Diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroidism, any tips on this? UPDATE

[Laurajean1014]

Stuck on the weight loss thing. I can't seem to lose, but I've been keeping it off. It's nice to know that the hair loss will settle. I'm too conceded to give up my hair. Sorry, it's just me being me.

 

[Christine]

Stuck on the weight loss thing. I can't seem to lose, but I've been keeping it off. It's nice to know that the hair loss will settle. I'm too conceded to give up my hair. Sorry, it's just me being me.

Don't get too hopeful on the weight loss. I've read a few reports on this (with respect to hypothyroidism) and my doctor confirmed it also: Hypothyroidism generally only accounts for a 5-10 lb. weight gain. Many people who are severely overweight will blame their thyroid gland for those last 50-60 lbs. But, that's just not the case. I know when my TSH got up to the 100's, I was, maybe about 10 lbs overweight. When I resumed my meds, I lost about 6 or 7 lbs. The rest had to come off through dieting.

I am now kept a little on the hyperthyroid side. My TSH is around 0.24 (nope, not 2.4). Believe me, I have to constantly monitor my food or I will gain weight.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Chistine,

Did you have hair fall out? Have you ever had Mono?

 

[Christine]

Chistine,

Did you have hair fall out? Have you ever had Mono?

Yes, I have had my hair fall out after being hypo. I'm happy to report that it no longer falls out. Not sure if I've had mono. Maybe as a teenager but never confirmed. Back in the "dark ages" of my teen years, they weren't as *up* on testing for it.

 

[Lisa F]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 6 months after fighting with doctors because my numbers were within the "normal" range (old normal, not new normal). I have been trying for 3 years (diet and exercise) to lose weight without being able to lose a single ounce. I have a lot to lose too, we're not talking 10-20 lbs here. For 3 years I journalled every bite that went into my mouth and worked out a min of 3 days a week (average more like 5) and could not lose a single ounce, which is ridiculous for someone who has as much to lose as I do (and very frustrating when your doctors are telling you that you are lying to yourself).

I also felt like death most of the time. I used to say death warmed over but since my basal temperature never got over 97 (in fact, what tipped off my current doctor to run another thyroid test is that I had just come from the gym to her office and within a half hour of an hour long workout my body temperature was exactly 97 degrees) I can't even say that anymore. I was utterly exhausted and always attributed it to my weight. I was noticing tons of hair on the brush/in the shower but no noticible thinning yet. Mostly I just felt like I was going to fall on my face most of the time and I couldn't concentrate, and the inability to lose any weight through diet and exercise.

My doctor referred me to my endo, who is my savior. He was aware of the new standards for TSH and he started me on synthroid (there are weight guidelines to help the doctor take an educated guess and I would question any doctor who started you on 25 mcg unless you are very tiny and very very slightly hypothyroid, my starting dose was quite a bit higher than that). He told me it would take 6-8 weeks to kick in but of course I woke up every day the first two weeks hoping to feel better and disappointed that I didn't. Then I sort of forgot about it and went back to my usual routine. One day about 6 weeks after starting it, I woke up and felt great. It was literally like flipping a switch. When 4pm rolled around, generally when I REALLY feel like I just can't make it through the day, I felt fine. It was like a miracle.

I also have been able to lose about 20 lbs in the last 6 months with the help of a nutritionist (my endocrinologist is part of a practice that deals with diabetes and metabolic issues). It's something I could never do before on my own and I've had to change my way of eating. I had very little appetite before and would generally not eat until at least 2-3pm and then eat 1-2 meals in a day. According to my nutritionist if you are hypothyroid, the best thing to do is to eat many small meals in a day. Because of your lowered metabolism your body always thinks that it is starving, which causes you to hold onto every calorie you eat. I now eat 5-7 small meals a day and I feel a WHOLE lot better than before. I really can't go without eating a "little something" every few hours now. According to my nutritionist my old pattern of eating is typical of those who are hypothyroid. I'm not sure if that is true or not but she asked the right questions.

I still lose very slowly (slower than you'd expect for someone with so much to lose) but at least now I feel like there is hope. My endo says that obesity is one of the most underfunded research areas out there from an endocrinology point of view (which is bizzare since it is such a problem). There are many other glands in the body that probably have something to do with the mix but the thyroid is the one they know the most about. It's his opinion that the upswing of thyroid problems is related somehow to the upswing of obesity in the US (he is not making any claim about which causes which, just that they are related) but that the answer is much more complicated than the thyroid. I guess all obesity research goes into finding a magic pill to help people lose weight quickly. After trying for 3 years with no results I am just thrilled beyond belief to be able to lose ANYTHING at all. So no, thyroid medication is not a magic bullet but for me it has made what was impossible possible again.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I've been researching Hypo sites and a lot of experts are linking hypo thyroidism to mononucleosis and Epstein Barr virus. I had both as a kid and now am HT or Hashimoto's disease.

Do you think there's a link?

 

[MouseClubMom]

Oh wow. I have had mono twice even though you supposedly can only get it once in your life. Both times were diagnosed by blood test so I know they were right! Once in 8th grade and once at age 31. It was about age 31 or 32 that my hypo symptoms started. Wow.

MCMom

 

[Laurajean1014]

UPDATE

Just got back my TSH results

went from 25.69 to 5.31

The meds are working very well for me.

My cholestoral went down as well. From 193 to 142! YeHawwwwww.

Can't seem to lose weight though. Stuck.

How is everyone else doing????

 

[Dan Murphy]

Another good one, super news!!!!

 

[Christine]

UPDATE

Just got back my TSH results

went from 25.69 to 5.31

The meds are working very well for me.

My cholestoral went down as well. From 193 to 142! YeHawwwwww.

Can't seem to lose weight though. Stuck.

How is everyone else doing????

Laurajean--even with a TSH of 5.31 you are still, technically, hypothyroid. Keep working with the meds to get the TSH down below 3.0 at least. Also, hypothyroidism is not the "be all to end all" with weight gain as people think it is. According to my endocrinologist, if you are hypothyroid, in general, it amounts to an average weight gain of 6-10 lbs.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Should I ask my DR to up my RX? I am at 100mg now, should I go higher?

 

[Louise-Montreal]

I have a question- I am currently taking Prozac and Synthroid. I ususally take them together while I am eating breakfast. Should I not be doing that? Went to the Synthroid website- but could not find an answer. Thought I would ask the "experts".

TIA,
Louise

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

I had all the symptoms of hypothyroidism after the birth of my first child. My hair was falling out, I was always cold (I'd NEVER been cold before), fatigued, my skin changed from oily to VERY dry, my face was puffy and I had no energy at all. My TSH was 126! I take Synthroid and Cytomel and feel great now but it did take quite a while to get my levels back to a normal range.

For the other poster, Synthroid should be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You really aren't supposed to eat until an hour after taking the medication. I would suggest taking the Prozac at night before bedtime- that's when I take mine.

 

[Christine]

Should I ask my DR to up my RX? I am at 100mg now, should I go higher?

If you've been on the 100mg for awhile (say 3 months) then, yes, I would ask for a change. If it's only been about 6 weeks, wait until another check for your TSH. Sometimes it takes about 2 months to see the full effect of one dosage amount.

 

[Christine]

I have a question- I am currently taking Prozac and Synthroid. I ususally take them together while I am eating breakfast. Should I not be doing that? Went to the Synthroid website- but could not find an answer. Thought I would ask the "experts".

TIA,
Louise

On my thyroid list that I am on, the only SSRI that seems to interfere with Synthroid is Zoloft. And, even then, it's not a matter of timing when they are taken, it is what happens to both drugs as they are metabolized in the liver. If you take Zoloft, you usually need a higher dose of Synthroid to get your TSH down to where it needs to be. I have not heard that this is a problem with any of the other SSRIs. As far as taking it together, it really is fine. Yes, Synthroid should be taken on a completely empty stomach (I take mine about 2 hours prior to breakfast) but I also take it with my Prilosec which my doctor has told me is just fine. Do not take it with any vitamins though, like calcium or iron, because they do interfere with the absorption.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I have a question- I am currently taking Prozac and Synthroid. I ususally take them together while I am eating breakfast. Should I not be doing that? Went to the Synthroid website- but could not find an answer. Thought I would ask the "experts".

TIA,
Louise

Although I am no expert, the Synthoid meds require you to take the medication alone and on an empty stomach. It says if you take it with food or another med, it can dilute or not be totally functional.

I take mine first thing in the morning. By the time I am dressed, showered and at work, it's time for my breakfast.

Try taking your other med at least an hour later and see if you feel even slightly different. Call your doctor to discuss with him.

 

[Laurajean1014]

If you've been on the 100mg for awhile (say 3 months) then, yes, I would ask for a change. If it's only been about 6 weeks, wait until another check for your TSH. Sometimes it takes about 2 months to see the full effect of one dosage amount.

I've been on 100mg for 4 months now.

I just got my 3 months' supply of 100mg's but I will call my doctor tomorrow to see if we should up it.

 

[AlwaysAPrincess]

I have been reading all of your posts & I just want to say THANK YOU!! I have been feeling terrible for the last 3 years. Constantly tired, sluggish, sleeplessness, anxiety, dry skin & hair, sick all the time, weight gain, mood swings...need I say more. So each year when I go to my OB/GYN I ask her to run blood work...check out TSH. I also have a family history of Hypothyroidism and I have been diagnosed with the Ebstein Barr Virus for almost 10 years. Not to mention I am a chiropractor and know how the body works. Each year when the test comes back...she tells me it is normal. Well the last straw was this past fall when I asked her to run my blood work again b/c symptoms were getting worse. So she did & called me when it came back. Told me it was normal & that I should go to Weight Watchers to loose the weight I had gained b/c it had to be my eating habits. I almost flipped!!! I have been an avid gym-goes for 5 years...cardio, weight lifting etc. I am not a bad eater. On occasion I will have something sweet or salty (that time of the month usually) or if it is a celebration. On Fridays we order pizza...but I have one slice & a salad. I don't eat red meat. I eat lean chicken, turkey & fish...salads, veggies etc. I almost went throught the phone. I asked her to fax my blood work to my office.

I was so depressed. I just cried. WHy can't someone help me or listen to me. SO I found an Immunologist. Figured lets get the EBV checked. Maybe that is what is causing a lot of this chaos in my body. I made the appt. & took my last bllod work to him. First thing he says to me..."Do you know your TSH is high?" I almost cried in the chair. FINALLY!!!!! SOmeone willing to listen & HEAR ME!!! My TSH is 4.09...he knew right away that there were going to be new thyroid ranges. He wants me to get another blood test...which I am doing this month. SO I HOPE this is the end of my misery. I can't deal with the way my body feels. And I feel sorry for my DH b/c he has to deal with me. What also scares me is getting pregnant. If I feel this way now...how much worse will it get. The thought of gaining more weight, the tiredness & sleeplessness etc. DH & I agree that baby thoughts are on the back burner until my health is straightened out.

So I thank all of you who posted here. You made my day
I was wondering if anyone had any info about natural alternatives to Synthroid. I have read a few articles...but unfortunatley they are all at my office. I try to read as much as possible so I can make the right choices for my body. Again thank you!! Here's to your health!

 

[Blueberry]

I have been reading all of your posts & I just want to say THANK YOU!! I have been feeling terrible for the last 3 years. Constantly tired, sluggish, sleeplessness, anxiety, dry skin & hair, sick all the time, weight gain, mood swings...need I say more. So each year when I go to my OB/GYN I ask her to run blood work...check out TSH. I also have a family history of Hypothyroidism and I have been diagnosed with the Ebstein Barr Virus for almost 10 years. Not to mention I am a chiropractor and know how the body works. Each year when the test comes back...she tells me it is normal. Well the last straw was this past fall when I asked her to run my blood work again b/c symptoms were getting worse. So she did & called me when it came back. Told me it was normal & that I should go to Weight Watchers to loose the weight I had gained b/c it had to be my eating habits. I almost flipped!!! I have been an avid gym-goes for 5 years...cardio, weight lifting etc. I am not a bad eater. On occasion I will have something sweet or salty (that time of the month usually) or if it is a celebration. On Fridays we order pizza...but I have one slice & a salad. I don't eat red meat. I eat lean chicken, turkey & fish...salads, veggies etc. I almost went throught the phone. I asked her to fax my blood work to my office.

I was so depressed. I just cried. WHy can't someone help me or listen to me. SO I found an Immunologist. Figured lets get the EBV checked. Maybe that is what is causing a lot of this chaos in my body. I made the appt. & took my last bllod work to him. First thing he says to me..."Do you know your TSH is high?" I almost cried in the chair. FINALLY!!!!! SOmeone willing to listen & HEAR ME!!! My TSH is 4.09...he knew right away that there were going to be new thyroid ranges. He wants me to get another blood test...which I am doing this month. SO I HOPE this is the end of my misery. I can't deal with the way my body feels. And I feel sorry for my DH b/c he has to deal with me. What also scares me is getting pregnant. If I feel this way now...how much worse will it get. The thought of gaining more weight, the tiredness & sleeplessness etc. DH & I agree that baby thoughts are on the back burner until my health is straightened out.

So I thank all of you who posted here. You made my day
I was wondering if anyone had any info about natural alternatives to Synthroid. I have read a few articles...but unfortunatley they are all at my office. I try to read as much as possible so I can make the right choices for my body. Again thank you!! Here's to your health!

Been there done that...My regular doctor in 2003 told me my blood work was fine (never even bothered to do a TSH test), said I was working too hard and it was normal middle aged anxiety as a lot was going on in my life. Six months later I felt terrible, thought I was having heart problems as my heart was racing so fast. Doctor was out of town, saw DH's doctor, he immediately orderd a TSH test and T4 when he found out the hypothyroidism was in my family. That afternoon he told me I was hypothyroid and referred me immediately to endo doctor ( I can never spell it). Needless to say my regular doctor is not my doctor anymore and I am feeling better all the time on my synthoid. My Endo did increase the dosage this year from 1.0 to 1.25. I am a pooh sized very fluffy person so that may account for the larger dose than some take.

I have been taking my syntoid with breakfast, should I take it before on an empty stomach with water?? Thanks for the advice here it has helped a lot...

 

[floridafam]

Am I in the normal range? I had my Thyroid (or most of it) removed in 1995. I do not take any medication. I actually feel better when I don't take it. Do any of the numbers below look abnormal?

6/21/04
T3 Uptake 32
Total T4 10.1
TSH 1.22

7/24/01
T3 Resin Uptake 21
Total T4 11.8
TSH 2.5