or excuse?
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if your thyroid is bad enough to *affect ur weight*, you would be put on meds for it! if you're not on medication for it, it's obviously not slow enough to affect ur weight.
This is simply untrue and faulty logic.
I agree. It's entirely untrue. It controls more than just your weight. And I highly doubt with my diet and my exercise that there's absoluetely nothing wrong that I don't lose weight, among the depression, the constant coldness even when temperatures are 70F or higher, and numerous other symptoms I'm not going to rename here. Also, to be frank, if you can't even take the time to spell out a word, you obviously don't have the intellect to know what you're talking about.0 -
My doctor (general practice, not a specialist) says my THS is 2.8 and my free T4 is .5. He said the normal ranges were .3 - 5 for the THS and .5 - 8 for the free T4 but my mom's specialist says the normal ranges are .5 - 3 for the THS and .7 - 5 for the free T4. My doctor says mine is just barely in the range but my mom's specialist says the T4 is too low and the THS is a bit high, almost to the borderline and that it may be subclinical. The specialist asked for my T3 but my doctor didn't do a T3. Now I'm utterly confused on what's right because my doctor literally LAUGHED at me when I asked for an explination and said to come back in 3 months. I'm confused and not sure what to do
Go see the specialist. You really need a second opinion. The T3 is one of the MOST IMPORTANT levels in hypothyroidism. You absolutely need to have that tested. TSH is an indicator, but it doesn't really tell you anything about how you are metabolizing. T4 is converted in to T3, but T3 is what your body actually uses for cell function.
You need to have this checked, and the bloodwork is not that expensive.
I was subclinical when I first got treated, but my thyroid conditioned worsened, and I feel like utter crap when my levels are off. I finally feel like I am at a good dosage of meds, and I feel like anything is possible when I am on the right level of hormone. When I am running low on thyroid hormones, I feel like crap and I can't function. I literally sleep half my life away and it doesn't matter if I'm gaining weight or not because I'm too asleep to care.
Seriously, don't be afraid to get a second opinion and get this taken care of.
Getting on too much of a thyroid hormone dosage can be dangerous too if you have any heart conditions, but when I got on too much of a dosage, I just had some interesting bathroom experiences and got jittery, and once we reduced it just a tad, I felt amazing.
As far as your original question: is it an obstacle or excuse? It's both really. It is a huge obstacle, but that does not mean you should give up. Once your condition is treated, it becomes an excuse, but if you are not at the right levels, it is an obstacle.0 -
PS. if you can't find a specialist, go see another regular general practitioner. I have never been to an endocrinologist because my family doctor seems to have this under control. Just find the help you need when and where you can find it. Testing will not hurt, and it is inexpensive, so there is no reason why they can't test you.0
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I haven't read the whole thread, but I want to point out that if you are still having symptoms, it doesn't matter if your levels are normal--get a second opinion. I had to push and push and push for my GP to order the T3 and T4 tests because she believes TSH is the only thing that matters. She said my weight gain was "normal" because I'm "getting older and filling out" (I'm 22, and 25 pounds in a year is not normal growing-up weight gain), but once she talked to an endocrinologist about that plus my other symptoms, what he said was "Get her in here ASAP."
I take levothyroxine currently and am also taking a B vitamin complex to help with my energy levels. It helps a little, but I'm still going to see the doctor in a couple of weeks. You can't ignore your symptoms with hypothyroidism--you need to keep pushing until you find someone who's willing to look at the ENTIRE picture, not just labs.0 -
I haven't read the whole thread, but I want to point out that if you are still having symptoms, it doesn't matter if your levels are normal--get a second opinion. I had to push and push and push for my GP to order the T3 and T4 tests because she believes TSH is the only thing that matters. She said my weight gain was "normal" because I'm "getting older and filling out" (I'm 22, and 25 pounds in a year is not normal growing-up weight gain), but once she talked to an endocrinologist about that plus my other symptoms, what he said was "Get her in here ASAP."
I take levothyroxine currently and am also taking a B vitamin complex to help with my energy levels. It helps a little, but I'm still going to see the doctor in a couple of weeks. You can't ignore your symptoms with hypothyroidism--you need to keep pushing until you find someone who's willing to look at the ENTIRE picture, not just labs.
Aye I agree. My friends know how serious my symptoms are because of the mere fact that I AM going to see a doctor. I'm one of those who doesn't ever go. I've passed out before due to refusal to see doctors (totally different story). I suppose part of my fear is that the specialist won't listen to a word I say either. They obviously deal with this kind of thing a lot more than a general practioner but I've never been to one and fear they won't listen to me either or else they'll use the "old system" or some other BS. It's not the fear of the test/blood work, but rather the fear of those with a medical degree acting like the rest of the world is made up of idiots. I have no idea how much it costs (hopefully not too much) because I've already set an appointment in 2 weeks!
P.S. Gaining 35 pounds in three months while dieting (but not exercising at that point in time minus all the "exercise" a single mom gets) is also not "normal" like I've been told. I'm STILL working on getting it off, and it's been over a year!0 -
Aye I agree. My friends know how serious my symptoms are because of the mere fact that I AM going to see a doctor. I'm one of those who doesn't ever go. I've passed out before due to refusal to see doctors (totally different story). I suppose part of my fear is that the specialist won't listen to a word I say either. They obviously deal with this kind of thing a lot more than a general practioner but I've never been to one and fear they won't listen to me either or else they'll use the "old system" or some other BS. It's not the fear of the test/blood work, but rather the fear of those with a medical degree acting like the rest of the world is made up of idiots. I have no idea how much it costs (hopefully not too much) because I've already set an appointment in 2 weeks!
P.S. Gaining 35 pounds in three months while dieting (but not exercising at that point in time minus all the "exercise" a single mom gets) is also not "normal" like I've been told. I'm STILL working on getting it off, and it's been over a year!
It takes some work to find a good doctor. Even my previous endocrinologist wasn't concerned about the fact that the pounds were just sneaking on, despite the fact that I had been a very slender girl only a few months before he removed half my thyroid. Don't be afraid to tell the doctor what's what--if you're not feeling well, there is no reason for you to accept some half-assed response. The bloodwork shouldn't cost much--I looked on my insurance carrier's website before I made my appointment, and even without any insurance, it looked like each test was only $10 or so.
It's incredible what doctors will tell us. Even without exercise, I shouldn't have gained that weight because I simply don't eat enough extra calories to justify that much weight. A few pounds, yes. 25? Hell no. When you add the fact that losing weight is HARD when you have a bum thyroid, it's just depressing to be told "That's the way it is!" Keep pressing for answers. Good luck!0 -
My sisters take kelp supplements, and ingestible iodine. Not the kind you can use on cuts. One of my sisters didn't know there was a difference and would have poisoned herself eventually if the kind pharmacist hadn't asked her what all the iodine was for. :-P
It helps the mood swings and irritability, not sure what else.0 -
Hypertension (HTN) or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and diastolic. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm/Hg. [1] The first figure is the systolic blood pressure, the pressure there is in the arteries when your heart is contracting. The second, or lower figure, is the diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure in your arteries between heart beats. High blood pressure is anything above 140/90 mm/Hg. Hypertension is the opposite of hypotension. Hypertension is classified as either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary hypertension; about 90–95% of cases are categorized as "primary hypertension," which means high blood pressure with no obvious medical cause.[2] The remaining 5–10% of cases (Secondary hypertension) are caused by other conditions that affect the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system.
Persistent hypertension is one of the risk factors for stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic kidney failure. Moderate elevation of arterial blood pressure leads to shortened life expectancy. Dietary and lifestyle changes can improve blood pressure control and decrease the risk of associated health complications, although drug treatment may prove necessary in patients for whom lifestyle changes prove ineffective or insufficient.0 -
I have Hypothyroidism. i was diagnosed due to having heart palpitations. Apparently hypo can cause that. once i started on the levothyroxine my heart went back to normal. i have lost and gained weight. it usually depends on what i put into it. here recently i'm struggling with low vitamin d levels due to my thyroid. i have trouble absorbing it. it makes working out very painful. i twitch and have muscle cramps every day. low thyroid and low vitamin d is depressing.0
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sorry let me clarify. they gave me a blood test due to the heart palpitations. after that it showed my levels were too low. explained why i slept all day too. i feel ur pain and wish you better health.0
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Warning: Rage Post (ie: don't read if you're just going to piss me off more in your reply)
So I went to see my doctor and provided him with proof that there's a difference between the "old" test as I called it and the sensitive test. I also asked why he didn't order the T3 as I very specifically asked him to. He just said they didn't do the tests, the hospital did. I pointed out I was still asking why he didn't do the T3 when I ordered it. He seriously kept skiping around the question, answering things I didn't even ask that had nothing to do with anything, and I just kept asking "Why didn't you do the T3?" and finally he just said "I'm done with you." He had no answer why he didn't do the T3. A simple, "I forgot, let's redo the bloodwork." or whatever other reason he had would've sufficed. No, instead he avoids it and avoids it and then says he done with me like I'm the one neglecting a patient.
So I call the hospital that does the bloodwork, see if maybe they did the T3 and the doctor didn't get the results or something and also ask about the "old" tests vs the sensitive tests. After being shuffled around and around and around and around, this is what I got: nobody in there has a medical degree or knows anything at all. Their tests come from a supplier who makes up these standards of whom also has nothing to do with medicine or any type of medical knowledge. They just supply the tools. So it's the blind leading the blind leading the blind who is misdiagnosing people like me. The guy in the lab who supposedly helps do these tests didn't even know what a T3 -WAS-. He barely even spoke English.
Now normally, no matter how pissed off I am, I won't say who I'm pissed at. It's rude. But this time, I'm proud to say it.
Dr. Walter Culver
And the hospital system is St. Joseph Mercy.
Now, I'd not mention the hospital except after this incident, I was mad enough that I started thinking about all the good times (well as good a time as is possible) I've had with doctors and nurses and such and all the times I've been f***ed over. I looked it up. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME I've been harmed - when they had me in pain for the ear infection for 6 months because they wouldn't listen, when they broke my foot because they thought it was merely dislocated, when they had me sitting in agony when there were no other patients for two hours because they were busy talking about random things within earshot instead of coming back into the room, and a dozen other times - they were ALL at offices/medical centers/hospitals that were St. Joseph Mercy. (minus the failed pregnancy tests in Alabama). So there you have it. Dr. Walter Culver and St. Joseph Mercy.0 -
I'm sorry you're being treated like that. There's really no excuse!! :mad:0
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Why can't you get medication for it? I have an underactive thyroid and take levothyroxine, I also take some thyroid supporting vitamins. I agree it is so unbelievably easy to put weight on and in a relatively short space of time too! My digestive systems is sluggish and I am often constipated too (all part of the effects of an underactive thyroid) so I try to eat lighter meals and always incorporate fruit, I also try to keep bread down to one meal a day otherwise I feel bloated. You really should get some mediation for an underactive thyroid
I should've clarrified. I'm not a doctor or anything but apparently there's some kind of level or turning point or something that tells a doctor if you should or shouldn't be on medication for it. My sister has been on meds for it for a few years. My mom was tested and they didn't give her meds for a while. She only got them maybe a year ago. When I was last tested for it, he said I had it, and even after I explained the family history of it (also my grandmother and my aunt), he said that there was "no need for medication yet" I don't know why; again, I'm not a doctor but without that little piece of paper from the doctor saying that I need it, I can't get it. And so nobody asks; I do trust my doctor. He's been very good to me.
I guess your levels are considered 'under control' - I assume you have had blood tests. In that case - to answer your question - it's an excuse - I have been hypothyroid for over three years now - yes I was overweight, but thanks to MFP I have lost 17 kgs (37 lbs) and my BMI is in the normal range. Your hypothyroidism is only an obstacle when your levels are not under control.
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.
In my opinion, and based on your symptoms-which are the same ones that I experienced- you DO need medication and you DO need to seek a second opinion, preferable from an endocrinologist.
Your thyroid values could be within "normal levels" according with the lab results, but if you are at the higher end of the normal values and suffering from those symptoms, it means that your thyroid functions better at lower values. Your doctor should know that, especially with such as strong family history.
I understand that you don't like doctors or medication, but what you don't like, can also kill you or bring lots of other health problems. My humble suggestion is that you reconsider your point of view and seek medical help before is too late. Good luck and sorry about the problems that you experienced at that hospital and with that doctor.0 -
Ely,
I guess you're responding to an old post of hers because she just posted that she has been back to the doctor..
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Yeah, you are probably correct Servilla, There are 5 pages and I only checked the original posting without looking at the date. I also suffer from hypothyrodism and I get upset when doctors don't treat the problem correctly or when people don't want to take meds for it. My apologies.0
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No problem! I know how it is with long threads :flowerforyou:0
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i have the same conditon as you...i am on medicine for it though...i was diagnosed about 4 1/2 years ago..i started gaining weight and didnt know why so finally went to the dr and yep it was my thyroid..since then i had twins..but when i got pregnant i was 180 and when i had them i was 190 i was sick alot and after i had them i was 155 and then over 2 years i gained 10 lbs and then last dec to this april i lost 15 but then have put back on 10..i just started counting my calories again and am back to 155 with a goal of 140. i know it is possible to lose weight with this condition but without it being treated it might be like a rollercoaster ride....with your levels always adjustintg...do you have an email address? i can forward you something my uncle sent me because he also has the condition...and maybe this will help you0
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It's so hard to find a good doctor and/or endrocronologist that listens. Even if you "appear" to be in the "normal" range, every body is differenct, and if your symptoms show that you need to be on the lower or higher side of "normal," the doctor needs to be sensitive to it and prescribe accordingly. If your doctor is NOT cooperative to your degree of satisfaction, it is time to get another doctor. I suffered from hypothyroidism for several years and gained over 40 pounds before I found a doctor who would take me seriously.
OTOH, eating healthy and exercising when possible DOES help to alleviate the symptoms and helps ward off weight gain. It takes both a healthy thyroid and good eating/exercise habits to maintain a healthy body. Good luck to you!0 -
One of my doctor's excuses was that I "lost" 16 pounds since I last went in...two years ago. Thing was, two years ago, I didn't have the problem I had now. I actually lost 50 pounds and since then gained it all back in just a few months and in the course of about a year have lost only 16 of it. (20 ish by now) But he only looks at the total loss, not at the fact that 2 years ago, I wasn't suffering like I am now and could easily lose weight. If he had taken my weight between now and 2 years ago, he'd see that I had actually gained a lot first. So yes, when I ordered my results in the mail from him to show the specialist when I go in on the 15th, he wrote on it "patient has lost 16 pounds - does not need medication." like that's the entire story. WRONG. I've gained 50 and lost 16 of that, so that's NOT the entire story. :explode:0
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You really need you tag and t3a ran and I wouldn't be against being tested for hoshimotos disease. That being said if you are having issues with tiredness and weight gain or the inability to lose weight when you are doing everything a normal person would I would get a referral for an endocrinologist they are thyroid doctors and they tend to follow a stricter set of levels. Normal fir a regular doctor could be bad for a specialist. My thyroid is outrageous I started out at 100+ with 1 50 microgram levothyroxine I'm down to 42 at the highest I should be an 8.0 so I've been bumped to 75 micrograms since the started my meds back up about a month and a half AGI I've lost 8 pounds not changing anything else in my life... Does your hair fall outmire than normal that another symptom associated with thyroid issues sometimes....... Sorry if any of my words are messed up I'm typing on my screen keyboard from my phone... Any of you feel free to add me I have 70 lbs to lose even with hypothyroidism!0
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I would go and see another doctor. I have been diagnosed as being Hypothyroid for years and currnently take meds for it. It really is determined by the levels of TSH in your blood so I would think you either have it or don't and either need meds or don't.
Either way though to get to your original question from the subject of this post I have lived with it for years and don't consider it an obstacle at all. With the medication it's not really a factor I just need to be sure that I follow up and get regular testing to keep it in line. When I've gained weight in the past it's been because of my poor eating habits and not the medical condition.0 -
I'm late to this conversation but let me say this: I've had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis for 20 years. Only I didn't know it! My doctor kept telling me I had a low thyroid....I was on meds and never lost the weight. On Nov 21st I had surgery to remove my thyroid after it started causing me difficulty swallowing. The surgeon said he hadn't seen a more diseased thyroidl like mine in quite some time! All this time I was taking the medication that wasn't right for me, even though my doctor seemed to be fairly intelligent about thyroid issues. You need to have your levels checked at least twice a year. In the three weeks since I've had mine removed, I've lost 7 pounds - in the past that would have taken an entire year to do.
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please get your blood taken again. I am on 150 mg a day. Three and half a years ago I stopped my medication and became very very ill and ended in itu - i nearly died. If you become pregnant when your thyroid is not working probably you can be in danger of miscarriage. Please get the levels checked again. A lot of women become underactive after a child - thats when my was disagnosed. It is not something to put to the back of your mind. You have all the symptoms of underactive thyroid. Once you sort it out you will feel so much better.0
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Yeah, I'm trying to figure it out. I'm getting a bit anxious about my upcoming appointment. It's still two weeks away, and I"m afraid I"m going to get blown off again like I'm a nobody who isn't suffering. Even if by some miracle it ISN'T hypo (and the numbers and the symptoms all point to the fact that it is), there is still something wrong with me, and I'm tired of suffering because of it.0
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I hope it goes ok - bring your sister and mum for support and maybe the doctor will realise that the problem is in the family and take you more seriously. Good Luck and keep everyone posted.0
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HI! they have a new 'normal" range now .3-3.0 for tsh- I would say you;re probably feeling crappy at 4. something! Hope you feel better, try asking another doctor?0
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(to Kazza) I so agree! UNtil my husband actualy called the doctor and said "hey look, my wife is working out everyday and eating Low fat, low carb, low cal (under 1100 most days- under 1200 the rest) and a minor 'cheat" (eg: I had a beer last weekedn with my sushi dinner) can send her weight up 8 lbs in a day" ... they started listening! Also, it took, saying look, give me a referral if you don't have time to help me.0
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Why can't you get medication for it? I have an underactive thyroid and take levothyroxine, I also take some thyroid supporting vitamins. I agree it is so unbelievably easy to put weight on and in a relatively short space of time too! My digestive systems is sluggish and I am often constipated too (all part of the effects of an underactive thyroid) so I try to eat lighter meals and always incorporate fruit, I also try to keep bread down to one meal a day otherwise I feel bloated. You really should get some mediation for an underactive thyroid
Can I ask which thyroid supporting vitamins you take??
ARE there over the counter meds I could take to help that I don't need a doctor's Rx for?
Thyodine from Organika and Thyro Support from AOR. Both are available in your health food store.0 -
Why can't you get medication for it? I have an underactive thyroid and take levothyroxine, I also take some thyroid supporting vitamins. I agree it is so unbelievably easy to put weight on and in a relatively short space of time too! My digestive systems is sluggish and I am often constipated too (all part of the effects of an underactive thyroid) so I try to eat lighter meals and always incorporate fruit, I also try to keep bread down to one meal a day otherwise I feel bloated. You really should get some mediation for an underactive thyroid
Can I ask which thyroid supporting vitamins you take??
ARE there over the counter meds I could take to help that I don't need a doctor's Rx for?
I would like to know this too0 -
Selenium boosts the levels of T3 your body produces, according to my Endo... now definitely don't take my advice without checking your bloodwork with a doctor ... also the levels are .3-3.0 TSH Above 3 HYPO, below .3 HYPER- thyroid.
PS- its an obstacle, not an excuse, but its a doggoned TOUGH obstacle. If you don't believe that ... check out my diary and how much exercise I do daily.... LOL ....
PPS- I am hypothyroid due to complete removal of my thyroid gland - which yes does help regulate metabolism, but it does SOOOO much more than that, so be careful, and don;t go taking a bunch of crazy drugs without talking to a doctor, this is a serious medical condition and you can literally die and/or slip into a coma after months without meds with this condition, so please makes sure you do have it before trying to treat it.
ALSO if your normal doctor does not think you have, you certainly have the right to shop around and chat with other doctors who specialize0
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