Thyroid Vs Old git syndrome
Posted , 12 users are following.
Hi
that is Hi to anyone who reads this. The reason I write this is maybe to let people know of a journey that I have been on and am still experiencing. not travel or holidays It is a journey that is to do with my health and as I have since discovered is a journey that many people do not realise they have started and for many have gone further than I.
The health issue I speak of is Hypothyroidism commonly known as an under active Thyroid, im sure that at this point many of you will move on as this is of no interest to you why would it be you don’t have it .......Do you!!!! Well just bear with me for a couple of moments are you or have you experienced any of the following combinations of these symptoms. Or does the profile fit with your husband or your wife…you know the person you are on the verge of leaving as they have been such a miserable unpleasant git for so long now, the person who seems to have just given up and spends all day slumped in an arm chair with no enthusiasm for life. …the person who, not that long back used to be fun and out going….who used to think of the bedroom as a place to have fun rather than have 12 hours sleep……well Mcduff read on.
Uncomfortably heavy during or since childhood
Quiet and shy child
Weight gain after first period, pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, menopause or starvation diets
Low energy, fatigue, lethargy, need lots of sleep (8 hours or more) and slow to get going in the morning
Tendency to feel cold especially in hands and feet
Tendency to significant weight gain and difficulty in losing weight
Depression
Low blood pressure and heart rate and high cholesterol levels
Menopausal problems including severe cramping, early and late onset.
Low sex drive
Poor concentration and memory
Swollen eyelids, face, general water retention
Thinning and loss of hair
Tendency to low body temperature
Headaches (including migraines)
Infertility and impotence
Weak and brittle nails
Goitre – enlarged, swollen and lumpy thyroid
Anaemia
Adult acne
Hypoglycaemia
Constipation
Dry, coarse or thick skin
Nervousness, anxiety and panicky
Well if you have please read on.
My story is straight forward i am a typical bloke. As a young man I served in the army and then I became a commercial Diver diving both in and around the British coast. Then in 1987 I became a police officer and have remained one since.
I have as you can see an active sort of guy, as a police officer I have undertaken various roles around London and gained a wife and three kids and everything has been fine.
5 years ago my wife became unwell and has suffered from scoliosis and undergone various operations on her spine. Again most of this I took in my stride.
I was approaching 50, 3 young children and a disabled wife. Well of course I started to feel the strain I was what as a young man I would call suffering from “old git syndrome”. I was slowing up I felt unwell, at times I would feel very low and all the other symptoms of which I had most were to do with getting old!!!! .....weren’t they??? Little did I know that I was suffering from an under active thyroid and it was just getting worse. Looking back a lot of things make sense now. The days that I would go out with the kids but come back early because I was puffed out, Falling asleep in front of the telly, turning up the heating. Pins and needles in my hands, gaining weight feeling fed up…….yes sir I was settling into the old git syndrome very well…..this was getting old …wasn’t it!!!.
Well things just got worse until I just felt as if my body was just shutting down. I thought it could be the stress of the job, the kids, the wife, still someone mentioned diabetes and the fact that I smoked… well I gave up the smoking. Still felt like crap. I was forcing myself to do everything. In fact everything was just too much. Friends started to comment that I was looking ill. My kids were telling me that I was no fun. My wife moaned that I was always snapping at her and the kids.
Then I had routine cholesterol check done by the nurse. Well it was of the scale. It should have been something like 5 and mine was 10.6. I was called into see the doc who was concerned about my cholesterol and checked for diabetes seeing as I had mentioned it. Why not check straight away for the under active thyroid???? Well this complaint is seen in about 1 in every 50 woman and only in about 1 in every 1000 men so for the doc it was not the first thing that sprang to mind plus of course I had not told her that I was suffering from all these different symptoms….after all it was only “Old git syndrome”. This is how you were supposed to feel as you got older….wasn’t it!!???. After all my brothers were always telling me about their aches and pains. So I must just be the wimp of the family.
Anyhow I did mention that I felt quite bad and some more blood was taken and sent off. Meanwhile I continued to go to work and had decided that if this is what happens as you get older well you can poke it.
By the time I went back to the doc for the result I was on my chin strap and she told me that I was suffering from a condition called Hypothyroidism commonly known as an under active Thyroid. And indeed it was quite bad; also that it had also affected my kidneys as the levels were so low.
The relief I felt when I realised that there was actually a reason for how I had been feeling was overwhelming and I hardly listened to what else she said all I knew is that I had to take some pills and I would get better.
So straight out of the surgery and into the pharmacy and hey presto I’ve got some pills. She had tried to sign me off sick, but hey what for, a couple of pills and I would be back to normal……NOT.
When I got home I went on the net and looked up as much as I could about this complaint. I read how I would have to have my levels slowly brought back up over the coming months and how it would be gradual
Surly not me I would be fine straight away so the next morning I dutifully took my medication, ( 50 micrograms of Levothyroxine) and off to work I went. ( 9 hours later) I was sat at a service station on my way home having had to rest as I felt so bad that I could not drive any further. Still once the drug kicks in. I should be just fine….shouldn’t I.
I read more about the condition and the fact that I would have to take the medication for life but the upside was that I was one of the conditions that made you exempt from paying. Hmmmm maybe this is not so straight forward as I thought. Still big strong policeman like me ex squadie stroke Diver I would cope better that most……surly.
At work I was more than happy to talk about how there was in fact something wrong with me and it wasn’t just because I was a miserable old git, and as is always the case having never heard of the complaint before every other person seemed to know of a relative who had had it and was taking the same medicine. In fact one of the woman I had worked for years came up and told me that she had been diagnosed some years before and was fine now. And that taking the pills every day was no bother. Also the fact that she was only took about a year to get back to normal……a year surly not. any day now the drug would kick in and I would be back to normal.
1 week later I am sat in the surgery I can hardly move as I have given up the will to live and I have never felt so poorly in my life. The doc takes one look and signs me off sick and tells me that if I don’t accept how poorly and run down I was I would end up in hospital and put myself at risk of a heart attack.
I WENT HOME AND WENT TO BED. AND STAYED THERE FOR 3 DAYS
On the third day I actually felt a bit better and got up. I had accepted that I would have to take things easier and let things go by the way at home, I had to concentrate on my health. After another 2 weeks I had much improved and I just felt like crap rather that hoping life would end. I went for my next blood test and a week later I saw the doc. Yep there had been an improvement and I was now to increase my medication….great said I what do I take now 200 micrograms…..no way says she, I was to increase by only 50 micrograms and start taking 100 per day. Maybe in another 5 weeks would I be able to increase the dose again. “But doc surly a big strong ruffty tuffty copper like me could take more that”…….she asked me if my children understood what a heart attack was and what that would do to dad….I took the hint and again slapped myself back to reality. So I am plodding on with my 100 micrograms per day taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Taken with only water as milk could absorb some of the benefits…..Im learning. My next stop apparently is to see a specialist …just to double check things so that’s my next move. I have stored up all my questions for the consultant and will share anything with you after I’ve been. I will keep this as a diary and let those who have any interest share my recovery.
In the mean time if you know of someone who has this ailment be kind to them as I know how ill the feel. And believe me they are not just being miserable sods suffering from the dreaded “old git syndrome”.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ situated on the front of the neck that secretes two hormones, thyroxine (also known as T4) and triiodothyronine (called T3), that are important in the control of metabolism. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce adequate levels of these critical hormones.
Hypothyroidism is very common and is estimated to affect 3-5% of the adult population. It is more common in women than in men, and the risk of developing hypothyroidism increases with advancing age.
Hypothyroidism is most commonly a result of an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, in which the body’s own immune cells attack and destroy the thyroid gland. Since the activity of the thyroid gland is controlled by other hormones from the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus of the brain, defects in these areas can also cause underactivity of the thyroid gland. Previous surgeries on the thyroid or a history of irradiation to the neck are other causes of hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism can be mild or severe, but are often very subtle. People with a mild form of the condition may not have any symptoms at all. The most serious form of hypothyroidism is called myxedema, which can lead to coma and even death. An underactive thyroid gland affects all organs and functions within the body, leading to both physical and emotional symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults are:
Tiredness and weakness; feeling “run down”
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
Constipation
Depression
Thinning or brittleness of the hair or nails
Cold intolerance
Sleepiness
Memory loss
Decreased libido
Muscle aches and pains
Those affected by more advanced cases of hypothyroidism may notice dryness or thickening of the skin; slow speech; abnormal menstrual cycles; puffiness of the face, hands, or feet; and decreased capacity for taste and smell.
If you are experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism, your doctor can order simple blood tests to diagnose the condition. An underactive thyroid gland is in most cases easily and completely treated by daily administration of thyroid hormones in tablet form.
1 like, 55 replies
SES
Posted
That is something to keep an eye on, I was talking to a fellow sufferer about the Levothyroxine and there was a batch that kept crumbling which isn't good is it? My level has just elevated and so from 175mcg I have been reduced to 150mcg. and yet my level hadn't changed for years, so this information makes me wonder about the level of hormone is in the medication????? I get my blood level checked every 2-3months anyway so we will see...... so it is good that you mention this, this is something that all thyroid sufferers should be informed of as it is serious if we aren't getting the right dosage?
I do hope you feel better soon xx
Kind Regards
SES
Guest
Posted
alicia
Posted
'One little gland in your neck' is like the conductor of the orchestra (your body). If the conductor is out of time, out of tune, or worse still, missing, all the sections of the orchestra are out of harmony. That is the body when the thyroid gland is malfunctioning or not functioning at all.
jackfrost
Posted
AND NOW :D I am back to normal…need to lose some more weight but I feel fine now I am on 175mg of thyroxin (down from 225) cholesterol down to 4.5. TSH 1.5 and life is back to normal… :o
jack
SES
Posted
So glad to see you are feeling back to normal, a lot of perseverance but you got there in the end, well done!
Kind Regards
SES
Guest
Posted
jackfrost
Posted
sagigurl58
Posted
I have read with great interest the items on here and have learned a lot...as jack frost says \"knowledge is power'
I am feeling pretty crappy lately and sooo tired with everything being a effort. My thyroxine dosage is 175mg per day and has been for about 11yrs now. Why is it I feel so tired? My medication is stable according to the docs.
I'm fast approaching the \"Big 50\" but at times feel about 90!
Looking back at past postings I found one from jack frost about foods to avoid......eg cabbage, brussels cauliflower, peaches and strawberries. I love my veg and will quite often eat cabbage and cauli. Could these be contributing to me feeling so grotty?
If you do have some good recipes jack frost I would certainly love to try some of them :D
jackfrost
Posted
Avoid refined foods, saturated fats, sugars, and white flour products. If the thyroid problem is severe it is then good to avoid Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, kale, mustard greens, peaches and pears as they have anti-thyroid substances and may suppress the thyroid function. But I stress you don’t have to give them up just go easy.
Follow a diet with at least 50 % of the foods being fresh, and organically grown to rebalance and establish a better metabolism. The enzymes from live foods help the body to maintain proper metabolism. Foods that heal include sprouts, salads, raw vegetables, and thermos cooked grains to retain enzymes which heal and feed the glands.
Eat foods rich in vitamin A, such as yellow vegetables, eggs, carrots, and dark green vegetables is concentrated Beta-Carotene, the precursor to Vitamin A and one of nature's most powerful antioxidants.
Zinc and copper are important in helping the body make thyroid hormone. Foods rich in zinc include: beef (range free), oatmeal, chicken (range free), seafood, dried beans, bran, tuna, spinach, seeds, and nuts. Foods rich in copper include: organ meats (range free), eggs, yeast, legumes, nuts, and raisins.
The amino acid tyrosine is helpful. Tyrosine is found in edamame, beef, chicken, and fish. Soy should be only used in small amounts or on an occasional basis.
Other beneficial ingredients for vegetable juice combinations include: alfalfa, all leafy greens, beet tops, carrots, celery, green peppers, parsley, seaweeds, sprouts, and watercress.
The best thing is not to become obsessed with what you eat but you just have to increase the variety of things you eat.. Oh!! and don’t go taking supplements without advice from your doctor ..It is better to eat things that contain the stuff your body wants and to let the body take it
Best of all research your illness and find out all you can and help your doctor help you
Knowledge is power
Guest
Posted
After a year I was left with sore throat and my own phlegm making machine which was very irritating …and sore joints, I felt like a 80 year old. I read all I could and when I went back to the doc I asked him first about my throat.
I had read that it was possible to get a deep tissue infection that needed powerful antibiotics to get rid of it. Having read about the drugs I did not fancy it but I did want to have a go at normal penicillin as I always react well to it.
Also for my joints I asked if he would put me on a course of a suitable anti inflammatory drug. As this would ease my joints enabling me to exercise without pain and in turn build up the muscles around my joints which in turn would ease the stiffness. And then I can stop the drug and continue to exercise properly.
Well he agreed and both had a good effect my throat is much much better and my joints are much easier. I need to exercise more to liven up the muscles around them.
I have set a realistic goal of 2 years to be 100% back to normal and I am just about there.
For loads of you out there I understand the frustration that you have but you need to do a lot for yourself
The main concern for a lot of people is the weight gain and for many it is the immediate priority to get it off. Now here’s the thing. As your body has been denied many of the hormones and good stuff it wants to keep everything going a diet is the last thing you need to do. Besides it wont work until your levels are back to normal.
So you need to feed your body with the biggest variety of different food you can think of. Don’t go taking multivits ..how do you know what your body wants or when. So you need to start eating loads of different stuff, we all settle into the same routine we buy the stuff we like and the brand we like till we are eating the same thing week in week out.
When you go shopping for food start to look at picking different vegetables buy a different variety of cabbage have spinach one day aubergine (Eggplant) the next
Research the super foods. Remember how gran used to sniff the food she handled, well laugh if you like but try it and suddenly you will buy things that you haven’t done before ..why? well it is the same theory as with pregnant women they crave for things the body needs and the body knows where to get it. By handling your fruit and veg and smelling it your body will tell you if it wants what is in it…laugh if you like but I have bought items that I have not eaten for years, mangos leeks, to name a couple, farmers markets are good for this…oh and try ostrich meat top stuff!
For breakfast have a cereal but add a mix of walnut Brazil nut, Goji berries cranberries, sunflower seed pine nuts etc. Find out what is in the stuff you eat;
for instance:
(Goji berries are an extremely nutrient-dense fruit. They contain 18 amino acids (six times higher than bee pollen) including all 8 essential amino acids. Goji berries contain up to 21 trace minerals (the main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus) and are the richest source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene (more beta carotene than carrots), of all known foods or plants on earth! They contain 500 times the amount of vitamin C, by weight, than oranges making them second only to camu camu berries as the richest vitamin C source on earth.
Goji berries also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E.
Mature fruits contain about 11 mg or iron per 100 grams, beta-sisterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and b
Guest
Posted
I have never done anything like this before but I am getting very concerned - so I'll explain.
About 12 months ago my husband and I decided to start running to get a bit fitter, we are both in our mid 40s but have always been fairly active, so thought a bit of running wouldn't go amiss.
Running went well for about 3 months, then just after Christmas my husband started to feel very tired all the time. I thouhgt maybe he'd overdone the exercise as he had been doing much longer runs than I, so we cut down on the running a little, but he got worse. He wanted to sleep all the time, was lethargic, looked unwell, then we noticed that his heart rate was very slow. After much nagging I finally persuaded him to go to see the doctor.
He had numerous blood tests done and had his heart checked out. It was beating at 47 bpm, but otherwise ok, blood pressure ok. In the meantime we had looked up bradycardia on the internet and were convinced he had an underacive thyroid so when we went back to his doctor for blood test results he was gutted to hear that the thyroid test was ok. Unfortunatley the doctor was very dismissive when my husband insisted that something must be wrong. She told him that super fit athletes often have slow heartbeats (by super fit I assume she means Usain Bolt - but I didn't see him falling asleep following his 100 metre world record breaking effort) and perhaps he should consider a mental problem.
Humiliated and embarassed by her comments he gave up running for a
few months and while not a bundle of energy he started to feel better. Then in about May this year we decided to run a 10k race and started running again. He has really struggled with it this time; his symptoms read like a check list for underactive thyroid, he's exhausted; his hands and feet are cold; he could eat nothing for a week but would still put weight on; and, most alarming of all, his heart beat gets ever slower. We bought a heart monitor which he wore last night for the whole night - it recorded a low of 33bpm.
I think hs is prepared now to consider seeing another doctor but our surgery is being snotty about it.
I suppose my question is, after this missive, is it possible for a blood test to miss an under active thyroid and how low does a heart have to beat before it becomes life threatening?
I realise I should probably be asking a doctor these questions, but my husband and I share the same doctor and I already know what the answer from her will be.
I would be grateful for any information you can provide.
Cheers
Lorna
Guest
Posted
the problem with the symptoms of a thyroid they are similer to many others and that's why the thyroid is often called the great pretender...for instance vitamin B12 deficiency can show similar signs...
what you must do is get good medical advice. i would book a double appointment with the your doc arm yourself with what you have researched and then get the doc to work with you to find out what it is and to rule out what it is not.
if your doctor is unhelpful well you have every right to find one that will...
i am sorry i cant be of any specific help, please let me know how you get on
positive things happen for positive people
Knowledge IS power
Guest
Posted
Will let you know how we get on
Cheers
Lorna
liverpool
Posted
I only found this sight yesterday.I am very interested in what does not agree with Thyroxine and went on the sight you suggested but it was rubbish.It only mentioned two drugs.What about foods and vitimans and supplements.When will these people give us a list of does and donts .I truly despair.On a scale of one to ten and ten feeling awful I am number 15.I give up
Liverpool
jack.frost
Posted
I have found that supplements don’t help much but what does help is to eat a broad range of foods, we all tend to get into the habit of eating pretty much the same stuff because we have grown to like it but what you need to do Is change your eating habits and start varying your diet start discovering different foods look at the super foods. For example I have cereal for breakfast (of course at least an hour after my Meds) but on it I have made a mix of brazil Nuts, walnuts, cranberries, Goji berries, fruit pieces, pine nuts, and pumpkin seeds and a couple of other berries, I then put a few spoons of this on the cereal. Why do I vary my diet, well rather than take tablets with vitamins that my body does not want and the wrong amount. By giving my body the chance to extract what it needs and ensuring my diet is such that it provides everything the body wants to take, well then I find it works so much better and I feel better. As for conflicting meds.. go out on the net and find out about it. Then you can help your doc to help you…once they realise you know a lot about it then they will listen harder…it is important to find out what it isn’t that is causing you problems because that will lead you to finding out what it is.
So don’t give up get wise and fight it
Knowledge is power.
Jack