Am I Hypo?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
Am I Hypo?
6
Thu, 02-17-2005 - 1:07pm

So, I've posted on the Diabetes & Menstrual Issues board, but none of them have experienced all of my symptons. Light bulb just went off that maybe I've got hypo. My dad has hypo, when he was in his 20's his thyroid was completely removed.

Anyway, in the past 3 months I've had issues with spotting mid-cycle despite being on Birth Control pills. My cycle has also changed it's start date. In the past 3 weeks I've become dizzy, have cold hands, see spots when dizzy, and generally get disoriented or foggy headed, my blood sugar drops(tested it with a glucose machine) I am not sleeping well, have been waking up almost every 3 hours. About a year ago I was diagnosed IBS-constipation, the checked my thyroid levels. Doc said my T3 levels were high, but I did not qualify hypothyroid because every other level was normal.

I'm just confused and scared as to what is going on!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: pgtomas
Thu, 02-17-2005 - 3:50pm

Like You, I thought I was going thru menopause and was reading everything I could find on it never dreaming in a million years that I was hypo.


I'm tired.. so tired. But when it comes time for bed, I can't fall asleep. I'm up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and then can't fall back to sleep. The I get cramps in my calves and have to get out of bed to stand on that leg to get the cramp out and

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
In reply to: pgtomas
Thu, 02-17-2005 - 4:15pm
Hi - I'm sorry you feel so badly but glad you finally were diagnosed. It takes up to 3 months to feel the full effects of your medication but you may start feeling better within 2 to 4 weeks of when you first started. It needs to build up in your blood stream. I just wanted to encourage you to hang in there!! It does get better. Be sure to take your meds first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and don't eat or take other medication for an hour afterward. Calcium and iron supplements need to be taken up to 4 hours after your meds, they interfere with it's absorption. Hope you stay in touch and let us know how you're doing! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
In reply to: pgtomas
Thu, 02-17-2005 - 4:19pm
Hi - I'm wondering if you're not either hypoglycemic or hyperthyroid. Too much T3 means that you're producing the thyroid hormone but perhaps are making more than your body can use. Is this an endo that you went to or a regular doctor? I think you need to go back to a specialist and have a new thyroid panel done and also mention that your dad is hypo. I would also look into hypoglycemia if I were you - that sure sounds like it to me. And the interesting thing is that all of these are autoimmune conditions! What do you think? Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
In reply to: pgtomas
Thu, 02-17-2005 - 4:57pm

Hello again,
It's not menopause, I'm only 23.

I went back and looked at my doc's report from my bloodwork, it doesn't say they were high, but they were at "Abnormal levels", not high, sorry.But nowhere on the report does it list what my levels are.

My doc has ruled out hypoglycemia because my blood sugar does not drop low enough. My "fasting blood sugar" is only around 75 which is perfectly normal. When I checked it during my sinking spell it was at 70, which is still normal.

I'm just confused as to what is going on. Also, a coworker who is Hypothyroid felt my thyroid gland and said it was swollen on the right side.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
In reply to: pgtomas
Fri, 02-18-2005 - 1:33pm

I am so annoyed right now. Went to see my PCP at 9am today, explained my concerns. He looks at my chart and says "Well, we have you being on Thyrolar since August" Um....no. I explained that in August my GI told me my levels were abnormal but I didn't have a thyroid issue. Well, PCP has blood test from Dec, when levels were within normal ranges and assumed the Thyrolar was working.

While explaining my symptoms, GP discovers what he thinks is a immune disorder in my ear, refers me to an ENT, and is not concerned about thyroid since Dec. levels were normal without medication. ENT calls to set up appt, and asks if thyroid levels were tested today. They weren't, well ENT says that this ear disorder they think I have has been linked to thyroid issues.

I am seriously about to have a breakdown because it seems that I keep getting the run around always associated with my thyroid.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
In reply to: pgtomas
Fri, 02-18-2005 - 10:50pm
Hi - well, you really need to get the actual numbers so we can tell what you're working with. Can you call your doctor's office on Monday and get them? Everything seems to be pointing to your thyroid. Why would your doctor think you were on thyroid medication?? Cathy :)