Help

[LAB400]

I have been txing with my PCP for the past 2 years for Hypo/Hashi. I am on synthroid 88mcg. I do not feel any better. I still am very tired, have mood swings, muscular weakness and pain, hair loss, weight gain (total of 43lbs) and major brain fog. I did see a specialist who was no help. She told me that this was as good as it was ever going to get and I would have to learn to live with it. I feel like I'm 80 years old and I'm only 36. I go to bed every night at 10pm and that is after taking a short nap when I get home from work. I don't know what to do. I do not want to continue on like this. Can anyone give me some ideas.

[islandgirl80]

When you get your second opinion see if you can try switching meds to Levoxyl? Some folks here feel like that was a good move for them, it works more instantly. Also i do a lot of stuff from a Nutrition aspect as that is what I have studied. Look at your diet: decrease coffee and tea , caffeine alotgether makes you temp. feel good and then you crash.... also interferes with thyroid med absorption, eliminating this for a week will suck, but your body adjusts trust me! Get rid of soda's too, especially that DIET ****, my friend lost 20 lbs giving up soda and sugared juices, which also make you crash out. If you need fruit try dried unsulphered fruit trail mix or whole fresh fruit. Do water or flavored sparkling water with those Emergency Vitamin C packets. Eat as close to organic as possible or support your local farmers market/CSA...or wash your veggies! Pesticides can mess with your thyroid!
B viatmins are MOST  important for energy so if you can take anything try these as well as a Selenium and Vitamin E combo, selenium is great for helping the thyroid convert T3 to T4. Decrease dairy, if you can eliminate it and more importantly Wheat, gluten stuff. Try RICE based products like Rice or Almond milk with cereal, Rice or Amaranth bread still tastes good, and switch from Peanut butter to Almond butter- AVOID Goitrogenic foods like SOY & PEANUTS. Give yourself permission to get a nap in, we live in a very stressed world with lots of "toxins" coming from everywhere. My system is very sensitive to my environment and my allergies seem to increase each year. Household wise, use environmentally friendly products when cleaning they can eliminate alot of toxins you're exposed to daily and filter your water. Switch to natural toothpaste, as floride can mess with the thyroid too! I know its a lot but it can be a good start:)
Best Wishes
-Carolyn

[pjgovitz]

Not every one gains alot...I've had hashis/graves for 20 years (rai May 18, on synthroid for about 18 years...my weight fluctuates but never to obesity, more often than  not synthroid itself can help you  lose a few lbs, but at 109 I don't think you want to lose much.

[dee_beach_lover]

I am so scared, for I am totally disabled from an auto accident in 1997 and suffer severe brain damage. I excercise daily, watch and try to eat the right foods. I weigh 109 lbs. and just received a phone call from my dr. telling me my thyroid level was way too low and is starting me on medication for that, along with all the other medications I have to take..wow...another pill...but my concern is weight gain, for I have heard horror stories about people with thyroid problems and had to go on medication and started gaining weight, even though they were eating a proper diet. WILL THIS HAPPEN TO ME? Please someone tell me and let me know this. The only good thing about this is that he did tell me my energy level would pick up. Thank you to anyone who can respond and help me with this

[LAB400]

I was woundering is anyone has every had a doctor not only give them synthroid but also Cytomel (T3)? I have heard this can help people who continue to have symptoms even when TSH levels are normal. My doctor told me that she would not give me Cytomel. She said it causes a rapid heart rate. I am willing to risk it, but from my understanding it is really heard to find a doctor that will write an RX for this.

[Nurseynurse714]

I can sympathize w/ your situation. Was dx'd with Hashi in May of this yr, started synthroid about August. Am feeling a little better, perhaps. At any rate, you should consider getting a second opinion with another endocrinologist. Yes, she may be right and this may be as good as it gets, but I can also tell you that between both personal experience with Hashi's and seeing physicians for that, and working with physicians on a daily basis, you will come across many physicians who really don't care to take the time to try and figure out your situation. Treating endocrine conditions requires much time and patience both on the part of the patient and physician. Some physicians just don't care to deal with the aggravation and tedious work of having to continue to follow your labs and adjust your meds to get you to where you need to be. I'm not knocking doctors, many are phenomenal, but there are many "slackers" out there as well. Do yourself a favor and get a second opinion. Good luck and hope you feel better soon :)

[GravesLady]

Antidepressants for  tired, mood swings, major brain fog, muscular weakness and pain. These all are possibly tied-in together as well as weight gain and hair issue could be stress/stressors.  Correct one, correct all, sort a speak.  If we are lucky ;)

[trouble10]

Have you had your levels tested lately? Hashi picks the worst times to throw it's little fits.  I also have problems with anxiety that also give me muscle weakness and pain and brain fog. Sometimes it's hard to tell where the Hashi ends and the anxiety begins. My point is, if your numbers are good, it may not be the hashi, even if the hashi started it.