Thyroid Vs Old git syndrome

Hormones
1

Hi

that is Hi to anyone who reads this. The reason I write this is maybe to let people know of a journey that I have been on and am still experiencing. not travel or holidays It is a journey that is to do with my health and as I have since discovered is a journey that many people do not realise they have started and for many have gone further than I.

The health issue I speak of is Hypothyroidism commonly known as an under active Thyroid, im sure that at this point many of you will move on as this is of no interest to you why would it be you don’t have it .......Do you!!!! Well just bear with me for a couple of moments are you or have you experienced any of the following combinations of these symptoms. Or does the profile fit with your husband or your wife…you know the person you are on the verge of leaving as they have been such a miserable unpleasant git for so long now, the person who seems to have just given up and spends all day slumped in an arm chair with no enthusiasm for life. …the person who, not that long back used to be fun and out going….who used to think of the bedroom as a place to have fun rather than have 12 hours sleep……well Mcduff read on.

Uncomfortably heavy during or since childhood

Quiet and shy child

Weight gain after first period, pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, menopause or starvation diets

Low energy, fatigue, lethargy, need lots of sleep (8 hours or more) and slow to get going in the morning

Tendency to feel cold especially in hands and feet

Tendency to significant weight gain and difficulty in losing weight

Depression

Low blood pressure and heart rate and high cholesterol levels

Menopausal problems including severe cramping, early and late onset.

Low sex drive

Poor concentration and memory

Swollen eyelids, face, general water retention

Thinning and loss of hair

Tendency to low body temperature

Headaches (including migraines)

Infertility and impotence

Weak and brittle nails

Goitre – enlarged, swollen and lumpy thyroid

Anaemia

Adult acne

Hypoglycaemia

Constipation

Dry, coarse or thick skin

Nervousness, anxiety and panicky

Well if you have please read on.

My story is straight forward i am a typical bloke. As a young man I served in the army and then I became a commercial Diver diving both in and around the British coast. Then in 1987 I became a police officer and have remained one since.

I have as you can see an active sort of guy, as a police officer I have undertaken various roles around London and gained a wife and three kids and everything has been fine.

5 years ago my wife became unwell and has suffered from scoliosis and undergone various operations on her spine. Again most of this I took in my stride.

I was approaching 50, 3 young children and a disabled wife. Well of course I started to feel the strain I was what as a young man I would call suffering from “old git syndrome”. I was slowing up I felt unwell, at times I would feel very low and all the other symptoms of which I had most were to do with getting old!!!! .....weren’t they??? Little did I know that I was suffering from an under active thyroid and it was just getting worse. Looking back a lot of things make sense now. The days that I would go out with the kids but come back early because I was puffed out, Falling asleep in front of the telly, turning up the heating. Pins and needles in my hands, gaining weight feeling fed up…….yes sir I was settling into the old git syndrome very well…..this was getting old …wasn’t it!!!.

Well things just got worse until I just felt as if my body was just shutting down. I thought it could be the stress of the job, the kids, the wife, still someone mentioned diabetes and the fact that I smoked… well I gave up the smoking. Still felt like crap. I was forcing myself to do everything. In fact everything was just too much. Friends started to comment that I was looking ill. My kids were telling me that I was no fun. My wife moaned that I was always snapping at her and the kids.

Then I had routine cholesterol check done by the nurse. Well it was of the scale. It should have been something like 5 and mine was 10.6. I was called into see the doc who was concerned about my cholesterol and checked for diabetes seeing as I had mentioned it. Why not check straight away for the under active thyroid???? Well this complaint is seen in about 1 in every 50 woman and only in about 1 in every 1000 men so for the doc it was not the first thing that sprang to mind plus of course I had not told her that I was suffering from all these different symptoms….after all it was only “Old git syndrome”. This is how you were supposed to feel as you got older….wasn’t it!!???. After all my brothers were always telling me about their aches and pains. So I must just be the wimp of the family.

Anyhow I did mention that I felt quite bad and some more blood was taken and sent off. Meanwhile I continued to go to work and had decided that if this is what happens as you get older well you can poke it.

By the time I went back to the doc for the result I was on my chin strap and she told me that I was suffering from a condition called Hypothyroidism commonly known as an under active Thyroid. And indeed it was quite bad; also that it had also affected my kidneys as the levels were so low.

The relief I felt when I realised that there was actually a reason for how I had been feeling was overwhelming and I hardly listened to what else she said all I knew is that I had to take some pills and I would get better.

So straight out of the surgery and into the pharmacy and hey presto I’ve got some pills. She had tried to sign me off sick, but hey what for, a couple of pills and I would be back to normal……NOT.

When I got home I went on the net and looked up as much as I could about this complaint. I read how I would have to have my levels slowly brought back up over the coming months and how it would be gradual

Surly not me I would be fine straight away so the next morning I dutifully took my medication, ( 50 micrograms of Levothyroxine) and off to work I went. ( 9 hours later) I was sat at a service station on my way home having had to rest as I felt so bad that I could not drive any further. Still once the drug kicks in. I should be just fine….shouldn’t I.

I read more about the condition and the fact that I would have to take the medication for life but the upside was that I was one of the conditions that made you exempt from paying. Hmmmm maybe this is not so straight forward as I thought. Still big strong policeman like me ex squadie stroke Diver I would cope better that most……surly.

At work I was more than happy to talk about how there was in fact something wrong with me and it wasn’t just because I was a miserable old git, and as is always the case having never heard of the complaint before every other person seemed to know of a relative who had had it and was taking the same medicine. In fact one of the woman I had worked for years came up and told me that she had been diagnosed some years before and was fine now. And that taking the pills every day was no bother. Also the fact that she was only took about a year to get back to normal……a year surly not. any day now the drug would kick in and I would be back to normal.

1 week later I am sat in the surgery I can hardly move as I have given up the will to live and I have never felt so poorly in my life. The doc takes one look and signs me off sick and tells me that if I don’t accept how poorly and run down I was I would end up in hospital and put myself at risk of a heart attack.

I WENT HOME AND WENT TO BED. AND STAYED THERE FOR 3 DAYS

On the third day I actually felt a bit better and got up. I had accepted that I would have to take things easier and let things go by the way at home, I had to concentrate on my health. After another 2 weeks I had much improved and I just felt like crap rather that hoping life would end. I went for my next blood test and a week later I saw the doc. Yep there had been an improvement and I was now to increase my medication….great said I what do I take now 200 micrograms…..no way says she, I was to increase by only 50 micrograms and start taking 100 per day. Maybe in another 5 weeks would I be able to increase the dose again. “But doc surly a big strong ruffty tuffty copper like me could take more that”…….she asked me if my children understood what a heart attack was and what that would do to dad….I took the hint and again slapped myself back to reality. So I am plodding on with my 100 micrograms per day taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Taken with only water as milk could absorb some of the benefits…..Im learning. My next stop apparently is to see a specialist …just to double check things so that’s my next move. I have stored up all my questions for the consultant and will share anything with you after I’ve been. I will keep this as a diary and let those who have any interest share my recovery.

In the mean time if you know of someone who has this ailment be kind to them as I know how ill the feel. And believe me they are not just being miserable sods suffering from the dreaded “old git syndrome”.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ situated on the front of the neck that secretes two hormones, thyroxine (also known as T4) and triiodothyronine (called T3), that are important in the control of metabolism. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce adequate levels of these critical hormones.

Hypothyroidism is very common and is estimated to affect 3-5% of the adult population. It is more common in women than in men, and the risk of developing hypothyroidism increases with advancing age.

Hypothyroidism is most commonly a result of an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in which the body’s own immune cells attack and destroy the thyroid gland. Since the activity of the thyroid gland is controlled by other hormones from the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus of the brain, defects in these areas can also cause underactivity of the thyroid gland. Previous surgeries on the thyroid or a history of irradiation to the neck are other causes of hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can be mild or severe, but are often very subtle. People with a mild form of the condition may not have any symptoms at all. The most serious form of hypothyroidism is called myxedema, which can lead to coma and even death. An underactive thyroid gland affects all organs and functions within the body, leading to both physical and emotional symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults are:

Tiredness and weakness; feeling “run down”

Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

Constipation

Depression

Thinning or brittleness of the hair or nails

Cold intolerance

Sleepiness

Memory loss

Decreased libido

Muscle aches and pains

Those affected by more advanced cases of hypothyroidism may notice dryness or thickening of the skin; slow speech; abnormal menstrual cycles; puffiness of the face, hands, or feet; and decreased capacity for taste and smell.

If you are experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, your doctor can order simple blood tests to diagnose the condition. An underactive thyroid gland is in most cases easily and completely treated by daily administration of thyroid hormones in tablet form.

2

Well your post says it all - not in a nutshell because thyroid could take on War and Peace! It is definitely a journey and a very frustrating one as I've found due to the endless possibilities - Is it my age? Am I 'just' depressed? Is it my imagination?...............and of course if you're not in a habit of visiting your doctor because generally your health has been good well that causes it's own compications. Will the doctor think I'm wasting his time? Or as I found does the GP really know what low thyroid is all about?

I've already posted that at 42 I was diagnosed 4 years ago after going a year undiagnosed but being treated for depression. I was in no position feeling as awful as I did to think any different. I think I suffered 99% of the symptoms you listed - if only I'd been able to think clearly at the time but such is the nature of illness - that gradual sinking into a fog as well as the physical symptoms.

I still find the 'journey' frustrating. Unfortunately I'm starting to feel rotten again - the depression, exhaustion, dullness of mind - but the blood tests have been coming back as 'normal'. Tomorrow I've got a doc appointment. I'm not good with doctors as I find them very intimidating but I'm going to try hard to get my point across for my husband's sake because I'm just a misery to live with. I hate what I've become and what I'm doing to our relationship. So wish me luck.

3

You said it, this thing is not easy and we have to learn so much about it ourselves to be able to get anywhere near well again.

I've been diagnosed hypo for a couple of years or so (TSH 150) and am still having problems.

Have a look at \"thyriod-disease.org.uk\" you might find some really useful stuff on there.

4

I feel like an intruder after reading these 'posts', I to was diagnosed with this condition about a year ago and have been on 75ml thyroxine tablets but have not suffered any of the symptoms described, no depression, no weight gain, no tiredness, in actual fact quite the opposite with golf, keep fit classes, power walking, and best of all the most loveliest girl in the world whom I been seeing for the past 2yrs......not bad for a golden oldie of 72.

Hope i haven't tempted fate! :D

5

I was diagnosed 8 years ago and it does get better, however my weight getsme down!!!! I am 175mcg a day in which I have blood tests every three months. It has fluctuated in the past increasing my dose to 200 mcg. One of the major downsides I found with this is lack of concentration, when I was pregnant with my son in 2005 my concentration span nearly lost me my job!!!! but luckily my employer was very sympathetic as there was emotional problems too and I was advised sick leave!!! I explained to my manager that I had read info off the net and she excepted my assumptions as concentration can be effected with pregnancy as my son needed the hormone too. My advice is you have to except what you have got, just do your best. I would love to be a size 10 but being a size 18 gets me down but as long as you have support of your nearest and dearest it helps you get along!!!! Take care all xxxx

6

Hi Saz, your right the support of all those near and dear to you does help you come on leaps and bounds, but like you would love to be smaller, back to my 'original size'. I was never super skinny, in fact most of my life I have been a size 12/14, the latter being the most popular size of my body lol but like you have ballooned up to a size 18, actually now hitting a size 20. I am 5 foot 8 so may not look as bad as I would if I were smaller BUT I am getting married next year and cannot walk down the aisle the size I am now and I am desperately trying to get my weight down, although it aint budging, I am on 125mcg and have tests every 6 weeks, have done so since I was diagnosed last year.

My one wish through my whole saga would be to have my weight go down, I can put up with the tiredness, hair thining and every other symptom I have got (and trust me theres a big list lol) but the weight gain is something that I am finding increasingly difficult to handle .... on a daily basis mine is an issue for me, I have a pregnant look about me these days and its horrid, skinny legs and a big rugby ball belly .... its def NOT a good look, I am only 29 and should have bags of oomph but don't but i'm asking santa for a magic wand this xmas, bish bash bosh and i'll be skinny again ...... hope it works ;-)

Leona xxx

7

I am going to see the doc again next week for my results to the latest blood check however i have googled this thyroid bussiness to death and i will be going to her armed with a shed load of info to insure that she gives me the best treatment. for instance as you have said you are still feeling crap !!!! well the next bit could be one of the reasons why

As of early 2006, at most laboratories in the U.S., the official \"normal\" Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) blood test range runs from approximately .5 to 5.0.

Reference range is a critical component, and the validity of the entire TSH test as diagnostic tool depends on it. TSH reference range is what determines -- for the vast majority of physicians, who rely on blood tests almost exclusively -- whether or not thyroid disease is even diagnosed at all, much less treated, and when diagnosed, how it is treated.

A reference range is obtained by taking a large group of people in the population, measuring their TSH levels, and calculating a mean value. Supposedly, these people should be free of thyroid disease. What experts are now coming to understand, however, is that the upper TSH normal range has included people who actually have mild thyroid disease, and their higher TSH levels skewed the standard curve.

This understanding led to the recommendation in January 2003 by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists that doctors \"consider treatment for patients who test outside the boundaries of a narrower margin based on a target TSH level of 0.3 to 3.0

This was backed up by research done by the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, part of the Academy of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), and presented in their Laboratory Medicine Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Thyroid Disease). Late in 2002, this group reported that: \"In the future, it is likely that the upper limit of the serum TSH euthyroid reference range will be reduced to 2.5 mIU/L because >95% of rigorously screened normal euthyroid volunteers have serum TSH values between 0.4 and 2.5 mIU/L.\"

More recently, researchers have looked at an important question: If the normal TSH range were narrowed, as has been recommended by AACE and the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry, what are the implications?

One study found that using a TSH upper normal range of 5.0, approximately 5% of the population is hypothyroid.

However, if the upper portion of the normal range was lowered to 3.0, approximately 20% of the population would be hypothyroid. Implications for Patients

It's almost four years since the experts have established that this new, narrower TSH normal range of 0.3 to 3.0 is a more accurate one, and recommended that it become the standard of practice. Yet, the dithering continues. Some doctors use the new range for diagnosis and therapeutic management -- others refuse to consider anything unless it's marked \"High\" or \"Low\" on laboratory reports.

Patients can arm themselves with copies of the AACE and National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry reports, educate their practitioners, and patronize those doctors who stay up on the research, and leave behind those doctors who stick their heads in the sand and refuse to recognize millions of undiagnosed, undertreated people with hypothyroidism.

More Information on the Controversy www.about.com/

8

Hi Jack

Been reading your diary and it's a great review on hypothyroidism.

I have just recently had blood tests taken and was notified to have them redone in a months time.

I asked for a printout of my reading which your GP cannot refuse to give you.

Readings are..........................

T4 10.2 pmol/l TSH 9.72 Hi mU/1

I've tried to google to find out what these mean but I assume it's not good.

Perhaps you can tell me if those readings mean under or over active as I have no idea.

I also read on the net that some cholesterol lowering medication can affect your thyroid gland and as I have been taking meds for lowering my cholesterol level for over a year, I wonder if this medication has caused the problem.

9

Hi Iona,

Got to tell you, I am no expert but I am happy to tell you my views.

Firstly if your doc has not bothered to explain the meaning of the results to you they are out of order and you might want to think about changing your GP. However I have been finding out about this hypothyroid stuff and have come to some collusion

But first TSH levels. The levels for your TSH in this country are considered to be normal if in the range of .5 to 5.0. So you are Hypothyroid at 9.72. Your T4 is ok but don’t worry about that so much.

However there has been a bit of a spat about what is “normal” and it is generally agreed by the top bods in the US that the TSH levels should be between .3 and 3. in fact there is good evidence to show that there are thousands of people who are hypo but their GP’s are not treating them because of the guidelines. When I first went to the doc my TSH was over 100 and I got my latest results yesterday and they are now down to 53.2. I am aiming at below 3.

Please don’t make the mistake of thinking wow he’s 53 and I am only 9.72, that is not how this bloody condition works. It is about how this condition affects you as an individual. Don’t worry about other people’s readings and levels, or how they are doing; this is a self help condition. Our doctors see us once a month maybe for about 5- 10 minuets. They don’t really understand how sh*te we can feel or how life changing it can be. It is up to us to fight our corner and educate them and help them to treat us as an individual case. That way we will get back to normal. And believe me you can just don’t sit back and wait for it find out what is best for you and make sure your GP understands. If not find one who does…blimey I was starting to go off on one there….sorry.

Cholesterol. In short yes some drugs can clash but for good advice check out

http://cholesterol.about.com/od/treatments/a/cholesteroldrug.htm

The thing I have learnt and am still learning is that every person should be treated as to how they are feeling not as per what some book says. So my advice is to become well educated about the condition good place to check out is http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/normaltshlevel.htm.

Once you have a good idea of all the facts start to help yourself. This is what I have done

1) As I became a bit of a fat git, I was worried about my weight and my first instinct was to get on a diet and exercise my butt off….NO don’t

first priority is to get your Hypo under control. What you need to do regarding food is to support your thyroid….. (Sounds like a campaign) discover what foods help the thyroid like mushrooms, green peppers sea food, seaweed (don’t knock it until you try it).

There are many foods that you need to look at and the main clue is the iodine

a good site for this is http://www.whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=130 . Also allow yourself to re-try foods that in the past you disliked. If the body requires certain foods you will be surprised how suddenly you like a food that is rich in a certain mineral. I guess what I am saying is to listen to your own body.

Also discover foods that you should avoid like broccoli and cabbage. Also foods that contain selenium (What can high-selenium foods do for you) which enable your thyroid to produce thyroid hormone and help lower your risk of joint inflammation. Anyhow you get the gist KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Oh and of course eat sensibly

2) Exercise therapeutically do things that exercise the mind as well as the body. I was tempted to go to the Gym and wobble on a running machine but no I went out to the woods or along the river and took brisk walks. And let my mind take in the countryside. Take your kids, grandkids, boyfriend, girlfriend, lover, best friend, anyone that makes you happy. You see the thyroid is linked to your adrenal gland that is controls your stress, it is your “fight or flight” mechanism. So again you need to support this by your life styl

10

Well what do ya know? I have upped my meds to 150 and at last I am starting to feel better. I am sure that it is not just the meds but the fact that I have learnt so much about the bloody thing. I have been supporting the thyroid by eating the right food and avoiding the bad. This has started to impact on things.

To re-cap before I had been diagnosed I had the following symptoms.

1) My cholesterol was 10.6

2) I had bad head aches….but at the back of my head!!!???

3) I had a swollen tongue that I kept biting and had ulcers from it.

4) I was snoring badly (Wife would beat me with pillow

5 I fell asleep everywhere Sooooooooo tired

6) I had breathing problems, could not take a full breath

7) I was depressed and was crying at any sad sh*t on the telly ( wife thought it was grit in the eye

8) Very bad back ache

9 felt the cold fingers were very cold

10) Carpel tunnel syndrome….sore bloody hands to be exact.

11 sore joints and constant cramps

12) Forgetting everything thought I was getting alzheimer’s

13) Put on loads of weight but hey I was so depressed I didn’t give a sh*t.

14) EVERYTHING made me angry. Wife was working out how much money she would get after the divorce.

After I saw the doc I was put on 50 microgrammes of levothyroxine. I told the doc that I felt sh*te but hey I was a big tough bloke and did not need to be sick from work……went home, took pills and carried on going to work…..3 days later felt like death gave into the dammed thing, went to bed and decided….Hey best you learn to live with this.

Next blood test, TSH 100. Not good, Meds upped to 100 micrograms and hey I googled the word Thyroid to death and found out a sh*t load of stuff.

After a week felt a load better but still had

1) my cholesterol was 10.6

2) I had a swollen tongue that I kept biting and had ulcers from it.

3) I was snoring badly ( Wife would beat me with pillow

4) Felt tired. But not all the time

5) I was depressed but only cried at the really sad stuff

6) Carpel tunnel syndrome….hands were pins and needles

7) Sore joints

8) Forgetting some things

9) Stabilized my weight but remain a fat git but hey I know why now.

10) Still get angry but am much better…Kids starting to think that I can be fun again.

After about 3 weeks I stopped improving and was a bit frustrated as I knew I needed more med. Took some time of work and took care of myself, started to eat the right things….not bothered about diet until my levels are back to normal. Hurray!!! Blood test and back to the doc. My TSH is down to 53 and I now know more about this thyroid sh*t than the doc will ever know…..to be fair she is bloody good and she states that she will treat me and my symptoms rather than go by what the medical books state. Also she takes on board the facts that I tell her….yep I am lucky to have a doc who is willing to work with and for me…. Still after 10 mins I sense she is looking at the clock and wants me out so she can see the next patient….this re-enforces the fact that I need to do this myself. I am also back at work and have told the boss that I need TLC and that everyone needs to be patient until I get better….Oh yeah.. everyone regrets asking me how I am as I tell them the ins and outs of everything and let them know how bad it is….I will not be the person who says when asked “ How are you” “ Oh Fine thanks” When I suffer everyone will know…

Still my meds are raised to 150microgrammes and after a week I feel much better. Almost cheerful. The symptoms I have now are.

1) My cholesterol is still high but will be checked again at next blood test

2) I had a swollen tongue that I keep biting and have ulcers from it. Bloody annoying…Grrrrrr

4) I get tired but not to badly

5) I am still a bit depressed but hey I know why so who gives a stuff

6) Carpel tunnel syndrome….hands were pins and needles. A bit worried about this.

7) Joints ache a bit

8) Forgetting some things

9) Stabilized my weight but remain a fat

11

Hi Jack

Have read your saga with great interest and I have to say a tear in my eye. I have been to the docs today after feeling lousy for a few weeks and guess what ? Having tests taken tomorrow for thyroid function. Noty for the first time in my life I might add. Have had autoimune illnesses before which always started with tests for thyroid. Anyhow, I have come home and decided to investigate more, and find that so mant of my symptoms match, even the more obscure ones like blocked ears ! So next week I will know for sure. Just unfortunate that I start a new job on Monday....my big break. timing eh ?

What does interest me though is that I gave up smoking (again) two weeks ago. Partly because I was feeling sluggish and had palpitations (another symptom !!) So would love to know what your theory is re the connection. I also note that another contributor mentioned bloating. I have been a little overweight for much of my adult life, but always had a waist. Although I haven't put on any weight recently, my waist has disappeared and I look pregnant ! Is that another symptom ? I often wondered why some older women had this distended look in their upper abdomen. Are they all suffering from hypothyroidism?

Good luck one and all. I will report back next week when I get my results.

12

Hi Kate

Don’t forget to get all the readings from your doc when you go to see them get them to print them off or write them down; don’t be fobbed off with a verbal explanation. The figures may not make sense at first but when you get home Google it to death and it will start to make sense. This is about you and how you get better not what others have done. Good luck,

Oh and do what I did open a blogg and write about it all let everyone you know read it. Don’t be brave tell them all how sh*t you have felt and are feeling Tell everyone….don’t hold back. Mine is at http://jackfrost56.blogspot.com/ or http://www.blog.co.uk/admin/b2blogs.php (both the same)

As for the smoking thing…well I have read a lot about it and people seem to think that their problems were caused after they gave up. Well… I think that I gave up because of the condition but when it had already taken hold. The reason I say this is because I have tried to give up loads of times over the years but the cravings always dragged me back. However I think that the condition took away most of the craving or at least neutralized the craving to the extent that I just wanted to give up….cold turkey no problems…….crazy notion eh, anyhow I am still feeling loads better and I am getting right into this

“Right food for your thyroid theory” I will have to write a recipe book .

Let me know how you get on……..” Knowledge is power.

Jack Frost

13

Hi Jack

Well I have read your replies and have been back to the doctor who explained that my T4 readings are normal but my TSH readings are too high.

He explained to me that my thyroid is producing the correct levels but my body is asking my thyroid to produce more but my immune system is rebelling if that makes sense to you.

He has taken more blood tests for a further indepth test and in the meantime has put me on 50mcg of thyroxine.

I have to tell you that I had a triple bypass last year and wonder if that has had an effect on my thyroid acting up.

When I read the side effects on the box of Levothyroxine I was afraid to start them, as it said anyone with heart disease should not take this medication. Anyway I have been on them now for 3 days so will report back in another 3 weeks.

I have to have another blood test in 3 weeks to see if the medication has helped.

I am also a smoker (I know I should not be smoking with heart condition but what the hell, you have to die from something)

Doctor said it is very common for women of my age to develope an under active thyroid. BTW I am a very young 64 lol.

I was on HRT for 15 years and felt great but decided I should come off it after all the scare mongering going around. I took myself off it with the doctor's permission and since I came off it, it's been downhill ever since.

Nobody will convince me that coming off HRT was the worst thing I could have done, as when the body has been used to something for 15 years and then deprived of it, it is going to react in some way.

I doubt very much I would have taken a heart attack had I not come off HRT but that is just my diagnosis. You won't get a doctor agreeing with that result.

I exercise 3 times a week at my local health club. I swim approx 20 lengths of the pool yet I never seem to lose weight. At the moment my wieight is 10 stone and I am only 5ft tall. I should be around 8 to 9 stone for my age, so I am hoping that taking thyroxine should make me lose weight. Here's hoping!!!!!

14

Good for you

Don’t ever forget the doctor is there for you and is there to help you not the other way around so be strong with him or her and don’t take any crap. You may be right about your op. there is a lot of evidence to show that a trauma such as a bad accident or major surgery can start off a thyroid problem.

Taking the thyroxin will not help you lose weight. Don’t go on a diet as you need to eat regularly to support your thyroid. Just eat the right things….have a bit of fun and explore new foods. find out all you can about this problem and then you can tell your doctor how they can help you….I’m not joking most doctors don’t really understand the problems we have and they only get to see us for about 10 minutes before they are looking at the surgery clock. Iona, don’t wait for them to help you….help your self KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. I hope you start to get better drop me a line on the blogg I’ve started

(Sorry Patient Admin has deleted the external link as is our policy)

15

Hi there Iona and Jack Frost

I agree with Jack ...Knowledge is power, after all I diagnosed myself, as my doctor just thought I was depressed. I went to see the nurse for blood test and my levels were extremely low!!!! the only thing I didn't realize is why my voice were slurring, as I didn't have a pc in 1993 I didn't gain much knowledge, just got a book from the local chemist!!!

Doctor G was very concerned back then but as he isnt a very good doctor (had lots of complaints) as I have back /hip problems he just says \"you need to loose weight\" :twisted: I have never been twiggy the lowest I have been is 10 stone since I had my children and as I am 5ft 2\" I was happy with that! size 14 I was ok........ I gave up smoking December 2004 and my weight crept up..... then in April 05 found I was pregnant with my third child (he was 9lb 1oz born by c section) now since I have had my son I haven't lost weight and since I have found I have ddd all my doc said \"you need to loose weight!!!!\"(previously noted) :twisted: really infuriates me as he isn't so slim himself lol, he just says two paracetamol and go to bed!!!!!He doesn't seem to remember your history when you goto see him .....just a number on a production line. I don't see him anymore!!! I was never referred to a specialist either back then ????? My levels were very low I can't remember off hand but for example average say is T4-12 mine was T4-4??? I take 175mcg levothyroxine (has flutuated upto 200mcg) I am a size 18 too (not happy with it) but as I see diets stress most people and I think if you except your condition and your weight and you get support from your friends and family I think thats half the battle :D However I read today in a magazine, Devina McCall has an under active thyroid and she looks fine, mind you she can afford all sorts of help to support her illness :? .

Anyways hope you are both ok, keep smiling xx

Regards

Sara

16

Hi Jack

I only found this web site today. I have been battling this illness for 3 years. I had a total thyroidectomy in Jan 07 and was started on thyroxine at 50mg then 75mg then 100, 125 then 150. Then after the last set of blood results it was increase to 200mg. I received a letter yesterday from my endocronolgist more or less saying that the blood results are not coming down fast enough(they are 12.3) in proportion to the amount of thyroxin I am taking and asked me whether I am taking all my tablets!!! I cant tell you how I felt. I have all your symtoms I am depressed and in pain in my joints (the doc puts that down to fybermyagia) He also told me my colrestol count is 6.1 on the high side I think.

The question I want to ask seeing you have read so much about this illness :-

Have u read of any known cases where patients were not able to absorb synthetic thyroxin and if so how were they treated?

I am clutching at straws I know but I am taking my med's but I don't really feel any better.

Hope you can shed some light

petal

17

Hi Petal,

Again forgive me, as I am no expert and never will claim to be so anything I tell you please satisfy yourself that it is the correct thing for you..

I know that some people can take over a year to get the levels right. I have friends that are on 250mg and some on 275mg, my levels were way up when I was diagnosed over 200. That was 4 months ago and my last test was 53. I am on 150 mg and I suspect that will be put up to 200 next week. As I have said just because your levels are 12.3 and mine are 53 does not mean I feel worse than you. When diagnosed , on a scale of 1 – 10 on the Crapometer scale I was 10, I am about 4 now.

This complaint attacks the individual that is why we have to adjust things for our own needs several things you can look at.

1) Are you eating the right things to support your body such as fresh fruit especially apples, green peppers beetroot watercress kelp Seaweed for their rich iodine content coconut juice Juices: Carrot, Parsley and Celery. Prunes and nuts Poultry. Chlorophyll rich green Teas and herbal tea extracts. Natural sources Vitamin E, for their properties of preventing damage from environmental pollutants in air, water and food .crucial factors. etc. find out what the good food is.

2) Are you eating the bad stuff, goitoids such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, turnips, rutabaga, mustard greens, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, peaches, pears, strawberries, and radishes cauliflower, millet, and African cassava.

3) Take your meds in the morning with a full cup of water and don’t eat or drink anything else for an hour

4) Don’t have any iron tablets or vitamin supplements or calcium tablets in the morning take them late afternoon.

5) If you are taking meds for your cholesterol levels some can react against the thyroxine.

6) Some people who cant get their levels right get there docs to medicate with thyroxine combined with T3 meds.

7) Some people look at natural thyroid medicine such as Armour….be careful here as there is allot of debate as to the rights and wrongs of this.

8) Ask about your renal glands, could they be suffering from fatigue, eat food that supports your renal gland, food that has selenium such as Brazil nuts which are the richest ordinary dietary source

9) Is the thyroxine clashing with other drugs http://www.dundee.ac.uk/medther/tayendoweb/thyroxine.htm

In short Google this to death find out all you can, don’t be quite about it let everyone know how sh*te you feel, you know just like a man would do……. I have been writing down my thoughts in a blog http://jackfrost56.blogspot.com/

Don’t think anyone actually reads it but I found it very cathartic. So petal start your own blog and write down your journey from the start it will help you put things right in your head.

Let me know how you get on, believe me there are loads of us out there in the same boat. Help yourself, help your doctor to help you and remember

Knowledge is power

18

HI there

I have been told I may have arthritis, but as my underactive thyroid test had changed and was going to overactive, my thyroxine had to be changed accordingly, from 175 to 150...... I have elevated SED rate at 32 I have protein in my water and I am anemic but when I went to see the rhuemotologist she said as my thyroid function test had altered she didnt diagnose me as she said because the thyroid had altered this would alter my other results?????How can this be????

SES

19

Hi i have my own ideas but it would be wrong of me to view them as i am not quaified to give advice...on direct medical matters. The advice I can give you is firstly go back to your doc and insist that everything is explained. second evrything you want to know is out there on the internet....i have said Knowledge is power. look at each of your symptoms and help your doc to help you get better. sorry if i haven' t helped :sorry:

20

HI there

Thanks for your reply, I will just have to grim and bare things as I went to the doctor last thursday and I asked questions? I think until something distinctively shows up in my blood I will not get answers....... I will just have wait!!!!!!

Regards

SES