Thyroid info and any experience with treatments

[SuzyQ]

I learned this week I have hypothyroidism , my TSH was 5.004.....normal levels were 0.3-0.5.000.....I hate taking meds for such a minimal elevation. I have been having some hair loss and weight gain, along with feeling jittery inside and not knowing why. Thinking it was just stress related.. If any of you ladies have any advice or help tips, please share and also keep me in your prayers.:hug:pray
Thanks

[1CatMom]

I have hypothyroidism too. It took years for it be correctly diagnosed. But now that I'm on the medication, I feel SO MUCH BETTER. It's amazing how different I feel when my TSH is off even a little. We do have to occasionally adjust my meds, but it's very much worth it.

[HSmomto4]

I have it. I have for years! I will admit though that I don't take my meds. like I should though. I just really never noticed a big difference while on them.

[ZAGS]

I have thyroid disease. I was diagnosed 19 years ago. I dropped down to 84 lbs, had no energy, wss loosing my hair, had dry skin. I couldn't believe the difference after I was diagnosed, and started taking my meds. It will probably take a little bit fo them to get the dose right, but I would recomend taking you meds as the Dr. prescribes. There are many things that the thyroid gland controls. Without proper medication, you could develope circulatory problems, especially in your feet, heartrate problems, and goiters. I have never had problems with goiters, but my Dr. regularly asks me about my feet and checks my heartrate. Maybe after taking your meds for awhile your thyroid may straighten itself out. My BF had a thyroid problem while she was pregnant with her youngest and soon after she had the baby it was normal again, and she has had no problems since.

[Lynn]

Suzy, I must concur with your Dr. The medication will be necessary. Hypothyroidism is a familial-related disease (runs in families). I have only a slight problem like you, but I take that little pill every day, without fail. Prior to being diagnosed, I felt so low in energy, that I almost felt like I was 'dying' and the life was draining out of me. The difference now is night/day. My late aunt, who died at age 95, took only one pill a day--her little white pill for thyroid. Please consider taking it, and you will be surprised at what a difference it makes, while preventing certain kinds of heart issues, etc. This was a surprise to me, since I didn't understand how greatly the thyroid influences other major organs.

[SuzyQ]

I started it this morning............I have been under a lot of stress with my husband and I trying to move closer to family that I thought my jittery feelings and tiredness was due to stress. Thanks ladies.it's so hard sometimes when I'm in the doctors office and could ask all the questions I have .I always forget something until I get home. :idunno

[Galoutofdixie]

Hi there!

I was diagnosed about 9 yrs ago. I was one sick puppy before I was diagnosed with a TSH of 48.

The thing about Thyroid disease is that it doesn't get better but does get worse without treatment, and as others have said, it affects every cell in your body. There is one type of Hypo that can get better and that is a type that some women get; a tempory type shortly after Childbirth that does improve eventually. Doctors still do treat this type, because who wants to be sick when trying to care for a new baby and also because it does do some cellular damage if it goes untreated. Undiagnosed or untreated Hypothyroidism, besides being very detrimental to your heart and other organs, affects fertility. Depending on how Hypo you are, the less likely you will concieve. This is reversible with medication.

Here is one of the best websites on the net that deals with Hypothyroidism. I found it right after I was diagnosed and it was a great resource and help to me. You will recover much faster if you understand your disease and this site is a wealth of information. :hug

http://thyroid.about.com/od/hypothyroidismhashimotos/Hypothyroidism_Underactive_Thyroid_Hashimotos_Dise ase.htm

[Galoutofdixie]

Here's another good link from the same site at "About". It's called "Thyroid Disease 101". It's a great place to start to read about thyroid disease and covers a multiude of subjects related to the thyroid.

Thyroid Disease 101: http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/thyroid101.htm

[SuzyQ]

Thanks for links great info...........I had so many symptoms and kept telling my hubby I just didn't feel good.........now looking back it all comes together. :thumb

[Galoutofdixie]

Oh I hear ya! LOL!

I had almost every symptom but kept putting them off to being caused by other things, like menopause, disatisfaction with my job, even blamed my sleep problems on my husbands snoring! (of course his snoring doesn't help, but that wasn't the problem. :) )

What fianally got me into the doctor was my vanity. I put on about 20lbs and even with working out regularly and watching my diet... I still couldn't loose any weight! Grrrr!

When I finally went into see him, he took one look at me and asked a few questions and said I bet it's your thyroid. He usually doesn't make any kind of diagnoses without running some kind of tests, but he was so certain from my physical appearance that he felt safe in making the statement. He did order the test that visit and I was "official" as soon as they came back.

It took me a good 3 months after beginning treatment to really see and feel and improvement, and up to about 3 yrs to really feel totally well. Of course I'd been hypo. for quite along time before beginning treatment. If I hadn't been so stubborn and avoided going to doctor about some of the earlier symptoms, I probably would have been diagnosed much earlier. The earlier in the course of the disease that you are treated, the quicker and easier you get back to normal.

God Bless you and I hope you start feeling better real soon. :hug