Terrible consequences of...thyroid disease??

[Blindpost 0]

Has anyone/is anyone dealing with this? I am right in the middle of having a new N.D. check my blood levels for T4 & T3, and some of the symptoms are unbearable. VERY difficult...I was going to call a psychiatrist today, but then realized that I have just been taken off a hormone, and some of these side effects are due to that change.

Horrible depression, apathy, fatigue, and I CAN'T REMEMBER ANYTHING. I feel like I have Alzheimer's. Or premature menopause. I'm in my early 30's, for Pete's sake.

Has anyone treated this successfully? The mind issues are just too much for me. At any given minute I want to just throw in the towel and give up on everything and everyone.

The forgetfulness is so bad, yesterday I actually forgot that my husband came home and had dinner and went to bed. I actually told our babysitter that he wouldn't be home for quite some time, he was out and had just called me on the cell. She looked at me like I was insane. That phone call had happened 3 hours prior, we ATE together, and he said he was going to go rest, and I literally forgot that he ever came home. Think I'm losing it.

Anyone successful? What the hell did you do? I cannot deal with this any more.

Edit to add: Sorry, yes I am using a second identity, as this is a 'sensitive' issue. I'm a regular poster. Just not sure this would be a good thing for anyone to know about me

[headoverheels 333]

Are you already being treated for the thyroid problems? Such are very common and widely treated successfully.

[freeflir29 0]

Whatever happens I would certainly have a sit down with my regular doctor. If he isn't sure what to do find a specialist. Hormones can do crazy things to you and you may just have a chemical imbalance going on or it could be something else that needs to be taken care of right away.

[Ripple 0]

Both my mother (68) and sister (39) have this problem. All the symptoms you describe are exactly what they've had to deal with, my mother for 8 years before being correctly diagnosed.

They're both now taking thyroxine with some success. My sister's energy levels are not what they used to be before her thyroid packed up, but they're much improved since taking the drug. The main problem she suffers now is weight gain.

I understand that the States has a far better record of success in dealing with this, than the UK. So, hopefully you'll be sorted with no problems. I really feel for you, having seen what my mother and sister have been through.

Will you see/have you seen an endocrinologist? If not, maybe it'd be worth asking to be referred?

Next Mood Swing: 6 minutes

[jman 0]

Are you talking about hypothyroidism (low thyroid) "Hashimoto's" or hyperthyroidism (high thyroid) "Graves"?

I have been dealing with Hashimoto's for several years and it isn't fun. My worst symptom has been "extreme fatigue". I call them my coma episodes. I went to see an Arthritis doctor about it because it is an autoimmune disease. I was never sent to an endocrinologist, although I would recommend going because I have symptoms that I believe could be reduced or eliminated. I have also wanted to go to a natureopathic type doctor, but most insurance companies will not cover them. It's not an easy road, but, I know people have very different results with treatment. Search the web...there's a lot of info. Good Luck

[skymama 37]

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism back in the 90's. I took medication for it for about a year and was month away from the doctor putting radioactive iodine in me to stop my thyroid from functioning and it cleared up before my next appointment. My doctor was very surprised! I get it checked, and it's never come back...yet. I know other people who have thyroid problems and they do ok with proper medication. Hopefully you will feel better soon with the right medication!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[Snowwhite 0]

My sister has Graves disease. She has done the radioactive treatment twice, which I guess is the limit. She is doing MUCH better this year than in previous years.
My daughter in law has just had a cancerous thyroid removed, and they took her off of her meds so they can start some chemo? I believe, any way, her symptoms have all come back, due to the lack of meds. She is looking forward to finishing the cancer treatments so she can go back on the meds and feel better.
Let me know if you want to talk to either of them, I'll send you phone numbers.

skydiveTaylorville.org
freefallbeth@yahoo.com

[tigra 0]

Call me crazy, but my cat had the radio active iodine treatment for his hyperthyroidism. It was something of a miracle cure, and I was wondering if they did it for people too. I have a friend who takes medication for the opposite problem (Tashemotos?). She does OK, but will most likely be on that for the rest of her life!

[Blindpost 0]

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Are you already being treated for the thyroid problems? Such are very common and widely treated successfully.

I have been treated for this since I was 16. It is cyclical, sometimes it works for a couple of years, and then I feel like falling off the face of the planet.

I don't feel we have ever been 'successful' at treating it, unfortunately. the problems always return.

[Blindpost 0]

Thank you, good advice.

[Blindpost 0]

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They're both now taking thyroxine with some success.

I was on that, then they switched me to Synthroid. Both have brought 'acceptable' levels of T4 hormone, however I still have symptoms.

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The main problem she suffers now is weight gain.

Tell me about it... -My parents are both hypothyroid too, each on a different med, both of which I've tried, didn't work out for me.

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Will you see/have you seen an endocrinologist? If not, maybe it'd be worth asking to be referred?

I spoke to an endocrinologist over the phone, who wanted to see my labs. When I read them to him (I had the results in my hand) he said "If your T4 is normal, what do you want me to do?"
Geez.

[Blindpost 0]

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Are you talking about hypothyroidism (low thyroid) "Hashimoto's" or hyperthyroidism (high thyroid) "Graves"?

Hypo. s-l-o-w.

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I have also wanted to go to a natureopathic type doctor, but most insurance companies will not cover them.

I'm seeing an ND now, he took some blood but never called me back. I'm going to call his office today and ask what the heck...

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It's not an easy road, but, I know people have very different results with treatment. Search the web...there's a lot of info. Good Luck

I found some info on Wilson's Thyroid/Wilson's Temperature Syndrome. Looks like what I have, and the ND said he will confirm or refute that with the blood. We shall see. Thanks!

[Blindpost 0]

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Hopefully you will feel better soon with the right medication!

I was just looking for some light, the end of this tunnel was getting very dark again...

Thanks for your words!

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[Blindpost 0]

Thanks for the offer, but it's hypo instead of hyper.

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[Rdy2skydive 0]

As a result of thyroid cancer, I have been without a thryoid since the age of 24 (14 years). I have chronic hypothyroidism and recognize your symptoms very well. The depression and brain fog can be (along with many other symptoms) can be unbearable to deal with. Fortunately, it can be managed.

You need to find an endocrinologist who will be your partner in helping you to get well. Currently I take 2 types of medication to feel good (Levolxyl or T4 1x per day and Cytomel, T3, 3x per day). It took a long time to come up with this combination but it works. I am also an active participant in monitoring my blood levels. I ask for the test results each time and discuss and changes, no matter how small. It's my life and my health so I feel that I have a voice. I've also gone out and researched the illness so I'm very knowledgeable. My docs know this and respect it.

There's a great book by Mary Shomon on how to live with hypothyroidism - Living Well With Hypothyroidism. She also has a website on About.com (sorry can't make a clicky). Full of great info.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM if you have any more questions. Good Luck.

Lisa

[wmw999 2,517]

My mother lost her thyroid at about 29 (1959). She said that none of the synthetic thyroid extracts which came later were as good as human thyroid extract for controlling her levels and symptoms.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Blindpost 0]

Just got off the phone with the doc. Very interesting.

6 things he was checking were (and see if these are familiar? Perhaps, or maybe not) as follows. He figured one of these situations may be causing my problems, apparently all six were

Anti-bodies. Auto-immune system begins attacking yourself and destroying your own glands (thyroid). Happens to some women after childbirth. -In his office, he said this would be the toughest to deal with, as the desintegrating gland kicks out some hormone sometime, too much now and then, and nothing at all quite a bit, all the way until it dies. Difficult to treat, no cure, and no way to slow it down.

Result: He said I have the highest level of anti-bodies he's ever seen.

TSH -too high.
T3 - too low.
Ferratine (stores of iron in your body) - non-existent. I have no iron storage in my body.
Insulin - too high, but thank God not diabetic.
Adrenal gland function - wayyyy too low.

So I guess the good news is some of it is treatable!

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You need to find an endocrinologist who will be your partner in helping you to get well. Currently I take 2 types of medication to feel good (Levolxyl or T4 1x per day and Cytomel, T3, 3x per day). It took a long time to come up with this combination but it works.

Glad to hear it works...did your doc ever try to put you on something called Armor(sp?)? It has T3 and T4 both in it. That is what I am starting today! I have great hope that it will bring about some major changes. Ah well, this ND seems to be willing to work with me on dosage and monitoring, which is what I need.

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I am also an active participant in monitoring my blood levels. I ask for the test results each time and discuss and changes, no matter how small. It's my life and my health so I feel that I have a voice. I've also gone out and researched the illness so I'm very knowledgeable. My docs know this and respect it.

-That's how I found this ND, by researching who is working with thyroid issues OTHER than traditional medicine (as my doc said I had no problems. ). I will keep at it.

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There's a great book by Mary Shomon on how to live with hypothyroidism - Living Well With Hypothyroidism. She also has a website on About.com (sorry can't make a clicky). Full of great info.

I will order that book today, thanks!

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Hope this helps. Feel free to PM if you have any more questions. Good Luck.

Lisa

It has helped. Thank you so much.

I guess maybe I should have waited a few more days to post my depressing rant, as today seemed to be a great 'possibility' day. It's been years coming, but thank God I think maybe this will work!

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

This thread is very old, but I'm seeking help for hypothyroidism which I was just diagnosed with earlier this week. How did the Armour work?

Thanks in advance, and have a great weekend!

[yoink 321]

VanillaSkyGirl

This thread is very old, but I'm seeking help for hypothyroidism which I was just diagnosed with earlier this week. How did the Armour work?

Thanks in advance, and have a great weekend!

Hey VSG,

I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism earlier this year too. I'm just starting to feel that I'm starting to work out the medication 6 months on.

I've not tried Armour I'm afraid, but am on a combination of Synthroid and Cytomel. Those seem to be working for me.

The best advice I can give is to make sure that you get a second set of labs after the first 6 weeks and maybe another 6 weeks after that. Comparing those numbers to the originals will at least tell you whether the meds are having any effect at all - even if they're not the right strength. Personally, I had to work out that not only did the generic version of the T4 not work for me, but also that I still don't make T3 either, so have to take a supplement for that as well... regular labs really helped nail that down.

The wierd thing about it is that it's really nebulous. Some doctors treat you until your free T3 and T4 numbers look right and say that's your dose, (regardless if you're feeling better or not!) while others use the labs as a guideline and treat the symptoms.

To work out the correct dose it's a simple as 'take this strength for a couple of weeks and see if you feel better. If not, we'll up the dose'... simple, but it takes time for the drugs to kick in - about a week in my case. When it does though, you definitely notice an improvement. The tiredness reduced dramatically for me, even when the dosage wasn't right. The focus and concentration have taken longer to dial in.


There's a really good booklet available here:

http://www.thyroid.org/wp-content/uploads/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism_web_booklet.pdf


Keep your chin up. It gets better.

I had a lot of questions 6 months ago - I had trouble with something so simple being so complicated at the same time and the medical lackadaisical attitude towards it bugged me. I wanted a timeline and a process. When will I see results. What do we do if a, or b?

I think I've got some of that figured out now - let me know if you need any help. I'll do my best.

[DrDom 0]

I'll make a recommendation: see an endocrinologist, do NOT let your primary be the only one running the show. Your PCP may be able to do it, but when is the last time they read up about thyroid disease? Probably medical school, maybe residency. Your endocrinologist is probably much more up to date. The younger the better (sounds crazy, but its true, they are just that much more up to date!)

If your numbers normalize and you feel off still, get a second opinion. Small things can make big differences. Get your blood checked often as some people will end up high/low even on the same dose.

Good luck, but the good news is thyroid disease is one of the rare medical problems where the treatment is simply replacing that which is missing (compared to poisoning another biological process).

You are not the contents of your wallet.