Diagnosed with Hypothyroid

[tricanada]

I too am hypothyroid and am on synthroid.

My case began with Graves disease (hyperthyroid) and through radio-active iodine treatment became hypothyroid and have been taking synthroid for 7 years.

I remember at first how devestated I was for having something wrong with me. Then after a bit of research found out that A LOT of women in particular have been through the same thing with very little side effects. Now through the medication, I don't even think of it as something wrong.

I hope all these posts help you in coming to terms with it. Once the synthroid kicks in, I am sure you will feel much better. Good luck.

[short cut sally]

I was diagnosed at age 37 or so with hypothyroid, by my GYN of all things. He had done some bloodwork as it hadn't been done in awhile at his office and noticed that my bad cholesterol was high, at this time I was strictly on a regimented weight loss and he said he found it hard to believe my cholesterol was high. He did a thyroid profile and levels were off. Once the thyroid was back to normal range, my cholesterol levels came back to normal levels also. He said he's diagnosed several hypothyroids by the cholesterol level..good thing, my drs office hadn't been telling me the results of my blood for the last 2 years, figured no news was good news. Needless to say, a new primary dr was in order.

[ehirsch83]

Like Shelly, it was my GYN who discovered my thyroid problem! She felt my glands thyroid and realized it was enlarged. I ended up having thyroid cancer and had a total thyroidectamy, but prior to having it removed I was yo-yoing between hyper and hypo thyroidism and I gained about 20 lbs(and this was my freshman year of college, so people kept trying to tell me it was my freshman 15 but I knew I wasn't eating that poorly!!).
I have now been on synthroid for the past 4 years, maybe a little longer. It did take my body almost a year to get evened out weight wise, and I do get tired still every once in a while.
Feel free to ask any questions, I will do my best to help with answers!

[teigyr]

I am also hypothyroid as is my mother. Isn't it amazing how we don't hear about parental health problems?!

I was diagnosed before I really had symptoms though I was often run down. I never know if it's because I don't sleep well, I don't eat right, or I'm just tired.

I'm on Synthroid. It isn't perfect but it makes a HUGE difference. When I went off it for almost a month (insurance/doctor snafus) my pants stopped fitting in a week. I was tired and cold...all the classic signs.

The adjustment to taking synthroid was brutal for me but I was in California in the summer. I would start sweating in really strange body parts; things like my forearms would break out sweating. I was in summer school with no air conditioning so that might've had something to do with it.

It isn't a "now I'm going to lose this weight I gained and life will be perfect!" pill either. My struggles are still the same but it makes it tolerable instead of impossible.

Your DH needs to understand that this is something you have no control over. You do so much and are active...and if anyone would have energy you would. Hopefully he'll read up on it and be supportive, that can make all the difference in the world for you mentally. If I was so tired and then got blamed, I think I would be in perpetual tears.

Good luck Get second and third opinions especially if they suggest something drastic.

[Haudlady]

I, too, am "hypo" (and still trying to figure out what it all means). I take synthroid, and feel much better (no longer experiencing the extreme sluggishness in the afternoon).

I feel like I still need to research and understand this, though... and (no offense to any in the medical field) am not feeling like I am getting many answers. A naturopathic doctor is doing a two hour talk at the adult education program, so I plan to go to that and hear what she has to say. I hate taking pills, but I can really feel the difference. So, I'm mostly going to listen to if there are other things I should also be doing (in addition to the pill)... like particular diet changes, for example.

I'm not dumb (really!) but sometimes I feel that way... all of the t4 and t3 and so-on is still very confusing to me.

Does anyone have any good books that I should read about the subject? I'm thinking if I read... and read... and read... then maybe I will be able to construct some intelligent questions to ask.

Thanks!

[btchance]

I'm also hypothyroid. Had to argue with my doctor to get tested as I'm too "young" and "should" be tired with medical school. Finally got started on levothyroxine, took a number of months to get straightened out with the lab values, and I'm still not perfect (some tiredness and cold intolerance but no more menstrual problems and hair not falling out, and my energy is better and I'm not quite as cold). Don't expect results overnight - it'll take a few months of labs and med changes, but after a while you'll notice - hey! I feel better. Keep after it - i'm glad they found a reason for your problems. PM me if you have any questions. Good luck!!

[mtbdarby]

Limewave - glad to hear you got a diagnosis. When you get a chance spend some time here education yourself: http://www.mediboard.com/

There is a ton of wonderful info and if memory serves me, there is a letter to your significant other out there somewhere to help them understand you are not lazy or crazy

I saw from another post you are on a restricted diet now - is that for this?

I went hyper after ds but I still have trouble stablizing my weight. I agree with others to feed your body well and excersize but don't worry about the scale for now.