newly diagnosed

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
newly diagnosed
7
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 12:47am
Hi , after my annual chk-up my gp called to say I had a hypothyroid and she would call in a scrip. She said my tsh was 9 and to chk back in 6 wks. After the shock wore off I called back to say I wanted 2nd opinion before going on lifetime meds. she sounded a bit miffed but agreed. My question is why was i having no symtoms? From what I am reading it sounds like the meds are hard to take and make you gain weight(my gp said "oh if you are trying to lose weight this will help") Not from what I read!!I am also worried because I have a Mitral valve prolapse which gives me palipitations now.

Thanks for any input

LT

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2003
In reply to: ljtanner
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 2:23pm

Hmm that is odd that you are having no symptoms.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
In reply to: ljtanner
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 3:39pm
Hi LT

I am not on thyroid meds, so I can't speak from personal experience, but I do know a few people who are, and they haven't gained weight due to the meds, most have lost. However, I do know that sometimes Dr's prescribe anti-depressants for thyroid issues and I know LOTS of people that have gained weight from taking the anti-depressants. Alot of hypothyroid symptoms are similar to those of depression, but since you aren't having any symptoms, I doubt you would have to worry about the AD's.

If you aren't comfortable with your Dr's diagnosis, by all means get a 2nd opinion and a 3rd or 4th if you have to! If nothing else, have your thryoid monitored a while longer before taking the meds. Just don't wait too until you have terrible symptoms, then it will only take longer to feel better.

Shelly

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
In reply to: ljtanner
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 8:36pm
thanks for your input.I am really looking forwad to seeing the endo I am worried with no symtoms ...maybe something else is going on.I will post again after drs visit. thanks again
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
In reply to: ljtanner
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 11:11am
Hi LT,

I think its awesome that you are going to see an endocrinologist. They can defiantely explain what is going on in your body much more in depth than your GP. The thing when you are hypothyroid is that your thyroid controls your metabolism ( and a lot of other things). If you are asymptomatic I wouldn't be too worried about it. Many people have TSH levels much higher than that and are asymptomatic. Every person's body is different. One person may be hardly able to function with a TSH level of 9, and you are doing just fine.

A lot of time thyroid disease with an underactive thyroid masks itself as depression--b/c of the non-specific symptoms. EX; weight gain, moodieness, lethargic, tired, which are all symptoms of depression too. Anti depressants can sometimes cause a person to gain weight--just like some people gain weight on birth control.

If you are on a thyroid supplement that is going to boost your thyroid's funcitons and increase your metabolism and most people begin to LOOSE weight not gain it. Although for some people who's metabolism has slowed a lot it is hard to loose weight b/c it sometimes takes a long time for them to get back to "normal" with their thyroid and metabolism.

I think its good that you are going to the endo, they might want to run more tests, or they may suggest putting you on thyroid meds b/c a normal thyroid TSH should be between .03-3.0 , so you are definately a candidate for thyroid supplement because of your elevated TSH levels.

I have a mitral valve prolapse too but I've only experienced heart palpatations when I had anxiety, or once when I had heat stroke(?) heat exhaustion (?)--whatever that is called. Are you having some anxiety? Anxiety can cause heart palpatations. I know that dealing with heart issues is scary. I hope that your doctor can find out what is going on with you and you won't be worried.

Take care of yourself, keep in touch I'm interested in knowing what your endo finds out. --Lisa
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
In reply to: ljtanner
Sat, 08-21-2004 - 5:15pm
Thanks for your message>I am so glad I found this board. It helps to know others are the same as you.My husband sees me at the computer again and says "aren't you going overboard with the thyroid thing?" What a boob!!! I am hoping that its because he dosent want anything to be wrong with me and not an insentitive jerk. Anyway...I know I will probably have to go on meds I am not sure if I should try the natural stuff or the levoxyl. Any thoughts?? Thanks Lisa
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2001
In reply to: ljtanner
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 11:40am
I would definitely ask for more than a measurement of TSH... I would want a measurement of TSH, T4, and T3... At a MINIMUM, to get a better picture of what is going on. Typically, high TSH means the thyroid is not producing enough T4, or you have a problem converting T4 to T3... but you really need all 3, at least to begin with, to see the whole picture.

My daughter had "low-normal" TSH which indicated she was fine... and eventually the TSH level became "low"... which, if they looked JUST at the TSH, would indicate HYPERthyroid... which was TOTALLY WRONG in her case. Her THYROID was FINE... she was simply not producing enough TSH... which meant she was also not producing enough T4 or T3.... which is termed secondary HYPOthyroid!

-Naomi


www. It's Not Mental .com


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
In reply to: ljtanner
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 4:01pm
Hi LT and welcome! I don't have time to read all of your other replies so forgive me if I say the same thing they do! Some people just don't have any symptoms of hypothyroidism even if their TSH is above normal. If you're feeling fine and really don't have any symptoms, you can probably just monitor your TSH level perhaps every 6 months to see if there are any changes. You can also be aware of the many symptoms associated with hypo and call your doctor if you experience any of them. Thyroid Replacement Hormone medication does NOT cause weight gain. I can't imagine where you would read that. Post the links if you have them because that's just crazy, imo. Our thyroid regulates our metabolism and alack of thyroid hormone slows the metabolism so that we gain weight more easily and have trouble losing it! Taking synthroid or any other thyroid medication just puts back in what is supposed to be there. It is regulated every 6 weeks at first, then once every 6 months to be sure you aren't over or undermedicated.

The only caveat about not taking medication when your level is 9 but you have no symptoms is that untreated hypothryoidism is a health risk in itself - high blood pressure and high cholesterol are just two of the consequences of not having your TSH level in the normal range. So it's something you really need to consider when making your decision.

I can understand your not wanting to take medication for the rest of your life. You

aren't experiencing any of the symptoms that can make this condition so awful to live with. If you were, you would be happy to take it!! I know I am. I hope this helps a bit. Cathy :)