hypothyroidism

[annabrooke93]

Hi, I have had hypothyroidism since I was 9 years old, along with a goiter (I am 26 now), I also have an enlarged heart and I am overweight. Recently my primary physician told me that my Synthroid needed to be increased but since I was so swollen that it would make the swelling worse, instead she suggested I have gastric bypass performed. (I weight about 300 lbs 6' 2".) I talked to a family friend who is a doctor and he thought the best approach would be an increase in Synthroid and a diuretic to decrease swelling which should also help the enlarged heart. Now I do not know who is making the most sense.. any opinions??

Thanks!!

[toot674]

A related discussion, I need some advice about meds. was started.

[annabrooke93]

Hey everyone,  Thank you so much for all the responses.  I had to go out of town for a couple of days & was really excited to see that I had so many responses which help me so much!!!

ShannieK, not sure what my levels are but I will ask when I go back to the dr. and congratulations on your results, I hope I am that lucky!!  (I do intend to try that) I will let you all know my outcome..Thanks again for the info & I only hope I can be of help to you all sometime!!

[ShannieK]

Thanks for your kind words, it is so nice to know that we are all here together, and that I have the support from all of you, I hope you all know and realize that I am here for you too.  Thanks again, and i'll keep you all posted on my weight loss, it's pretty cool to see that scale go down for a change.  thanks again, Shannon

[SandyAnn]

Shanniek, I am so glad to hear about your 12 pounds.  That is great and very inspiring.  I hope you continue to lose the weight. I will be thinking aobut you!!!!!!!!!!

[Jimlow]

OOPS, I am sorry AnnaBrook, for some reason I posted the above and meant to send it to "ouatic". You didn't mention anything about thyroid removal, so sorry about that! However, you might get some helpful info. in regard to some of the other info.
Sorry Again.

[Jimlow]

AnnaBrook93,
Hi, I read your question and though I'm not a Dr., I have a couple of opinions that might be helpful. Everything I've read about antibidies, stated that it takes "years" sometimes for them to return to normal-range because it is a very slow process. If I find one of these websites (reputable) that states this, I'll post it below. I am also one who personally beieves that the high antibody levels alone can cause symptoms, even when thyroid hormone leves are in normal range. This was confirmed to me by an Endicrinologist, who put me on short term steroid treatment (corticosteroids), to reduce inflammation caused by the antibodies. As ShannieK said, it would be interesting to us, to know what your thyroid levels were on your lab results, if you wish to. I do know people sometimes have to have their thyroid removed if it is causing problems not controllable by medication but it is always good to get a second opinion and you don't have to let your original Dr. know you did. I've gotten second opinions before and only related it to my original Dr., if it conflicted opinions.
Shanon, I am so glad to hear of your positive results! Keep at it, someday you'll be wrting a book about it. You are a blessing to this forum!
AnnaBrook, be encouraged, your Dr.s will find the right treatment for you but sometimes it takes patience!  JimLow

[ShannieK]

also, hi it's me again, What are your TSH levels and such?  maybe an increase in your Synthroid might be the answer if you are off, but the increase alone on Synthroid really helped very little, and something else needed to be done, so i'm working on that. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

[ShannieK]

HI, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's last year, have had lots of problems.  I was overweight to begin with, but have since the diagnoses put on alot of weight, I am 6'3 and weigh about 335.  I have alot of bloating and swelling, alot due to thyroid problems and alot due to weighing so much.  They say the more you weigh, the more water, fluid you retain.  I have been on high doses of thyroid, cause doctores thought this might help, these were my primary care physicians here in town, Last week I saw and endo for the first time.  She told me that I had Metabolic syndrome.  She said this is caused by a variety of different criteria,  I am overweight, elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and elevated blood sugar.  I spent my whole visit telling her no matter what I do, I just gain and gain and that's it.  She told me that I had created a process in my body that had made myself insulin resistant.  She said I would have to exercise and eat the right combination of fooods to reverse the process.  I was gaining so much weight, that I had purple stretch marks on my stomach from gaining so fast.  she put me on a diet with fresh veggies, fresh fruit, white meat, nothing dairy, no carbs, no caffeine, and nothing fried, she also told me no ranch dressing.  Can you believe that I started that diet, and yesterday at one week I had already lost 12 pounds, and I feel great!!!!!  My blood pressure is down.  My blurred vision, lightheadedness, and muscle and joint pain is very minimal now, and one of my main complaints, was all that water retention, it too went away.  I'm not sure what I was eating that made it happen, but I have not had to take my diuretic pill for a week now, I don't bloat up at all anymore.  I do not recommend the diuretics and i'll explain why if it doesn't cut me off.  I have experience in that dept.  it will reduce your bloating one day at a time.  I could take a water pill and lose 20 pounds in one day, but it's not real weight loss, and it doesn't take the cause of the bloating away, that's what you have to find.  I would bloat up, take a pill, lose 20 pounds and the very next day the weight was back.  I was shrinking and bloating and so on, it caused stretch marks, and just leaves you feeling hopeless.  This diet changed my life, and I never want to go back to that feeling of being sick all the time, so i'm going to stick with it.  I'm hoping my story may have helped somehow or helped you with your decision.  My opinion is that gastric bypass is scary, and some people are never well again after one, why take that chance, try the diet first, see if you can control it yourself, i did, and I'm amazed, but very happy.  Thanks for listening, hang in there.