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Is it possible to treat Hashimotos without drugs? I.e, Dr. K 's book?
Just curious if anyone has successfully treated hypo/ Hashimotos without the use of Synthroid/cytomel etc? I just rlectivrly stopped thing my Synthroid until I can get with a Dr, that knows what the heck thy are doing? Is there any risk of stopping the Synthroid and monitoring my levels? Conversely is there sny long term benefit to starting the treatment erlt evn if I flt better before I started the Synthroid?
COMMUNITY LEADER
While iron is necessary for metabolism of thyroid hormones, be careful... I thought I might need iron supplementation, too, but my ferritin test came back WAY too high... this indicates hemochromatosis (high iron levels)... I'm due for an entire iron panel next month.... too much iron can be as detrimental (or more so) as not enough.
Make sure you need it, before you start adding more.
Make sure you need it, before you start adding more.
Mg Glycinate , the bottle will have instructions.
Its usually 3 a day. Some people get sleepy with its dosing, so don't take it if you have to drive. Some people don't get the sleepiness, so everyone is different.
For Iron, most over the counter iron says Ferrous Sulfate, 65 mg Elemental iron, take as directed on the bottle. My daughter has no problem taking it on empty stomach for better absorption, but others have problem.
Vit C with Iron is advised to get iron absorbed more effectively in to the system. Use Iron cast skillet for cooking, it will increase Iron in the food 3x to 8x. Google.
Iron will cause black stools, so don't be alarmed.
If you are taking Mg, constipation will not be a problem. Make sure you get enough hydration.
Tahe care.
Edna RN
Its usually 3 a day. Some people get sleepy with its dosing, so don't take it if you have to drive. Some people don't get the sleepiness, so everyone is different.
For Iron, most over the counter iron says Ferrous Sulfate, 65 mg Elemental iron, take as directed on the bottle. My daughter has no problem taking it on empty stomach for better absorption, but others have problem.
Vit C with Iron is advised to get iron absorbed more effectively in to the system. Use Iron cast skillet for cooking, it will increase Iron in the food 3x to 8x. Google.
Iron will cause black stools, so don't be alarmed.
If you are taking Mg, constipation will not be a problem. Make sure you get enough hydration.
Tahe care.
Edna RN
Ok, I am going to go to the nutrition store today to get that. How much of it should I be taking? Also, what iron supplement is best, and how much? I think one member said to ease into the iron because it causes constipation?
Once Mg gets into normal levels in the cells ( not blood only ) Your heavy periods should normalize as well. That should also take care of depleting iron stores.
RBC Magnesium is the Mg test if you wanted to get your levels tested, not serum Mg.
Its a safe supplement to take just like calcium, actually more important and more needed for supplementation. Calcium is abundant in most foods we eat unlike Mg.
Mg Glycinate is one of the best absorbed Mg, inexpensive, and is needed by everyone. It would be a good idea to start on it and let your MD be aware.
RBC Magnesium is the Mg test if you wanted to get your levels tested, not serum Mg.
Its a safe supplement to take just like calcium, actually more important and more needed for supplementation. Calcium is abundant in most foods we eat unlike Mg.
Mg Glycinate is one of the best absorbed Mg, inexpensive, and is needed by everyone. It would be a good idea to start on it and let your MD be aware.
Thank you very much. I will be sure to discuss (and get tested) with my new doctor tomorrow. I am so hopeful that she is going to help, she appears at least to be a leader in the world of hypothyroidism....I will be sure to post all levels once I have them. I did have a ton of bleeding for sure with the tummy tuck, had to have drains put in (which is normal) to collect the extra blood/drainage (sorry TMI I know). Perhaps you are on to something...
Hello,
I would like to address your Iron Levels:
"My ferritin and B12 were both very low (10% of range) and I have just started supple, eating those two things."
LOW Iron:
Iron deficiency could cause symptoms just the same as hypothyroid.
Fatigue, body aches, weight gain, etc. iron is the major component of hemoglobin that carries blood to the general circulation. So if Oxygen is not reaching the cells due to low iron., there will be fatigue, memory fog, tiredness, inability to cope..
low metabolism.
When you had surgery,normal bleeding after surgery would lower your blood count same as your iron. count from the blood loss.. When women get their monthly period, we lose more iron as much as 10 to 15 mg iron from that month alone. So iron needs to be supplemented and re checked if its getting up back to normal..
Hypothyroid sufferers (like me) tend to blame it all on thyroid.. sometimes its right but not all the time.. there is also Magnesium deficiency that exhibits the same hundreds of hypothyroid symptoms. Going thru stress of daily life, surgery, pain medications, can all deplete the body of Magnesium stores. It could bring about fatigue, anxiety, body aches, and other "hypothyroid symptoms."
Also search Magnesium Deficiency..
Whats best is to get your iron levels back up to normal with supplements and maintain it after each monthly period, by eating iron rich foods.A good idea is to get an iron cast skillet. Cooking in it will multiply iron content of food 3 to 8x its raw content. .
Google Search: Low Iron and Weight Gain
* The Impact of Low Iron on Metabolism * a short of the article--------
A new study details the dire metabolic consequences of low iron status. It shows that low iron turns on genes in your liver and muscles that promote fat storage and cause abnormal blood sugar elevation – precisely what goes wrong with metabolism that leads to the metabolic syndrome.
The consequence to thyroid metabolism is twofold. First, the inactive thyroid hormone, T4, is converted to the biologically active hormone, T3, mostly on cell membranes of liver cells. Hepcidin is made in your liver and is produced excessively in response to high inflammation. Such inflammation will also damage liver cell membranes, thus reducing the conversion of T4 to T3. This is one main reason why inflammation of any type disturbs thyroid function.
Second, when biologically active thyroid, T3, binds to cell membranes and communicates to the nucleus of your cells how fast their metabolic pace should be set, it is like a hormone manager giving an order to a cell factory. The worker bees in the cell factory then need iron for the genes that will implement the thyroid order. In fact, the next 80 metabolic genes responding to a thyroid order all need iron. If iron is lacking, metabolism simply cannot run at an optimal pace, resulting in all the symptoms of hypothyroid—even in the presence of normal T4 and normal T3.
Even if iron is normal on a blood test, a person can still have all the problems above, though levels tend to be toward the lower end of the normal range. Hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) are also on the low side of the normal with this problem. One or another being out of range or on the low side signifies a major problem. Serum ferritin is typically low or low normal, unless inflammation is very high, which can actually drive up ferritin scores. Lab tests can help;
however, fatigue along with trouble losing weight despite eating better and exercising are general indicators of a potential problem.
Just something more to think about ..
Take care..
I would like to address your Iron Levels:
"My ferritin and B12 were both very low (10% of range) and I have just started supple, eating those two things."
LOW Iron:
Iron deficiency could cause symptoms just the same as hypothyroid.
Fatigue, body aches, weight gain, etc. iron is the major component of hemoglobin that carries blood to the general circulation. So if Oxygen is not reaching the cells due to low iron., there will be fatigue, memory fog, tiredness, inability to cope..
low metabolism.
When you had surgery,normal bleeding after surgery would lower your blood count same as your iron. count from the blood loss.. When women get their monthly period, we lose more iron as much as 10 to 15 mg iron from that month alone. So iron needs to be supplemented and re checked if its getting up back to normal..
Hypothyroid sufferers (like me) tend to blame it all on thyroid.. sometimes its right but not all the time.. there is also Magnesium deficiency that exhibits the same hundreds of hypothyroid symptoms. Going thru stress of daily life, surgery, pain medications, can all deplete the body of Magnesium stores. It could bring about fatigue, anxiety, body aches, and other "hypothyroid symptoms."
Also search Magnesium Deficiency..
Whats best is to get your iron levels back up to normal with supplements and maintain it after each monthly period, by eating iron rich foods.A good idea is to get an iron cast skillet. Cooking in it will multiply iron content of food 3 to 8x its raw content. .
Google Search: Low Iron and Weight Gain
* The Impact of Low Iron on Metabolism * a short of the article--------
A new study details the dire metabolic consequences of low iron status. It shows that low iron turns on genes in your liver and muscles that promote fat storage and cause abnormal blood sugar elevation – precisely what goes wrong with metabolism that leads to the metabolic syndrome.
The consequence to thyroid metabolism is twofold. First, the inactive thyroid hormone, T4, is converted to the biologically active hormone, T3, mostly on cell membranes of liver cells. Hepcidin is made in your liver and is produced excessively in response to high inflammation. Such inflammation will also damage liver cell membranes, thus reducing the conversion of T4 to T3. This is one main reason why inflammation of any type disturbs thyroid function.
Second, when biologically active thyroid, T3, binds to cell membranes and communicates to the nucleus of your cells how fast their metabolic pace should be set, it is like a hormone manager giving an order to a cell factory. The worker bees in the cell factory then need iron for the genes that will implement the thyroid order. In fact, the next 80 metabolic genes responding to a thyroid order all need iron. If iron is lacking, metabolism simply cannot run at an optimal pace, resulting in all the symptoms of hypothyroid—even in the presence of normal T4 and normal T3.
Even if iron is normal on a blood test, a person can still have all the problems above, though levels tend to be toward the lower end of the normal range. Hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) are also on the low side of the normal with this problem. One or another being out of range or on the low side signifies a major problem. Serum ferritin is typically low or low normal, unless inflammation is very high, which can actually drive up ferritin scores. Lab tests can help;
however, fatigue along with trouble losing weight despite eating better and exercising are general indicators of a potential problem.
Just something more to think about ..
Take care..
Barb thanks for your response. I am sure this wont' surprise you as from what I have read this really doesn't mean a hill of beans, but my diet is perfectly clean. I am talking:
Breakfast: 1/3 cup dry oats with 1/2 banana and cinnamon
Snack: protein smoothie with 1/2 cup water/1/2 cup almond milk and handful of frozen berries.
Lunch: no more than 300 calories consisting of vegetables, 1/3 cup brown rice and chicken.
Snack: 3 egg whites, 1 small apple and a handful of raw almonds
Dinner: Chicken and 1 cup vegetables.
If still hungry 1 small apple 3 hours before bedtime.
I drink no soda, have no unnatural sugars in my diet.
I also work out 6 days a week alternating between 1 hour of strength training and 40 minutes of HIIT interval cardio.
As you can see this is partly why I am so frustrated about my weight gain. I eat as clean as one reasonably can and workout more than anyone I know...yet I am gaining weight, and seemingly out of nowhere. I can barely handle going to work these days, the depression is kicking in so severely. Hard to stay optimistic.
Breakfast: 1/3 cup dry oats with 1/2 banana and cinnamon
Snack: protein smoothie with 1/2 cup water/1/2 cup almond milk and handful of frozen berries.
Lunch: no more than 300 calories consisting of vegetables, 1/3 cup brown rice and chicken.
Snack: 3 egg whites, 1 small apple and a handful of raw almonds
Dinner: Chicken and 1 cup vegetables.
If still hungry 1 small apple 3 hours before bedtime.
I drink no soda, have no unnatural sugars in my diet.
I also work out 6 days a week alternating between 1 hour of strength training and 40 minutes of HIIT interval cardio.
As you can see this is partly why I am so frustrated about my weight gain. I eat as clean as one reasonably can and workout more than anyone I know...yet I am gaining weight, and seemingly out of nowhere. I can barely handle going to work these days, the depression is kicking in so severely. Hard to stay optimistic.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, things should level out, at some point, but since you have Hashimoto's, you have to keep in mind that until your thyroid stops making hormones, your med will have to be adjusted periodically, to compensate for the diminishing capacity of your own thyroid.
It's possible that the weight will go away; more likely, if you're able to stop the gain, at that point. You're probably going to really watch what type of foods you eat, how many calories you take in and make sure you get plenty of exercise, in order for the weight to come off. Many of us can not go back to pre-hypo diet habits.
It's possible that the weight will go away; more likely, if you're able to stop the gain, at that point. You're probably going to really watch what type of foods you eat, how many calories you take in and make sure you get plenty of exercise, in order for the weight to come off. Many of us can not go back to pre-hypo diet habits.
Flyingfool....ok officially depressed after reading your post, oh wait, I already am!
I am in awe about how quickly this has come on. I would give anything to go back to January where my biggest complaint was that I was tired. It seems every week I am gaining 1-2 lbs. had another crying fit this morning, my poor husband thinks I am losing my mind and perhaps I am. I just keep hoping to get on the scale and have it be where it was 3 months ago. Is it possible that the new workouts I started 5 weeks ago are making it worse?
I have an appointment with a homeopathic MD tomorrow and the appointment cannot come quickly enough. As I sit here I have an excruciating headache out of nowhere and of course Advil isn't helping.
I think I should change my profile name to OVERITINTX.
I will be sure to get the T3 and T4 tested tomorrow when I see the new Dr. my hunch is she will be open to it.
I am in awe about how quickly this has come on. I would give anything to go back to January where my biggest complaint was that I was tired. It seems every week I am gaining 1-2 lbs. had another crying fit this morning, my poor husband thinks I am losing my mind and perhaps I am. I just keep hoping to get on the scale and have it be where it was 3 months ago. Is it possible that the new workouts I started 5 weeks ago are making it worse?
I have an appointment with a homeopathic MD tomorrow and the appointment cannot come quickly enough. As I sit here I have an excruciating headache out of nowhere and of course Advil isn't helping.
I think I should change my profile name to OVERITINTX.
I will be sure to get the T3 and T4 tested tomorrow when I see the new Dr. my hunch is she will be open to it.
Many people find it very difficult or impossible to lose weight until they get their thyroid levels OPTIMIZED.
Unfortunately even when optimized for some it is still verly difficult constant battle to maintain or lose weight. Also unfortunately many Dr's will stop prescribing increased medication dosages well prior to a patient becoming optimized. Leaving the patent Hypo but (within the "normal range"). So the patient remains Hypo and symptomatic and unable to lose weight. I'm not trying to depress you. I'm trying to instill in you the notion that you have to be your own best and strongest advocate. And how important it is to be #1 tested for Free T4 and Free T3. And do NOT take no for an answer. Also be aware and DEMAD the FT3 test. Many Dr's will put on the lab request to only test the Free T3 ONLY IF the Free T4 test is outside the normal range. But that is NOT good enough. Demand that the FT3 be taken regardless of what the FT4 levels are. If for no other reason (for the Dr's sake) than to get a baseline of where you are at the start.
Understand that the ranges are far to broad and that if you are symptomatic and less than 50% of the range that is not suprising. However as stated above many Dr's won't treat if you are in the normal range. So you need to continue to find a Dr who will if you fall into that case.
MANY of the folks here have gone through MANY Dr's in order to find a good one.
On a positive side. There are some women who once they start taking the medication without doing anything the weight gain will fall right off of them. Understand this is rare and those folks are extremely lucky.
Unfortunately even when optimized for some it is still verly difficult constant battle to maintain or lose weight. Also unfortunately many Dr's will stop prescribing increased medication dosages well prior to a patient becoming optimized. Leaving the patent Hypo but (within the "normal range"). So the patient remains Hypo and symptomatic and unable to lose weight. I'm not trying to depress you. I'm trying to instill in you the notion that you have to be your own best and strongest advocate. And how important it is to be #1 tested for Free T4 and Free T3. And do NOT take no for an answer. Also be aware and DEMAD the FT3 test. Many Dr's will put on the lab request to only test the Free T3 ONLY IF the Free T4 test is outside the normal range. But that is NOT good enough. Demand that the FT3 be taken regardless of what the FT4 levels are. If for no other reason (for the Dr's sake) than to get a baseline of where you are at the start.
Understand that the ranges are far to broad and that if you are symptomatic and less than 50% of the range that is not suprising. However as stated above many Dr's won't treat if you are in the normal range. So you need to continue to find a Dr who will if you fall into that case.
MANY of the folks here have gone through MANY Dr's in order to find a good one.
On a positive side. There are some women who once they start taking the medication without doing anything the weight gain will fall right off of them. Understand this is rare and those folks are extremely lucky.
Yes, will get all levels checked.
Since you said the symptoms will heighten or worsen when you initially start medication, will it eventually level out? In other words is it possible the 7 lbs I gained will go away now that I have been on the Synthroid 4 months?
Since you said the symptoms will heighten or worsen when you initially start medication, will it eventually level out? In other words is it possible the 7 lbs I gained will go away now that I have been on the Synthroid 4 months?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Well, of course, just knowing what's causing the weight gain, won't necessarily make us feel better, but it does keep me from beating myself up, too much. Beating myself up, is one thing, but having someone else beat me up is entirely different. People with normal metabolism don't have a clue. I also have insulin resistance, which makes it that much harder.
I don't think it's strange at all that your weight gain coincided with starting the synthroid. It's been noted that it's not unusual for symptoms to worsen or for new ones to appear once one begins thyroid hormone replacement, as your body gets used to having the hormones it was doing without.
I, too, hope your new doctor can help.
I'm glad you're getting blood work done, with the FT3 - hopefully FT4 and TSH, as well? I'll look forward to seeing the results. Be sure to include the reference ranges.
I don't think it's strange at all that your weight gain coincided with starting the synthroid. It's been noted that it's not unusual for symptoms to worsen or for new ones to appear once one begins thyroid hormone replacement, as your body gets used to having the hormones it was doing without.
I, too, hope your new doctor can help.
I'm glad you're getting blood work done, with the FT3 - hopefully FT4 and TSH, as well? I'll look forward to seeing the results. Be sure to include the reference ranges.
Thank you! Your words are so helpful, you are right in that I can no with almost 109 % certainty that I am not at fault for the weight gain. Not sure at the end of the day how much better it makes me feel though!
I am on Lysteda for my heavy periods and only take it the first 2 days of my cycle, have been for 2.5 years. I don't think they are related.
I guess I will start taking my Synthroid tomorrow....ugh! It is just so strange to me that at the same time I started taking the medication I started the weight gain. Doesn't that seem strange?
I have an appointment with a doctor Thursday, Dr. Emily Cleveland Job and I am so hopeful that she can help...
I'm getting bloodwork tomorrow with my FT3 and will post when I get them.
I am on Lysteda for my heavy periods and only take it the first 2 days of my cycle, have been for 2.5 years. I don't think they are related.
I guess I will start taking my Synthroid tomorrow....ugh! It is just so strange to me that at the same time I started taking the medication I started the weight gain. Doesn't that seem strange?
I have an appointment with a doctor Thursday, Dr. Emily Cleveland Job and I am so hopeful that she can help...
I'm getting bloodwork tomorrow with my FT3 and will post when I get them.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, you are supposed to take thyroid med, then not eat/drink anything for 30-60 min, but most of us get up and suck down that first cup of coffee long before 30 min is up.... I know I do. I used to use creamers, because it cut the acid in the coffee; now that my thyroid levels are adequate and I no longer have the acid reflux, I've since gone back to black coffee. What I'm trying to say is that even though you weren't waiting the full 30 min before your coffee with creamer, I'm sure the effect was relatively insignificant on how you absorbed the med. As long as you weren't eating a full fiber breakfast, the effect would have been minimal, and at worst, would require a slight bump in med dosage.
I've been where you're at...... I never - get that NEVER had a weight issue until a few months prior to being dx'd hypo, at age 58. All of a sudden, I ballooned by 30 pounds in less than a couple months. I realized that I was gaining weight and couldn't seem to shake it, so I joined Curves and went faithfully the recommended 3 times/week, plus I had a very physically demanding job - certainly no lack of exercise and still the weight piled on. Like everyone who has been thin all their lives, I felt horrible about it and I felt like there HAD to be something *I* was doing wrong. I'm still battling the weight gain - I hate it, but, at least I know now, there's a reason for it and that it's not ALL my fault.
One thing you need to understand is that the Synthroid is not causing your weight gain; your hypothyroidism is causing it. The Synthroid is replacing hormones that your thyroid can no longer produce; without it, you will most likely gain more, at a faster rate. Your dosage is probably not quite high enough yet, especially, if the antibodies have ramped up and are quickening thyroid destruction.
I'm really sorry to tell you, but there is nothing that will replace thyroid hormones, except thyroid hormones (whether synthetic or desiccated) and you can't live without them.
My husband tells me that I need to eat less - doesn't care what it is, as long as it's "less" -- he doesn't get it either; he thinks anyone can eat anything and not gain weight, if they keep portions in check. We (you and I) know that's not true. I also have an issue with fluid retention, which can add 3-7 lbs/day - talk about depressing!!
If you don't mind my asking, what medication are you on for heavy periods? Have you researched to find out whether or not it might, also cause weight gain. Some medications do have that as a side effect. If that's a side effect of the medication, ask your doctor if there's something else that might help, without the side effects.
By the way, heavy periods are another symptom of hypothyroidism.
I've been where you're at...... I never - get that NEVER had a weight issue until a few months prior to being dx'd hypo, at age 58. All of a sudden, I ballooned by 30 pounds in less than a couple months. I realized that I was gaining weight and couldn't seem to shake it, so I joined Curves and went faithfully the recommended 3 times/week, plus I had a very physically demanding job - certainly no lack of exercise and still the weight piled on. Like everyone who has been thin all their lives, I felt horrible about it and I felt like there HAD to be something *I* was doing wrong. I'm still battling the weight gain - I hate it, but, at least I know now, there's a reason for it and that it's not ALL my fault.
One thing you need to understand is that the Synthroid is not causing your weight gain; your hypothyroidism is causing it. The Synthroid is replacing hormones that your thyroid can no longer produce; without it, you will most likely gain more, at a faster rate. Your dosage is probably not quite high enough yet, especially, if the antibodies have ramped up and are quickening thyroid destruction.
I'm really sorry to tell you, but there is nothing that will replace thyroid hormones, except thyroid hormones (whether synthetic or desiccated) and you can't live without them.
My husband tells me that I need to eat less - doesn't care what it is, as long as it's "less" -- he doesn't get it either; he thinks anyone can eat anything and not gain weight, if they keep portions in check. We (you and I) know that's not true. I also have an issue with fluid retention, which can add 3-7 lbs/day - talk about depressing!!
If you don't mind my asking, what medication are you on for heavy periods? Have you researched to find out whether or not it might, also cause weight gain. Some medications do have that as a side effect. If that's a side effect of the medication, ask your doctor if there's something else that might help, without the side effects.
By the way, heavy periods are another symptom of hypothyroidism.
Hi Barb- initially my TSH (other than vitamins at is all she tested) was 2.95 (.8-3.0). That was March 26th. Around Amid April after learning that my level 2 yrs prior when my OB had run a TSH was .89 (don't know the range) sh epit me on 25mcg of Synthroid. As mentioned previously for the first 30 days I was drinking coffee with creamer within 10-15 minutes of taking the medication as I had not been made aware if the 30mn limit nor of the no supplements within 4 hours rule. So I wasn't effectively taking the medication until late April. One month later when tested I was at 1.11 (same range). On May 27th I had my surgery and my labs in early June showed my TSH at 1.13 (same range). My ferritin and B12 were both very low (10% of range) and I have just started supple,eating those two things.
I believe I have steadily gained 2 lbs each month since about April. I have other weird symptoms, the heavy periods which I am on medication for, headaches that will last for 2-3 days and don't go away with Advil, canker sores, once a month yeast infections (never had that issue until just this past year), the standard extreme fatigue, and depression which seems to be worsening.
I am going o be honest right now I just want to get back to my weight from April. Prior to realizing this was a bigger issue than just taking Synhroud I committed to a fitness contest this November. I have been working with a trainer 3 mornings a week as well as running 3-4 days per week. I eat extremely clean by ironically my diet is filled with egg whites, raw almonds, oats, bananas and other items many forums recommend against eating. It is extremely frustrating and addibg to m depression that in spite of killing myself to look great, I'm gaining weight.
I'm really just trying to understand if it is possible to stop the Synthroid and be in more of a watch mode. Or if the fact that my TSH was at the top of the range indicates I need to be on mess now.
As I am sure you have been through I just want to feel some progress.
Is there anything I can do until I find a good doctor?
Thanks so much Barb it helps just talking to someone that understands. My husband just tells me that I need to eat right. He doesn't get it.
I believe I have steadily gained 2 lbs each month since about April. I have other weird symptoms, the heavy periods which I am on medication for, headaches that will last for 2-3 days and don't go away with Advil, canker sores, once a month yeast infections (never had that issue until just this past year), the standard extreme fatigue, and depression which seems to be worsening.
I am going o be honest right now I just want to get back to my weight from April. Prior to realizing this was a bigger issue than just taking Synhroud I committed to a fitness contest this November. I have been working with a trainer 3 mornings a week as well as running 3-4 days per week. I eat extremely clean by ironically my diet is filled with egg whites, raw almonds, oats, bananas and other items many forums recommend against eating. It is extremely frustrating and addibg to m depression that in spite of killing myself to look great, I'm gaining weight.
I'm really just trying to understand if it is possible to stop the Synthroid and be in more of a watch mode. Or if the fact that my TSH was at the top of the range indicates I need to be on mess now.
As I am sure you have been through I just want to feel some progress.
Is there anything I can do until I find a good doctor?
Thanks so much Barb it helps just talking to someone that understands. My husband just tells me that I need to eat right. He doesn't get it.
COMMUNITY LEADER
My doctors won't test RT3 either and my pcp didn't test FT3, at first, though my endo does. I'm not convinced, yet, that RT3 is necessary, except in certain cases, where dominance may be suspected. At any rate, even if I had an RT3 issue and needed higher doses of T3 med, neither of my doctors (pcp or endo) would prescribe more, nor do I think I could tolerate more.
What were your actual thyroid levels? You may have posted them elsewhere, but it would be helpful to have the information here, as well.
We've had other members who have gone through the emotional episodes and of course, weight gain is a "standard" symptom of being hypo. Since you have Hashimoto's, it's very possible that the antibodies have kicked into gear and are doing their dirty work more quickly than they had been before. Complete destruction of the thyroid can go quickly, or it can take years.
I've been told that certain traumatic experiences (major surgery would be one) can trigger an autoimmune. For instance, just prior to being diagnosed with Type I diabetes (which is autoimmune, whereas type II is not), at the age of 10, my son had gone through a bout of strep throat, which the doctors said could trigger the diabetes. I had 2 surgeries on my vocal cords, just prior to becoming very hypo, though I wasn't actually diagnosed as hypo for several months after and my Hashimoto's wasn't diagnosed for an entire year after (only because antibodies weren't tested before). I'm not sure how soon after the traumatic event, an autoimmune would/could be triggered, if, in fact, that can happen.
What were your actual thyroid levels? You may have posted them elsewhere, but it would be helpful to have the information here, as well.
We've had other members who have gone through the emotional episodes and of course, weight gain is a "standard" symptom of being hypo. Since you have Hashimoto's, it's very possible that the antibodies have kicked into gear and are doing their dirty work more quickly than they had been before. Complete destruction of the thyroid can go quickly, or it can take years.
I've been told that certain traumatic experiences (major surgery would be one) can trigger an autoimmune. For instance, just prior to being diagnosed with Type I diabetes (which is autoimmune, whereas type II is not), at the age of 10, my son had gone through a bout of strep throat, which the doctors said could trigger the diabetes. I had 2 surgeries on my vocal cords, just prior to becoming very hypo, though I wasn't actually diagnosed as hypo for several months after and my Hashimoto's wasn't diagnosed for an entire year after (only because antibodies weren't tested before). I'm not sure how soon after the traumatic event, an autoimmune would/could be triggered, if, in fact, that can happen.
Thanks Barb for commenting. I am in a place of trying to find the right doctor. The one I have won't even test for Reverse T3 and I had to insist on getting the FT3. I have an appointment with a homeopath MD in a week and was just thinking maybe I was better off stopping the Synthroid (not on cytomel yet) until I get his opinion. Mainly because prior to stating the Synthroid in late April the main symptom that brought me into the Dr. was the fatigue. I started in April but didn't learn until late May that I could eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after taking, so realistically it probably wasn't fully in my system until late June/early July. This is about the time that I noticed heightened symptoms like the extreme emotions, now 7 lb weight gain, etc. I also had major surgery at the end of April (partial tummy tuck or as my friends call it the mommy job) and am wondering if that kicked my Hashimoto's into high gear? Seems like a strange coincidence?
I guess what I am really wondering is....do you think it is ok to stop the Synthroid until I get my second opinion or am I better off just staying on it? I am just tired of crying every day...never had that issue until starting the meds?
I guess what I am really wondering is....do you think it is ok to stop the Synthroid until I get my second opinion or am I better off just staying on it? I am just tired of crying every day...never had that issue until starting the meds?
COMMUNITY LEADER
While there is some good information in Dr K's book, there's also a lot that is misleading.
You aren't really treating the Hashimoto's with the Synthroid/Cytomel; you're treating the resultant hypothyroidism, by replacing hormones that the thyroid can no longer produce, due to destruction by the antibodies. There are no natural remedies for this, such as diet changes or OTC supplements.
Once the thyroid has been damaged, nothing will repair it.
The risk of stopping the synthroid/cytomel is that you will go very hypo and will get very ill. One can't live for very long, without thyroid hormones, because they control several of your essential body functions, such as body temperature, metabolism, heart rate, etc. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause a condition called myxedema, which can be life-threatening.
Have you talked to your doctor about switching from synthroid/cytomel to a desiccated hormone, such as Armour or the Canadian ERFA?
It's not unusual for symptoms to worsen or for new ones to appear, once a medication is started or the dose is changed. Your body has to re-balance as it gets used to the hormones, it was doing without.
You aren't really treating the Hashimoto's with the Synthroid/Cytomel; you're treating the resultant hypothyroidism, by replacing hormones that the thyroid can no longer produce, due to destruction by the antibodies. There are no natural remedies for this, such as diet changes or OTC supplements.
Once the thyroid has been damaged, nothing will repair it.
The risk of stopping the synthroid/cytomel is that you will go very hypo and will get very ill. One can't live for very long, without thyroid hormones, because they control several of your essential body functions, such as body temperature, metabolism, heart rate, etc. Untreated hypothyroidism can cause a condition called myxedema, which can be life-threatening.
Have you talked to your doctor about switching from synthroid/cytomel to a desiccated hormone, such as Armour or the Canadian ERFA?
It's not unusual for symptoms to worsen or for new ones to appear, once a medication is started or the dose is changed. Your body has to re-balance as it gets used to the hormones, it was doing without.
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