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rustrated with Hypothyroidism Weight Gain
Hello ladies, I'm 23 years old I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 6 ish years ago and I've needed hormone adjustments throughout the years infact the last increase in my Synthroid dosage was about a month ago. I continue to struggle with two significant symptoms due to my thyroid condition, one is hair loss/ hair thinning & the other one is weight gain both of which seem to only worsen as the years go by and quite frankly this struggle has taken its toll on me and my self-esteem I've not only become two self-conscious but also a little depressed. I'd very much like to hear from you ladies who have and or are still dealing with either one or both of the symptoms I mentioned here. Any feedback and or advice is greatly appreciated.
Ps. I've seen a Dermatologist and an Endocrinologist and for now it's a waiting game since my doze hasn't been stable....I'm tired of waiting thou I'm sick and tired of it :'( I'm willing to try anything any suggestions? I've done all kinds of bloodtests and the only deficiency I have is Vitamin D (which I take supplements for) otherwise I'm perfectly healthy.
0 likes, 14 replies
kathleen61417 Madmoiselle
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Gizmo1963 Madmoiselle
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terry74787 Madmoiselle
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terry74787
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Louli7 Madmoiselle
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barbara98940 Louli7
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In the end I went to one of the private encrinologists recommended by tpauk. I was allergic to the naturethroid they prescribed. Am now on ThyroGold - bought off the internet, no prescription needed. Feel loads better (brain fog gone, no longer cold and sluggish), even though I'm not yet up to the full dose (started on 23rd June 2015).
Louli7 barbara98940
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barbara98940 Louli7
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Re: how know what dose of ThyroGold to take, I did a lot of reading on Dr John C Lowe's website. His Q&A part was particularly helpful. He lists 4 ways of determining whether your thyroid levels are ok - and none of them involve a blood test! One is take basal pulse rate i.e. after been resting (he says first thing in morning when first wake up); basal temperature using clinical thermometer (I've not found digital ones to be accurate); plus 2 other ways I can't remember (keeping a dose/symptom diary may be another). My GP and I have been monitoring my thyroid using my pulse rate for years, there is a time lag of a couple of months before the blood tests reflect my pulse and symptoms. If my basal pulse is below 60 beats per minute I'm underactive, 60-65 I'm ok, over 70 I'm overactive (66-69 monitor closely). Also I read that most people take 1-2 tablets a day (it sounds like this is of the 300mg strength). I did what he advised and started low and slow. 1x150mg taken once a day upon waking for 1-2 weeks (I did 1 week); in the second and third weeks I took 1x150mg on waking, then 1x150mg 6-8 hours later; in the fourth and fifth weeks I took 1x150mg upon waking, 1x150mg 6-7 hours later, and 1x150mg 6-7 hours later. The aim was to keep my thyroid hormone levels stable throughout the day. (I found my eczema itched if my levels got low as well as all the usual brain fog, muscle fatigue, lethargy symptoms. Note: I get eczema as a reaction to eating a food I'm intolerant to). I took my basal pulse rate to check whether my view of my symptoms was accurate. Interestingly, each time I increased the dose my pulse rate would initially respond by increasing for a week, then reduce again, but each swing became lower in magnitude. Currently my basal pulse is 52 bpm. So I've increased my dose and have today taken: 10:00 - 1x300mg; 18:45 - 1x150mg; 00:05 -1x150mg (pulse at 00:05 is 50 bpm).
I had reached desperation point before trying this medication (sorry, 'food supplement'), as I was reacting badly to levothyroxine and liquid levothyroxine - itching, swelling of fingers/hands. I was extremely dubious about buying off the internet (concerns about: what was really in what I was buying? Was it a scam? Would I lose my money? In the end as I had no alternative thyroid medication I could take, ordered the lowest dose to minimise the amount of money I could lose. It cost £35 (incl p&p) to get 90 x 150mg tablets. The bottom line is: these tablets are working brilliantly for me! Please make up your own mind whether these tablets are right for you, bearing in mind what other health conditions you have and what medication you are taking. I'm not a health professional, but having reached the end of the road with NHS thyroid medication I decided it was worth a try.
One of the reasons I find these tablets are working for me is that they have the full range of thyroid hormones in them: T1, T2, T3, T4 & calcitonin. I have problems convertng T4 to T3, hence the reason I was still getting underactive symptoms despite the blood tests showing I was being over-medicated with thyroxine.
To respind to your concern about hair loss: Iit can be a symotom of anaemia. Have you had your Ferritin levels checked? One needs one's Ferritin to be around 90 to be able to absorb thyroxine properly.
barbara98940 Louli7
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Scazzoh Madmoiselle
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shellyC19 Madmoiselle
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I am a Nurse and I live in the USA. I have Hashimoto's Thyriod disease and have gained too much weight over the years. I am 54 now. I have a problem with converting T4 into T3 and just take T3 now (Cytomel is the medication I am on). Have your T3 level tested. If it is low, you will have the Hypothyroid symptoms.
It is a hard struggle to lose weight. Some of the things I do for exercise is to walk. I lost 30 pounds doing it. I also try and swim. It is easier on my knee joints.
Many of us have had weight problems and being on replacement hormone will not cause you to lose weight. The problem is our metabolism is low and walking or exercise helps to increase it. All exercise is good for you, as it keeps your joints working and keeps the cardiovascular system in good shape.
Some people try an organized diet plan like Nutri-system and Jenny Craig. Weight watcher's is another. Some people have tried bariatric surgery and I myself am not a fan of it. However, it does work as long as you follow the changes in diet. There are doctors who specialize in Diet/Obesity problems and they can prescibe diet meds and or diet plans for you.
I also have low vitamin D. It is replaced easily by supplements. We all are in the same boat. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Shelly
Madmoiselle
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shellyC19 Madmoiselle
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I also have endometrosis. I also have cysts covering my ovaries. The condition is called (PCOS) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and it causes weight gain all by itself. Glucophage (metformin) is used to help control the cysts, this drug was made for Type 2 adult onset Diabetes but it works on the cysts. I know how you feel, been there, done that! Please ask your GP about Metformin as it may help you lose weight. Be well....Shelly
barbara98940 Madmoiselle
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It sounds like you are on the road to feeling better now that your Vitamin D and iron deficiencies are being addressed. All the best.
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