Stories of Underactive Thyroid? (allergies, infections, skin, blood) - Doctors, illness, diseases, nutrition, sleep, stress, diet, hospitals, medicine, cancer, heart disease - City-Data Forum

nighthouse66 · 07-11-2012, 12:26 PM

Kind of interested in hearing other people's experience who have had or may have an underactive thyroid. the more i read about it, the more i suspect that i do. i have 90 percent of the symptoms, and pretty much always have. i have never understood why it is so hard for me to lose weight, why my hair is so thin and brittle, why i get infections so often despite healthy eating and vitamins, why i have dry skin- you name it. and depression and PMS have completely sidelined me at times.

i just purchased an all natural thyroid supplement that i have been reading about for a while now, and i am hoping this will change things for the better for me. anyone had this problem and what did you do about it? what were your symptoms? would love to hear other's experiences. thanks.

2ForTheSea · 07-11-2012, 02:01 PM

Well, my symptoms were pretty much the classic ones and both of my parents and a few other close relatives all are/were hypothyroid so I had a blood test done. Then I was prescribed synthroid and took that for awhile. At first my dosage was too high and I couldn't keep weight on so it had to be adjusted a few times before the right balance was found. Then for a few years I took one little inexpensive pill every morning and everything was okay. After a while I learned I had some food allergies/sensitivities and cut those out of my diet. Once I did that, things with my thyroid got better actually and I no longer take any thyroid--or any other--medications.
Everyone's story is different though. I had a pretty easy time of it. Others have nightmare stories where nothing ever is balanced and they go from doctor to doctor to doctor. Also, some people suffer adrenal fatigue along with the thyroid problems.

The best thing you can do is have a blood test performed and go from there.

subject2change · 07-11-2012, 03:15 PM

I agree, have a blood test done. The problem with a do-it-yourself approach is the dosage has to be very carefully adjusted, and this takes time- and measuring blood levels regularly. Believe me, you don't want to make yourself hyperthyroid. This would be quite dangerous. Getting your hormones more out of whack than they are now is too risky. Synthroid is very safe.

SouthernBelleInUtah · 07-11-2012, 03:52 PM

Hypo-and hyperthyroid conditions have about 90% overlap of symptoms. You really need a complete thyroid panel of lab work to know which you have. I was fat, couldn't lose, hair thinning, sick all the time - and I was VERY hyperthyroid. See an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid conditions (not all do).

PAhippo · 07-12-2012, 09:36 AM

Dry skin was the kick in the butt for me. I justified being tired, not losing weight, etc as just an age thing.

If/when you do get tested I'd definitely get off any supplement or at least mention it to your dr. It might cover up the problem.

Also, not being a big fan of specialists, I'd just go to a gp. They can order the tests and you can follow up depending on your results.

subject2change · 07-12-2012, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAhippo

If/when you do get tested I'd definitely get off any supplement or at least mention it to your dr. It might cover up the problem.

This is a very good point. And if you've been using it for any length of time at all, it will take time to clear your system and allow accurate testing.

SouthernBelleInUtah · 07-12-2012, 09:51 AM

I think you need the specialist b/c interpretation of the set of tests is complicated. My PCP and first endocrinologist missed it for YEARS. My second endo is a thyroid specialist and she caught it right away. Most endos specialize in diabetes and may not be "up" on all the ins/outs of thyroid issues. My first one actually did a biopsy of one of the nodules and said come back in 3 months. Big miss. I had toxic multi-nodular goiter.

PAhippo · 07-12-2012, 09:53 AM

[quote=subject2change;25135179]This is a very good point. And if you've been using it for any length of time at all, it will take time to clear your system and allow accurate testing.[/QUOT

yup-that too.

UnexpectedError · 07-12-2012, 11:19 AM

Definitely get a blood test. I work in a lab and the doctors regularly order TSH, Free T4, and TPOAb (but just the first time). It's amazing how common thyroid problems are and of those who have them the large majority are hypo.

You can get these labs drawn at any doctor or go to one of those quick labs that are popping up that will run your tests but don't offer an interpretation. Either way, get the actual numbers and record them so you can keep track of them. Don't just let them tell you your results are normal or high or low, get the number. A lot of doctors will say a TSH up to 4.0 uIU/mL is normal, but in my office the doctors don't like anything over 2.5. I've pretty rarely seen Free T4 come back unusual, and when I do it is usually because the patient needs their medicine adjusted. Generally, you want to see a Free T4 around 1.0 ng/dL.

nighthouse66 · 07-12-2012, 01:31 PM

the supplement i am going to take is all natural, and frankly i cannot afford 100-200 dollars for a doctor's appointment. my depression has been so severe so many times that i am tired of living at times. i have been to the doctor in the past with these ailments, including just being horribly tired, and they never find anything wrong. i would rather take my chances with a natural supplement than waste money i don't have on a doctor that may or may not help me. i don't have credit cards either, so that isn't an option. i always laugh when i read "talk to your doctor". i can count on two hands the number of times i have seen a doctor in my entire life. that's like saying, "go down to your cadillac and take a spin". wish i could.

the supplement is a balancer, not something that addresses just an underactive thyroid. i am hoping for the best.