what happens after hashi's destroys your thyroid gland?

[Zooka]

Hi everyone,  I'm 46, got diagnosed hypo 6 years ago and Hashi's about a year and a half ago,  I take 150mg Levothyroxine daily and suffer all of the usual stuff, can't lose wieght no matter how much I watch my diet or excercise, exausted all the time, extreme anxiety, depression, low libido etc... but I wonder and and I can't really find any information on it....what happens once your anitbodies destroy your Thyroid, do they go away or start attacking something else???

Also, any wieght loss or anxiety tips are greatly appreciated...I work out like a mad woman, heave a ridiculously healthy diet and get nowhere and my anxiousness is driving me crazy!

Thanks!

[Zooka]

I know I really hate the weight gain and exhaustion the most of all the symptoms.

Earlier this year, I spent 4 months, 3 days a week with a personal trainer and then went Sat and Sun to do cardio and extra abs and ended up heavier then when I started and out alot of money...I had a friend who signed up at the same time and she dropped 25 lbs. I also did my vegetarian version of the trainers diet plan ...so frustrating.  I also know 4 other people who found great success with this trainer so I know his apprach works if you're metabolism is normal.

I can't imagine how that must have felt to have some self righteous (inappropriate noun) say something like that!  Did you tell him about the hashi's, did you tell him off!!? Even if you did mention the haashi's, he had no reason to be rude.

I had a trainer tell me that low Thyroid function didn't make it difficut to lose wieght and my former Dr. tell me "numbers in numbers out it's that simple and excercising is a waste of time if my diet is right"...CRACKPOT!

One thing though, don't give up on yourself (although there are days and I get that!) it's important that you workout for body, mind and spirit and continue to eat healthy because we need to more than the average Jane!

I love the spinning class I take because it relieves my stress, burns a million calories and is great cardio and you work at your own pace.  I have never ran into anyone that wasn't 100% encouraging too! I now take the class at my local gym.  I stared at a pricey studio and then came back to my senses:-) If you're interested look for a dark ride (means they turn off all the lights and blast great music) Dark rides you can go at your own pace and not feel self concious because it's dark and I always start working things out in my mind, it's a pretty empowering class.

Hang in there and let's keep one another posted if we find things that help!

Best of luck!
Zooka~

[Mamamia30]

I hear ya on the weight issue. I weighed 130 then gained 50 lbs with my last pregnancy in 2007 and went down to 160. Then was diagnosed a year later with Hypo-thyroidism and am at 180 lbs now. I recently gained 10 lbs in the last 2 months. Worst part is I bought a size 10 wedding dress 3 months ago that will most likely not fit me next summer. :(

I went to a workout place and they guy actually told me I would be wasting my time and money on a membership cause exercise wouldn't help me lose weight. He was so rude when he said it.  

[Zooka]

My last tests were about 3 months ago and I dont have those results handy at my office.  I actually go for follow up tests tomorrow for my Thryroid and my vitamin levels...I'll post them as soon as I get them.  I've been to two different endocrinologists who've tested me for a great number of things...they all tell me "your Thyroid is in the normal range" so I usually respond by saying "that's nice so what do you think can be causing all of these symptoms..." to which I get no answers.

I saw a Dr of Internal Medicine this week after years of frustration with my regular family Dr. who really knows nothing about Thyroid problems and seems to have no desire to learn about them. I felt for the first time that this guy might actually help me figure it out. I have an appointment with a GI Dr, on the 9th...

I'll look for my old results and post them up.

Thanks for all of the help!

[Totie]

Everyone reacts different to medications. I have been on Levo for the last 16yrs without any problems. (TT)

My weight, well it is actually underweight. I do eat a lot of protein though, tuna, & chicken, but only because i love those...I am the opposite, I don't eat vegtables....

[gimel]

You say that you've been tested for every thyroid panel test known.  If you have ever been tested for FT3 and FT4, please post the results and their reference ranges so that we may have a look at where results fall within the ranges.  

[Zooka]

hahah I should proof read my posts!!! sorry for all of the typos!

[Zooka]

Thanks for responding.

I think I've had every thyroid panel test known to mankind and then some... I recently found out that I have no vitamin D so my Dr. put me on 100,000 units a week(crzy high dose) for 6 months hoping to build a store in my system, I also have a B12 deficit and am taking supplements for that too.

I took Cytomel- T-3,  for awhile and my endo wants me to go back on it again, I didn't feel godd tho when I was taking it.  I have tried Armor Thyroid and NatureThroid too with not so great results... I'm sure I have some other issues but, have yet to discover what they are.

It's a shame that Dr's only seem to treat the Thyroid aspect of hashi's and don't treat it like the autoimmune disease it is.  

I took antidepreassants for awhile with mixed results it's the anxiety I hate the most. Maybe I'll try a new thyroid medicine again and see if it helps:)

Has anyone had any success with weight loss? My whole adult life I weighed 128lbs, now I wiegh 167 and nothing works, I do spinning, weight workouts and eat very healthy...I am a vegeatrain though and several Dr.;s tell me I must ad fish and chickin to my diet if I want to improve my health...any truth to that??? I've been a vegetarian since 1985 so changing doesn't seem like something I could easily convince myself to do...

Thanks again :)

[Mamamia30]

I read that Levothyroxine can cause Manic depression. I stopped taking it 2 weeks ago and don't feel depressed anymore. I was on it for 2 years. I will get an uptake scan in 2 weeks then I'm going to ask for a medicine change. Google "Levothyroxine causing depression"

Hopefully you find some answers.

[gimel]

If you have had any thyroid tests beyond TSH I expect that your results would probably fall in the lower end of the ranges, especially for FT3.  That dose of Levo might have gotten your FT4 above midpoint, but frequently we hear from members that even with such a significant dose of meds, FT3 levels lag behind FT4.  Since FT3 is the most active thyroid hormone, and studies have shown that it correlates best with hypo symptoms, it is the most important.  So if you have been tested for FT3 and FT4, please post the results and reference ranges, for our review and comment.  If not, then you really need to be tested for FT3 and FT4, along with TSH.  If your doctor resists then insist on it and don't take no for an answer.  You are the customer.

As far as the antibodies, it is my understanding that they never really go away, but with the thyroid glands destroyed, they no longer are of concern.