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| Tue, 02-28-2006 - 11:27pm |
New here, and just been browsing some of the posts.
I've been diagnosed Hypothyroid for just over a year. Honestly, some days I wish I was never diagnosed or started the medication. I had some good benefits, like my skin isn't so dry and my hair is usually alot softer now. But the bad... In the last year I've gained 60 pounds (at one point, it was two a week), and i have even less energy.
I've tried B-complex, and just plain B12, and nothing improves (it actually seems to get worse). Has anyone else been here? Is there something that works?
It seems like the slightest exertion or stress at work, and I'm sapped for the entire afternoon.
Ok, now that I sound like a whiney-baby :) I was wondering... both of my doctors have refused to do the full panel when testing for TSH (that is, they won't test t4 t3 etc). Have any of you found it beneficial? They say its not worth the cost...but I'm not so sure anymore. Any thoughts?
Erin

HI Erin, welcome to the boards. There are a lot of great people here to help you along your way and listen to your questions/vents.
How much thyroid medication are you on right now?
Hi Erin,
Welcome!
It would also be my suggestion to try to get your doctor to test the other areas.
Hi April,
First of all, thank you so much for your reply. As to whether or not I'm consistent with my medication, yes I am. I take a dose of 125 mcg of synthroid, and I've been on it for seven months. Prior to that, we spent maybe four to six months getting to this point. My doctor did tell me about the timing of taking it(one hour before and two after eating- also the inerference with calcium), though I've known others who's doctors didn't tell them that, only to take it whenever.
Anyway, I do still have the symptoms. I pointed out the two pounds a week early in the beginning, and he said it was just something I'd have to get used to. Thankfully the weight gain is now somewhat stable and has a slower progression, but it's not really going away.
My next appointment isn't for over five months, when my rx is empty. I think I'll give it a couple of weeks, and if I don't feel better, I'm going to have to call him. It seems like its gotten worse, but maybe its just a lag.
Have you found anything that helps boost energy, w/o a medication change?
Thanks,
Erin
Oh, i also looked up the internet tests. That was quite interesting. I had no idea that something like this was available. It ranged from 30 to 65. Neat.
This all sounds very familiar. Some days I think I felt better before I started on thyroid medicine. I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroid in November. I started on Synthroid but had a bad reaction to a low dose, so she switched me to 25mg Levoxyl, then up to 50 in January.
The one symptom that has eased quite a bit is the foot/hand nerve pain. I have gained some more weight since starting the thyroid medicine; I've been exercising every day, eating 1500 calories or less, drinking lots of water--NOTHING. To me this is the most frustrating.
I'm also taking 1000mcg of B-12, Dr. tested it and it was low.
I don't know if my Dr. tests all the different levels or just goes by the total TSH. I go back in a couple of weeks. I'll ask her then.
Dana
Hey Dana,
Shortly after I started the medication I noticed more pronounced back pain (I have scoliosis) and joint pain. They tested for all kinds of things, and really didn't discover anything. I stayed on an anti-inflammatory until I started feeling worse on it, than off it. Now, the joint pain is less persistent, though still noticeable (mostly as a stiffness when joints are too long in one position).
I never considered thyroid playing a role in all this, but I guess it would be possible. I'm kind of disapointed in Dr.s in my area, because they don't really seem too interested in thyroid other than test it, medicate it, and then ignore it. But it really does affect so much in your life when its out of whack.
I'd be interested to hear what your doc says. I still won't see mine for a while. I got sick last week, and when I called to make an apt, he was out of town, again. So I missed that opportunity to ask him.
Erin