hypothyroidism

[veronica_rich]

So I'm taking the lazy woman's way to finding out something about a newly-diagnosed condition. Is anyone reading this taking medication for/living with low thyroid production? If so, how did you feel before treatment and has medication helped you, and how? I have pills to start taking tomorrow; I've lived with this for so long (gradual continuing weight gain despite exercise and better diet, fatigue, increasing loss of mental function and memory for nearly four years) that I'm afraid to hope it can all go away with a pill.

Comments

[lizzie-omalley.livejournal.com]

I take Armor Thyroid (a prescription thyroid supplement derived from pig thyroid) as contrasted to Synthroid. I personally think that there are advantages to the natural vs synthetic one of which is that the natural supplement has all of the componants of the thyroid hormones as opposed to just one.

Yes, I see a difference. Without the meds I tend to more volotile with my temper. That is to say more things get under my skin and I can really explode. I am much more even keel with the meds. I do also notice that when I forget to take them for a few days I will start to feel dull and muzzy headed. I didn't notice that much of a change when I started them but because I moved in the middle of starting to take the meds and therefore switched doctors, and because I was piss poor at taking them regularly, it took us a year to get the dosage right. That is the big thing and it can take a litte while to sort out how much you should be taking.

From my research, the weight gain associated with low thyroid is moderate, about 10 to 15 pounds. I lost about 10 pounds when I started taking the meds regularly but I can't say for certain that I can attribute the cause to the meds. I think that most of my weight gain came from the fact that I was approaching 50.

The short answer is that yes, I think you will feel a difference. How long it takes to feel it will depend on how close to the right dosage you get at the start and how disciplined you are at remembering meds. Most people are much better at that than I am.

I hope that it helps. I know how sucky it is to feel that draggy and moody.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

It's been this way for nigh on four years now, ever since I had a really bad flu-like illness in late 2003. My energy has gradually run down, my temper's gotten shorter, I feel more stupid, and I fixate on things that shouldn't annoy any reasonable person. (What's really bad is when you know things are wrong with you and not a whit what to do to change it. It's like being aware of Alzheimer's or something.) Thanks for the support.

[elibad.livejournal.com]

Dude, that sucks. I know from personal experience. Stupid useless thyroid.

I have something called 'Hasimoto's Disease'. It's an auto-immune disease, and it basically means that my immune system is attacking and destroying my thyroid. I was diagnosed about 2 and a half years ago. I posted a long, rambling, bitch and moan a while back.

Basically, yes, the medication helps (I also recommend the desiccated over the synthetic, it provides all forms of hormone required not just the one) but it can take awhile, and be very frustrating. I'm still working on it.

But... I find that there are other factors. Sleep, stress, diet all affect me (I'm a 'delightful' hormonal mess). The diet part is icky. Refined carbs, yeast, sugar, all kick my ass (seriously a piece of bread and I'm exhausted and dopey for a week). It's all fresh veggies, whole grains and lean protein for me. And I struggle with my weight like crazy, the thyroid problem makes it incredibly difficult (seemingly impossible) to lose anything.

There are lots of on-line resources, about.com has a good section. Some good books on the subject as well, Mary Shomon has a couple. She also writes lots of articles, most which can be found at about.com, and has a newsletter.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

This is so annoying. I'm tired of being tired and cranky and having no patience all the time. Four years ago, I wasn't like this - I had a bad illness for the better part of a month that I couldn't go to the doctor for (no insurance, no money), and I would almost lay money it wreaked some damage on my thyroid. (I read that an illness can do that.) 11 years ago when I was tested, my levels didn't raise any red flags; this time, my levels were at over 16 (if that means anything to you). I think it's T3's?

[elibad.livejournal.com]

I've heard/experienced the sickness thing as well. My sister is convinced a really bad case of childhood flu triggered her fibromyalgia. And when I first really started to notice my Hashi's, I keep having weird episodes, constantly getting sick, a cold I couldn't shake (around three months)interspersed with bouts of fairly severe hives and random allergic reactions. And then I pretty much haven't been 'sick' since, stupid psycho immune system.

As for the blood work, my handy reference book mark suggests that a T3 under 80 indicates hypo. So, yeah, I'd say 16 could raise a flag or two. :/

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

I have to have a blood test in three weeks and go back to the doctor to see if my dosage needs adjusted, yes. I know nothing about numbers, measurements, but the doctor said something about the number on your T3's, I think, being 10 as the highest you want - and mine's over 16. Does that mean anything to you?