Hypothyroid problems

[Pixie]

Yeah, it was an endo, and one that specializes in thyroid and metabolism... or so they say.

Since I'm out of pills and there isn't a prescription for a refill for 25mcg Synthroid, then I figure I'll just start clean. Get off everything and see how I test. I already have this appointment in August. If I test normal all over and I'm off everything, then adios endo. If I have thyroid abnormalities and I'm off everything, then maybe they'll start treating it properly... or I'll be going elsewhere. Believe me, I've been asking around for different doctor recommendations.

[NubianBeauty]

OK... it's what I ended up doing as well. Came of everything... did not even take any vitamins or other OTC supps so I could get a proper reading. You may need to modify your diet as well. You don't want anything interfering with you labs. I ate shrimp for breakfast the day of a lab test. LOL!! I had no idea about the iodine issues. That was looooong ago though.

[Pixie]

Got it. My normal breakfast includes things like eggs, sausage/bacon, hash browns, oatmeal, toast, yogurt and/or fruit. Not all in one meal but those are what I usually have. Stay away from any of that?

[NubianBeauty]

You're good to go with that... what about lunch & dinner though?

[Pixie]

Those vary more. I tend towards the turkey sandwiches or chicken of some sort. Dinners tend to have more veggies with chicken or steak and maybe some rice or pasta. It's fairly balanced according to the charts. There's tons of water throughout the day, maybe a small soda if at all. That's all assuming that we've gone grocery shopping lately.

[scottishchik18]

I know this is an older thread, but here is my $.02.

I have been dealing with Thyroidism for about three years, specifically Graves Disease. I started Hyperthyroidic and after a Radioactive Iodine Ablation, I am now Post Ablation Hypothyroidic. My Meds have been switched a few times too. I still apologize profusely to two of my bestfriends who stood by me through the worst of it when I turned in to a raving psycho bitch. I was put on Synthroid over a year ago and my dosage has changed several time. In the past three months it has changed three times. I am sitting at 137mcg right now and that seem to be working. I just don't like that I am technically not suppost to eat for two hours after I take it. My dr. said I atleast have to wait 30 mins, but then I can eat again. Until just this week I wasn't eating a regular breakfast, if at all. I am back to eating before I leave for work in the morning and I really have felt a difference.

How did your apt go with your dr? Or have you gone yet? If you are not confident in your dr. then definatly find another. Good luck to you!!!!

[NubianBeauty]

Scottishchik you only have to wait 1 hour before eating. The part that gets me is the no vitamins, minerals or supps for 4 hours after taking the Synthroid. So I wake up @ 4am ED take my Synthroid so I can take my vitamins and other supps before I eat, which I HATE because I like to have breakfast no later than 8am, I used to have meal 1 down by 7am. I just can't wake up any earlier than that... I tried it a couple of days and I dragged ass ALL day on those days because I can not get back to sleep afterward and I usually get up for work @ 5am.

	ASS Nelson Montana

[Pixie]

Hi, Scottishchik.

I did go to my latest appointment on 8/5. Right now, I'm waiting for test results. Brief history... I stopped taking everything. Any vitamin, supplement and hormone... even pain relievers. I did it with the intention of finding out what my normal levels were currently. I started it, but OMG, things got unbearable. Headaches, tired, achy, etc. (and people in the past were trying to tell me this isn't thyroid related). Fortunately, the doctor's office called and informed me that the nurse practitioner wanted to start me on 50 mcg of Synthroid. It turns out that someone else read the results and just cared that they were within the normal range (barely, but still in). That person didn't know that the nurse practitioner and doctor were trying to get my levels between 1 and 2, not just within the normal range. And, the nurse practitioner had been gone on vacation when the results came in. I was a bit frustrated with this, but didn't care as much since my life had been miserable since stopping the medications. When they said they would put me on 50mcg, I jumped at it. Since starting them, I feel loads better. I'm still off my BCP and loving it too. I saw the doctor on my last appointment and expressed all this to her. She was excited that I was feeling better. She said that they will either leave me at 50 mcg or maybe even bump me up to a higher dose depending on the results. Either one, and I'm happy. Drop me back down to 25 and we'll have issues again.

For the record, my issue is more with the nurse practitioners/PA's that I've seen. The first one (when this all started) was more concerned with the test numbers over how the patient felt and what the patient said. I'm not seeing that person anymore since moving out of state... thank goodness. The nurse practitioner I see at this place... she's ok, but my issue with her is that she's overly guarded. Silly issue, maybe, but when she can't answer my questions/concerns for fear of saying too much, I have a problem with that. I like the doctor I have now. In fact, she's fairly similar to the doctor I had in AZ. They listen to their patient... that's key in my eyes. So far, I'll stick with her.

Now, if only I can get a gynecologist that doesn't tell me unrealistic things and tries to get me to come in more than once a year.

[Pixie]

Originally Posted by NubianBeauty

Scottishchik you only have to wait 1 hour before eating. The part that gets me is the no vitamins, minerals or supps for 4 hours after taking the Synthroid. So I wake up @ 4am ED take my Synthroid so I can take my vitamins and other supps before I eat, which I HATE because I like to have breakfast no later than 8am, I used to have meal 1 down by 7am. I just can't wake up any earlier than that... I tried it a couple of days and I dragged ass ALL day on those days because I can not get back to sleep afterward and I usually get up for work @ 5am.

I hear ya, NB. This whole timing thing sucks. I do my best, but there are times when it's just not possible. I laughed when the nurse practitioner told me to wake up, take my Synthroid, then go back to bed for an hour so that I can take my pills "right". Yeah, that doesn't work for me. 1. I'm not going to wake up just to take a pill. And, 2. If I wake up, I'm generally up. I generally can't snooze or take short cat-naps. I promised her I'd do my best with the timing, but gosh, it's hard and inconvenient.

[scottishchik18]

I get up most days between 7 and 730 and I have to be at work at 8, so having to wait to eat is just a pain n the @$$. I know I should be taking vits and Suppliments, but I don't really think about it when I am at home at lunch time. I only live about 10 mins from work, so I can go home to eat thankfully. I am also trying really hard to eat better. Since my last dosage change I have really felt better. I have also dropped 3 lbs. It may not seem like alot, but seeing the scale go from 175 to 172 was a wonderful feeling for me this morning.

I agree that waiting three months between blood tests is a bit too long. I would almost rather go back to the once a month testing, just so that I know that everything is relatively normal. My last test showed that my free T4 was acceptable, but my TSH was way to high. It was like 13.6 when "normal" is between 0.3 and 5.1. My next apt isn't till next month, but I am contemplating getting it moved up. I don't feel bad, but I want to make sure.

[Pixie]

Congrats on the 3 lb. loss.

For me, I've seen a couple pounds drop, but my life has been a bit abnormal in terms of schedules, so couple gone, couple gained... I'm just going back and forth. But what matters to me most is that I feel better. My next appointment is in November, I believe. I'll be happy once I can go to the once a year appointments... happens when the doc gets 2 similar tests that she likes in a row.

[Pixie]

Update:

I got my test results back yesterday. Although all my levels were technically in the normal ranges, my TSH is still higher than the doctor wants it. Therefore, they are bumping my Synthroid up to 75 mcg. With the beginning of good but slow weight loss, and this increase, I just have to say that I might be on the right track.

[Big Sky Guy]

Ladies-

Gen has Hashimotos Thyroiditis. As you all worked through getting baseline thyroid dosing setup do you have days now and then where you just feel horrid, exhausted and cranky for no reason?

I ask as Gen has had more days over the past 6 months where she is just shot. She wakes up and is OK for a bit and then it is back to bed for a couple hours to knock the edge off. She has to fight to get in workouts. She has always been an avid runner and finds it near impossible to get in a good run anymore.

So as a 2nd question: How has it affected your workouts?

[Pixie]

Originally Posted by Big Sky Guy

Ladies-

Gen has Hashimotos Thyroiditis. As you all worked through getting baseline thyroid dosing setup do you have days now and then where you just feel horrid, exhausted and cranky for no reason?

I ask as Gen has had more days over the past 6 months where she is just shot. She wakes up and is OK for a bit and then it is back to bed for a couple hours to knock the edge off. She has to fight to get in workouts. She has always been an avid runner and finds it near impossible to get in a good run anymore.

So as a 2nd question: How has it affected your workouts?

Yes, I do have good and bad days (as I call them) while I'm getting this dosage thing squared away. But, as I get closer to a better dosage for me, I'm finding I'm having more good days than bad.

And, yes to your second question. This has affected my workouts greatly. I lacked motivation and drive to get through the workouts, or even start them.

[Big Sky Guy]

I figured it had to be the whole system in some form of revolt ...

Thanks Pix!

[Pixie]

Your thyroid is your homeostasis center so if it's not "right", then the rest of you generally isn't.

I wish Gen the best. This isn't fun!!

[makavelli]

If you're still having problems pm me. I have extensive experience dealing with the thyroid and wrote an article for Muscle Mag on it a few years back.