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

[Laurajean1014]

Doctor ran blood tests and I was "dangerously" low. Cannot remember the actual test but it was .06 when it should be 2.5-5.0. They took TSH, T-4 uptake and another one.

Three years ago, I was low as well, but did not stay with the meds.

Because it is so low, I am now on Synthroid 1.0 -

How will the meds help me other than through blood tests?

Any tips on what to do would be very helpful and I would be grateful.

L

 

[Blueeyes101817]

ive been on meds for thyroid since i was 15 (im 20 now) the meds really changed my mood and appetite--it would flucuate alot..
im trying to think of more, ill write back if ithink of them

 

[Laurajean1014]

:thewave:

 

[whirlsy]

your energy level will increase~ memory~ taste everything changes. I really didnt realize how much a thyroid controls everything. I think you will see a dramatic change.

 

[crz4mm2]

Are you NOT extremely tired, cold, dry skin, dry hair, etc? You should feel sooooo much better ( but it will take 4-6 weeks).
Why didn't you stay on the med last time?

 

[golfgal]

I think you might have your numbers backwards. The higher the TSH the lower the thyroid function. I guess every test I have had said that your TSH should be between .5 and 5. When they first tested me my TSH was at 95. I had dr's at the Mayo clinic telling me they had never seen a TSH that high. So, my point is, are you sure your results are right? According to my years with dealing with thryroid issues, you would technically be HYPERthyroid according to the parameters of your test (normal for the range I am familiar with) which is altogether different. Hypothyroid is easier to deal with, take your little pill once/day and you are set (once they determine what that doseage is-it takes a while for that). I would make an appointment with an endocrinologist just to double check your tests and treatment.

 

[KarenC]

I can stand to live with my husband now that his hypothroidism is under control.

 

[JessicaR]

Better have your numbers read correctly. A low TSH indicates a hyper thyroid condition not hypo.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I suspected I might be (ended up not being so)--but did some internet research b/c I don't like medicines...found some dietary information that said that goitrogens inhibit thyroid function...I don't recall all of them..but peanut butter, and soy are the big ones. Removing them from your diet won't necessarily cure you--but they can help you feel better and allow your thyroid to function at it's most optimum capacity that it has. This can result in reduction (and in ideal situations it can elimate the need) in your thyroid meds.

Good luck and if I can find that web-site, I will pass it along to you.

ETA: okay--so this web-site doesn't say dairy..perhaps I am not remembering correctly. But here is a more detailed list and explanation:

http://www.ithyroid.com/goitrogens.htm

Goitrogens are foods which suppress thyroid function. In normals, goitrogens can induce hypothyroidism and goiter. In hypos, goitrogens can further depress thyroidal function and stimulate the growth of the thyroid (goiter).

In hyperthyroids, goitrogens may help suppress thyroidal function until normal thyroidal functioning can be restored. However, this may not be a good strategy. Goitrogens work by interfering with the thyroidal uptake of iodine. While many hypers try to limit thyroid output by iodine restriction, this strategy can backfire. Iodine restriction will cause the thyroid to increase in size (goiter) in an effort to filter more blood to get more iodine. When iodine is then re-introduced to the diet or accidentally ingested, the now larger thyroid gland has the capacity for greater thyroid hormone production.

I do not believe that iodine restriction is a good long-term method for controlling thyroid hormone production. Therefore the consumption of goitrogens is not a good strategy. It is better to increase copper metabolism by supplementation of copper and the assisting nutrients. Once copper is replenished and copper metabolism is working properly, the body will tolerate iodine without increasing thyroid hormone production.

Many goitrogens are generally members of the brassica family. These include:

Broccoli
Cauliflower
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Mustard
Kale
Turnips
Rape seed (Canola Oil)

Other goitrogens include:

Soy
Pine nuts
Millet
Peanuts

ETAA: Never mind on the dairy--I just remembered--I don't like dairy...so when I was removing items from my diet--I was looking for dairy replacements..and that is when I found out about soy and such. Sorry if I misguided anybody on that.

 

[Patty3]

Before I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism I was miserable. After just taking a shower in the morning, I was exhausted. I gained weight, had bilateral carpal tunnel and kidney stones. It took 5 doctors to get the diagnosis right since there is a wide range of normalcy. An endocrinologist was the one to get it right. Once on Synthroid for two weeks, the carpal tunnel was totally gone. I would think that you would be at least extremely tired. I would get a second opinion as well.

 

[dmslush]

I think you might have your numbers backwards. The higher the TSH the lower the thyroid function. I guess every test I have had said that your TSH should be between .5 and 5. When they first tested me my TSH was at 95. I had dr's at the Mayo clinic telling me they had never seen a TSH that high. So, my point is, are you sure your results are right? According to my years with dealing with thryroid issues, you would technically be HYPERthyroid according to the parameters of your test (normal for the range I am familiar with) which is altogether different. Hypothyroid is easier to deal with, take your little pill once/day and you are set (once they determine what that doseage is-it takes a while for that). I would make an appointment with an endocrinologist just to double check your tests and treatment.

WOW!!! What huge numbers!! Mine was 26 and I felt horrible, I can't imagine how you were feeling!!

 

[Christine]

Laura,
If your .06 was indicating HYPOthyroidism then the number you were quoting was probably your T4 number and not your TSH. The "normal" lab range you gave was for TSH; however, the value of .06 would be HYPERthyroid. I'm thinking the .06 is for T4. That would hypothyroid and make sense.

I do not have a thyroid due to cancer. When I got off my meds to prepare for a scan, I've had my TSH go as high as 145!!! Talk about feeling bad. Right now, I am suppressed with medication to about .02. A little on the hyperthyroid side but I feel fine with it.

 

[snappy]

You should definitely be under the care of an endocrinologist. I have had a thyroid nodule since 1991, had it biposied twice, had several ultrasounds on it. Finally last year after I had another medical problem (a whole other story), I went back to the endocrinologist and told him how exhausted I always was. The blood work showed I had hypothyroidism. I thought it was wierd that it took all that time to show up (since 1991). The doc did say that the normal range was changed recently and that more people were considered abnormal now. Sorry I can't remember the range. Now I see the doc every 3-4 months to have the blood work done. He started me off at .05 mg and then increased it to .075 mg after the blood work showed I was still hypothyroid. Now at .075 mg I have an absolutely unbelievable amount of energy compared to last summer. It is a miracle.

With synthroid, you should not eat until one hour after taking it. Also, you should not take other prescription or non prescription meds until 8 hours after taking synthroid. This has taken some getting used to but believe me it is worth it. I just wake up early and take it first thing.

 

[Christine]

The doc did say that the normal range was changed recently and that more people were considered abnormal now. Sorry I can't remember the range. .

I think the cutoff is now at 3.2 rather than 5.0. Anything over 3.2 is now being treated by most knowledeable doctors.

 

[JessicaR]

AACE encourages doctors to consider treatment for patients whose TSH levels are 0.3 to 3.04

There are some great message boards for thyroid disease. Here are two I go to.

http://www.healthboards.com/thyroid-disorders/

http://thyroid.about.com/mpboards.htm

 

[Dan Murphy]

I am hypo, been on synthroid for years. My symptom was cold, VERY cold. Now fine. Good wishes.

 

[Duchie]

Sent you a PM on my experiences.....

 

[Christine]

AACE encourages doctors to consider treatment for patients whose TSH levels are 0.3 to 3.04

QUOTE]

Actually this is the accepted TSH range. Anything under or over the two values on the end, need some sort of treatment. If you are in between those values, you're good.

 

[snappy]

JessicaR, thanks for sharing the websites.

 

[JessicaR]

AACE encourages doctors to consider treatment for patients whose TSH levels are 0.3 to 3.04

QUOTE]

Actually this is the accepted TSH range. Anything under or over the two values on the end, need some sort of treatment. If you are in between those values, you're good.

You are right! My hasty typing, thanks for correcting