Anyone have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

[crz4mm2]

And what did your doc treat you with?

 

[amid chaos]

This is a great site with many very helpful people. I have Graves', so i am unable to answer your question..try posting your question at this site.

http://www.mediboard.com/cgi-local/...=1;hardset=0;start_point=0;DaysPrune=0&r=actu

 

[mkcp91]

Sorry, I can't help with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, but I thought I'd give this a bump back up for you.

I have Grave's Disease which causes hyperthyroidism, not hypo. I have had radioactive iodine treatment twice and my thyroid is now completely destroyed - hence, I'm hypo now and take synthroid daily, and will take it the rest of my life. It took over a year to get the dose right.

Are you seeing an endocrinologist, or a general practitioner? I saw three different endocrinologists and each had a different course of treatment for me!

Good luck to you and I hope you are feeling like yourself again soon!

~Heather

 

[luvwinnie]

Two of my friends have it. One takes synthroid, one takes levoxyl. DId your dr. explain that it is an autoimmune disease? I know about.com seems to have a lot of info on it.

 

[karebear1]

My sister had Hoshimoto's disease. It was difficult to treat, and for her , her thyroid lasted an unusually long time. From what I understand- in Hoshimoto's the thyroid slowly burns itself out. Is that what you are talking about? If so, I would suggest you do a lot of research on this. My sister had a very hard time with this disease and it caused many other health related issues for her. Nothing life threatening- but her immune system just went downhill. Make sure your are seeing a specialilst- your GP won't know enough to give you the treatments you need. WHen you're working with the thyroid so much can happen. Good luck! You'll be able to manage just fine if you get the proper care.

 

[mickeysaver]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism last year. I have a family history of thyroid problems on both sides of my family. I think that I was actually having problems with mine for much longer before, but that's a different story. I have been on Synthroid for the last year as prescribed by my doctor. I have had a rollercoaster of a time trying to get it leveled out. It works for awhile and then it just isn't enough. I have been told that it's all a normal part of the disorder and treatment. I finally have put my foot down and told my doctor that I want to see the Endocrinologist. I am so tired of being tired. I'm 36 years old and just should not feel like I'm 90. So, next month, I am going to finally see the specialist. Maggie

 

[Disfan1]

I do! I'm being treated with Synthroid & doing OK on it.

 

[Tinks]

Believe it or not I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's when I was 6 years old! I have been on Synthroid pretty much ever since...maybe Levoxyl now and then. My dad is an M.D. so we get my meds from him and blood tests every 6 months to a year. If I can answer any questions let me know.

 

[Towncrier]

My wife and I both take synthroid for Hashimoto's and have for several years. Just another pill to take at bedtime.

 

[crz4mm2]

I have been taking synthroid for several years. Was diagnosed hypothyroid with a thyroid nodule. The nodule has been growing so another biopsy was done which showed hashimoto's.
I will be seeing and endocrinologist next week. I am not too thrilled with knowing this is an autoimmune problem
It does explain some of the extreme symptoms I have been having for the past several years though.

Maggie, I know just what you mean. I am only 44 and feel like I am 100. extreme exhaustion all the time. I can sleep at the drop of a hat. sigh

Thanks all.

 

[tigercat]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's a couple of years ago. I had nodules. I have found it very frustrating because my general practitioner is the one who is treating me although it was finally diagnoised by a specialist (who was a jerk). We knew that I had some kind of thyroid problem but was finally able to get this diagnoises. Since then nothing else has been done except I do take levlethorixide. I have blood tests about once a year if I go in for a yearly exam, other than that nothing happens. I am tired and I have to watch things so I don't get sick. I also have fibrymialgia (sp) so I am never sure now what is from what. I do know that I have to have a sleep from 1 - 3 p.m. every day so that I can function. It is not something a like to do or want to do but need to do. Explain that to most people. If no sleep I really pay for it.
tigercat

 

[DaisyDebbie]

I do. I'm on Synthroid too.

 

[DawnCt]

My DS had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis when he was 14 y.o after a serious bout of the flu. It was really insidious but when he hit the bottom, it was clear that he was suffering from hypothyroidism. Cold all of the time, blue hands, carpal tunnel type symptoms, thinning hair, postural hypotension and fatigue. He was treated with synthroid for almost a year. My DH is a physician and he did some literature search and discovered that sometimes in young people, the thyroid will "rebound". We weaned him off of the synthoid and he has done fine. We check his thyroid function every two or three years and he has done fine. It sure beats living on synthroid forever but then, we were lucky. This is the same son however now has Crohns Disease. Both are autoimmune diseases so I guess he is suseptable to that kind of thing.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

im on synthroid too...
had tumors on my thyroid when i was 8, finally got thyroid removed completely at 15..

 

[crz4mm2]

tigercat- I know just what you mean about needing a nap. I sleep every day I am home too. I always have needed lots of sleep, even as a child. I must have at least 7-8 hours each night or not worth a crap the next day. Much better if I have a nap too.... Sad. How did you finally get to the specialist?

Dawn- I have read that hashimoto's most often rears its ugly head after some sort of life stress.... I can trace mine back to when I started midwifery school (just after my dad died ). And I know it is an autoimmune problem

Blueeyes, What dose of synthroid are you on and how long did it take to regulate it after the removal of your thyroid?

Everyone else who takes synthroid : Are you taking calcium supplements? Can have quite a problem with bone loss if on long term thyroid replacement.

Thanks all. I will let you know what the endo says.

Cathy

 

[Towncrier]

I wasn't aware that synthroid use could cause calcium loss. My wife and I both take a multivitamin and our dosage of synthroid is quite low, but I will check into this. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I take synthroid for hypo also. My doc never mentioned calcium supplements but I always take my vitamins.

I feel tired alot. I thought it was because I'm 40 chasing around 1, 7, and 9 year olds. My doc said because my levels were fine he couldn't up the dosage.

I have to fight not falling asleep in the afternoons. It is a real struggle. I'm glad to know I'm not alone.

Lori

 

[hercamore]

Hi Cathy,

I was just diagnosed with Hashimoto on Monday! I am stunned to say the least.

I started a low dose of synthroid, but am doing a lot of research on the subject to find out what I can do nutrtion-wise for myself.

I hope you are ok with your diagnosis.

PM me if you have questions. We can help each other!. I have access to excellent doctors here as I live near Mayo Clinic.

I was reading some info that avoiding table salt and flouride water is advisable.

herc.

 

[mitchinson]

I,too, am hypo taking synthroid for several years. Even though my blood tests come back normal with my dosage, my symptoms still remain the same...dry skin, always cold (in between my hot flashes) and always tired, etc. So what I've learned from the above posts is that even though we take our meds. it really doesn't releave the symptoms...we can all be found taking our afternoon naps!

 

[crz4mm2]

Town crier, taking long term thyroid replacement is one risk factor for osteoporosis.
Risks for Osteoporosis:
a family history of osteoporosis
having an early or surgically induced (both ovaries removed) menopause before the age of 45
being a post menopausal women
being physically inactive
smoking cigarettes or having an excessive alcohol intake
a diet habit that is low in calcium sources (dairy products and some vegetables like broccolli)
those individuals who must take high doses of cortisone-like drugs (therapies used in asthma, arthritis, or cancer) or taking high doses of thyroid medication .

Pirate, the total exhaustion is the thing I hate most. Of course, dry hair, dry skin, constipation, intolerance to cold all run a close second! Do you go to an endocrinologist? Just because your 'levels are in the normal range' doesn't mean you feel good
Hercamore, HOw much synthroid are you on and when will you have more testing done? Were you diagnosed by the TPO?

Mitchinson, Have you had testing for hashimoto's? Specifically the TPO blood test (it is for thyroid peroxidase antibodies- specific to hashimoto's). Do you see an endocrinologist?

I can't believe I have waited this long to do something about feeling so terrible. I pushed it off to I am a midwife, up all hours of the day and night, am a wife and mother.... all those things. But now I have terrible trouble with memory and thinking processes. Sigh. Just sucks.

Cathy