I found out few days ago that I have hypothyroidism disease after going to emergency room last week for heart palpitations (rapid heart beating) and swollen feet. The disease in short is: Inadequate levels of thyroid hormone in the body. It caused many symptoms that I’ve long thought to be normal such as brain fog, increased sensitivity to heat and cold (very cold hands/feet even during hot day), dry puffy skin (like nintendo’s kirby), fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety, paleness, weak bowel movements, etc and most importantly lack of focus which is often misdiagnosed as ADD. This explains why I’m unable to work on projects for longer than few hours. Check wikipedia page for a longer list of signs and symptoms
Either changing body hormones or 1+ year of long sitting playing World of Warcraft triggered some of the serious symptoms. If latter is in fact what affected me, I’m glad it happened or otherwise I’ll never find out about this disease. For more info on this disease:
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/…
I’m taking medicines right now but Thyroid medicine will take 4-6 weeks to kick in. Any of you experiencing some form of Thyroid disease too?
Poor Adam. Victim of WoW and its side effects. Get better man ;)
Hey Adam,
My wife, Sylvia, has Hypothyroidism. Has been diagnosed for several years now, but definitely suffered for years before that. The medication has helped enourmously, but it took for us to read a lot about the condition to kick the UK doctors up the arse. She didn’t actually start feeling right until the doctors agreed to trial her with a combination of T4 and T3, something they were not too keen on as it hadn’t been properly trialled in this country.
One piece of advice I can give is to keep a watchful eye on your symptoms and self regulate your dosages as and when you feel that the drugs don’t work (hmm, sounds like a song).
Talk to your doctor about T3 if you don’t feel what you are taking is working (T3 is doesn’t last as long, so is taken in parallel with the T4 to kick start you during the day).
About.com has a section on Hypothyroidism with links all over the shop (Sylvia found the boards helpful too).
Forgive my comments if you find them intrusive, it’s just I know how frustratingly debilitating this can be if not treated properly. It must be a huge weight off your shoulders to know that what you have been feeling is a product of a treatable condition.
Best,
Matt.
Thanks for the advice, I think my medicine is a little too weak (Levothyroxine) and I’m going to call doctor about T3 and T4.
I’ve experienced problems myself with hypothyroidism. From my experience, and this goes with any health problem, you need to get to the SOURCE of the problem. If you have hypothyoidism, it’s not just some condition you’re born with, that you need a drug to fix. It is a direft effect from your lifestyle. My best advice is changing the foods you eat, how much you exercise, and for me, I quit smoking. Also, fasting, and doing a Master Cleanse, can help enormously to rid the body of toxins and help recreate a stable thyroid. I know it’s a lot easier to just take a drug, trust me, I’ve been there. But the drugs in the long end won’t solve all your problems, and are likely to make things worse. The best solution is to change the way you live.
Get better soon! Glad to see this blog alive again.
-Owl
I have that too…while it is serious, I’ve been able to help with the thyroid medicine. I’ve been overweight most of my life, but if you aren’t, I can see how your symptoms affect you. I’ve taken medicine for the last 15 years at least…I’m sure everything will work out.
Your art rocks, by the way…
Best of luck
Jon: your advice is misleading.
Yes, your thyroid can be impacted by other conditions, such as autoimmune problems. However, approximately 1 in 3000 people have hypothyroidism based on a tyroid that simply does not produce enough.
In addition, you can have pituitary gland problem that can cause it – again, having nothign to do with an environmental agent.
My two cents, be careful about throwing around medical diagnosis without having all the facts.
I’m a natural hygenist and have treated patients with hypothyroidism before. It is an issue of toxicosis, and not something you’re born with. It’s a lot easier for someone to blame their health problems on a disease, rather then to take responsibility for it by making lifestyle changes. You can’t expect to eat meat, processed grains, cooked food, processed foods, and not exercise without it resulting in health complications. Our natural diet (in the wild) would be mostly fruit, some vegetables, and nuts and seeds. When you deviate from this diet, do not get proper exercise, it will inevitably result in health problems. People think they can just treat the symptons instead of treating the cause, which just ends up further complicating things.
I agree with you that it’s easy to blame it on a disease but I believe this is a different story for me. I eat very healthy foods everyday on time, don’t drink alcohols, smoke a cigarette, or do other harmful things to my body.
I first noticed various thyroid-related problems during my active high school years. I played two physical sports and everything else a normal healthy kid would do.
I strongly believe that it is out of my control. Everything I’ve tried to reduce the problems through better stress management, stricter diet, lot of herbs and proper exercise, they helped almost nothing.
Even more, I found out recently that there’s a strong history of thyroid in my families. They’re all pretty healthy people so I don’t really believe this is an issue of toxicosis for me.
I have a hypoactive thyroid and am on .75 of synthroid. I have a Dr. that listens, but like so many is afraid to give you more medicine than you might need. My throat and glands have been swollen the last week and although I lost weight at first I have gained all of it back. I am so frustrated with my food allergies, Dr, and symptoms-fuzzy head has come back with a vengence. I am going to try the master cleanse to get myself back on track and if I have to be on raw foods after that oh, well.
I meant to ask in the above posting has anyone tried the master cleanse?
Never heard of master cleanse before. Got any link to that medicine?
I’m still stuck with 1/2 tablet of Levothyroxine 25mg and my doctor said it’s good enough and I don’t need stronger prescription even though I think it’s very weak for me. Sigh.
Hello there. I was just doing some research on Hypothyroidism and your page came up. I really liked the links you have up. I’m a 16 year old female and i’ve been dealing with Hypothyroidism and a form of a Goiter since I was about 10. Only lately have I been interested in doing something about my symptoms and trying to start up some meds. I really liked your links that you have posted because they gave me some really nice information. I hope everything goes well with you and I hope you get better.
Than you again
Glad to hear that the links helped. You should go see doctor as soon as possible and ask for thyroid testing, you’ll have to do a blood test every 6 weeks.
Hi guys,
my husband has hypothyroidism and was just wondering if anyone else experiences a syptom that is driving me nuts.That is very heavy sighing bouts,its like he is stressed and his face ages about 10 yrs and when he comes out of it his face is normal again.I dont know if this is a symptom of hypothyroidism or not.
Hello All…I went to my hair dresser (of 10 years) a few days ago…she told me that my hair is thinning…I had noticed this, but thought it was just my imagination. She asked me if I had a thyroid condition. I have been tested before, but the test says all my levels are normal. I just don’t get it…I just don’t feel right…my joints hurt, I’m so tired by the middle of the day, I have dry skin…so many weird quirks. None of this seems related. Should I go back to the doctor for all of this and what should I say so I don’t sound crazy? Could the test be wrong?
I am starting the master cleanse today and have had a thyroid condition ever since I had ebstein barr about 6 years ago. My question is, do I continue with my thyroid medication while on the cleanse? I am weary about stopping it, even though I want the full cleansing affect. I have been reading these entries and couldn’t find specifics on whether it worked to continue medication or not. Thanks.
I agree with JON 101%
A change of lifestyle is very important. For the past couple of month’s I’ve been getting a yeast infection just before my period and one i got fed up and decided to go to a natural doctor here on the island. He took one look at me and told me that I had a tyroid problem, hypo that is, he explained that’s why i weren’t getting pregnant as well. I am determined to treat this disease NATURALLY. It’s been three days now since I’ve been on natural medicine and I feel great. The yeast infection is actually going away without me having to take or insert tablets. THANK GOD he put herbs on this earth to cure us if we only paid more attention to them. Kimmy
My throat and glands have been swollen the last week and although I lost weight at first I have gained all of it back. I am so frustrated with my food allergies, Dr, and symptoms-fuzzy head has come back with a vengence.
it seems that all your doctors should not be working int he industry.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 3 years ago when I suffered a missed miscarriage.
If detected you should have a blood test every 3 months for the first year or so and then every six months once you are stable.
and yes you can be born with it and for the last 20 years they have been checking babies for thyroid problems in the hell prick test they do between 6 and 10 days old.
you should start off with a small dosage and should increse by 25grams every three months until you are stable. if you are stuck on a high dosgae straight away this can have severe impacts on your health.
on the other hand the Thyroid gland is what controls all of your body, if this is not picked up and treated it can lead to your whole body closing down and without wishing to scare anyone in serious cases causes heart attack and disfuntion of important organs.
even not having enough can lead to deterioration of the mind, senile dementure and other things.
Anyones whose doctor says they dont like giving a lot of this drug when your test proves that your balance is not right needs shooting. Hypothyroidism is known to be a more deadly disease than asthma and diabetis because of the life threatening impact it can have on your whole body.
If your doctor wont help get a second opinion, this is your life they are playing with.
I also agree with the fact that a healthy diet and exercise will increase your chances of living longer, if your not getting the right treatment it will still close your body down.
Did you also know you shouldnt take decongestants with thyroid medication either.
Hi all.
I am 20 years old and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year and a half ago. I went in for a simple woman exam and told my PA that i had been more tired than usual (i was sleeping almost 14 to 17 hours a day), my hair was thinning, i had a huge weight gain in a short amount of time, and didn’t like being cold. She told me that it was just stress since I had just started school, and my dad had just lost his job. They drew blood anyways, and found out that I had an underactive thyroid. I am now on 88mcg of Synthroid.
I need to know what i can do to lose/maintain a healthy weight. I keep asking my PA what i can do, and all she says is “make lifestyle changes”. I need to know exactly what this means. The last test i went for, I lost 6 lbs. (over and eight month period.) but don’t know exactly what did it.
Can anyone help?
Yes I am 36 yrs old post partum of baby #4 I am always hard working, not relaxing person. very hard on myself looking after every one else. I am a nurse so I worked @ night and looked after my family after during the day time. I had now few years of anxiety, depressive feelings, insomnia,Wt gain,severe tension headaches, muscle and joint pain. listless and (0) energy progression after I had this last baby. I was going counselling to clear few issues of my life, when sundenly I thought of checking my thyroid since I don’t think I have clinical post partum depression well I found out today that I have hypothyroidism. I started levothyroxine. I was so glad that hopefully there is answer to my physical and mental slugishness, caffeine was my bit booster to function around the kids.please update me thanks
How do I know whether or not I should get tested for hypothyroidism? Lately I have been wondering if I may have it — I’m a 23-year-old female, 5’3″ and 112 lbs., I’m always colder than the normal person, my hair is seeming thinner and weaker each week, my BMs are somewhat irregular, my sex drive is down, and although I’ve always been a thin person, my weight is not budging despite decreased calories and exercise. I’ve starting counting calories to keep track and I’ve average about 1400 a day for the past three weeks, and exercising 2-3 times each week. I don’t think I’ve lost a pound. Isn’t that bizarre? Could it be my thyroid? How do I know if I should get tested? Who can I go to without waiting 2 months to get an appt at my regular doctor?
Andie, I got tested quickly at emergency room because like you I couldn’t wait for several months to see my doctor. Just tell them that you feel this is a urge issue that needs to be tested as soon as possible.
After explaining to doctor about your situation, request a hypothyroidism blood test and they will usually have result in 1-2 days.
hey I’ve had thyroid for about 6 years now..and its a very annoying disease..i have all the symptoms as you have listed..
I completely get ya!
i recently went to a doctor concerning an unusual level of fatigue.I’ve been lethargic lately and get so tired that i vomit. After a physical exam, he noticed that he could feel my thyroid, and that it was swollen. We went ahead with a blood test and he said my thyroid was fine and that i was only slightly anemic, but not to the point where it could cause my fatigue.. should i go back again to test for hypothyroidism?
I am 24 yrs. old and my doctor just told me that lab results show thatI may have hypothyroidism (I have to go back for more blood work). I have been extremely tired recently and have gained about 10 pounds over the last three months, and have a lot of the symptoms that I just considered normal. I’m a pretty healthy eater and try to excercise when I can. Is hypothyroidism something that can just happens suddenly like this or have I had it all along and just didn’t know.
I am 23 yrs, old and I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism for 5 years now. I started my med on a very low dosage but now I am on 100mcg levothyroxin, this is A LOT! According to the endocrinologist i went to, i should have been hospitalized the first time i went to see him but for some reason i was still standing,strong apperantly.
I noticed that many of the comments do not include the emotional link with this condition.It is a reality that our body and mind affect one another its a good thing to keep in mind.
I am not exacly sure what the relationship between iodine and the thyroid, but aperantly exposure to the ocean/beach(a good source of natural iodine) can really help this condition.
Sara i know exactly how you feel, it took me a long time to realize that it was not normal.For many years i thought that i just wasnt an active person, that it was simply the way i was, man was i wrong! After talking with my mom i realized that i had thin hair since i was a little girl, a common symptom of hypothyroidism that wasnt diagnosed soon enough.
Addam do know of any foods that can decreas the dependence on the meds? I really dont like the fact that my dosage is sooo high and i want to reduce it by some how compensating with diet…
They tole me i haveHypohyroidism in 2002their still messing with me .no med at all i wish they would do something ,I’am so tired,I’am in bed half the time.I’am going to see a econagelistssoon.Iam Diabete too
. i hope i get help soon…..
Hello all, I have read all of your emails, and have heard some interesting things. I am going to be tested again for hypothyroidism. I have all the signs, so extrememly worse then others. But I also have pituitary problems, that cant be fixed, but the thyroid most definately can. I do believe most definately that we need to replace the hormones missing, and by getting this medication could actually save lives. I have had such bad depression from all the symptoms going on, that there were many days I contemplated suicide. But I learned alot through educational books and deffinately the internet. Now it’s just to get more testing done, and take it from there. I have also learned that sometimes peoples “normal” range for thyroid is still not normal enough for others, so you need to stand up for yourself and demand every test then can do, most doctors just do simple lab tests and sometimes they can overlook what is right there in front of them. I do also agree on a healthly life style, but not to the degree of living a fast everyday. I did that years ago for many years. I ate mostly raw fruits,vegetables, nuts and seeds,and what animal protein I did eat I would eat white fish, easily digestable and baked plain in the oven. I was avid at all the gyms and worked 3 of them at a time, I was persuing nutrition and getting my personal training certificate at the same time. Even though I did all of this, I still ended up where I am today, despite all the good things I did for myself. I dont believe you have alot of control over your thyroid, your liver,lungs and kidneys yes, but sometimes your body just doesnt have all the hormones it needs, and thus this happens. I am seeing my doctor today, and I am bringing with me pages of symptoms and how long they have been happening and there effects on me. This is my proof, and he cant walk away on that. This is where I take my life back, and I encourage all of you to stand up for yourself even if you’re not sure what you may have, because even the smallest of things could be harmful. Good luck to you all, and hope to hear you all are doing fine soon. Yours truly,Miranda
I have been bleeding and spotting for two months now. I have allof the symptoms of hypothyroidism, and have a thyroid nodule. I had hormones and the nodule tested 9 1/2 months ago, when I had insurance. Does anyone know if the Emergency Room will let you pay payments in America?
I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism – TSH of 9. Doc prescribed 50mg levothyroxine. My symptoms fluctuated but I started feeling better after 2 weeks. It’s now 3 weeks and am feeling worse than before. Am starting to think there is something else wrong with me? Have started taking 75mg today, hoping this works. Is it normal to feel better and then worse after starting medication?
What about the Master Cleanse??? Taking the pills while doing it??? I have read every comment here and that hasn’t been answered. I need to know too. Please someone, somewhere. answer that question. I start the cleanse tonight with the tea, and want to know if I still should take the synthroid.
hi all
it is nice to see so many people sharing ur views on hypothyroid…
i have been facing the same challenge for the past 3 yrs..it was just before marriage..it started with a TSH of 61…could’nt believe it..then with 150 mg of thyrox..came to .5…….5 months back it was 12….and now in the recent test it is .22…………..really concerned abt the fluctuation…..so working on few things ….like excercising regulary….staying in sun for atleast 30 minutes..have completely stopped eating cauliflower, cabbage, egg plants, brocolli and soy…
it is good to eact strwberries and peaches…
i have read some articles abt using sea salt and extra virgin cocunut oil..need to check on that…
i am sure it will be under control soon..
the best cure is to believe that u can handle it…and it is not a disease after all……it is just another challenge..and another ongoing life project …thats all..
Take care guys…n All the best
i’ve suffered w/hypothy for 36 years.i was just 14 yrs old.ive total thyroidectomy 15 yrs ago,i had a big goiter and the gland was totally dead!DO NOT PLAY W/YOUR MED.take at the same time everyday.Look up Maxedema Coma.believe me you don’t want to fight with a DANGEROUS ARMY LIKE THIS. I call it The thyroid GREEN-BERETS.You will loose at all times.I can tell you more than 25 symptoms i experienced.I also have fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue.Take care of yourself by checking your levels every 4 mos at list. Itis the only way to find out, through blood work! God Bless and keep you safe.Helena
I have been diagnosed abroad with this disease about 2 months ago. Doctors in the US ignored my complaints and symptoms despite a strong family history for over two years. Two monthis ago, I was on vacation with my mother (also with hashimoto’s),in her home country, freezing all the time(winter there). I was curious because I had been on a diet (6 meals a day 1200 calories for 2 months and no weight loss) and although I exercised 2 hours 5 days a week, I had very little energy for anything else. If I didn’t diet, I would be all bloated and gain weight right away. I went to the doctor and he took a look at me and said you have a swollen thyroid and need to see an endocrinologist. I was diagnosed with HT after blood work and discovered I have a goiter. It all started two years ago with swollen eyes, bloating, fatigue, body aches and exhaustion. After I quit smoking(5 -10 cigarretes a day), 14 months ago, my weight got out of control and I went from 115 to 135 (height 5’6″) and the symptoms worsened. About eight weeks ago, I began taking .50 mcg of T4 (while on vacation). My symptoms improved within two weeks. Unfortunately, this last week all the symptoms reverted back and to make matters worse I am out of breath and have unbearable body aches. I like to point out that I am a healthy eater (no fries, no sodium, no sugared drinks, no junk food). I also have an intense salty taste in my mouth all the time, eventhough I have cooked for ages w/o salt and drink half the ounces of h2o a day of my body weight. I am 38 years old and have normal blood pressure and low cholesterol. My glucose curve was perfect. I am a bit concerned because although I don’t lose any weight ( I don’t think is prudent to do so at this time, maybe once the hormones are ok I would like to lose 5 pounds) I want to be healthy and feel ok. However, I can’t exercice because of the fatigue, muscle & joint pains and irregular heartbeat. I am going to the doctor tomorrow morning. I feel really helpless and feared to be labeled a hypochondriac.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 2yrs ago, when I found out I was ecstatic, finally I felt hope, I am 25yrs old 120 lbs. and have always been pretty active and eaten fairly healthy, the past 9 years I have felt extremely fatigued and often lathargic I too felt like my doctor thought I was a hypochondriac, but all my symptoms were real, I could barely talk to people at times because I would feel so tired and sluggish. I would be an insomniac at night and extremely tired in the day. I would have a million things I wanted to do and needed to do but would have absolutely zero energy to do it, I finally cried to my doctor yet again and he finally tested my thyroid and put me on levothyroxin, I was on 50mcg for a year and a half until I cut my dose in half to 25mcg myself, because I started getting chest pain, and I eventually stopped taking it and went to a new doctor that put me on a prescription prenatal vitamin with ethex, I have felt extremely great, I ran out of it for the past couple weeks and I am feeling my thyroid symptoms all over again, but tomorrow I pick up the vitamin again in hopes that it really does the trick. But I do fear that this vitamin may only work for so long. I feel everyones pain with this, and its real, and people who don’t have it don’t understand what we deal with. I wish everyone luck with this battle we fight!
Take kelp (seaweed) avail. tablet form if hypoth. Lose weight, exercise, eat healthily. Be positive and enjoy life.
Carrot juice (freshly made not off the shelf) excellent.
Hi all!!! I have gotten a lot of info from these posts. i am 37 yrs old and have had an underactive thyroid for about 9 years. i woke up one day and couldn’t move or get out of bed because i was so crippled and swollen. that’s how it was discovered. i have been playing with my medication ever since. the last tests i had showed that i was actually overdosing on my meds, so they put me down from 150mcg to 100mcg. unfortunately i am back to feeling tired and fingers and knees are swollen and very sore. i am actually going to start a cleanse tomorrow morning which is supposed to help lots. here’s the answer to the question about taking the meds at same time as cleanse: never, ever, take anything else at the same time as your thyroid pill. you have to take other pills at the complete opposite time of the day if possible. for instance, i was also a little anemic and taking iron pills and i was feeling even worse than ever. my pharmacist, who has been much more helpful than my doctor, said i should never even take vitamins at the same time. you should also not eat for at least an hour after taking thyroid meds and you should wait at least 2 hours after eating to take them. i take my thyroid meds first thing in the morning, so i am going to take my cleanse pill a couple of hours later becasue i have to take one in the am and one in the pm. i am hoping that eventually i can get off my meds permanently. i know people that have done it, but haven’t had a chance to find out details. mostly diet and exercise i believe. anyway, hope some of this helps. just remember to bug your doctor all the time. btw, Adam, i got off that levothyroxin and went to eltroxin as there was a big lawsuit in the states from people who said that levothyroxin actually did NOTHING for their levels or symptoms. it sure didn’t seem to ever work for my symptoms after going from 50mcg all the way to 150mcg. you should check it out with your doctor, mine knows nothing. have a good day.
HI Adam, HI All,
Adam – my heart goes out to you as I was just diagnosed with a hypothyroid imbalance.
I have all the symptoms you described and Imy life has come to a grinding halt.
I am very optimistic that i will get better now.
Everyone:
Do your research. It’s important to know the high road on this.
This is what I have found out:
Synthroid destroys the thyroid gland and you end up being completely dependent on it.
Armour is the med to be on if you choose to be on one. It balances the thyroid and accomplishes the important conversion (T3 T4) and is natural and harmless.
I agree with Jon that going to the root cause is always best.
Check out Nutritional Healing Centers and Standard Process remedies which clean out the thyorid gland and balance the organs such as heart and adrenals.
we must do the footwork if we want the leading edge solutions and you won’t find that in the average doctor’s office. Good healing and doctors are out there and having a clean body is essential. All these conditions are caused by an out of balance body due to stress and toxicity. This doesn’t mean never go on a medicine, but absolutely NOT synthroid if you want your thyroid to thrive and work properly or at all.
Hope this is helpful.
cheers
martha
ps ONE MORE THING:
It is essential to get the right test! The standard thyroid blood panel is NOT specific enough and many (millions) of people are walking around with thyroid problems they are not aware of.
This site is very helpful and informative:
http://thyroid.about.com/bldiagn.h...
Love to all!
Martha
I have had this disease for 15 years. Last year i did the master cleanse and took my medacine every other day, i still felt great after the first three days. Started another one friday night but havn’t taken my thyroid meds, feel ok its sunday, i may start taking it again on mon, tue?? I think if you cleanse and have no food to digest it should be ok. But i’m not a doctor i’ll keep you updated on how i’m feeling
Hey there! i am sorry you had such serious outcomes from the disease!
i am concerned that I may have this too. I’ve only known about it for about 2 years, and noticed that i have a lot of the same symptoms…slight weight gain, difficult with memory and attention, feet and hands are cold even though it’s hot outside, puffiness in the face (i’ve had this for a while). and so on.
i’ve been researching online, and i’m wondering if possibly the disease hasn’t gotten bad enough, if I could go without pills and just eat a diet specifically for hypothyroid victims?
I know you are not a doctor, but I’m sure you could shed some light on the subject.
I just stopped my insurance and can’t afford the doctors right now.
Any advice would be appreciated greatly! THANK YOU!
and i hope you are doing much better!
oh and I meant to ask…
can symptoms get worse over time if you aren’t don’t know you have it?
I’m thinking they can.
Yeah Amanda, they definitely got worse over time. I’m told it is related to hormones development but can also be other things.
sometimes the feet remain swollen even while on thyroid therapy medications for some time.Could there be another underlying reason as to this?If the ekg comes out normal,thyroid hormone levels are normal,why would the feet still swell long after near complete removal of the thyroid gland?
It’s not just a matter of stress, diet, and clean living. Although some believe that returning to nature means the body can heal itself, this isn’t true for all – particularly those that have a mitochondrial defect or other problem – like a inherited subclinical immune deficiency. For the connection between hypothyroidism and immune deficiency – read Broda Barnes, MD or Mark Starr, MD. Also, get your doctor to treat your SYMPTOMS and not your BLOOD TESTS. Blood tests don’t tell the story, particularly in the case of peripheral tissue resistance to Thyroid hormone – where you’ll test euthyroid by bloodwork but your cells don’t use the hormone. It’s like trying to figure out how much a person spends by looking at their wallet at one point in time. You have no idea how much money is going in and leaving.
The increased occurence of hypothyroidism in modernity is directly related to the advent of antibiotics. Antibiotics saves patients who are susceptible to infection, essentially buying them an extra 30 years of life where they hit heart disease, hypothyroidism, and Type II Diabetes. Antibiotics doesn’t cause these diseases – it’s a competing risks problem. You would die from one or the other, but now that antibiotics are around – the sample is not censored the way it was pre-Penicillin.
Sadly, people that have Hypothyroidism, myself included – would have been naturally deselected prior to antibiotics. I would encourage anyone who believes in drug-free healing to read about the connections between hypothyroidism and the immune system before telling people not to medicate. If it weren’t for antibiotics and other types of medication, I would have been purged from the gene pool as a teenager. If you have been able to heal yourself naturally, good for you – but that may not work for everyone. Of course, if you are a eugenist who believes that Darwin’s knife should fall where it may, then more power to you.
Good luck with your treatment, Adam. Get a copy of Barnes, Starr, and books by Mary Shomon (a patient advocate are also good.). Stick with natural hormone unless your body can’t tolerate it, only then go to synthetics.
hello everyone. I’m just passing through and I’ve had every thyroid symptom noted and more. I’ve been to at least 10 different doctors and most told me I needed to lose weight. well I would agree if I wasn’t such a health nut. My symptoms started about three years ago. I loved to hit the bike trails 3 to 4 times a week. I was in the gym everyday doing 20 miles a day on the eliptical and I ate only healthy fruits veggies and lean meats. No pork or red meats…chicken, fish, and turkey only. I drank mostly water and stayed away from starch and sugar. I gained 70 lbs in one year. I wasn’t able to go back to the gym do to aching muscles and joints. My feet legs, hands and wrists swell with fluid when I attempt to work out. As a matter of fact my wrists have been swollen for the past three years. They never returned to their normal state. I can’t even wear my watch any more. I sleep all day some days. I drink lots of energy drinks, coffee, anything that will help me stay awake. All of the doctors say they can’t find anything wrong with my thyroid except its swollen and has a few masses on it. They refuse to treat me. It me up at [email protected]. I’ll take any advice i can get at this point. I want to return to the gym and the bike trails. lol Cassie
Hi. I have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about 2 months ago and have been on treatment since.
I had gained weight, lots of fatigue, poor memory, inability to concentrate and everything else.
I am presently trying out this treament called : Craniosacral healing which is supposed to treat endocrine disorders among other things. Its too soon to tell if it is working, but it is natural and alternate so I beleive its worth it. I am based in Mumbai, India and there are only practitioners here but I am sure you will be able to find someone in your country if you would like to try it out.
The website address is :http://quantaworld.com/cranio.htm
http://craniosacralbalancing.com/e...
I hope this helps.
Salty taste in the mouth can be caused by too much synthroid. If the thyroid returns to normal activity while taking synthroid it would most definitely cause a salty taste. Thyroid = iodine. Iodine=salt.
It’s possible the blood pressure would also rise, along with a fast pulse. Hope this helps.
Hi Adam,
Like yourself, I am also an artist/photographer/pixel freak and I was ALSO just recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and my doctor ALSO prescribed ½ tablet of Levothyroxin daily. Talk about a lot of similarities huh?
Originally I found this thread because I was googling on feeling worse after beginning medication. I’ve been on it for a few weeks now but haven’t noticed any difference other than the weight gain has stopped and the puffiness went away. But I still feel just as fatigued if not MORE fatigued. You should see the state of my apartment *sighs*.
I went to the doctors originally because my feet had started to get really puffy and happened to mention gaining weight really quickly over the past years.
I’m sure you are just as freaked as I am from reading all the stuff on the net about how mere Levothyroxin doesn’t help, and how people have been going on Armour instead and how it’s finally helped. I’m so worried that my path will follow the same as others: years of futile medication only to fight my way to getting better medication. We shall see.
Oh and I forgot another similarity – I also play WoW haha! :D
I suffer from ‘Sheenhan’s syndrome; which means that I longer have a pituitary gland. I am am meditation for all thyroid, adrenal, etc related conditions. What I was wondering has anybody with a similar condition noticed that when the weather changes dramatically like yesterday going from 17 to 44 degrees in a day that I am very ill and have to spend a whole day in bed. It is flu like symptoms, I ache all over mainly in the joints I fell like a have been hit b a truck, I am very fatigued and have headaches, no over symptoms so I know it is not a cold. I usually feel better the next day sometimes it takes two days!
I have mentioned this to my doctors but they look at me bemused! I have a kept a dairy of these effects and it is always linked with the weather.
Mariane,
I don’t think I have Sheenan’s because I’ve never had a child, but I have the same weather related symptoms adrenal and thyroid issues…the docs are baffled…could you elaborate on your illness?
I’m 52, over weight and have been leading a totally irresponsible life style (drinking, eating & smoking) most of my life. I’m a month into taking Synthroid for a hypothyroid condition. I constantly have a salty taste in my mouth (too much Iodine? I take 50 m). I have quit smoking and radically changed my diet to natural organic food – whole grains, lots of vegetables and fruits, no more milk – soy products instead. I’m very motivated and will do whatever it takes! What is this Master Cleanse I keep reading about? I don’t have alot of faith in my doctor – he’s alot like the rest in that he is into disease care, not health care. I don’t believe in treating the symptom when you haven’t tried to treat the cause. Would appreciate any input here or at my email addy – [email protected] Thanks
I am 15 years old, and got told january of this year that i had hypothyroidism. I have been taking medication since then, but i don’t feel at all different. I’m constantly tired, i’m always cold, i have joint aches and i have a goitre thingy. I have to go for regular blood tests and my levels changed drastically so they changed my meds, but i still don’t feel at all different :/
I am hypothyroid and on Armour. I do take kelp too. I got my thyroid levels correct first and then I did a few iodine patch tests to see if it picked up a deficiency. It showed I was deficient, so I started the kelp. Many people do fine with a little bit of iodine, then there are others that don’t. I started out by taking powdered kelp, but the problem with powdered kelp is that there are no dosages. Plus, iodine deficiency is a symptom, not a cause. There are other, more pressing headaches associated with hypothyroidism. Metabolism, for starters, which can play hell with your immune system, and also your mental health. If you look at a nurses’ guide, you’ll see that thyroid issues can lead to some chemical difficulties in brain/body day-to-day functioning.
I’m 33, and on .50mg thyroxine. I started to look 10-12 years older. After that i changed my diet to natural food – whole grains, lots of vegetables and fruits, no soy products. After eating more natural food, i am depressed and looking more older, people keep on asking me why? I’m very motivated and will do whatever it takes! What is this Master Cleanse I keep reading about? Can i do this even i am a hypothyroid?
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism several years back. I can say it has not been a fun road at all. I have at times not been on any medication and I can tell when I am not. About a year ago I was tested again to start back on my medication and my TSH results came back positive 169!!!! I had never heard of it getting this high before. I thought no wonder I feel like poo all the time!!! My doctor told me that she didn’t know how I even got out of bed to come into her office or to do anything for that fact. I told her I get out of bed everyday because I have to, that’s how. My doctor currently is a Nurse Practitioner. She don’t quite understand what to do with the testing other than the normal TSH and she don’t take insurance so I can’t afford the other testing that should be done. I was going to a family physician and I did a ton of research on the stopthemaddness.com site and even printed it all off for him. I took the information into his office and asked to be placed on Armour. He looked at me like I was crazy!!! He asked me why would I want to be placed on that old medication? It don’t really work anyway, he said. I told him about the site and handed him all the papers from it and asked him if he would keep it and read it. He never said yes or no. He told me to go to the lab on my way out and get more blood tests. I took my papers and went to the lab. I asked the lady there what tests he ordered and she said just the TSH and I was livid!!!! I explained to her what I had told the doctor and she said she was hypothyroid as well. I showed her the tests that the site recommended you get to clearly define the levels and she said she would do the tests for me no matter what he said. I thanked her. About a week later she called me with the results. There was several things that was tested that were way out of whack! I asked her if she could explain them to me and she said she didn’t know what they were. I asked well what did the Doctor say and she said he just looked them over and told her to mail them to me. I asked her if he wanted to see me about them and she said no, just that he was calling me in the Armour and he wasn’t happy about it and for me to come back in 3 months for another check up. I couldn’t believe it!!! That was about 3 years ago and I still live with those same levels, I’m sure, because I feel it. I now take Synthroid because my current Nurse Practitioner won’t prescribe Armour. I am going to start the Master Cleanse and hope it fixes my problems.
Hypothyroidism is the most under-diagnosed disease in the world. The well known TSH test is useless, for a great info and to get past all the BS our Dr’s spew, check out http://stopthethyroidmadness.com
hi Adam,
I also have hypothyroidism as i’ve recently found, and i have found that all Medications have not only sugar which is horrible for the body but it also leeches out Iodine from the thyroid gland and effecting eveything else in your body.
Soy as i also recently found out depleted my system horribly and i had no idea i was allergic to it. All processed breads leech out the iodine in your body and they add soy and sugars and on and on it goes into the food chain. In fact It is said not that most of the people on the planet are quickly becoming Iodine Deficient. So, i agree with Jon, a master cleanse will remove a lot of the crap inside you, also try taking a couple of drops per day to start of Lugols Iodine one of the best out there. Then look into taking some ORGANIC Virgin Coconut Oil, not machine pressed. you may like Tropical Traditions its all Natural and great stuff. in a week i have gone from 10% energy up to 80%, this works. Good luck!
Also.. Estrogenics are added to pretty much everything in the food chain apart from au natural foods. Peole have way too much Estrogen in their systems causing thyroid problems and obesity. check out
http://amazon.com/Anti-Estrogenic-...
this is an Excellent Book
I have been on levothyroxine for about 2 years for an underactive thyroid. I am 50ish and otherwise healthy. For the last 3 days I have had a persistent salty taste in my mouth. Has anyone been able to get rid of this by changing their medication? It is no fun. I don’t see it listed on drug websites as a side effect. Thank you.
Hi KW…
This is an ooold thread but I just wanted to let you know that I have had Hyperhyroid almost all of my life apparently. I was never really over-weight until about 15 years ago I started putting on the poundage. My mid section is big and my moobs are big. I also sweat alot especialy in the heat or if I’m doing anything cardiovascular.. tredmill, physical lifting around work, sexual activities, etc. These are the most recent symptoms. At night I could never sleep because I thought I was going to pass out it was like my body was shutting down. When I lay down on the couch to watch tv I get up feeling dizzy and seeing doule. I am 37 yrs old.
When I was in highschool probably even before that I could never keep up with my gym class and I was in pretty good shape and a healthy kid. I used to do martial arts to make up for gym credit and my cardio was fine but I still sweat alot and man I was tired after with heavy breathing. I used to think it was asthma but now I think all of that was underlying symptoms of some kind of Hyperthyroid.
My new doctor has been in the business for over 20 years and could detect it just by looking at me. Flushed face, sweating, and receading eyebrows. I am also big in my mid-section and chest. We did some blood work and found that I was low on testosterone and several other conditions in my blood lead to Hyperthyroid.
So now I am on Levothyroxine and the very day after I started I am getting super salty tastes. I made an egg sandwich and all I tasted was salt (made with cage free chicken eggs, wheat toast, and craft american cheese). I did a drop of lemon on my tounge and it was sour a little but more nasty salty than sour. I havent tasted much other foods but this is just a starting point I am sure.
KW.. or anybody else..after you got off your meds did the symptoms pass, or have you been to the doctor about it? I am curious now. I found this post in a Google search.
Thanks!
Hypothyroidism is something you can be born with…my son was diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism when he was one week old.