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Males experiencing thyroid problems
Hi,
I just want to know if there are men out there experiencing thyroid problems (thyroid cancer/hyper or hypothyroidism/etc) and what were the prevailing symptoms and how did you overcome them? I heard there is a low chance of men experiencing thyroid problems but I just want to know if there are people out there experiencing such problems.
Thanks!
I just want to know if there are men out there experiencing thyroid problems (thyroid cancer/hyper or hypothyroidism/etc) and what were the prevailing symptoms and how did you overcome them? I heard there is a low chance of men experiencing thyroid problems but I just want to know if there are people out there experiencing such problems.
Thanks!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I don't find it a bit weird to ask the doctor for blood tests other than TSH. We know that TSH isn't the be all, end all of thyroid issues. You aren't the only one who gets annoyed with doctors. Many of them would much rather pass out anti-depressants than get to the bottom of an issue.
I had a doctor that did the same thing. I was tired all the time and he insisted I was tired because I was depressed and I tried to tell him that wasn't the case, but he wouldn't listen. He prescribed anti-depressants and they only made me more tired, so I quit taking them. I was later diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia (B-12 deficiency), which was the main cause of my fatigue, then later still, with hypothyroidism, which was a secondary cause.
It really doesn't matter where he gets treatment... even many doctors in the U.S will only test TSH and pronounce someone "fine", if TSH is anywhere within the range. We all have to be our own advocate and make sure we get the proper tests and treatment.
I had a doctor that did the same thing. I was tired all the time and he insisted I was tired because I was depressed and I tried to tell him that wasn't the case, but he wouldn't listen. He prescribed anti-depressants and they only made me more tired, so I quit taking them. I was later diagnosed with Pernicious Anemia (B-12 deficiency), which was the main cause of my fatigue, then later still, with hypothyroidism, which was a secondary cause.
It really doesn't matter where he gets treatment... even many doctors in the U.S will only test TSH and pronounce someone "fine", if TSH is anywhere within the range. We all have to be our own advocate and make sure we get the proper tests and treatment.
I think I get what you mean. I asked my boyfriend who is working abroad right now to have his thyroid checked but the doctor thinks he is still completely fine based on his blood tests. But is it weird to ask a doctor for another test result other than the TSH? I am annoyed how doctors medicate people with antidepressants when patients don't seem to know why they are depressed.
Anyway, thanks for the tip, I am going to urge him to see an endocrinologist, if not I'll ask him to fly back so he can see doctors that probably know how to medicate them.
Anyway, thanks for the tip, I am going to urge him to see an endocrinologist, if not I'll ask him to fly back so he can see doctors that probably know how to medicate them.
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, it's not necessary for everyone to have a lump, to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition.
Misdiagnosis often comes with improper thyroid blood tests. Many doctors only test TSH, which is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. Often if TSH is in range, the doctor will declare the patient "normal" and won't do any more. Be sure that the actual thyroid hormone levels -Free T3 and Free T4 get tested, since those are the real indicators for thyroid function.
Thyroid 101: When thyroid hormone levels drop, the pituitary gland produces TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to stimulate the thyroid into producing thyroid hormones - T4 and T3. In a perfect world, the thyroid would behave like the good little organ it is and produce the hormones, but that doesn't always happen. If the thyroid doesn't respond, the pituitary continues to produce TSH; the lower the thyroid hormone levels go, the higher the TSH goes.
The thyroid produces mostly T4, but does produce a small amount of T3. Of the total T4 produced, approximately 95% is bound by a protein, which renders the T4 unusable. The remaining, unbound (Free T4) is what's available for use. The body can't use FT4 directly; it must be converted to T3. Like T4, about 95% of the T3 is bound by protein and is unusable. The remaining, unbound (Free) portion is what's actually available to the individual cells. Free T3 correlates with symptoms, while FT4 and TSH do not.
Does the doctor think your boyfriend has hyper or hypothyroidism? Both can cause "weird" symptoms.
You should also make sure they test for thyroid antibodies. There are 2 major thyroid diseases and those are Graves Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
Graves Disease is "always" associated with hyperthyroidism and the test to definitively diagnose that is Thyroid Stimulating Immunglobulin (TSI).
Hashimoto's is most ofte associated with hypothyroidism, but it can also be characterized, in early stages, with periods of hyperthyroidism alternating with periods hypo or even normal. Antibody tests to diagnose Hashimoto's are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). He needs both of these because they are both markers for Hashimoto's and some of us have one or the other, some have both.
So - the tests he needs are as follows: Free T3, Free T4, TSH, TSI (if Graves is suspected), TPOab and TGab. You might also request a thyroid ultra sound to determine whether or not he has nodules, which are very common with both Graves and Hashimoto's. An ultra sound can also help with a diagnosis
There are some vitamin/mineral tests that may be needed, but I won't overload you with those, at this time.
Misdiagnosis often comes with improper thyroid blood tests. Many doctors only test TSH, which is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. Often if TSH is in range, the doctor will declare the patient "normal" and won't do any more. Be sure that the actual thyroid hormone levels -Free T3 and Free T4 get tested, since those are the real indicators for thyroid function.
Thyroid 101: When thyroid hormone levels drop, the pituitary gland produces TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to stimulate the thyroid into producing thyroid hormones - T4 and T3. In a perfect world, the thyroid would behave like the good little organ it is and produce the hormones, but that doesn't always happen. If the thyroid doesn't respond, the pituitary continues to produce TSH; the lower the thyroid hormone levels go, the higher the TSH goes.
The thyroid produces mostly T4, but does produce a small amount of T3. Of the total T4 produced, approximately 95% is bound by a protein, which renders the T4 unusable. The remaining, unbound (Free T4) is what's available for use. The body can't use FT4 directly; it must be converted to T3. Like T4, about 95% of the T3 is bound by protein and is unusable. The remaining, unbound (Free) portion is what's actually available to the individual cells. Free T3 correlates with symptoms, while FT4 and TSH do not.
Does the doctor think your boyfriend has hyper or hypothyroidism? Both can cause "weird" symptoms.
You should also make sure they test for thyroid antibodies. There are 2 major thyroid diseases and those are Graves Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
Graves Disease is "always" associated with hyperthyroidism and the test to definitively diagnose that is Thyroid Stimulating Immunglobulin (TSI).
Hashimoto's is most ofte associated with hypothyroidism, but it can also be characterized, in early stages, with periods of hyperthyroidism alternating with periods hypo or even normal. Antibody tests to diagnose Hashimoto's are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). He needs both of these because they are both markers for Hashimoto's and some of us have one or the other, some have both.
So - the tests he needs are as follows: Free T3, Free T4, TSH, TSI (if Graves is suspected), TPOab and TGab. You might also request a thyroid ultra sound to determine whether or not he has nodules, which are very common with both Graves and Hashimoto's. An ultra sound can also help with a diagnosis
There are some vitamin/mineral tests that may be needed, but I won't overload you with those, at this time.
Dana Blaire
My symptoms include:
weight gain
Bloat
welts under eyes (look like bug bites)
welsts on wrist
itchy hands and feet and scalp
sebhorea
loss of hair (dry)
exhaustion
etc.
I dont know about Lumps, my ultra sound was clean last october whew!
Hope this helps!
Thom
My symptoms include:
weight gain
Bloat
welts under eyes (look like bug bites)
welsts on wrist
itchy hands and feet and scalp
sebhorea
loss of hair (dry)
exhaustion
etc.
I dont know about Lumps, my ultra sound was clean last october whew!
Hope this helps!
Thom
Hi!
Thanks for sharing. I've noticed my boyfriend has weird symptoms that often come and go and they are often misdiagnosed. I've been researching about thyroid diseases among men since my doctor thinks that he might have a problem in the thyroid. We're having him checked tomorrow.
Quick question, do all thyroid diseases need a lump for you to be diagnosed with one? Or have you had any experience on such? Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. I've noticed my boyfriend has weird symptoms that often come and go and they are often misdiagnosed. I've been researching about thyroid diseases among men since my doctor thinks that he might have a problem in the thyroid. We're having him checked tomorrow.
Quick question, do all thyroid diseases need a lump for you to be diagnosed with one? Or have you had any experience on such? Thanks!
I have Hashimotos thyroiditis! I spoke with the Paleo nurse and she said that men are not the minority like they use to be! Plus they are alot of people that get mis diagnosed like my brother and dont know and dont do a thiing about it.
I am still overcoming my symptoms. I am definitely on the improvement trail!
I am still overcoming my symptoms. I am definitely on the improvement trail!
My Uncle is actually hypothyroid. I know for many years his main symptom was fatigue and mood swings. He now takes synthroid.
Every single female on both sides of my family have hypothyroidism, so it's definitely hereditary. But, out of 4 brothers on my moms side, my uncle is the only male. So, it's not as common in males, but where there is a family history men should be evaluated too.
Every single female on both sides of my family have hypothyroidism, so it's definitely hereditary. But, out of 4 brothers on my moms side, my uncle is the only male. So, it's not as common in males, but where there is a family history men should be evaluated too.
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There's really nothing different about men having thyroid issues than there is with women having them. Men pretty much experience the same symptoms that women do - including weight gain, fatigue, constipation, brain fog, muscle/joint aches/pains, etc.
They overcome them, the same way we women do - if they have cancer, the thyroid is removed, with hyperthyroidism, they are prescribed anti-thyroid med, removal or RAI and if hypothyroid, they are prescribed thyroid replacement hormones.