Hashimoto's/Thyroid?

[Selena_Kitt]

Anyone have any personal experience with it? The doc just called, and apparently my thyroid was "very low" last time, but at the new labs it was "sky high"... which indicates Hashimoto's. Great, I've got some disease that sounds like it should be starring in a Godzilla movie...

But I guess this explains the weight gain, and the being tired all the time... even, possibly, the weird migraine symptoms... right?

I have to go back to repeat labs in a few weeks...

Kind of scared...

 

[English Lady]

*hugs* i have no info on the disease but least they are on it and seem to know what the problem is, that's a positive start

concentrate on the positives, love.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Anyone have any personal experience with it? The doc just called, and apparently my thyroid was "very low" last time, but at the new labs it was "sky high"... which indicates Hashimoto's. Great, I've got some disease that sounds like it should be starring in a Godzilla movie...

But I guess this explains the weight gain, and the being tired all the time... even, possibly, the weird migraine symptoms... right?

I have to go back to repeat labs in a few weeks...

Kind of scared...

Very familiar, as I have hypothyroidism and both my mother and my uncle have Hashimoto's. Basically, you have an endocrine/glandular disorder, from the sound of it. The thyroid gland is a key one, providing a hormone that regulates metabolism, energy, etc. He'll probably prescribe some form of Levothyroxine (good news, there are generic forms available that work just as well as the brand name) and have you take regular tests and exams to make sure of the dosage.

Reminds me to get mine refilled. Hugs. It's permanent, but not terminal. Just requires a daily dose of a thyroid supplement, and possibly more medication for the Hashimoto's (but more likely, a higher dose of Levothyroxine than otherwise). It ain't easy, but you'll get used to it.

 

[rgraham666]

No advice. Just *HUGS*

 

[tickledkitty]

The medical term is chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto thyroiditis, meaning your thyroid is inflammed. It's caused by development of antibodies to your own thyroid tissue. The book that I'm looking at says it has a tendency to resolve spontaneously. As was mentioned above, you probably will have to take medication, and your thyroid will have to be observed long term.

This doesn't sound really bad, Selena. (Easy for me to say, right?) At least they've put a name to it and can tell you what to expect. If all you have to do is take a pill every day and get it checked once in a while, it's not so bad. I hope this helps you to be less scared. You'll be okay.

 

[impressive]

Good news is that thyroid problems are quite treatable with marked improvement of symptoms.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Thanks, guys... it sure does explain a lot... I keep reading symptoms, thinking, "Hey, I have that!" and "Wow, I have, that, too!"

 

[kiten69]

Thanks, guys... it sure does explain a lot... I keep reading symptoms, thinking, "Hey, I have that!" and "Wow, I have, that, too!"

*HUGS* for you, beautiful lady!

 

[S-Des]

Thanks, guys... it sure does explain a lot... I keep reading symptoms, thinking, "Hey, I have that!" and "Wow, I have, that, too!"

Is one of the symptoms a spectacular ass? If so, then you've got it bad!


Hope you feel better soon.

 

[poppy1963]

Yes, I have Hashimoto's as well...and treated with meds...there is a substantial change in many things though it is slow over time....My mood greatly improved and the fatigue subsided. The doc's said: You've likely had this so long you don't remember or never did know what it is like to feel good...lol. And one day...I realized they'd been right. I felt better than I ever had in my life! So...be glad they tested you for it...it took a long time despite some obvious symptoms for them to even test me. (I didn't lose much weight though...and they'd been expecting that. So had I... ) Oh well...nothing's perfect.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Thanks, guys... it sure does explain a lot... I keep reading symptoms, thinking, "Hey, I have that!" and "Wow, I have, that, too!"

*raises hand*

Me! My father and sister also. My dad wasn't diagnosed with it till quite late in life; My sis and I have been monitored since our thirties. We both dropped lower and lower and stabilised at about the same function level as our father. We share symptoms as well; thin hair, dry skin, and utter fatigue, no tolerance for cold, slow digestive systems are some of our main symptoms. none of us got fat-- although I have put on weight since I was stabilised!

Tell your doctor you want to use Armour Thyroid. Stamp your feet and scream and hold your breath til you turn blue.
DO NOT let him put you on Synthroid-- at least not at first.

Synthroid provides you with one form of thyroid hormone-T3 as I recall. The theory is that your body takes that and manufactures all the rest of the T-hormones from it. But women don't process T3 evenly, are you surprised?

Armour gives you T3 and T2 and the T2 goes straight into your bloodstream and gets to work.

The next problem, of course, is that not everyone needs the same amount of T2, and Armor only has one formulation. They're working on that, I hear... So it might make you uncomfortable, jittery, or give you a racing heart. Needless to say, you might find it better to be a little bit slow than wait for a heart attack...

More as I think of it.


One symptom that I can always recognise is the "Madonna Face" and I've shocked women by telling them to have their thyroid checked.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

*raises hand*

Me! My father and sister also. My dad wasn't diagnosed with it till quite late in life; My sis and I have been monitored since our thirties. We both dropped lower and lower and stabilised at about the same function level as our father. We share symptoms as well; thin hair, dry skin, and utter fatigue, no tolerance for cold, slow digestive systems are some of our main symptoms. none of us got fat-- although I have put on weight since I was stabilised!

Tell your doctor you want to use Armour Thyroid. Stamp your feet and scream and hold your breath til you turn blue.
DO NOT let him put you on Synthroid-- at least not at first.

Synthroid provides you with one form of thyroid hormone-T3 as I recall. The theory is that your body takes that and manufactures all the rest of the T-hormones from it. But women don't process T3 evenly, are you surprised?

Armour gives you T3 and T2 and the T2 goes straight into your bloodstream and gets to work.

The next problem, of course, is that not everyone needs the same amount of T2, and Armor only has one formulation. They're working on that, I hear... So it might make you uncomfortable, jittery, or give you a racing heart. Needless to say, you might find it better to be a little bit slow than wait for a heart attack...

More as I think of it.


One symptom that I can always recognise is the "Madonna Face" and I've shocked women by telling them to have their thyroid checked.

Yeah, that round moon face thing? Got that...

Plus the dry skin (no matter how much body butter I use!) and the thinning/brittle hair... I used to have a TON of hair. I would go to get my hair cut and all the hairdressers would have to come over and exclaim how thick it was. Not anymore. :x But I was thinking about when it started, and it was after the birth of my last baby... who is going to turn 5 in July! Longer than I realized... I'm always cold, but I thought I was just like that... also started getting headaches that they diagnosed as migraines... but now, I wonder? And depression/fatigue... that's been bad... and only mildly improved with Prozac (which I fought taking until I started having not-so-good thoughts... then I relented...)

I was reading about armour vs. synthyroid... seems to be the consensus that armour is preferable...

I wonder... will an HMO cover armour? We've got sucky-HAP and they wouldn't cover Welbutrin (which I wanted instead of Prozac) and they wouldn't cover the preventative migraine meds either... *sigh*

I hate this "sick" stuff... reminds me of my sister the hypochondriac...

 

[Stella_Omega]

Yeah, that round moon face thing? Got that...

Plus the dry skin (no matter how much body butter I use!) and the thinning/brittle hair... I used to have a TON of hair. I would go to get my hair cut and all the hairdressers would have to come over and exclaim how thick it was. Not anymore. :x But I was thinking about when it started, and it was after the birth of my last baby... who is going to turn 5 in July! Longer than I realized... I'm always cold, but I thought I was just like that... also started getting headaches that they diagnosed as migraines... but now, I wonder? And depression/fatigue... that's been bad... and only mildly improved with Prozac (which I fought taking until I started having not-so-good thoughts... then I relented...)

I was reading about armour vs. synthyroid... seems to be the consensus that armour is preferable...

I wonder... will an HMO cover armour? We've got sucky-HAP and they wouldn't cover Welbutrin (which I wanted instead of Prozac) and they wouldn't cover the preventative migraine meds either... *sigh*

I hate this "sick" stuff... reminds me of my sister the hypochondriac...

The "Madonna face" is where the muscle response in the face flattens out, and you always look kinda serene. No big frowns, no big smiles, either.
It's amazing to feel warm under normal temperatures, just amazing! I used to be a lizard, could never soak up enough sun or heat. Now, I need air conditioning for the first time in my life.
Armour is actually cheaper than Synthroid, plus there's a generic, so ask and demand.

AND, there's now a generic Wellbutrin, so ask your doctor to try again

 

[Huckleman2000]

Wouldn't even cover Wellbutrin??!!
WTF is up with insurance in this country?!
In WA state, they passed legislation a couple years ago that mandated the same level of coverage for "mental health" as for "physical health". That made a positive difference in my coverage, but now I moved to another state, and I'm still covered under COBRA, but I'm really beginning to worry. Better get researching...

 

[Stella_Omega]

Wouldn't even cover Wellbutrin??!!
WTF is up with insurance in this country?!
In WA state, they passed legislation a couple years ago that mandated the same level of coverage for "mental health" as for "physical health". That made a positive difference in my coverage, but now I moved to another state, and I'm still covered under COBRA, but I'm really beginning to worry. Better get researching...

and the blue collar believed Rush Limbaugh when he told them that Clinton's insurance reform was a commie plot.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Armour is actually cheaper than Synthroid, plus there's a generic, so ask and demand.

oh I'm good at getting my way with doctors!

 

[Belegon]

oh I'm good at getting my way with doctors!

I would imagine you're good with getting your way with ANYONE Who's seen you naked.

Come over here and get your way with me now.

Seriously, many >>>HUSG<<< my friend. I'm glad you've put a name to it and that it is apparently very treatable.

 

[kiten69]

I would imagine you're good with getting your way with ANYONE Who's seen you naked.

Come over here and get your way with me now.

I wanna watch!

 

[Belegon]

I wanna watch!

I would like to immediately go on record as saying that I have ZERO objections to that...

 

[kiten69]

I would like to immediately go on record as saying that I have ZERO objections to that...

Is there anything you WOULD object too?

 

[poppy1963]

The "Madonna face" is where the muscle response in the face flattens out, and you always look kinda serene. No big frowns, no big smiles, either.
It's amazing to feel warm under normal temperatures, just amazing! I used to be a lizard, could never soak up enough sun or heat. Now, I need air conditioning for the first time in my life.
Armour is actually cheaper than Synthroid, plus there's a generic, so ask and demand.

AND, there's now a generic Wellbutrin, so ask your doctor to try again

Armour, huh? I've been off the synthroid a while but depending on the results of some upcoming tests and labs, I may resume meds at least temporarily (long story). Perhaps I will give Armour a try. I imagine, as a competitor of synthroid, samples are profuse! Cheaper than synthroid? Wow...sythroids cheap!

My sister also is hypothyroid. You and your sibs had no weight issues then? Lucky you...My sis and I both fight the damn Battle of the Bulges... But at least we feeeel a lot better in many ways on the meds!

 

[scheherazade_79]

Is one of the symptoms a spectacular ass? If so, then you've got it bad!


Hope you feel better soon.

I was thinking the same!

Don't know much about underactive thyroid, but my ex had an overactive one, and although it took a while to get the dose of the medicine just right, she ended up feeling better than she'd felt in years.

Get better soon

 

[Chantilyvamp]

*hugs* me as well hon. I take levothyroxin every day. And it is amazing the amount of things your thyroid being out of control can cause. My cholesterol was extremely high for someone my weight and age when they found out about the thyroid. 6 month later and cholesterol was normal and I felt so much better.

I know now if I start getting cold all the time, dry skin, and feel like my head is rapped in cotton wool all the time and cant concentrate I call and get it checked. Worst thing about it besides of course how difficult it is to get weight off is taking the pill every day. Oh and if I get a dosage change I turn into the incredible munchy machine for two weeks.

I'll pm you the names of a couple of books that I got. I found there were things the doctor didnt tell me about the disease that I needed to know. And I strongly recommend if you ever feel like your doctor is not treating you right with the thyroid problem ask to be referred to an endocronolgist.

And i would also suggest getting a book about thyroid diet. There are certain foods that can make the thyroid not work as well as it should. And the big one is never ever eat citrus fruit or juice around the time you take your pill.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I have been told to get my thyroid checked out. Supposedly, my grandfather got congested when he ate, and that was a symptom of thyroid troubles. I have a similar symptom (ok, it's the exact same symptom, that doesn't mean it's the same problem, although I probably should check it out).

 

[carsonshepherd]

Wouldn't even cover Wellbutrin??!!
WTF is up with insurance in this country?!
In WA state, they passed legislation a couple years ago that mandated the same level of coverage for "mental health" as for "physical health". That made a positive difference in my coverage, but now I moved to another state, and I'm still covered under COBRA, but I'm really beginning to worry. Better get researching...

In some ways, you're better off without it. Here if you don't have health coverage, you're eligible for the free clinic ,and the drug companies have patient assistance programs IF you don't have prescription coverage. One of my medications I need daily costs $200 for one month. I bought health insurance when I lost my job because being uninsured scared the crap out of me, but the co-pay on that one prescription is now $150 and I can't afford it, nor can I get the patient assistance because I have health coverage. It's crazy. I think the drug companies are criminal for doing this to the American people...

Feel better, Selena At least now the mystery is solved.