I just found out that I have low thyroid function. I did a search here on TE and saw that a lot of you have this condition, too. Lots of great info in those old threads, so big thanks to all of you who shared your experiences.

It's such a relief to know that the debilitating exhaustion I have felt for so long actually has a medical cause, and isn't because I'm just a lazy so-and-so (which is what I've been telling myself for years). And the muscle aches -- in my hips, knees, and ankles -- all this time I just figured I was achey because I was old and overweight.

I've been telling doctors for YEARS that it couldn't possibly be normal for me to feel this exhausted ALL THE TIME. I never ever had a doctor pay any attention to my complaints. In fact, the doctor visit that resulted in this diagnosis was just a routine physical, which I hadn't done in years because I'd given up on doctors being able to actually help me. I didn't even mention to her anything about the fatigue or the muscle aches or the inability to sleep, etc., etc., that I constantly deal with. In hindsight, I find that I have nearly all the classic symptoms of hypothyroid.

Just started taking Levothyroxine on Wednesday. I'm anxious for the meds to start taking effect. So far I haven't noticed any change in how I feel, but I understand it can take several weeks for one's body to respond.

Anyway, thanks again to all the TE'ers who've shared their experiences here in earlier threads. It was all very informative and helpful to me.