All Women Should Read This

[outstandinfarmer]

Please read this because even if it doesn't pertain to you, it may someday or you may be able to help someone.

I have been really sick for the past 5 years. I used to be really thin and I started putting on weight. There was nothing that I could do to stop it. I had sinus infection after sinus infection. I was tired all the time. I couldn't concentrate in class. I was losing the hair on my head. I was always bloated.

I went to about 10 doctors, everyone said my tests were fine and there was nothing wrong with me. Then I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and ADD (I used to be a straight A student but then I just couldn’t concentrate anymore). They put me on medications for both of those. They put me on two medications for my hair loss. They gave me medication for the bloating. I was taking all of this and I still felt terrible all the time. After years and years of suffering and being poked for blood over and over to take the same tests over and over I went to yet another doctor because I was persistent and I knew that I am too young to be falling apart. This doctor took a simple blood test called an AUTO IMMUNE THYROID TEST. It came back positive. This was causing all of this. The doctor said that if I wasn't treated for it, it could have developed into lupus or rheumatoid arthritis when I got older. I had all the symptoms of a hypothyroid but it kept testing normal. I lost 5 years of my life. I had to withdraw from school twice and take a semester off. I fought and cried over my weight over and over. I’m finally starting to get back to normal, but it took years of suffering. The amazing part of this is I even saw thyroid specialists and they didn’t know about this test.

I’m sharing this because I hope this can help someone and that they don’t have to suffer like I did.

 

[MommyPoppins]

Thanks.

I'm so sorry!

 

[OhMari]

You look really familiar, glad you are feeling better. Where did you go to finally get the correct diagnosis.

 

[binny]

thanks for the info, its good to know!

 

[dmslush]

I have hypothyroidism, and it was awful before I could get it under control. I went to dr's for YEARS and all they would do is tell me that it was 'border line' hypo and give me 100 mcg of synthroid. I was in a fog all the time, gained TONS of weight, just generally felt bad all over. One day, I started my period and it didn't stop for THREE months. I changed to a ob/gyn that I had heard good things about. She pulled my blood, my levels were way high. When she finally got them under control, I was (and still am) on 250 mcg of Synthroid daily. I feel better now that I have ever have!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just giving you a bump here, Heather, some great advice. I take synthroid also.

OT, I always enjoy your signature picture, you look so happy, not a care in the world.

 

[FreshTressa]

Is that the same as Hahimoto's??

 

[MsLeFever]

Baby girl (in my siggie) takes her synthroid everyday!

thanks for sharing your story and I hope you feel better soon!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

if i miss a day of my synthoid, i feel miserable!

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I agree about the awareness and the testing!!!

I was diagnosed with Hashi's years ago - despite a list of hypo symptoms a mile long, I am told that as long as my levels are in the "normal range" there is nothing they will do. I fear the long term effects and have been tempted to heed the advice on some of the sites to obtain my own meds - I know many people do - it is sad it has to be that way!!!! Anyone who is lucky enough to be getting treatment and whose treatment is adequate - count your blessings!!!!! I have become so disgruntled, it has been almost 2 years since my last visit, although I know I need to get in for the sake of having the ultrasound - the only benefit.

 

[HaleyB]

I just finally got on synthoid a few months ago. I was so down on myself about my inability to lose weight and what I thought was laziness. I was sleeping 8 hours then taking a 3 hour nap and I still felt like I was in a fog. I would stay in bed with my lap top and read here for days because I din't feel up to much else. The lack of activity made my back problems much worse so I was also in a lot of pain all the time. Christmas was the last straw. I didn't feel like doing Chrstmas, which really worried me, but I was too tired to decorate and shop. I finally went to the doctor about it in late December. I love my doctor, she is wonderful. She thought it was my thyroid right away, and ordered the tests. She was right. I am so thankful she listened to me and had my thyroid tested because I really thought I was going to lose my mind.

I do think I went 8 years with the problem. I remember waiting for the 'nesting' burst of energy during my last pregnancy and that it never came. I gained 50 pounds, which is twice as much as I gained with my first two. I was tired all the time and blamed it on having three kids. I moved back to the US when my daughter was 6 months old and I didn't go see a doctor for awhile, then it took about four tries to find a good one. So when this doctor met me I was already over weight and low energy. It came up on me slowly so I didn't notice untill it got really bad.

I wish I had brought it up sooner. I guess part of me thought it had to do with my back injury and the pain meds I take. I also have a lot of trouble sleeping because pain killers give me insomnia but I can't get comfortable w/o them. Anyhow, I am so glad I am being treated. I feel so much better. I tell every one I can to ask for a thyroid test, I really didn't realize it is not a standard test (It is not done with a regular physical). I think it should be.

 

[Nicolepa]

I agree about the awareness and the testing!!!

I was diagnosed with Hashi's years ago - despite a list of hypo symptoms a mile long, I am told that as long as my levels are in the "normal range" there is nothing they will do.

I would talk to another Dr. My Dr. says that even if I am in the normal range that is not good enough. I have to be more at one end of the normal spectrum or I still feel like crap. He fully acknowledged that and would keep adjusting my medication until I felt right. (I have an autoimmune disorder that causes an overactive thyroid. Fortunatly I have been in remission for about a bit over 4 years now.)

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I know I should keep trying - have been to four Drs...one flat out told me when I got frustrated that "no one is going to treat you any different as long as you are in normal range"....I moved on after her, but nothing different and I now just go with whatever they say....

 

[ZachnElli]

Thank you for this thread! Something has been wrong with me since 2000, I have my thyroid checked every year and every year they say it's fine. I'll ask for this one along with my annual thyroid one. I've seen 4 doctors about this too and they all acknowledge I'm not normal, but can't find a problem. One said I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, I don't. Anyway, I'll check this one out!

 

[outstandinfarmer]

Seriously you guys, if you think that you may have a problem, you should be tested for it right away. Go in and tell your doctor that you are tired all time and you are wondering if you have this. With fatigue as your diagnosis your insurance will cover it, that way they won't try to make you pay for it.

 

[outstandinfarmer]

I'm bumping this so that it can help more people

 

[disneygrl16]

My doctor didn't run the test because i was moody and tired allthe time we had to request it since t runs in the family, so when the test came back it said i had hyperthyroidism. we switched doctors. then with my new endocrinologist i was complaining about being tired, cold and my hair was falling out easily, and i had these strawberry colored dots appearing on my legs which the doctor didn't know, which i thought i was allergic to something. we asked if it was anemia but she said no we requested blood work. it came back that my blood count was below normal, having anemia. then my kidney count were both high. so i had to go to a nephronologist. Waiting to see the doctor i had mored strawberry colored blotches and dots that appeared on my legs, so we had to go a center which finally a doctor knew what it was vasculitis which had to do with my kidney. during the following week though my ankles swelled up so bad i couldn't walk. finally seeing the kidney doctor, they had to take a biospy to see the damage of my kidney. well since my blood count was soo low they had to give me a transfusion for the biospy to be done. since my kidney was inflammed they had to give my three high doses of steriods intraveneously. since i had so much inside of me i had side effects from them i was taken off them. but my kidney count came back to normal levels and thyroid was normal too. the reason they think all this happened was during about december or january my thyroid was normal but the endocrinologist kept me on the same dose of ptu, so i hadn to much of it in my system leading to kidney problems.

 

[KRIS10420]

I have been dealing with thyroid problems for about 8 years. An endocrinologist diagnosed me with Hashimoto's and said as long as I keep taking my Synthroid and my blood tests state I'm in the "normal" range, then there is nothing else that can be done. I have gained a huge amount of weight, loose tons of hair everyday and I'm generally lethargic most of the time, but the blood tests still say I'm "normal". I did read on another thread that the "normal" thyroid blood levels have been lowered, so I'm going back to my doctor to discuss this with him.

 

[Iott Family]

To all you wives of DH's who gain weight despite exercise and diet, show signs of fatigue and depression.....they, too need to get this test. We have been through two doctors trying to get a diagnosis. We have an appt. July 14th...keep your fingers crossed! The last doctor ran blood work and told my dh to take in less calories. HA! He only takes in 1500 or less a day. The average healthy male easily has a 2500-3000 caloric intake daily. There are just so many doctors out there who dont listen. So, we feel your pain! Also, in all our research we came across a book called the thyroid diet. HTH...we are going to give it a shot!

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

I have been dealing with thyroid problems for about 8 years. An endocrinologist diagnosed me with Hashimoto's and said as long as I keep taking my Synthroid and my blood tests state I'm in the "normal" range, then there is nothing else that can be done. I have gained a huge amount of weight, loose tons of hair everyday and I'm generally lethargic most of the time, but the blood tests still say I'm "normal". I did read on another thread that the "normal" thyroid blood levels have been lowered, so I'm going back to my doctor to discuss this with him.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who has Hashi's (diagnosed 16 yrs ago)and still am putting on a few pounds ,tired, and lossing hair constantly- not to mention the messed up monthlies ....now my TSH levels have been so out of wack since Jan.(went from .150 to .137-.125mcgs)and still not normal...maybe someday!!