Hypothyroidism....what are YOUR symptoms?

Hypothyroid groups:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/search?phrase=hypothyroid&order=0

my biggest symptoms were depression and lack of focus, that was when i was on a low dose. Before I was on any medication I was freezing all the time. like sweaters in 90 degree weather.
Now i feel great!

Thanks for answering! What supplement are you taking? My chiropractor just recommended one, and I just started. So far I am not noticing any difference, but it has only been three days. I would love to see your numbers.

Sheri

Sheri, I've got the same issues... normal hormone levels, BUT thin hair, dry skin, weird muscle pains, constantly feeling cold, and of course everybody's favorite, an inability to lose weight. Some of it (including the latter after a year or more of frustration) has improved since I've started taking natural remedies a little over a month ago. Specifically those are:

Thyodine, by Organika, which is a kelp extract (= iodine supplement); and
Thyro Support, by AOR Classics, which is a combination of minerals and proteins (L-Thyrosine) to support thyroid function, specifically T4 --> T3 conversion.

Next Tuesday I've got an appointment with my doctor, hopefully for a referral to an endocrinologist.

i was tired all the time, losing hair, and had absolutely no energy. I became really cold easily! My mom is my doctor and after suspecting that I may have received some hypothyroidism from her genes she got me tested. Soon enough I was on synthroid and feeling so much better!

I've been on Synthroid since 1994. I've had most of the symptoms and the synthroid didn't seem to be helping much. After I started getting serious about exercise and eating better the symptoms are pretty much gone. I'm still on 150 mg. Synthroid.

Hey All,
Im a RN, and at my hospital we use the newest range in guide lines which is (0.5-3)...

I also have Hypothyriod and my level was at 6 when I was diagnosed...
-I slept a lot & was always exhausted.
-Hair loss, TONS.
-Trouble loosing weight and weight gain ( I still struggle with weight loss)
-FReezing cold all the time
-I would never sweat


Those were prob. my worst sx. Now my levels are regulary around 2, I think my last was 2.48 & I take 75mcg daily of synthriod. I still struggle with the weight loss but if i take my meds CORRECTLY and daily then its much easier! GOOD LUCK Msg. me for any questions!

Sheri,

I don't post often, but the hypothyroid comments always activate me. Last May, I started on an herbal thyroid medication and saw HUGE changes in the way I feel. The biggest was my energy level. Before meds -- Barely able to wake up in the morning and exhausted after an 8 hr work day. After meds -- I feel GREAT in the morning and still have energy to cook supper and exercise after work. I got my life back!! Other symptoms -- I just don't grow hair anymore (can almost throw away the razor). Forget hair on the outer eyebrows. But, I can sure tell if I miss taking my meds!!!

I have had regular blood tests on my TSH levels, and will share those tomorrow (if you are really interested). Good luck!!

I am very interested to know what herbal medication you are on!! I have been on high synthroid meds since 1992 - any help would be great!
Thanks = Shellie

I have been in this battle for 26 years, and have learned a lot along the way. Here is my 2 cents on the TSH levels. They do not mean much at all. It stands for thyroid stimulating hormone. Most Dr.s that truly understand the thyroid go by additional tests like t3, t4 and r-t3 and r-t4. All those give a much better understanding as to how your thryoid is functioning and how your body is absorbing thyroid. It's very complicated. TSH is no longer the gold standard for treating thyroid disease. At least it shouldn't be. But, you'd be surprised how many docs are still stuck on that.

After years of misery on synthetic thyroid meds, (some do great on synthetic- some don't) I was still cold, tired, losing hair, gaining weight, (dispite using what little energy i had at the gym), My joints ached so bad eventually, I could hardly get off the couch...I quit exercising because I just couldn't do it anymore and I gained 30 lbs in about 8 mo. Yet, they all told me I should be feeling great!

I finally found a different dr. one that uses all natural thyroid about a yr.ago. Turns out I needed t3 desperately. I take p-thyroid, and my son who is 15 takes naturethroid. Both are pork based, but the difference is amazing. My Dr. only goes by t3 and t4 levels. Not TSH, And listens to my symptoms that may or may not be still occuring. I'm a different person and eturnally grateful for this dr. I hope you can get your situation resloved and start feeling better. I reccommend reading everthing you can and at least discuss your findings with your dr.

Get all the reverse tests as well as the basic tests. My numbers were in range and low, but my body can't convert T3 to T4 so I started on liothyronine (compounded T3) and my lethargy, bloating, cold hands/feet, mental fog, low grade depression and hair loss were gone in 3 weeks. Supplementing has changed my life, and I've lost 10 pounds. Best of all, I have ENERGY!

Good luck.

Sheri,

I don't post often, but the hypothyroid comments always activate me. Last May, I started on an herbal thyroid medication and saw HUGE changes in the way I feel. The biggest was my energy level. Before meds -- Barely able to wake up in the morning and exhausted after an 8 hr work day. After meds -- I feel GREAT in the morning and still have energy to cook supper and exercise after work. I got my life back!! Other symptoms -- I just don't grow hair anymore (can almost throw away the razor). Forget hair on the outer eyebrows. But, I can sure tell if I miss taking my meds!!!

I have had regular blood tests on my TSH levels, and will share those tomorrow (if you are really interested). Good luck!!

eventgal: my tsh levels were 2.15 when I was tested February 19th and this was considered a normal level. But I noticed that your Dr treated you with a tsh of 2.23.Did you have to convince them that you were hypo or did they willingly test your t3 and t4? I can't lose weight for the life of me and this has gone on ever since my daughter was born. I keep gaining despite all the effort I have put in.... it's so incredibly frustrating :sad:

Eventgal,
I have the same issues with hair and eyebrows.. I can draw my eyebrows on with my eyes closed I believe, been doing it since I was 20 years old. Cold is another thing I have a lot of problems with, I freeze to death in the summer when air conditioning goes on. Restaurants are far too cold for me to go in without a jacket or hoodie with me... Been taking meds for hpothyroid for 23 years now.

2SpareTires,

I can so relate!! Through the years, I've had one doctor say -- you have thyroid disease and need radiation treatment (back in the day, long ago). The next one said -- no, you don't have thyroid disease. I got conflicting reports from many doctors thru the years. I WAS SO CONFUSED!!!

Finally, I decided something had to give. I heard of a local nutrition based doctor (actually, a chiropractor) who treats nutritionally after comprehensive bloodwork. That sounded like the real-deal to me. He looked at my bloodwork, and when I related the conflicting reports of my doctors thru the years, he just laughed. He said, "Of course, you can't lose weight!! Of course, you're tired! I see exactly WHY on your bloodwork!" Somehow, his perspective and training are completely different from the typical physician.

Suffice it to say, I have been very pleased with the results. Persevere until you find someone to treat you. Otherwise, you may be at a roadblock in your future health.

Have them check you for other things that can go along with hypo. My levels were 'normal' at 3.4, but because of many symptoms and because my antibodies for Hashimoto's were 'through the roof' my endo put me on 25mcg of Synthroid. I'd say about half of my symptoms have disappeared. I still get a little tired in the afternoon (but working out and chasing kids probably has more to do with it) and I still lose a lot of hair. All in all, I'm happy I've been put on it!