Hypothyroidism and weight gain (thyroid gland, infections, hormones, surgery)
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The problem is "The most common cause of thyroid gland failure is called autoimmune thyroiditis (also called Hashimoto's thyroiditis), a form of thyroid inflammation caused by the patient's own immune system."
The autoimmune problem is what you have to FIX. Do that and the hypothyroidism goes away.
I do not see where Levothroxine addresses autoimmune issues.
20yrsinBranson
Know how they treat Hashimotos?
drum roll.....................
Treatment of Hashimoto's disease with thyroid hormone replacement usually is simple and effective. LEVOTHYROXIN is one of them OMG
Treatment of Hashimoto's Disease
There is no safe and reliable way of modifying the faulty immunological system that mistakenly believes that your thyroid cells are "foreign." Thus, the basic cause of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not treated.
If the patient had a temporary phase of Ha****oxicosis (Hashimoto's + toxic + condition), a beta-blocker and/or antithyroid medication, such as carbimazole, may be given for a short time.
If the gland becomes uncomfortably painful, a short course of corticosteroids may be used in subacute viral thyroiditis.
In general, the treatment is the management of the consequences of thyroid failure, although a goiter is sometimes prevented from becoming larger or is reduced in size by giving thyroxine.
The essential step is the prevention of hypothyroidism when this is imminent or the correction of hypothyroidism when this has developed. The best treatment is replacement therapy with thyroxine.
I was diagnosed as hypothyroid over 12 years ago. It's a roller-coaster of a ride and you really need to be informed about this condition. I was originally started on synthroid when first diagnosed, I knew nothing about the medications taken for it or actually anything about my thyroid. As the years passed and the weight and symptoms fluctuated I decided to buy books on the topic and learn about this condition. Mary Shomon's books are on the top of my suggestion list. Also, she has a website with lots of information on thyroid disorders. There are many doctors that just go by lab work results and not by how their patient feels. Also, there are many doctor's that consider Synthroid as the only medication that works and they won't consider the Natural Thyroid medications out there or an Iodine supplement. It took me many years of learning about this, asking my doctor questions, being diligent about my health and knowing my body and when my thyroid meds need adjusting and it's still a bumpy ride. So in answer to your question about your levels changing in a few months....yes they can and yes your meds might need to be changed. Synthroid may not be what your body wants or needs. You may want to ask your doctor about the natural thyroid drugs and see what his/her reaction is. If your doctor won't even discuss them or boo hoo's them then it may be time to find another doctor. If your doctor ONLY goes by lab work and not by how you feel then it's time to find another doctor. Also, Adrenal Fatigue (also effects your hormone levels - estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) is sometimes the underlying cause of a thyroid that doesn't function properly. A naturopath or integrative doctor is typically who you'll find that is familiar with treating Adrenal Fatigue.
Weight gain is not the only symptom of an underactive thyroid.....hair loss, depression, dry skin, constipation, high cholesterol, premature graying of hair, loss of bone density, exhaustion.......I could go on and on. It's serious and can greatly affect your quality of life....I know first hand how bad it can get. I personally am taking NatureThroid and Iodoral......I have taken Synthroid and Armour Thyroid in the past. My best advice to you is to learn all you can about being hypothyroid....ask questions.....find the right doctor for you.
Funny you mention some of the symptoms above. I do feel better, but I still have high cholesterol, getting lots of gray hair, dry skin and weight gain. UGH!
To the OP who suggested seafood, I don't like any at all.
Funny you mention some of the symptoms above. I do feel better, but I still have high cholesterol, getting lots of gray hair, dry skin and weight gain. UGH!
To the OP who suggested seafood, I don't like any at all.
Sea vegetables and seafood are really good for people with your condition. I doubt you like taking your meds, but you do it anyway, right? Sometimes we need to do things we don't like.
There is no safe and reliable way of modifying the faulty immunological system that mistakenly believes that your thyroid cells are "foreign." Thus, the basic cause of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not treated.
That is the general consensus of conventional medicine. However, alternative medicine has had very good results treating lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other "untreatable" and "uncurable" auto-immune disorders. Of course, conventional medicine is going to say that auto-immune disorders are incurable, because they stand to make millions of dollars "treating" them indefinitely. I certainly would not kill the goose that laid the golden egg! LOL
The incidence of auto-immune disorders has been directly related to meat and diary consumption.
The incidence of auto-immune disorders has been directly related to meat and diary consumption.
No, it hasn't.
There is NO empirical evidence that links, definitively, any kind of food source with endocrine disorders. None that is recognized by any medical or health authority.
If you want to espouse your beliefs that alternative lifestyles are the solution to everything, this thread is not the place to do it.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 7 months ago. I was put on Levothyroxine. After about 3 months they retested my levels. I was told they are back to normal. Problem is that I keep gaining weight. I have not changed my diet except for increasing fruits. I'm more active in the past month laying sod with my husband. (hard labor) Has anybody else had this problem? Could it be that my levels have changed within 3 months and my meds maybe need to be increased? I'm really frustrated! BTW, I'm 38 years old if that matters.
Although her thyroid is apparently not making enough of this hormone, this is NOT THE CAUSE of her condition - THIS IS A SYMPTOM. If you replace the hormone, then you are masking the symptom. You are NOT CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. You are simply making the problem "go away" until the medication is stopped, and then the problem recurs.
You are simply trading one set of symptoms for another, and on and on, ad infinitum ad nauseum.
I stand by my original advice. There has been a statistically significant correlation between auto-immune disorders and meat and dairy consumption.
20yrsinBranson
follow the bolded remarks:
You believe everything you read on the internet???
She never stated that she had the AUTO IMMUNE Hashimoto's!!!!
Thyroid diesase is a malfunctioning of the Thyroid. Either not producing enough T4 or too much T4. Not a symptom.
Levothyroxine IS synthetic T4.
You are NOT trading one set of symptoms for another, Levo. puts your thyroid back on track and helps to eliminate the symptoms!
One can have hypo or hyper thyroid disease WITHOUT having the auto-immune versions of it!
I should know.
And I totally agree that people should put the crap in their bodies that is generally in the supermarkets. But, Thyroid disease CAN NOT be cured by DIET alone. period.
Last edited by bellalunatic; 03-25-2010 at 07:58 AM..
There is NO empirical evidence that links, definitively, any kind of food source with endocrine disorders. None that is recognized by any medical or health authority.
If you want to espouse your beliefs that alternative lifestyles are the solution to everything, this thread is not the place to do it.
Probably listens to oprah
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OMG
BTW, I'm 38 years old if that matters.
