islandmonkey Member

The issue is with MFP. Everything logs correctly to fitbit, but MFP doesn't push/pull data. (I got a new fitbit and it was working seamlessly, now I have to manually disconnect and reconnect it in MFP...) MFP says it's something to do with the data in MFP not exactly matching what's in the fitbit profile, but I've…

If your aunt is hypo but not positive for Hashimoto's (autoimmune form of hypo) then it wouldn't help her at all.

Have you been diagnosed with Hashi's? (tested positive for anti-TPO antibodies). That's generally where going gluten free helps with hypo. Hashi's antibodies attack your thyroid and cause you to go hypo. Gluten can often cause a chain of events that lead to increased antibodies. Many, many people with Hashi's find symptom…

I'm thinking the same thing as the poster above - that they may have switched you to a generic instead of brand name, or vice versa. If you were on brand name and your doctor didn't specify that on your script, they'll often do refills or new doses with whatever is available. For me they did generic because it would cost…

Synthroid is ok for some people, but not for all. Synthroid is a synthetic T4 medication, which your body then has to turn into T3 hormone. Low levels of T3 hormone are what cause hypo symptoms, so if your body can't properly convert the Synthroid then you'll still have symptoms. If your only continuing issue is the last…

I hate it when they act like not gaining is the goal, and/or that weight is the only concern! (vs. just feeling good)

Your levels are really hypo still; I would want a dose increase. It may take some trial and error, and ramping up your meds, to find the right dose.

I'd be very surprised if your aunt had RAI without having graves - that would be a fairly uncommon treatment. It's just really unusual to have hyperthyroid for no reason. And when it runs in families it's generally autoimmune (graves or hashi's). Is your mom on methimazole/tapazole? Or did it go into remission? I'd…

What dose of Armour were you on? Can you look at going on half the dose? What were your free T3 and free T4 levels to go with that TSH? It's very common to have a suppressed TSH when on Armour or Nature Thyroid, so it isn't very useful to test at that point (since it's a pituitary hormone and not a thyroid one).

Ugh, your free T3 levels were probably a little too high for his liking - but you obviously felt good! I'll never understand why doctors switch people who are feeling good... Good for you for fighting back against the synthroid! I would honestly start doing research for a new doctor, who won't get freaked out by a higher…

T4 has 4 iodine molecules, T3 has 3, etc. Triiodothyronine = T3. :) That's a crazy high Reverse T3 result. Reverse T3 is an issue because it binds to the same receptors as T3, and blocks T3 from doing its job - making you feel hypo. That's why you feel hypo now, because your RT3 is out of control. That's also why they have…

Wow, those were pretty low levels before bumping you up, I can pretty much guarantee your levels are still too low. Can you ask your doctor for labs after 3-4 weeks, if you're still feeling symptomatic? Did you have issues from the Armour previously? Just noticed that the compounded has a slightly lower ratio of T3, and…

If you're on a synthetic T4-only med like Levo or Synthroid, then timing really isn't an issue. T4 is a slower acting hormone, that your body then converts into T3 (the "active" hormone). So I wouldn't worry about timing. I agree with the above poster that it's more important to take it on an empty stomach.

Some people's hypothyroid is easy to treat with a pill. For many people's it's not that easy. But I do agree that once managed properly weight loss is achievable the same way as for everyone else.

Yes, that can definitely be something that happens with Hashi's. I would make sure they do an ultrasound of your thyroid to check for nodules (the most common cause of that). I'd also ask them to check for TSI antibodies, just to make sure you don't have both Hashi's and Graves - not totally uncommon. But with your family…

With your family history of not just autoimmune thyroid disease but also other autoimmune diseases, I would definitely get tested. Autoimmune issues tend to run in families, and they also like to travel in packs (Hashi's and celiac love to hang out). I would tell your doctor that you have a family history of autoimmune…

Are you still getting the eye issues? I'm wondering if your antibodies are still all riled up, causing further eye issues, which is either causing the migraines or making them worse. Have you looked at acupuncture yet, to help bring down your antibodies? Sugar/yeast/gluten free also worked for me.

Those labs are still basically in the tank, though. On dessicated meds your TSH should be almost non existent, and your free T4 up around 1.1-1.4 (ish), and your free T3 way higher. It could partly be getting used to everything. Would your doc be open to switching you to Nature Thyroid? It's apparently hypoallergenic and…

I just wanted to address this one directly. It's like saying to someone with a spinal cord injury "haven't you just tried to walk? no one seems to have suggested this". Again, not that simple. You're incorrect - it doesn't all equal out in the end.

And if your car runs out of gas, you can just push it with your feet. Sorry, that's my snotty response. :) And I do understand the confusion, because a LOT of people do use it as an excuse. But as others have said above, it's not just an issue of "working out more". Thyroid hormone receptors are required for your cells to…

Ha, it's good that you're in the habit, at least?? :) Ya, she had eye involvement for 8 years after her RAI treatment. I'm also thinking it's due to being hypo though, and that getting your immune system built back up will help hugely.

Hmm, the anxiety sounds more like hyper, but the cold is definitely hypo... I was already wondering if you're on a high enough dose. It could also be that your thyroid hasn't fully died off from the RAI yet, so those levels could be fluctuating up and down, which makes dosing difficult. I'd be very curious to see where…

What I meant is that the "hyper" symptoms come from being on the wrong meds for someone without a thyroid. Synthroid/levo are T4-only, and while some people call it the "storage" thyroid hormone it is metabolically active - just not nearly as active as T3. Often doctors put their patients on the T4 meds, then only test TSH…

I agree with commenter above that while it's worth getting tested, you might just be finding out what happens as you get older....it can be much harder to lose weight! If you choose to get tested, make sure they don't just test your TSH. TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid one, so you also want them to test your…

1) How much medication are you on? -- compounded customized T3/T4 med 2) What were your last TSH/T4 levels? I don't bother looking at TSH, just look at free T3 and free T4. 3) How many calories do you each each day? 1500-2000, depending on activity level 4) Do you ever eat back exercise calories? Yup 5) How much exercise…

I think you're one of the first people I've wanted to friend on here! It's so hard to find people in our situation!! In my experience, every time someone is on synthroid after a thyroidectomy and is "kept hyper" that usually means that your TSH (not a thyroid hormone) is suppressed. However, since synthroid/levo are…

Most people in N. America aren't iodine deficient - it's very unusual to find someone hypothyroid due to iodine issues. Better to look at selenium, zinc, copper, and iron which are all involved in converting T4 into T3. Also look at Vit D, which is required for your body to be able to use the T3 hormone.

Which antibodies is he referring to? The only antibodies I'm aware that it reduces are the "bad" antibodies that attack your thyroid - anti-TPO antibodies or thyroglobulin antibodies. You don't need those, you don't WANT those!!!

My first comment would be on the source/author of the article. Mary Shomon is a very well known, and well educated, patient advocate. Source is important. :) Second comment would be that this fits with my experience. I was hyperthyroid from graves, had a thyroidectomy (for graves, plus cancer), and am now obviously…

My usual advice is to ask specifically how many thyroidectomies the surgeon does annually - the number of surgeries they have done directly correlates to a reduced risk of complications. Just because they're a good surgeon doesn't mean they're good at thyroidectomies - there is tissue near your carotid, and often around…