Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

[Lola06]

I do and it's very difficult for me to lose weight, even when sticking to it 100% and exercising.

Just curious if anyone else is Hypothyroid as well and what your experience has been on atkins.

Thanks

[liv]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I am hypo. But I take meds and I am fine. Are you not on any meds? If you are feeling sluggish maybe it is time to have a retest and see how you are doing.

[msanjelpie]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I'm on synthoid 75mgs. My thyroid tests are now normal. I lose about 5 lbs per month. I lost 7 lbs per month before having thyroid problems... of course I was younger then too... How much are you losing how often?

[ErinB]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

Hello again, Lola. I have an underactive thyroid, but now that I am treated, I don't suffer from it at all. I was undiagnosed for somewhere around 40 years, so it took some recovery time for me when I finally did get my meds leveled correctly. Now the doctor checks once a year to see if I need an adjustment and I just live my life in between.

I also tend to lose an average of 5 lbs. a month, which isn't anything like the really fast losers here, but I think there are some who may be losing even more slowly. Actually, I think diabetics have a tougher time losing than we do. Diabetes is certainly much more difficult with which to live, IMO.

What problems are you having? How are you suffering? We may be able to give some good advice if we know.

Edit: I forgot to mention I take Levothroid, 150 mcgs (or .15MG).

[acudoc]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I am hypo thyroid also. It sucks. I am balanced now because I take synthroid and I also do acupuncture and take chinese herbs since the synthroid was never quite enough even though I was "within normal range." I do lose weight slower but it is steady. I also exercise alot so that definitely helps.

I also use coconut oil as my main source of fat. I put it in my tea or coffee and I cook with it. You should do some research online about coconut oil and the benefits for hypothyroid.

Good luck.

[ErinB]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

Hello, acudoc.

I'm always curious when somebody says they are hypothyroid, on meds and in normal range and yet they don't feel it is enough.

When was your last lab?

What was the TSH result and the lab range?

How long have you been medicated and also within normal lab range?

[acudoc]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I've been on meds for 17 years. I take 135mg of synthroid and 5 cytomel and this has stayed the same for about 5 years now. I feel fine now but I supplement with chinese herbs symptomatically. Even though I was normal. I still has symptoms like cold hands and feet, losing hair, gaining weight, tired, depressed, strange periods, constipation, not feeling quite right, and so on.

[ErinB]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I guess I am still curious about how often your labs are done and what the results are. My TSH was at .3 last year, which is bottom of range. I know I feel better with it that low. Above 1 is not ok for me.

I do take a lot of supplements. I think they are helping me heal, but I was undiagnosed for, probably, about 40 years, so I did need recovery time.

I had considerable hair loss during the leveling period and I was concerned after that it might not come back, but it seems to be doing that rapidly now. I was going to ask the doc about mixing in some T3 (Cytomel) until I noticed the hair coming back. For me, it just took some time, good nutrituion, and extra vitamins.

I still sleep 8-9 hours a night and when I'm tired and ready to sleep, I really am. I don't know if that is due to the fact I am hypo or not, though. Constipation was resolved by taking magnesium oxide. The other symptoms you mention are long gone for me now.

[acudoc]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I don't remember my THS levels but it's about time for me to get tested again. I meant to say that I still HAD symptoms - but they were milder. Acupuncture & herbs have really helped.

[Lola06]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

Thank you everyone for responding. Yes I am on meds, I was on Synthroid 150mg for a long time and wasn't happy with it so I am not on Armour Thyroid which is all an natural thyroid medication and I like it very much. I was originally HyPERthyroid and needed to get radioactive idodine treatment and as a result of that I became HYPOthyroid. The radiation basically killed my thyroid and it does not produce any hormones at all so I have to depend soley on the meds. I monitor my TSH monthly, I am very religious about having my blood done every 30 days, I watch what I eat, no SOY or Shellfish for me - its poisen for anyone with thyroid issues. My doctor has it under control and while I still suffer from fatigue very often, it is normal in my condition. Someone with Hypothyroid can lead a very normal life but make no mistake - we will always be different in certain ways and fatigue and difficulty losing weight are two of those ways. I don't think theres a person out there besides the well known advocate Mary Shomon, who has done more research on this disease than I have.
I know it's possibly for us to lose weight - its just tougher for us is all. It's helpful and encouraging to see so many people who can relate to my situation and agian I thank you all for taking the time to response to my post


I had to include this smily - only because its so hysterical, I can't help but laugh everytime I see it lol. There fighting but its so funny !

[Lola06]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

Acudoc - I have to agree with you on acupuncture - I just started and I love it!

[msanjelpie]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I was on Synthroid 150mg for a long time and wasn't happy with it so I am not on Armour Thyroid which is all an natural thyroid medication and I like it very much.

Hi,

What were you unhappy with about Synthroid? What do you like more about Armour... (Wondering if I should switch...)

Thanks!

[ErinB]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

Hi,

What were you unhappy with about Synthroid? What do you like more about Armour... (Wondering if I should switch...)

Thanks!

Sorry, this just struck me as funny. Lola has said in more than one post she is suffering with her hypothyroid condition. She also says she switched from Synthroid to Armour and loves it.

I say I am not suffering and I am on Levothroid, which is just another brand for the same med you are taking. The only differences might be filler. In fact, I feel great!

So, you wonder if you should switch to Armour?

What I wonder is whether the doc allowed Lola's TSH level to go low enough for her to feel good on Synthroid and, if so, whether she gave it time to really start working well for her. I know I feel best with the TSH as low in the range as it can go.

I also wonder about the differences in the fillers between Synthroid and Levothroid. I did read somewhere that Levothroid seems to have fewer incidences of side effects reported and is sometimes the brand of choice for older patients because of that. I think I read that on my health provider website.

[ConanTheLibrarian]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

I'm 36 and have been hypothyroid since I was 13 after Hashimotos thyroiditis significantly depleted my thyroid.

I'm happiest on a mix of synthetic levothyroxine and Armour - however, armour is having such issues with availability, it's been hard to come by. Also, they've reformulated and are having quality issues for the first time in 100 years.

I understand Naturethroid is another brand that is not currently having the supply and quality issues.

Currently, I'm on straight T4 as a experiment and have only been having very vague hypothyroid issues. I can make sure I have a good day if I exercise in the morning and avoid certain foods.

Preferred:
100mcg a day of synthetic levothyroxine
3/4 - 1 grain of Armour

Now:
190 mcg a day of synthetic levothyroxine

Doctors are a pain. Unfortunately, most of their post-medical school education comes from brochures from pharmaceuticals, and are not always up to date on functional treatments. When I move, I typically have to go through 6 docs to find one that will treat me and not just look at blood work. The issue is that general practitioners can only provide diagnosis and tend to under-prescribe and endocrinologists preach the bible of Synthroid. Both usually freak out at the mention of Armour/Naturethroid .

My previous doctor was a family practice doc, but his wife was hypthyroid, so I had no issues getting proper treatment. But he just retired.

So, I found a sports medicine doctor as a replacement. Yes, sounds odd but here's the logic. If your not feeling 100%, a typical doctor will say "HA! Your lucky to be feeling 85%!", but a sports medicine doctor will work with you and tinker with your meds to get you in top shape.

I'm not having a issue with weight loss, though I think I could do better if I dropped my T4 supplementation down by 25% and added some t3 from cytomel, but it will take a little experimentation since I'm not familiar with the drug.

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Does Anyone Suffer From Hypothyroidism?

Hypo here. I lose weight slow (about 1 lb a week) and have to be very careful about known stallers.