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Dealing with Hypothyroidism, are these symptoms normal?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Bumpy83
Bumpy83

Hi. I have just been diagnosed with an under active thyroid. I haven't had any weight issues that seem to be typical of this condition, but I have many other symptoms. I have felt depressed for almost a year, even when doing things I love, I have felt extemely depressed and have been suffering with severe stress and anxiety to the point where I don't wan to be around people as I have nothing positive to say. This has really been getting me down, which obviously makes it worse. I have been exhausted for no reason and could quite happily spend all my time in bed.

I have also had arthritic pain in my hands and wrists, so much so that I got tested for arthritis which I have been told I don't have. I have also reacted very strongly to insect/spider bites which led me to have the blood tests in the first place.

I have had no sex drive for almost a year now, which is very frustrating as I am in a wonderful relationship, but I just have no sex drive whatsoever.

I wanted to check if these symptoms sound like hypothyroidism and could possibly be resolved with medication. If anyone can offer any advice that would be great as the only other person I know that has this is my mum who is rather happy about it as it explains her weight issues.

 

0 likes, 29 replies

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  • m72934
    m72934 Bumpy83

    Posted

    Thyroid symptoms have also caused me a lot of problems.  I would say that I have found dietary changes (for me I did an elimination diet and I remove, gluten, dairy, eggs, corn and onion family) and a small amount of exercise even short walk helps.  Don't overload yourself and remove stress where poss rem your body is on go slow.  I also find taking hot bath with bath salts helps if in pain or need to relax.  Finally, I went organic where poss. It has def helped me but not necessarily needed for everyone.  I looked the thyroid diet coach website - it is not medical but it is more about how you can remove endocrine disrupters and how best to support your body I.e. Through nutrition etc.Easier said then done but if you understand why you feel like this then I suggest you wait until meds optimal and things should improve.  Look at T3 levels and antibodies.
    • marey
      marey m72934

      Posted

      hi m, well done for following an elim diet. How did you get on? Did you indentify your sensitivities and are you back on any of those foods or staying off?

      Whats your TSH and do you know your other readings?

      I'm waiting for antibody info. Did you get a positive result?

    • m72934
      m72934 marey

      Posted

      Hi I was diagnosed late as a child and started off with a TSH of 250 back then.  I did ok ish on thyroixine for approx 12 yrs but always had symptoms but I never connected the 2 together.  Unfortunately, I had an accident in my early 20s and I became really unwell to the point where I needed help to do the most basic things.  12 yrs later I just couldnt carry on and the symptoms were unbearable so I decided to take things into my own hands as I was getting no help from the NHS - apart from being told I had mental health issues!  I read through my med records and noticed where ever I had struggled in life my thyroid was up to something.  I researched hypothyroid online and decided that thyroxine was the problem.  I managed to get a good endo who tested TSH, T4, T3 and antibodies - Vit d, B12, iron, ferratin and folate and agreed I couldnt tolerate thyroxine and I was also not being treated optimally (he said most people need to have their TSH around 1 and T4 towards the upper end of the range to feel well - my GP refused to increase even though my TSH was 3.5, T4 just in range and T3 low out of range).  By making sure I was on the right meds (most people are fine on thyroxine by the way) and my vits optimal thing started to improve my TSH is around 0.5, T4 mid range and t3 towards the top end now.  I had a lot of digestive discomfort/migraines/vertigo and the food elimination diet was pretty easy to do (I never thought I could do it).  Every 10 days I cut out a certain food - gluten, dairy, eggs, caffine, onion family, corn and purines.  If I felt better after about 6 days (you can feel worse when you give it up at first) then I cut it out for between 3 - 6 months.  If I felt no change during the 10 days then I carryed on eating it.  I now eat a sm amount of everything and I can tolerate it but if I have a bit ex then the few days I'm def feeling it so I keep it to a minimum and then completely eliminate until I feel better. I dont miss it because I feel worse if I eat it.  Gut health is important.  My anti bodies were elevated but nothing too bad.  Sometimes lifestyle changes can help to bring them down which was another reason why I did the elimination diet.  I have gone from someone who could barely stand to now being back in the game although Im not there yet!  It is important to get things optimal and not just normal as everyone is diff.        
    • marey
      marey m72934

      Posted

      wow m...i am really impressed!

      did you have some kind of support ...or a book to follow?

      I am trying to address supplementation. I just sit and look at the bag full of bottles that i've got. I just can't face taking them. Would like to do food sources and I do try to take the brazil nuts  ... but i'm living between an unfit place and a building site so its stressful... I seem to have a cross between lethargy and hypo thy ....I don't know but I feel so ridiculously helpless. Are you in the UK? Glad you got the help you needed from an endo ...I heard they can be worse than your GP in being obstructive. Hope I'm wrong and that they can help. What about iodine? How are your levels and did you get tested for that? If i have hashis there is a protocol i'm aware of but mine was a slow onset...more classical hypo...but since i tried staying off thyroxin my TSH has gone back up to 5.1 so have resumed taking it.

    • m72934
      m72934 marey

      Posted

      Yes, I am in the UK and unfortunately I didn't get alot of support but I am about to contact an integrative nutitionalist to try and reduce supplements and obtain what I need through food.  I got no help from the GP at all and I would not recommend doing this but I changed my own meds by paying for private tests with each change (to make sure that i didnt cause any problems) because I could not tolerate it any more I was in a lot of pain, bed ridden and could not do anything without feeling so sick, dizzy and faing or just through weakness.  I then had to go to another consultant who referred me to a Prof and he agreed with my meds inc dose (Ive been lucky to have him) - My GP refused to do anything a number of times even though I was toxic on thyroixine (I still have to by my meds even though my Prof has said I need them.  Like you I also find it a bit hard to figure out everything and it is important to be careful with your approach.  I got info initially from a number of websites inc. Dr Kelly Brogan, Dr Izabella Wentz, Dr Susy Cohen.  I cannot comment about iodine as I have no idea but I'm sure that one of the above doctors have some info on their website.      
    • m72934
      m72934 marey

      Posted

      Also you should have your antibodies tested as certain lifestyle changes may help to bring them down which is always a good thing in my opinion.  
    • marey
      marey m72934

      Posted

      thank you so much m.

      yes i've visited all of those. am so impressed with your strategy. may i ask you some more questions please?

    • m72934
      m72934 marey

      Posted

      no problem at all - Im no expert but I can let you know my experience
    • marey
      marey m72934

      Posted

      thanks so much ...will just check this isn't off topic with bumpy.

      back later or tomo xxxxxxx

  • rick5258
    rick5258 Bumpy83

    Posted

    Hi Bumpy. I would start with getting a complete blood test to see where your levels are. I am Hypo too, just found out in July. If you do turn out to be hypo, explore all the options with your doctor and find what treatment works for you. I am still not normal yet and need to see a specialist. Good luck, I know this may not help much, but you need a baseline blood test to see where the issues are, and go from there.
  • brewster121044
    brewster121044 Bumpy83

    Posted

    These are all thyroid symptoms & you need to see a Dr & get medicated,I was told for 9 years that I had arthritis & had several X-rays none of which was conclusive ,I was prescribed strong painkillers & ended up on Morphine none of which helped .Finally on thyroid medication & all the aches & pains have gone.Join a Thyroid group there is a good one on Facebook & you can chat with other thyroid sufferers who have loads of good advice about what medication is best for you.
  • marey
    marey Bumpy83

    Posted

    I just want to send you a message of love and support bumpy. I note you say you have been feeling depressed. Please know that we are here for you xxxxxx

    Bumpy I'd just like to check that sub discussions aren't off-topic.. ..and that you're ok with them...and hopefully also find the extra info helpful?

    Any news of further results? Thinking of you.

  • stephanie2424
    stephanie2424 Bumpy83

    Posted

    Hi Bumpy

    i know your symptoms all too well, for the past 6 months I have been very depressed, suffered terrible anxiety,  every time I stood up I felt like fainting. I was constantly irritable and spent a lot of time in bed not even aware where time was going. I had been diagnosed with an under active thyroid 7 months ago but similar to you I don't have a problem with the weight. If anything the medications made me lose. I recently cut out gluten from my diet and the difference was amazing so I would recommend trying it! 

    I am finally at the point where I can work a f we days a week again and see my friends and family without just blankly starring into space wishing I could go home x

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