Information on Thyroid

[Miper70 0]

I just wanted to take a moment and write down some of the things I have learned after many, many hours of research on the thyroid. It took me years to get diagnosed with Hashimotos/Hypothyroidism because I knew in my heart something was wrong and I didn't give up until someone (after 4 previous doctors) finally figured I truly did have a thyroid problem even though my tests were coming back ok. I just want to help anyone who is going through the same problems. I will number the facts I have learned to make it easier to read.

1) Just because your tests (most docs only test TSH) come back "normal" doesn't mean there is nothing wrong. There are many tests that need to be run to make sure of this. These include Free T3, Free T4, Total T4, TSH, Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb). If all of these are ok and your specialist doesn't see something, then and only then can you be certain nothing is wrong with your thyroid.

2) Have your adrenals tested before your thyroid. If the adrenals are weak, then even normal thyroid activity places an excessive burden on them.

3) Don't settle for having just your TSH and possibly T4 checked each time you have bloodwork done. In order to feel good, your Free T3 and Free T4 must be in the top 3rd of the chart. Alot of Doctors still go by the TSH alone and this just isn't correct anymore.

4) For me, I could get my TSH and Free T4 to an ok level, but still felt bad (taking Synthroid). It was because my Free T3 was not in the top 3rd, so my Doctor and I discussed options and I decided to take a combination of Armour Thyroid (natural pig thyroid) and Synthroid together to bring up my T3. Some people take a combination of Cytomel and Synthroid. Bottom line is to make sure your numbers are where they are supposed to be.

5) TSH- The new levels for normal thyroid function are .3-3.04, a very small range. Anything over this can be indicative of a thyroid problem. Many people have been turned away and told their tests were normal (I'm one of them) when their tests came back at 5.0 or 6.0.

6) Don't take your thyroid medications with food or 4 hours before or after taking Calcium it will keep the meds from absorbing into your system. Soy is also something that is not good for thyroid function.

I can't think of much more right now, and if I do, I will surely post it.

Take matters into your own hands if you feel something is wrong. In this day and age, we have to. We're lucky if we get 5 minutes alone with our Doctors to discuss anything. Get as much information as you can so that you know what's going on and don't just take their words for it.

Everything here is just things I have researched and learned over the years. You do not have to take what I say as fact, but I hope it makes you research some more and find out the truth.

[libra 13]

Thanks for all of the advice. I had been diagnosed with hypothyroid years ago and didn't know all of that.

[evcase 0]

Great info. I had a dr test me for Hosimoto (Spell?) and told me the history about the name - but I forget the entire story now..something about Chicago and a chemical or something pregnant women took during the 50's or 60's??? Anyway, with your new info, I think I will ask for these tests when I go for my exam next time. I have hypo and I will NOT take synthroid...man, that stuff made me so moody, angry, etc. I switched to unithroid (levothyroxin) and much better with moods...but if I miss a dose or two, I get terrible body aches and soooooo sleepy!!! :bored

[Miper70 0]

Just make sure your numbers are where they are supposed to be. Make sure your free t3 is right, that's probably why you're getting tired after missing 1 or 2 doses........the numbers aren't right. Just remember top 3rd of the range.

[SaggiJ 2]

Hi there,

Can I assume that u all are from US? Im from UK. I started with an overactive thryoid (Hyperthyroidism). After suffering for over 4yrs, and no of carbomizole can help, doc put me through radioactive threatment which after 1 month, I went straight and became underactive (Hypothyroidism) When I was overactive, I can eat anything I like and not put on any weight. Once I went underactive, within 3 years, I put on nearly 3stones. In that 3 years, I kept going back to my consultant and GP and beg them to do something cos of my weight gain but they would not increase my thyroid tablets and kept confirming all the tests are show that they hv given me the correct dose of thyroixine. In the end, after weight watchers, gym, all kinds of diet, I gave up and went for the lap band operation. I had my lapband op last Sept, and my weights has gone down to 12 1/2stones now, I have 1 1/2 - 2stones to go before it goes back to my previous weight when I was overactive. U can also find all the info on thyroid on this very good book by Mary Solomon (I think thats the author) She wrote a book on how to control your weight when u have a thyroid problem. Very good info book, even though it didnt help me to lose any weight.

So, for all those with underactive thyroid, and have had the lapband operation done, did you all managed to lose a big percentage of weight???

[BreadLady 0]

Another post on this thread mentioned Mary Shomon.

She is awesome. She is actually Hypothyroid. I have read a couple of her books. They are increadibly informative. It's been a while since I read them, maybe I should reread them. Mary Shomon also has a website www.thyroid-info.com very good site.

I am interested to hear how you all who have been banded who are hypothyroid have done losing weight. I am in the pre-band stage.

Thanks Miper70 :clap2: for your information. I knew there were other tests I should have but couldn't remember.

[kyethra 0]

Doctors love to test my thryoid. I'm fine with it. They figure its going to fail eventually (my grandmother and mother hypothyroid) and they want to catch it in the act. I think I have my thyroid tested more than any other girl I know (except for those who actually have thyroid problems). It used to be at least every few months. I would have to explain that no, my thyroid was fine. But I did have an estrogen deficiancy a while back due to birth control issues. And estrogen deficiancy can look surprisingly like hypothyroid. The women's clinic I had gone two twice with related issues completely overlooked it and I think my PCP picked up on because she said she had had the same problem.

[Victoriana 10]

Do any of you with thyroid problems have severe headachs? My sis is on week three with a migrain and will get a spinal tap on monday. One Dr. t hinks she has a thyroid problem even though her level of thyroid is in a normal range. They cannot figure the cause of the headachs. She is suffering so much. I will print this thread and get it to her. She is an RN and is so sweet, I hate to see her suffer so. Thx for your input.

[flabuless 18]

I am a hypothyroid sufferer too...I put on a stack of weight and had no energy for months before anyone noticed...I think I have had it for years but it only flared up noticably after the birth of my first child...It is a life time condition but I am living with it...and lapband is what I needed to take off the weight that had been put on due to my condition and 10 yrs of 'man influenced' depression but that is another story...

becky