still not hyper still showing signs
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still not hyper still showing signs
| Fri, 11-17-2006 - 4:37pm |
Hi all,
About a year ago, I posted b/c I had signs of HYPERthyroidism and had bloodwork done and my numbers were in range.
Well, a year later, I've lost SO much weight despite eating like a bottomless pit- seriously, I'm constantly going to the grocery store and forcing myself to eat more just to put on pounds. In the past few weeks, I've definitely lost alot of weight-my brand new jeans which were a perfect fit a month ago are so loose now.
I also have had unexplained chest pains - ecg over the summer said my heart is okay (I have a heart murmur and for the past 5 yrs drs have asked if I have ever had an ekg done)Those same drs also have said I have a thyroid problem and then when bloodwork says I'm "normal", they tell me it's depresion.
If I were depressed I'd lose interest in daily activities, not go to class, distant myself from friends, etc. Though law school has been really stressful, that is to be expected. I'm very outgoing and am not depressed.
I went to the medical center that is walking distance from my apt. and this doctor immediately said it's probably my thyroid -NOT depression. Nice to hear considering I've lost weight, at times am out of breath, unexplained chest pains, my hair keeps falling (strands of them while I take a shower), and light periods (although I'm not complaining about that!).
Lo and behold, the blood tests say I'm normal once again! I'll post the numbers later but TSH and Free T4 were tested and definitely in normal range according to the lab.
WHAT THE HECK??? How is it possible for me to have so many symptoms of hyper and yet not have that? Much as I wish, this is NOT in my head! I almost don't want to go home in a few weeks b/c I've lost so much weight and it's really embarassing. Not looking forward to the questioning from parents when I get home. This is also frustrating b/c I really do eat like a pig - I've spent so much on groceries the past couple of months and buy food almost every week.
So can I ask for suggestions on the following?:
Diet - I've read that I need to increase calorie intake but I prefer healthy food over fries and burgers (remember, I still have my heart to think about), so I eat granola, nuts, and granola bars. I eat lots of cereal for breakfast and try to eat higher calorie cereal with granola, fiber (again heart healthy minded). Any suggestions on what to look for? I also eat whole grain bread (heart healthy). Should I switch to white? (I actually don't like the taste of white bread anymore). Any good high calorie whole grain/wheat breads out there?
exercise - now that finals are approaching, I'm increasing exercise to keep me sane and not stressed. I know weights are needed to gain muscle and I certainly do that but should I avoid using the treadmill?
lastly, what should I do if my hyper symptoms continue. I don't have health insurance so I can't afford to keep taking blood tests and have them tell me I'm fine. By the way, diabetes has thankfully also been ruled out.
sorry for the very long post and thanks for any advice in advance
Benita
About a year ago, I posted b/c I had signs of HYPERthyroidism and had bloodwork done and my numbers were in range.
Well, a year later, I've lost SO much weight despite eating like a bottomless pit- seriously, I'm constantly going to the grocery store and forcing myself to eat more just to put on pounds. In the past few weeks, I've definitely lost alot of weight-my brand new jeans which were a perfect fit a month ago are so loose now.
I also have had unexplained chest pains - ecg over the summer said my heart is okay (I have a heart murmur and for the past 5 yrs drs have asked if I have ever had an ekg done)Those same drs also have said I have a thyroid problem and then when bloodwork says I'm "normal", they tell me it's depresion.
If I were depressed I'd lose interest in daily activities, not go to class, distant myself from friends, etc. Though law school has been really stressful, that is to be expected. I'm very outgoing and am not depressed.
I went to the medical center that is walking distance from my apt. and this doctor immediately said it's probably my thyroid -NOT depression. Nice to hear considering I've lost weight, at times am out of breath, unexplained chest pains, my hair keeps falling (strands of them while I take a shower), and light periods (although I'm not complaining about that!).
Lo and behold, the blood tests say I'm normal once again! I'll post the numbers later but TSH and Free T4 were tested and definitely in normal range according to the lab.
WHAT THE HECK??? How is it possible for me to have so many symptoms of hyper and yet not have that? Much as I wish, this is NOT in my head! I almost don't want to go home in a few weeks b/c I've lost so much weight and it's really embarassing. Not looking forward to the questioning from parents when I get home. This is also frustrating b/c I really do eat like a pig - I've spent so much on groceries the past couple of months and buy food almost every week.
So can I ask for suggestions on the following?:
Diet - I've read that I need to increase calorie intake but I prefer healthy food over fries and burgers (remember, I still have my heart to think about), so I eat granola, nuts, and granola bars. I eat lots of cereal for breakfast and try to eat higher calorie cereal with granola, fiber (again heart healthy minded). Any suggestions on what to look for? I also eat whole grain bread (heart healthy). Should I switch to white? (I actually don't like the taste of white bread anymore). Any good high calorie whole grain/wheat breads out there?
exercise - now that finals are approaching, I'm increasing exercise to keep me sane and not stressed. I know weights are needed to gain muscle and I certainly do that but should I avoid using the treadmill?
lastly, what should I do if my hyper symptoms continue. I don't have health insurance so I can't afford to keep taking blood tests and have them tell me I'm fine. By the way, diabetes has thankfully also been ruled out.
sorry for the very long post and thanks for any advice in advance
Benita

Hello,
I can understand how you feel, however I'm not really sure what to say if your bloodwork is coming back normal. Are they borderline? I have hyperthyroidism and my TSH is .02 and I have a T4 total of 12.5. I can totally understand the symptoms you are having and yes they do mimick depression in a lot of ways. I have good days and bad days, I find some days I am so tired that I cannot do the things I need or want to do. I get extreme anxiety or just an overwhelmed feeling that I thought I was losing my mind prior to diagnosis. I didn't feel depressed but my body didn't feel like doing what I needed it to do. I also have chest pain and heart palps. I too can eat anything and not gain weight. Some days/nights I sweat, some I don't.
Stress definitely worsens my symptoms. As a mother to 4 boys....4,6,8 and 11....my oldest has Autism and my 8 yr old ADHD. I am married to a man with ADHD....unmedicated. We had a whole house renovation go bad when the contractor took a significant amount of money from us, botched the whole job and pulled off 2 yrs ago leaving us with no roof or insulation and it was mid Oct. I live in NY so winter was setting in. My house is still undone because we cannot afford to fix everything and half the house needs to be knocked down. We are suing but he is not cooperating and it's been over two yrs. Sorry for the ramble....point being, I thought my symptoms were stress related. Anybody in a stressful situation reacts. Maybe it's possible you are just under stress, sounds like you have a lot on your plate. What did the doctor say about your weight loss? Did he/she advise you of what else it could be or what to do?
My thoughts would be to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how often you should have your bloodwork done. Your hairloss and light periods may be due to your weight loss, not hyperthyroidism. The next question being why are you losing weight?? I have lighter periods but hairloss is not one of my symptoms. I think that is a symptom of hypothyroidism rather than hyper if I am not mistaken.
As far as what to eat to pack on healthy pounds. My 8 yr old is on Ritalin and one of the side effects is weightloss for him. His doctor suggested pediasure with his meals, I am not recommending that LOL but what about one of those adult nutritional drinks. I know you want to be heart healthy but until you gain enough weight, why not incorperate some other things like.... opt for whole milk products instead of skim. Maybe having a few eggs a week. I know things like granola and nuts are good/healthy fat sources. I believe walnuts and avacados are too. Use Olive oil for cooking etc. I agree with your choice of not going the burger or fry route, however once in awhile is not going to hurt if you are trying to gain. I'm just trying to give you some suggestions that come to mind that I incorperate for my son. I wish you luck with your health. Trust your instincts, if you body is telling you something is not right, pay attention. I think you are on the right track.