islandmonkey Member

I don't think it was fair of you to more-than-imply that her friend lied. Just because you're a medical student doesn't make you qualified to diagnose someone's psychological state. My background is in neuroscience, research theory, and 20 years of dealing with thyroid issues (hyperthyroid from graves, thyroid cancer and…

I really like my fitbit. It has some limitations - you can't use it to log activities like bike riding, for example. I use mine for daily activity to make sure I'm not on my butt too much, then log activities like yoga, runs, bike rides, hockey etc through MFP.

That's fair. I've seen his comments before and am not a fan of his approach, and allowed myself to get annoyed by a stranger on the internet. I felt his comment was dismissive of the medical concerns and responded with something equally dismissive, which isn't very mature of me.

The problem I'm referring to is when people only get a TSH test, and their doctor says they have no thyroid problem when they actually do. So yes, your TSH was maybe "abnormal" enough for an initial diagnosis, but many, many people are told they are "fine" or "normal" when they are in fact hypothyroid. It would also have…

When I was first diagnosed as a teen I was rail-thin and scrawny. It wasn't until the issues resurfaced in later years that I had further complications around the weight gain (which I really do attribute primarily to the foods I consumed, and couldn't NOT consume). I remember finally getting back on anti-thyroid meds and…

Thyrotropin, or TSH, is a pituitary hormones that is indirectly elevated or reduced by levels of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. When the hyopthalamus senses low blood levels of thyroid hormone, it puts out thyrotrpoin releasing hormone, which prompts the pituitary to put out more TSH in an effort to get the thyroid…

The info out there on hypo vs. hyper thyroid tends to be black-and-white, but the truth is a mottled shade of grey. Many people put on weight when hyperthyroid, for a variety of reasons. For me, it was that I was so hyperthyroid that I ingested sugar constantly in order for my body to have enough quick energy for fuel.…

Even .58 is crazy low!

Actually, thyroid imbalance has a huge impact on carbohydrate and sugar metabolism, food cravings, willpower, and other relevant factors. Since you clearly aren't even aware that TSH isn't even a thyroid hormone, perhaps you can save face now by giving up on this thread.

Perhaps after her medical condition is treated properly.

That free T4 result doesn't look right....you'd be comatose with a free T4 of 0.058....

That's often because "normal" doesn't mean "optimal". Does your doctor test just TSH, or do they also test free T3 and free T4?

You sound like you are now hypothyroid. When were your levels last tested? Soy actually slows down the thyroid (prevents thyroid from using iodine to create thyroid hormones). If it makes you sick it might be because you are hypo. I think you should get retested.

I think it's more important at this point for her medical condition to be properly treated.

I absolutely think you have been overmedicated into hypo. A TSH of 2.57 might be technically "within normal range" but I personally would barely be able to get out of bed with a TSH that high. I would ask to be tested for anti-TPO antibodies. It's not that uncommon to have both Graves and Hashimoto's, and with Hashi's the…

That is a great idea!!

Sounds like you're on a T4-only med like synthroid or levothyroxine? Since T4 is more of a "storage" hormone it can take a few weeks before you feel better, and generally takes 6-8 weeks to see the full effect of the dose increase. Does your doctor only test your TSH, or do they also test your free T3 and free T4? On…

My point is that just because you are "within normal range" doesn't mean there isn't a BETTER "within normal range". Just because you're in range doesn't mean your meds can't change, while still staying perfectly within the bounds of legal and ethical obligations. My doctors also follow the rules, but don't allow me to…

My experience, and the experience of hundreds of other women that I've talked to about thyroid issues, is that by and large most physicians are not up to speed on thyroid issues. Unfortunately this is the case in many places, and I no longer doubt when someone tells me about their horrible doctor experiences.

I'm in Canada - I think your doctor is feeding you a load of BS. Your doctor can change your dose to keep you in range, but get you to an optimal place within the range. What labs is your doctor testing? Just TSH, or also testing free T3 and free T4? What meds are you on? A T4-only pill like Synthroid or Levothyroxine?…

Ya, for most people synthroid isn't the greatest - it only contains T4, and many people struggling to properly convert that synthetic T4 into T3. When taking any meds that contain T3 (like Armour or Nature Thyroid) that you take your pill AFTER your morning labs, not before. Taking it before can artificially inflate your…

What were your actual thyroid levels? There is a big difference between "within normal range" and "optimal for YOU". I would get the actual numbers from your doctor. Also, what kind of bc were you on? Hormones can make your thyroid go all wonky, especially if it contains estrogen. Check what your doctor tested for your…

I agree - I was hypothyroid from anti-thyroid meds and lost 20 lbs in 4 months, just by eliminating sugar and doing 20 minutes of exercise 4-5x/week. As I noted above, I did find that it was easier to eat well when I wasn't hyper or hypothyroid - your body processes carbs and sugar differently when your thyroid is out of…

She needs a new doctor, NOW. That is ridiculous to tell someone they can't go on thyroid meds until they lose weight. That's like saying "I won't put gas in your car until you fix that dent in the bumper". Your body NEEDS thyroid hormone and if you don't have enough, you need to add it. Getting her thyroid levels to…

Armour isn't available in my country (Canada - different licensing) but we have something that is basically the same. I know a LOT of thyroid ladies who swear by dessicated meds - either Armour or Nature Thyroid. Some people have a reaction to the fillers in Armour, and prefer Nature Thyroid, but it can go either way. Are…

If your levels are optimal (and not just "within normal range") then you'll be in the same position as anyone else trying to lose. i.e. proper eating (you need to eat MORE) and exercise will result in weight loss. You need to adjust your goals though, for the weight you've already lost! Do you know about BMR? TDEE?

That is sadly really common in endos. :( Does your state allow naturopaths to prescribe meds? Ok, first and foremost though - you need to eat more. It looks like you're netting 700-800 calories daily; you need to be netting at least 1200. I'm talking 1200 minimum, and then also eating back any exercise calories. That 1200+…

It sounds like you might have adrenal fatigue from so many years of being "off". That's sort of a non-descript "illness" that isn't well received by the medical community, but to me just means your adrenal system is beat down and needs some support. This article had some good info:…

In my experience the jitters are caused when your free T4 levels are too high, from being on a T4-only med like Synthroid or Levothyroxine. When were your free T3 and free T4 last tested? The stress response can cause your body to reduce the conversion of T4 into T3, worsening the effects of being on a T4-only med. I would…

Some actually suggest it's worse to take a dessicated med like Nature Thyroid sublingually. Swallowing it ensures that the active T3 is released more slowly. Were you always up at night...? T3 is very active, especially if taken sublingually, and taking your Nature Thyroid at night could be why you are up!!!