More Symptoms!

[Joy_Tampa]

I’m a 26 years old male. On May 2005 I was diagnosed with Graves disease and following 2 doctors recommendation I had the radioactive pill on Nov 2005 and now having underactive thyroid. Since then, I had many symptoms some of them disappeared after started talking Levothyroxine on Feb 2006, however, I still have some of them, and most importantly having a low libido drive” for that I’m using Cialis which is working so far”, and I’m not having fun on almost %80 of the stuff I used to like, feeling depressed and stressed, lost my apatite, always ready to cry.

I just checked my TSH, T3, T4, testerone levels and everything is perfect.

Please help me, your advice is very appreciated.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Would consider combination t4/t3 and making sure TSH is optimized -- around 1.0.  If that does not help, consider evaluation for depression.  

Unfortunately, there seems to be a decrease in quality of life after Graves Disease in many patients -- this was seen equally no matter how it is treated -- surgery, I-131 or anti-thyroid drugs.

[Maggie2007]

Are you on brand name or generic? A few people have commented on this forum that they felt absolutely awful on generic. I was very irritable on generic, as was my brother.
Have you had your b12 checked?

[Joy_Tampa]

Thank you for your response ..

Actually, I'm on generic, please let me know if some of these symptoms might be caused by this, I really don't care about how much the medication cost.

Regarding the B12, no I have never taken this test. What is it for?

Thank you again..

[cosmicsoul]

Sorry to hear all of this. Most hypothyroids have low libido. Most hypothyroids are femailes... It is a shame that there is currently no other way of treating hyper than making you hypo... have they tested you for antibodies? I wonder if you might have Hashimotos. What was your TSH? It supposed to be around 1.5 - the current lab results are no good really - ask a hypothyroid how crappy some feel on 3, 4 or 5 (TSH). Now, the other thing is if your TSH is higher than 1.5 then you are not being medicated correctly. Try taking Synthroid, or Levoxyl these are name brands. Some endos may even add T3 called Cytomel. This helps some people with the depression etc. As far as the libido -well I think it might be also related..to other hormones such as low level of testosterone, or too much estrogen and so forth. How is your stress in your life? As another resort you can always try Armour Thyroid which saved many people suffering from hypo symptoms and who did not get much relief from Synthetics like levothyroixine and alike meds. It is just tricky to find a doctor who will prescribe it as most doctors are synthetic fans. Many people achieve no good and lasting results from synthetics. Also - B12 is a vitamin that if you are not getting enough you can end up with some nasty symptoms... Do you take vitamin and mineral supplements (never at the same time with your thyroid medicine), how is your diet? Do you exercise? What kind of foods do you eat? All these can shed answers to your isses and there is hope so hang in there and I hope you will feel better soon! Also - please do not expect the medical community to make you feel better - ask the patients here - most doctors do not know how to treat thyroid problems. The doctor here on this forum is very good - will give you an idea of your issues - but you have to do the follow up. Good luck to you!

[Maggie2007]

I've only been on treatment for Hashimotos for about two months now, so I'm far from an expert on this. I posted a comment on the forum on about 6/26. A few people wrote back about not feeling well on generic even though their lab work was ok. I felt worse on generic (very irritable, which can be a symptom of depression). I am on a brand name now (Levoxyl) although my endo refuses to write me a Rx for Synthroid. My antibodies (Hashimotos) are still high, but I feel better than when I was on the generic. I honestly don't think it was all "mind over matter" like my Endo suggested especially if my brother had a similar reaction to it and he told me about his side-effects without my asking him.
I only mention your B12 because apparently mine was low (I have pernicious anemia/autoimmune) and I wonder if that has caused more of my symptoms than my thyroid. Again, I am new to this myself.

I hope you feel better. Keep us posted.

[AK19]

I had RAI in August of 2005 and I am still on the roller coaster of symptoms.  I'll have great labs (TSH 1.2) once and then will go back 4-6 weeks later for labs and my TSH is 6.  I can definately tell you several months ago my general dr. changed me from Levoxyl to Synthroid (same dose) and I felt much better.  I have also read studies from John's Hopkins that once you are back in the normal TSH range (as close to 1 as you can get) it will take months for your body to heal itself from being so sick for so long.  

We are going on 2 years since the RAI and probably close to 3 years since our initial symptoms started.  

I will tell you that exercise does make me feel better.  And by exercise, I mean walking a mile at a moderate to brisk pace and just work your way up from there.  I make sure I exercise when I am having a good day and I feel stronger and more confident after.

One thing I have learned thru all of this is that YOU are your greatest health advocate and you must educate yourself on Grave's Disease and now being hypo.  Stand up for yourself w/ your doctor and you will start to feel better!!

[MelPipi]

I am new to this, however I have leaned alot from just reading the postings. I have hashimotos and have been able to control it pretty well with Synthroid. I have just now been given the generic and my skin has gotten very dry, my skin on my toes keeps peeling excessively and my equilibrium is off. Could this be related to my throid disease?