tired weak many symptoms need help!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
tired weak many symptoms need help!!!
7
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 11:23pm
Hi,

This is my first time to this board but I am glad that I stumbled upon it because I need some help. Where do I start?? well I have always thought that I had a thyroid problem....all of the symptoms of hypothyroidism go hand in hand with how I am...I was checked for it once (a simple blood test) and it came back negative...although I have talked to people who have said that they didn't find out anything through blood tests, they had to have more thorough tests performed on them to get to the bottom of it. Anyways, the reason that I need help is this: my menstrual cycles have been SO messed up lately. I am currently in the middle of a 2 week long period. Previous to having this period, I had a week off of not having one..but the three weeks prior to that I had a period. My extra long periods have been very heavy, bright red blood with clots (sorry, TMI). Due to the loss of blood I have been extremely weak, horrible headaches, muscle cramps, etc. This same incident happened to me about 9 months ago (except that it was like a 2 month long period). I went to the gyno and she gave me pills to regulate my period and she was the one that tested me for a thyroid problem that came back as negative..and then did nothing else after that. I don't have insurance and I already have lots of hospital bills accumulated from previous medical problems...and I don't have a lot of money..but apparently too much to be able to get any kind of assistance. What I was wondering is this: do any of you know of a more natural, perhaps herbal suppliment that I could take to help with my thyroid, instead of having to go to the doctors? I know that I have not been diagnosed with a thyroid problem..but I know that I have to have one. Here are some of my symptoms: always tired, depressed, always cold, horribly messed up periods, very moody, brittle nails and hair and lately I have been noticing a lot more hair loss than usual, muscle cramps, and every once in a while I get this strange numbing pain in my neck (where my thyroid gland is located)..it comes and goes, but when it is there it is very irratating. I would appreciate input from anyone concerning any of this. Also...do any of you have any suggestions as to what I could take since I have been losing so much blood...I have been so tired and weak because of that..almost to the point that it is really hard for me to function. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Erin :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 11:26pm
oh...and I almost forgot...another symptom that I have is that I keep gaining weight even though I hardly eat..and that makes me sooo mad!!!!

Thanks again,

Erin

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 10:23am


Hi:

First, I'm so sorry you're having all those awful symptoms--- most of us here can really relate. My advice is that while there are a lot of over-the-counter supplements that help with symptoms (dry skin, etc.), the thyroid problem itself cannot be treated without medical intervention. You say the thyroid test was 'negative,' did you receive a printout of the lab result? Many doctors interpret the results using an outdated normal range for TSH (0.5-5.0); if you didn't get the number, you might start by calling to find out what that result was because if it was higher than TSH=3, you will know that there is good evidence of a problem (other than symptoms, of course, which are your best evidence). Then I suggest finding a doctor who specializes in Thyroid so that you can (hopefully) find someone who keeps current with testing and treatments.

The best of luck,

Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 5:32pm
Hi Erin - I'm sorry you're going through such a hard time!! I think that you need to be tested again for your thyroid because it certainly sounds as if that is the problem. You might really have been in the normal range last year but this year it sounds like a different story. Those heavy periods are a classic symptom. I had that, too, before I was finally diagnosed. I couldn't even leave the house some days!! So I know how awful that is. Perhaps there is either a clinic or some insurance help that you can get to help pay for the office visit and lab tests. Thyroid conditions are commonly tested by a blood test. You don't really need anything more. You might also want to have your iron checked at the same time because losing all that blood might mean that you are also low on iron right now.

You absolutely have to be seen by a doctor. If there was another way to treat an underactive thyroid, we'd all be doing it! :) And those heavy periods are not a good thing in so many ways. The only way you're going to stop them is to be on a regular dose of thyroid medication. Perhaps you have someone you can borrow the money from?? I hate to be so personal but it's really critical that you have this taken care of. It will only get worse if it's not treated. What do you think? Cathy

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 6:43pm
Hi Cathy!

Thanks for all of your input. Yes..you are right, I do need to get to a doctor because I feel like I can hardly take these crazy symptoms any longer. Even though my period has finally started to slow down a bit, I do realize how abnormal it all is, along with all of the other symptoms that I have been suffering from lately. I know what you mean whenever you said that somedays you felt that you couldn't even leave the house...I go through that too. It would be such a relief to get help for this...so I am going to have to make a dr. appt very soon and go from there. I appreciate you and everyone else's input and suggestions..they have been taken to heart.

Thanks again,

Erin :)

Avatar for pinkprincess38
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 3:06pm
Hi Erin...just read your post...am not a doctor just my personal thoughts...sounds like you are hypothyroid...2 good books for you to read are Living with Hypothyroidism by Mary Shomon and Thyroid Power by Richard Shames...both can be ordered from your library...and both have info on getting a diagnosis/treatment/thyroid pills...another good thyroid board besides this good one...go to about.com go to health go to thyroid...there are forums to post/read and one for hypothyroidism where you can post/read...please let us know what happens to you...pinkprincess
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 3:12pm
Hi Erin - please let us know how you're doing and what happens when you get to see the doctor! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 9:49pm
Hey Ladies!

Thanks again for your input...I will keep you all posted.

Erin :)