Do you have a thyroid problem?

_Kate_P
_Kate_P Posts: 132
edited November 9 in Health and Weight Loss
if so, what is it? And what made you decide to get checked out? I'm getting mine checked tomorrow because I have such a huge family history of thyroid diseases
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Replies

  • FitKate
    FitKate Posts: 169 Member
    have hypothyroidism and I'm on meds for the last 2 years. I have a family history. Feel free to add me and I'll tell you my story. :) Hope this helps.
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    yep thyroid issue here i take meds daily
  • chicky89
    chicky89 Posts: 260 Member
    I was concerned cause I lost 40-50 lbs in one month... Got blood work done and bam, thyroid issues.... I was also really *****y, tired, and itchy skin (all signs of thyoid)

    Now on meds
  • sufikitkat
    sufikitkat Posts: 583 Member
    Hashimoto's Thyroid (Autoimmune under active) Discovered when I was 19 due to a nodule on my thyroid gland my doctor felt. Curently on t3 and t4 meds daily and have gotten control over my weight through running and boot camp style strength training. Thyroid is not a fun disease whatsoever, but it is manageable through smart diet and healthy exercise :-) good luck with your tests!
  • I've always had what the dr termed as "low normal" - and always was told exercise more, eat less.

    And then this January, got my physical results back and my numbers are off. As in WAY off - my TSH is less than half what it was the year before, my iron levels are low, my red blood cell variability is off and I've developed insomnia. So my dr just did a more extensive panel - waiting for the results, but a few people think that the iron anemia issue combined with thyroid seems to be Hashimoto's.

    I'm really REALLY hoping it's not and that I'm just out of balance. We'll see next week.

    Go get the panel done.
  • EfFemme
    EfFemme Posts: 5 Member
    Yup! Hashimotos... I feel like it's technically just Hypothyroid, as I don't really get the spurts of "over active thyroid" that comes with Hashimotos.

    I got tested after I caught myself bent over, head on desk, utterly exhausted in the middle of the day (I work in front of a GIANT ground level window in the front of a medical office-- kiiiind of inappropriate!). I also gained weight, my nails and hair got dry and flaky, I was T-I-R-E-D, and got sick all the time. I've been on meds for about 5 years, and while technically my blood work is in "normal range" I still have waves of utter fatigue.

    Switching to a gluten free diet TOTALLY helps, but I stink at sticking with it. Other than meds, has anyone found other things that help?
  • GabyG69
    GabyG69 Posts: 213
    I have hypothyroidism with no family history... weird right??... I found out when I got checked after having an irregular period..
  • bobbinalong
    bobbinalong Posts: 151 Member
    I have none, removed 14 years old. Been on same rx dosage all this time, doing fine!
  • swilk627
    swilk627 Posts: 245 Member
    Post-partum hypothyroid. No family history. I was soooooo tired all the time.
  • _Kate_P
    _Kate_P Posts: 132
    Interesting to hear all of this. Did you guys find it easier to lose weight with the meds?
  • StevLL
    StevLL Posts: 921 Member
    Went to the Endocrinologist for my blood sugar and she did some tests and then MRI of head. My pituitary is flattened and non-functioning, so she started supplementing me with Levothyroxine. Like waking up from a coma and each time they increased it, my Blood pressure dropped to a normal level now with minimal meds. I have never been a fan of meds, but I feel btter than I have in years and that little change has made a huge difference.

    It didn't really help my weight loss, so much as being out of the fog did. eliminating processed foods and gluten is what is doing it for me.
  • rachemn
    rachemn Posts: 407 Member
    I have hyperthyroidism. Otherwise known as Grave's Disease (really could they have picked a worse name??) Eventually I will need my thyroid removed, but right now it's being controlled with meds.
  • jmp33
    jmp33 Posts: 93 Member
    I have been on meds for 10 years for hypothyroid. When I need to get my levels checked and my meds increased I am so tired I can't sit down or I fall asleep. Also, I could claw off my skin it's so dry and itchy.
  • I was just diagnosed last week, hashi's, hypo. Started taking armour thyroid and hoping it helps soon. Also waiting on results of my thyroid ultrasound. I gained 39 lbs in 18 months despite being active and eating healthy. Then the hypo symptoms took over, exhausted, hair loss, dry skin, dry nails, etc
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    I have had "symptoms" forever but those sympotoms are so vague. I was a little tired, and I have been low energy for the past couple of years. Low energy for me is like high energy for anyone else. I was a little muted and less bubbly, but if you met me you would have never thought I was "down."

    I've always had dry skin and hair, so that wasn't a clue for me. I was a little cold sometimes, but again that could be anything.

    M doctor did some routine tests and I was deficient in iron, vitamin D and hypothyroid. I have been on synthroid/etc or about 1.5 years now. Just now trying to lose weight, I had gained around 20 pounds after being diagnosed.

    No clue when it started or the cause. My mom was never diagnosed, but it is suspected that she is as well, she has a few symptoms, but these are so vague you just think it is normal.

    I'd love to hear how you guys are coping.
  • pigwidgeon82
    pigwidgeon82 Posts: 79 Member
    i kept getting sick and gained weight and the dr decided to take out my tonsils. i got blood work so i could get approved for surgery and found out i have hashimoto's and am hypothyroid. i also have a goiter with several small nodules.

    i am currently on 125mcg of synthroid and take it daily. have been on medication for thyroid for about 4 years. still haven't been able to get the weight off, but am able to maintain. i think my problem is that i've been undermedicated and that has caused me to get discouraged from not seeing results. hope that changes soon. good luck to everyone.
  • PrairieRoseNE
    PrairieRoseNE Posts: 265 Member
    I'm hypo - been diagnosed for approx. 3 months. Currently I'm on Levothyroxine - a low dosage and I really don't feel much different or that it's helping - although I didn't know there was anything medically wrong with me before, so I don't have anything to compare to. I just thought my tiredness & fatigue was from being overweight and overscheduled - LOL

    I have this "gut" feeling that the dosage isn't high enough - because I'm stuck on a plateau - weightloss-wise. As hard as I've tried, the scale hasn't moved. I'd been doing so well and then BAM - brick wall.
    And my Dr. won't increase the meds yet, because she says it hasn't been six months yet, and it can take up to 6 months before the meds start making a difference.

    So I'm working hard at just maintaining my weight - trying not to re-gain what I've lost.
  • _Kate_P
    _Kate_P Posts: 132
    I'm hypo - been diagnosed for approx. 3 months. Currently I'm on Levothyroxine - a low dosage and I really don't feel much different or that it's helping - although I didn't know there was anything medically wrong with me before, so I don't have anything to compare to. I just thought my tiredness & fatigue was from being overweight and overscheduled - LOL

    I have this "gut" feeling that the dosage isn't high enough - because I'm stuck on a plateau - weightloss-wise. As hard as I've tried, the scale hasn't moved. I'd been doing so well and then BAM - brick wall.
    And my Dr. won't increase the meds yet, because she says it hasn't been six months yet, and it can take up to 6 months before the meds start making a difference.

    So I'm working hard at just maintaining my weight - trying not to re-gain what I've lost.
    I hear ya with just trying to maintain!I've been steadily gaining the past 3 months (I've put on 12lbs) despite meticulous tracking and regular exercise! That's part of why I'm gonna get tested tomorrow
  • Fayve
    Fayve Posts: 406 Member
    I have a blood requisition to get my thyroid tested. I'm exhausted all the time, even when my iron levels are normal. I haven't gotten my period for about 6 months inexplicably, as well as having a near impossible time trying to lose weight (although probably more accurate to blame it on my own lack of discipline). I've gained almost 10 pounds in the last few months while tracking and exercising.

    Really interested to see what the results say. I have a family history of thyroid problems on my mother's side.
  • sblueyez
    sblueyez Posts: 156 Member
    I have hashimotos. My dad does as well. I've always thought I had it, since my teens. My labs always came back at the high range of "normal". Well I believe any TSH that isn't extremely close to 1, is abnormal. The lab companies disagreed so my doctor would never treat me because 4.5 wasn't bad enough. Finally the brain fog and memory problems started interfering with work and I really had to advocate for myself. The doctor finally started me on meds.

    Once your doctor gets your labs, ask for a copy. If your TSH is not close to 1, and if you are having other symptoms, don't be afraid to speak up about it. If the dr doesn't listen, it is time to find a new one.
  • sblueyez
    sblueyez Posts: 156 Member
    Yup! Hashimotos... I feel like it's technically just Hypothyroid, as I don't really get the spurts of "over active thyroid" that comes with Hashimotos.

    I got tested after I caught myself bent over, head on desk, utterly exhausted in the middle of the day (I work in front of a GIANT ground level window in the front of a medical office-- kiiiind of inappropriate!). I also gained weight, my nails and hair got dry and flaky, I was T-I-R-E-D, and got sick all the time. I've been on meds for about 5 years, and while technically my blood work is in "normal range" I still have waves of utter fatigue.

    Switching to a gluten free diet TOTALLY helps, but I stink at sticking with it. Other than meds, has anyone found other things that help?

    I'm glad you mentioned the gluten. I feel better just eating LESS of it. Haven't made the full switch but I don't think I'm making it up that I feel better. Another thing that has helped is not eating things with added sugar and once I stopped eating Splenda I realllly felt better. That probably has very little to do with my thyroid however.
  • Kymwho
    Kymwho Posts: 183 Member
    Yes!! I was diagnosed 2yrs ago with an underactive thyroid. I was irriatable, gaining weight like crazy, exhausted all the time. My levels were SO low, that my Dr asked me how do I even get out of bed! Ultrasound revealed a small nodule on the right side, that they're currently watching. On top of that aneima. She put me on synthroid and Iron 3x day along with a multi vitamin. I had dropped 30lbs in less than 1.5 months!! However, I started gaining again, thank you holidays, lol!! So, I'm trying to get back on track. Waiting on results if any change of my TH panel. Hope this helps!! Oh, and if they do put you on any thyroids meds, keep them at your bedside along with a bottle of water. Take it first thing in the am and DO NOT eat anything for 30 minutes. Otherwise you're just wasting your meds. It has to be absorbed into the bloodstream for it to even take affect. Good Luck!!
  • kyrstensmom
    kyrstensmom Posts: 297 Member
    Hypothyroid diagnosed 4 years ago. I just went to the dr a few days ago because I was feeling "off"...tired, hair falling out, dry, itchy skin...turns out I was overmedicated since I have lost 35 pounds. On a new lower dosage as of a couple of days ago...we'll see if it helps.
  • PrairieRoseNE
    PrairieRoseNE Posts: 265 Member
    I have hashimotos. My dad does as well. I've always thought I had it, since my teens. My labs always came back at the high range of "normal". Well I believe any TSH that isn't extremely close to 1, is abnormal. The lab companies disagreed so my doctor would never treat me because 4.5 wasn't bad enough. Finally the brain fog and memory problems started interfering with work and I really had to advocate for myself. The doctor finally started me on meds.

    Once your doctor gets your labs, ask for a copy. If your TSH is not close to 1, and if you are having other symptoms, don't be afraid to speak up about it. If the dr doesn't listen, it is time to find a new one.

    I like what you said about being your own advocate!! When my former Dr. diagnosed me with High Blood Pressure a few years ago, he tried several type of medicine on me - none of which worked and I was getting frustrated. So I started researching HBP myself on Webmd.com - found out lots that my Dr. wasn't telling me. (And yes, I AM the type to ask alot of questions!!)

    At my last appt with that particular Dr., I finally spoke bluntly and said I'd like to try Losartan for my bp - because of what I'd read, and what I knew about myself. He wasn't very happy that I was trying to diagnose myself, but finally agreed that maybe we should try it - and guess what, my bp numbers started coming down right away.

    I've since changed Doctors, and she concurred that I should stay on Losartan for my pressure issues.

    Re: the hypothyroidism, I've been doing alot of reading about it, and I'll obey my Dr. for these first 6 months, and if my blood work doesn't show an improvement in thyroid numbers - I'm gonna be very assertive that we make adjustments.

    Next time I'm there, I'm gonna ask to see my past lab results and see what my numbers really were. Thanks for the tip!

    Good luck to all that have thyroid issues!
  • slieber
    slieber Posts: 765 Member
    Diagnosed in August. Was dancing (ballet) daily but had to nap after each session. Then I gained 10 pounds in about 2 weeks NOT doing anything different. I also had joint pain.

    I'm on my second level of Levathroid. Couldn't take the generic - did absolutely nothing for me. I had my third blood test yesterday and have an appointment in a couple of weeks to see what the levels are. I'm feeling tired a lot lately, so I know it needs adjusting.

    The joint pain and weight gain is what sent me to the doctor. I thought I was going through menopause so asked for that test. He tested for it and for thyroid and found the thyroid and testosterone levels were extremely bad. I have to take DHEA in addition to the Levathroid.

    I haven't lost much weight as yet but I'm not stressing out about it at this stage. I'd like to get leaner, rather than worry about the scale, and get stronger, so I've changed up my exercise routine (apart from ballet, which more or less stays the same anyway). More weight-lifting and doing that separate from the cardio (thanks to Banks for that advice!! :-) ).
  • sblueyez
    sblueyez Posts: 156 Member
    I have this "gut" feeling that the dosage isn't high enough - because I'm stuck on a plateau - weightloss-wise. As hard as I've tried, the scale hasn't moved. I'd been doing so well and then BAM - brick wall.
    And my Dr. won't increase the meds yet, because she says it hasn't been six months yet, and it can take up to 6 months before the meds start making a difference.

    So I'm working hard at just maintaining my weight - trying not to re-gain what I've lost.

    I've never heard of a 6 months waiting period for levo... I started at 25mcg in October. I'm up to 75mcg. When my symptoms come back I request a blood draw and I'm always right about needing an increase so far.

    I'm familiar with a1c blood levels in diabetics being checked every 3-6 months because that is how long they take to change, but I've never heard of waiting regarding the thyroid for any reason. I started feeling better just a few weeks after starting it. If you know the logic behind waiting, please share!
  • LilacDreamer
    LilacDreamer Posts: 1,364 Member
    if so, what is it? And what made you decide to get checked out? I'm getting mine checked tomorrow because I have such a huge family history of thyroid diseases

    I have Hashimoto's disease, also known as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
    I was diagnosed almost 10 years ago (I was 18)
    I got mine checked out because my cousin was diagnosed with it, and i had unexplained weight issues/gains, lethargy, etc.
    I wanted to get checked at the age of 15 but my mom kept telling me i was too young to have something like that. :[

    My thyroid was 3x the size it should be, when i finally went to an endocrinologist.
  • PrairieRoseNE
    PrairieRoseNE Posts: 265 Member
    I have this "gut" feeling that the dosage isn't high enough - because I'm stuck on a plateau - weightloss-wise. As hard as I've tried, the scale hasn't moved. I'd been doing so well and then BAM - brick wall.
    And my Dr. won't increase the meds yet, because she says it hasn't been six months yet, and it can take up to 6 months before the meds start making a difference.

    So I'm working hard at just maintaining my weight - trying not to re-gain what I've lost.

    I've never heard of a 6 months waiting period for levo... I started at 25mcg in October. I'm up to 75mcg. When my symptoms come back I request a blood draw and I'm always right about needing an increase so far.

    I'm familiar with a1c blood levels in diabetics being checked every 3-6 months because that is how long they take to change, but I've never heard of waiting regarding the thyroid for any reason. I started feeling better just a few weeks after starting it. If you know the logic behind waiting, please share!

    I just know what she told me - that it would take 6 months to see if the dosage she put me on was strong enough?? I'm at the 25mcg dosage right now. I personally think it's not strong enough, because I haven't felt any different - not like I expected to anyway. I assumed it would be a noticable difference. Maybe I should call and make an appt to discuss this with her?? I sure don't want to waste time taking too low of a dose if there's no reason to wait before increasing it!! Thanks for the insight!!

    ~~PR
  • TiffanyV25
    TiffanyV25 Posts: 96 Member
    WOW, so many people have thyroid problems! I am hypothyroid. I was born with little-to-no thyroid and I have been on synthroid my whole life. Definitely affects your mood, energy and weight! If anyone has any questions that I can help out with, feel free to add me. Been in this game for 25 years! Not fun, but it's life!
  • icklecyberfairy
    icklecyberfairy Posts: 56 Member
    I used to have a thyroid problem and was prescribed 100mg Levothyrioxine. I was diagnosed at 16 but it wasn't severe enough to treat, finally i was given a prescription when i was 19 and was on 100mg until i was 26. I was moody, couldn't study, used to fall asleep at random times, I'd feel like crying when i was really tired, severe migranes, foggy thinking, etc.

    I moved to Japan when i was 25 and after six months I started feeling adverse effects from the Levothyroxine. My prescription was from my home country and so I decided to just stop taking it. When I returned home a year later, I had blood works done and they came back totally normal. I had a discussion with the dietician and doctor, as well as a hospital consultant and they all agreed that it was likely that the high iodine level was good for my condition. Iodine is found in fish, shellfish and particular seaweed.

    However, i still struggle with my weight as i have PCOS too and I am therefore Insulin Resistant. Boo!
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