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

[Christine]

Is it possible my weight loss made me have Hashimoto's?
I remember when I lost and was at goal that my body seemed to absorb all calories I fed it (like it was starving?) Was I in fact giving myself Hashimoto's?

No, you cannot "give" yourself Hashimoto's. It is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. Your body attacked and destroyed it's own body part--your thyroid. Has nothing to do with weight loss.

 

[Christine]

sorry about that - Ive been newly diagnosed - typed that up and lost it so wanted to be sure it got out there in cyberland.


My #s are: (do these make sense to anyone?)
Thyperoxities 133 - which is too high - said normal is below 35
TSH 6.38 - normal range .28-3.8 - overactive gland making me sluggish and gain weight (Ive been maintaining a 45lb loss and been at goal. I dont want to gain! ahhhhh)

I believe thyperoxities show antibodies to thyroid gland. Yours would indicate hashimoto's versus some other cause of hypothyroidism.

Your TSH is high which means your thyroid is UNDERactive, not OVERactive. Keep taking your meds. You will most likely need a higher dose of medication. HYPOthyroidism will cause muscle cramps and spasms.

 

[newholidayx2]

Doc is having me come back in Thurs morn to run bloodwork again. Not waiting till Oct. Says I may need more.
Still feeling blah

 

[Laurajean1014]

Good. I like getting the blood work done.

I'm still trying to get my TSH regulated. I was last charted at 5.70, which is still HYPO. It's better than the original 25.60! I've been on 125mg since August and I feel better.

Since being on Synthroid or Lexo - I sleep better, go to sleep later, don't feel so tired, hair is healthy and full. My weight is more stable and the scale is more forgiving when I am very careful. My cholesterol is up there too, because a functional thyroid distributes "stuff" to regulate the blood. If you are HYPO, too much cholesterol is in the blood. You will see your cholesterol go down.

Your blahs will go away as your bloodwork and TSH lower to a more normal number. It's a gradual thing, but it does work very well.

I'm like Snappy - I take my pill as soon as I wake - However, some days I only wait an hour. I usually do not wait 2-3 hours to eat. Maybe I should take it around 8:00pm and sleep on it. That way I get the full affect, as long as I have an empty stomach.

 

[PLUTO2]

Hello and thank you for all the helpful information. I was actually in the ER last night due to shortness of breath and feeling like I have a ping-pong ball in my throat. I had a chest cat scan done which came back fine along with an EKG. The TSH was 1.29 and the T4 was 7.5 which the doctor said was normal. He later mentioned a possibility of a problem with an enlarged thyroid but said they could not do another cat scan of my throat because of having the chest one done. I have an appointment with my PCP on Tuesday and after reading this thread I am wondering if I should ask for a referral for an endocrinologist. I would appreciate any input and thank you again.

 

[newholidayx2]

Bloodwork came back good
TSH went from 6.38 to 3.61

DH however has 2 goiters that will need to be needle aspirated.

 

[Christine]

Hello and thank you for all the helpful information. I was actually in the ER last night due to shortness of breath and feeling like I have a ping-pong ball in my throat. I had a chest cat scan done which came back fine along with an EKG. The TSH was 1.29 and the T4 was 7.5 which the doctor said was normal. He later mentioned a possibility of a problem with an enlarged thyroid but said they could not do another cat scan of my throat because of having the chest one done. I have an appointment with my PCP on Tuesday and after reading this thread I am wondering if I should ask for a referral for an endocrinologist. I would appreciate any input and thank you again.

Pluto, it is fine to go to a PCP for this (to start) but it is even better to see an endocrinologist. I don't get my T4 drawn often, but I'm pretty sure that 7.5 for a T4 is a bit on the high side--although your TSH is normal. Not sure of the significance of this. But the T4 being on the high side indicates hyperthyroidism.

The best type of scan to view the thyroid gland is an I-123 scan. This is a radioisotope that goes directly to the thyroid gland and nowhere else. It gives a clear picture of the size of the gland and whether there are any nodules in it. CAT scan is not a great tool for diagnosing thyroid. Another option is an ultrasound which is good too.

If you can find an endo, try to. Many, many PCPs are not well-versed in the thyroid.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Pluto - I'll check to see what I can find about your condition. Are you feeling better? I hope so.

New Holiday - Glad to hear you are better:

however, I'm sending Pixie Dust to your hubby!

 

[PLUTO2]

Thank you LauraJean, I feel a little better but am still having the episodes where I feel like a ball is in my throat and I feel like I have a very tight turtleneck on. I had done some research and noticed peanuts and soy were not good with the thyroid which I eat a lot of because I am a vegetarian so I have been staying away from those foods.Thank you also Christine for your input. The funny thing is we have been looking for an endocrinologist for my DH who has type 2 diabetes, never figured I would be the one asking my own doctor about this.Thanks again!

 

[PLUTO2]

I also wake up with very achy joints. Is this also a symptom of thyroid trouble? TIA

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, achy joints, can be a very common related problem to Thyroid problems. Also, if your thyroid problems are related an autoimmune desease like Hashimotos, then this definately predisposes you to other autoimmune problems, such as arthitis.

Thyroid problems can be very complicated. To the poster who takes the large dose of synthroid/levoxyl and the TSH is stilll high - Could this be a sign of a deeper problem, such as pituitary???? It seems that the thyroid should be more sensitive to that dose. What are all your other numbers?

I just wanted to say that there are MANY people who go on the synthroid/levoxyl and do not fully improve. Many alternative doctors and researchers admit this, and feel that the Thyroid may be sensitive to this level of T4, while the body may NOT be. (In other words... the TSH comes down, but the patient still has many signs of being hypo... fatigue, achy joints, etc.....)

Many people feel that they do better on a T3/T4 combo.... And there is one doctor who is actively promoting his theory that our body can become T3 resistant (similar to insulin resistance) and for some patients has successfully prescribed VERY large doses of T3 (such as cytomel)

Unfortunately, the Endocrinologist are standing by their theories (with their guns drawn) that the ONLY measure of thyroid activity, and the ONLY measure valid in prescribing the level of thyroid hormones, is the simple TSH test.

Before this test was developed, patients were routinely, and successfully, placed on as much as TWICE the doses of thyroid hormone replacement that they are given today. The method was to go by the actual physical symptoms... To bring the patient to begin to show some signs of hyper-thyroid, and then back down a couple steps.


Hey, can you guys tell that I have been doing a ton of research!!!!

 

[snappy]

I also wake up with very achy joints. Is this also a symptom of thyroid trouble? TIA

might be, I sure have achy joints. I thought it was old age but maybe the thyroid is the culprit.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Wishing on a Star - You've been doing your homework. Thanks,

 

[Patty3]

Being diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroidism at the age of 42 really changed my body. I went through menopause very early. I am know 56 and have not menstruated since 45. I guess I can say lucky me. Lately, I have noticed that I sometimes feel discomfort in both upper arms at around the same place in each arm. It comes and goes, but it feels like I am getting a needle in the arm. When I press on the area, it hurts alot. My Endo doctor could not find anything wrong. Has anyone experienced this? I was wondering if this could somehow be thyroid related?

 

[Christine]

Being diagnosed with Hypo-Thyroidism at the age of 42 really changed my body. I went through menopause very early. I am know 56 and have not menstruated since 45. I guess I can say lucky me. Lately, I have noticed that I sometimes feel discomfort in both upper arms at around the same place in each arm. It comes and goes, but it feels like I am getting a needle in the arm. When I press on the area, it hurts alot. My Endo doctor could not find anything wrong. Has anyone experienced this? I was wondering if this could somehow be thyroid related?

Patty,
I'm not expert on Fibromyalgia (and many doctors will tell you that it does not exist) but I think that is one of the signs--discomfort/pain in certain areas and when you press on them (the "pressure" points) then you feel pain. I believe there are about 12 pressure points and they are in specific places on the body. Not sure if the upper arms is one of them. Just thought I'd throw that in. I think that there is a lot of fatigue with Fibromyalgia also, so if you are having this it may be something you want to check into. Not sure that "our" endo is the one to go to for that but a rhematoid arthritis doctor is probably the best, if not a GP who is very well-versed in that condition.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Christine brings up a good point (no pun intended). I read somewhere that arthritis is related to Thyroid issues (I don't know why, though). Also, thyroid conditions do a number on the central nervous system. Is it joint/bone related or do you think it is muscle related?

 

[Patty3]

I think it is muscle related. The funny thing is the pain comes and goes in both arms at the same time. I will have to do some research on Fibromyalgia. I am not tired, in fact I have trouble falling asleep. Thanks Christine and LauraJean!

 

[Patty3]

I have never asked the doctor before what my blood test scores were. Well, I had my blood tested last week and these are the results. T4 is a 12.9, T3 is 1.5 and TSH comes in at 1.6. The doctor is lowering my synthroid again. What do you think of these numbers. I am wondering if that is why I am having trouble falling asleep? It is because of all of you that I even asked for the numbers.

 

[Christine]

Patty,
Your TSH is in the normal range, which is good. What's bad is that your T4 level is very high, way high. This indicated HYPERthyroidism. No wonder you can't sleep! My TSH is usually around .95, yet my T4 is around 1.7. Go figure.

 

[Patty3]

Well, now it makes more sense as to why I have a really hard time falling asleep. My level indicated Hyperthyroidism, go figure, and I am still having a hard time losing weight. I thought that with Hyper you lose weight? I am so glad that I am more informed with my numbers. Thanks.