desperate for advice

[TinaBrocc777]

I'm feeling hopeless and am in desperate need of some advice and support. I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto's and been feeling terrible for years now...always tired, cold, thinning hair. I keep gaining weight and can't get it off. I also have cystic acne that leaves scars on my face when I go off antibiotics. I'm on levoxyl now (switched off synthroid). I really need a doctor who will treat the whole person because I can't rule out that the acne isn't caused by my thyroid problems. I also miscarried this past August. How do I find a doctor that will look at the whole person and really test everything? Or even consider Armour? All I'm told is that my TSH level is within normal range and I can't even get a thorough test of T3, T4, etc. I feel depressed, hopeless, and completely overwhelmed. I found a nutritionist/herbalist that was helpful, but expensive and not covered by insurance. I'm working with a reproductive endocrinologist now because of the miscarriage but he's referring me to a dermatologist for the acne (and they just want to put me on accutane). Please help........

[gimel]

The main thing I see in your test results is that the FT3 is too low.  Even though it is in range, the ranges for FT3 and FT4 are too broad and just being in the low end does not mean that you are okay.  Many members report that symptom relief for them required that FT3 was adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to at least midpoint.  So the prescription for Armour is in the right direction to start increasing FT3, with the goal of increasing enough to relieve symptoms.  

Many hypothyroid patients also have low Vitamin D, so you should take enough daily to get your level higher in the range.

Please tell us about the doctor's direction to you as to how to change your meds.  Are you adding Armour, or replacing Levoxyl with Armour?

[TinaBrocc777]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I went to my endocrinologist today and was much more insistent. I told her that even though my levels keep coming back fine, I haven't seen a change in my symptoms and that matters more to me than numbers on a page.  I also told her that I want to try armour. I'm glad to say that she wrote me a prescription and I'm heading out to get it filled. I know it won't fix everything, but I'm excited to see if it helps.

I am also struck today by lab results. My endo sent me to get blood work done for today's appt. My FT4 came back at 1.1 (range is .7 - 1.5), my free T3 came back at 2.9 (range 2.3 - 4.2) and my TSH at 1.98 (range .35 to 5.50). Here's the monkey wrench..... I also got blood work done by the fertility specialist, and my TSH came back at 3.96, which is marked as "above normal." No reference ranges were included. The blood work was taken within 2 days of each other, so while one doctor says that my numbers are perfect, the other says to increase my dose because I'm high. Makes me feel like they're all just guessing. We'll see how it goes with the armour. I was also told that I'm slightly Vitamin D deficient. The "normal" range starts at 30 and I came in at 29. I don't know if that really affects much though.

For those of you far more experienced in this than I, do my numbers "shout" anything? To me they look good but then why do I feel so crappy????

[piddysmom]

When you meet with the doctor, don't accept that "TSH level is within normal range ."  Ask what the numbers are, be insistent. I read an article recently and it brought home the fact that you don't have to be afraid of upsetting your doctor. Think of it as a business transaction. You are paying them for a service and just like a mechanic fixing your car, you are entitled to the best service possible...in fact, you should insist on it.

My endocrinologist recently diagnosed me with PCOS and has begun treating that.  It has made a difference in my energy level and my hair loss.  

She also tested my B12 and Vitamin D (at my insistence) and found that both were very near the bottom of the acceptable level.  I've begun treating with supplementation but may have to do the B12 shots if I'm not able to bring that number up on my own. This has also made a tremendous difference in my energy levels.  She indicated that she should have thought of this sooner as B12 & Vitamin D deficiency do occur pretty often in those with Hashimoto's/Hypothyroid.

The last two suggestions I have are that if you're not happy with your doctor and they aren't willing to answer your questions or take you seriously, then go see another doctor.  I've also found that nurse practitioners can be a good source if the physician has that as an option.  I've found that they tend to listen to me rather than just "process" me.

[stella5349]

Hormones - like Deb discussed - are very responsible for the symptom of acne.

Has anyone ran the estrodiol progesterone and testosterone levels for you.

This isn't an answer for Hashi's - but the sex hormones have alot to do with the flux of thyroid/adrenal hormones and intertwine together.

A good doctor to find that would look at the whole body and treat it together would be someone in Integrative Medicine.

[TinaBrocc777]

Thank you for all the feedback. I have been watching what I eat more and trying to exercise, but I am constantly exhausted and that can make working out more difficult. I know that I'm sensitive to dairy and to chocolate so I've been minimizing dairy as much as possible and have not had any chocolate in weeks. I absolutely love chocolate so that's been such a challenge, but I've got to work harder if I'm going to make a difference! Sadly, anything topical for my skin really hasn't been effective because the cysts are under my skin and absurdly large. I keep hearing from my dr.'s that there's no correlation but if acne is hormonal, how can the imbalances NOT be causing it. It also can't be coincidental that I started getting the acne right around the time that I started feeling terrible from hashimoto's related symptoms (though I didn't know what it was yet)

Right now I'm working with my reproductive endocrinologist to run a million and a half tests to make sure that there wasn't a biological reason that I miscarried, but I still need to find an endocrinologist that will manage my day to day care and be willing to look at T3 and T4, but it's very slow going and very frustrating.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to find the right doctor?

[Julie83]

i have hashimotos and whenever my levels were off id have terrible skin even tho dr said theres no correlation!

[Smilerdeb]

Tea tree Oil is the best natural treatment for acne most times but must be used consistantly for a period of 2 weeks to see any results.

Hormonal changes, stress etc can cause the acne but it should start to clear with Tea Tree Oil Facewash or from a health food store.
Aloe Vera (cut from the plant) is also great for acne.
I swear by Aloe Vera (fresh from the plant) for all skin treatments including sunburn, stings etc.

[Wyomingite]

I can completely relate to your feelings of hopelessness and being overwhelmed because I was just diagnosed two weeks ago with Hashimoto's and the frustration that comes with seeing doctors who only look at one part of the whole.  It's truly a testament to the crisis of our health care system but there is hope because there are answers out there that will help us!  Like you, I'm struggling to find those answers but we have to stay focused on our goal toward healing.  Going through the miscarriage is a terrible loss for you and I'm am saddened by your loss.  You must keep in mind that the hormonal changes in your body caused by pregnancy and then abrupt loss of your baby have an effect on your mood, in addition to the hormone imbalances caused by Hashimoto's.  So it takes time for your body, mind and soul to recover from that alone.  The acne could be caused by a combination of stress, hormone imbalance, the pregnancy, and other factors relative to the imbalances in your body.  So my initial questions relate to your diet and any kind of exercise you could make yourself do such as going outside for a short 10 minute walk - this has been the only thing that has helped me for the past few weeks to feel somewhat alive and hopeful.  And I've made myself only eat fresh fruits and vegetables and lean protein such as baked or broiled fish or chicken to allow my body some time to cleanse from toxins and stress, which has also helped me feel less burdened.  It is about taking very small steps, one day at a time and trusting that you will feel better!  Faith and hope are what we have to hang on to.....and perserverance.