Thyroid Q and A or Running Hot and Cold

Thought I'd give an update (Read 400 times)

    Hi Kerry, sorry to hear about all the pain you are having. Aqua jogging is good - but don't start out to hard - it can be an intensive work out (once upon a time I was Pool Runner)

    Do you feel less than optimal with your thyroid replacement? I notice a tendency towards not being able to complete a workout, being totally exhausted after even a moderate workout, and a tendency towards building up knots in my muscles when I'm low.

     

    I have tried gluten free, dairy free, and eliminating numerous things from my diet for extended periods of time - it didn't make any difference in my case, because I didn't have any of those allergies ( I know because I ended up having a biopsy done of my small intestine - another long story)

    That being said - a lot of people do have gluten/wheat sensitivities and going gluten free is tricky - like a product may say it is gluten free, but if it is produced in a factory with gluten products, it's likely contaminated with gluten. Lara bars are a great gluten free food if you can handle the carbs. With all the stress your body is under right now - just eating as clean and healthy as you can keeping additives to a minimum will only help. You sound like you have a lot going on right now. What do your health care professionals think about the cause of all  that inflammation?

    Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away...(unkown)




    Go With The Flow
    Thyroid Support Group

      Well, all my doctor did was bump my meds from 112 to 125 mcgs and says that we will recheck in 3 months.  He says that I have Hashi's and that given my age, 44 years old, he expects a decline in thyroid function.  He also said that any change in THS will be slow, so we need to wait and see what is happening.

       

      It is all very frustrating.  I am really tired of feeling like this, and I don't feel like my doctor is really addressing the issue.  He is an internal medicine, family guy, what I nicknamed (maybe unfairly) a gatekeeper.  I get the feeling he is bored with my lists of chronic fatigue symptoms.   What I find disconcerting is that I feel extremely hypoglycemic/lightheaded at least 2 times a day on top of the rest of it. Yet, he has not passed me on to specialist, so maybe my case is just an ordinary "tinker with the meds" one.    I am not generally a confrontational person, either. 

       

      Cheryl. So sorry you are struggling.  I have always appreciated your responses and insight.  I think quite often of your marathon race report from a few years back and how you nailed that race, physically and mentally!  (Didn't you stomp on a Mile 16 sign?).  We care about you here, even though we don't always post much.  You are in my prayers.      

       

      Kate, can you find someone else to get a second opinion? Seriously - it's not the TSH that needs 3 months - it"s  the FT4 levels that require 6-8 weeks to stabilize. I always avoided confrontation too, and it totally stresses me out to have to be that way, but sometimes it is just necessary. So is he really planning on continuing to adjust your meds until you feel optimal? Or did he just "grant" you a dose increase because he thought you were complaining. If he is not interested in working to get you to optimal levels - find someone who is. You are woman, you are strong, you can do it! For real, 44 is young and you don't want to waste your 40's feeling like that if it is avoidable. Like Elly said, we get older things slow down, and at some point it is difficult to know what is low thyroid or something else or if it is just normal aging - BUT you are not there yet! Fingers crossed that the dose increase will do the trick for you.

       

      I'm with you on the tired and frustrated and even though I am sick of seeing doctors on the road to no where, my FP has recommended an endo in Seattle she would like me to see, so after much thought, I'm giving it another shot - I'm going out there end of May. Your prayers and kind thoughts mean much. Thank you!

      Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away...(unkown)




      Go With The Flow
      Thyroid Support Group

      DirtyGraceFlint


      The Crap Whisperer

        Ugh! This is all so frustrating!!! I know I don't have nearly the obstacles that some of you are dealing with but I am still so frustrated. I have had hypothyroidism for just over 2 yrs (diagnosed) and I'm not any closer to understanding what is wrong with me. My tsh was 2.6 in January...I had another test in late march and its 1.44. Which is good...but there was no change in the dose of my meds so what changed? Also, I had them test for thyroid antibodies (antithyroglobulin) and that came back in the normal range. So...that means I don't have hashimoto's right? Which is great but what is the cause of my issues? Is there anything else I should have tested? I feel like my doc thinks since my tsh is 1.44 that I should be happy and there are no issues....yet, as you all understand, there are still plenty of issues. Should I just be happy where I'm at or is there something else that can help? I don't know what to do Sad

        Being the best tiny spec that I can be!

        Elly.


          Ugh! This is all so frustrating!!! I know I don't have nearly the obstacles that some of you are dealing with but I am still so frustrated. I have had hypothyroidism for just over 2 yrs (diagnosed) and I'm not any closer to understanding what is wrong with me. My tsh was 2.6 in January...I had another test in late march and its 1.44. Which is good...but there was no change in the dose of my meds so what changed? Also, I had them test for thyroid antibodies (antithyroglobulin) and that came back in the normal range. So...that means I don't have hashimoto's right? Which is great but what is the cause of my issues? Is there anything else I should have tested? I feel like my doc thinks since my tsh is 1.44 that I should be happy and there are no issues....yet, as you all understand, there are still plenty of issues. Should I just be happy where I'm at or is there something else that can help? I don't know what to do Sad

           

           

          For me, it takes a long time i.e. patience, with med changes.  It seems it takes at least 4 months for me to discover if my meds are too high, or too low.  If I am tested too early, the results do not seem to have a bearing on how I really feel.  Fortunately I see my doc every three months and we have gained a report that she knows when I have issues. 

           

          All that I am certain of is that I need to keep working out whether I feel like it or not.  I had once coach tell me that some days are diamonds, and some days are stone. (hey I could write a song about that!)  At least show up. 

          http://www.ellyfosterphotography.com/

          Kerry1976


          Master of the Side Eye

            Hi Kerry, sorry to hear about all the pain you are having. Aqua jogging is good - but don't start out to hard - it can be an intensive work out (once upon a time I was Pool Runner)

            Do you feel less than optimal with your thyroid replacement? I notice a tendency towards not being able to complete a workout, being totally exhausted after even a moderate workout, and a tendency towards building up knots in my muscles when I'm low.

             

            I have tried gluten free, dairy free, and eliminating numerous things from my diet for extended periods of time - it didn't make any difference in my case, because I didn't have any of those allergies ( I know because I ended up having a biopsy done of my small intestine - another long story)

            That being said - a lot of people do have gluten/wheat sensitivities and going gluten free is tricky - like a product may say it is gluten free, but if it is produced in a factory with gluten products, it's likely contaminated with gluten. Lara bars are a great gluten free food if you can handle the carbs. With all the stress your body is under right now - just eating as clean and healthy as you can keeping additives to a minimum will only help. You sound like you have a lot going on right now. What do your health care professionals think about the cause of all  that inflammation?

             

            No one is doing anything about anything in total. My PCP didn't even want to test for Hashi's because he said it wouldn't change the way he treated me. He believes he should give my levothyroxine and I should go off on my merry way. It was my psychiatrist who suggested gluten free as he has Hashi's and says it really helps him. My inflammation is being worked on by Physical Therapists at the suggestion of my podiatrist. I am considering working with one of the doctors suggested on Dr. K's Thyroid/Hashi website, but haven't decided for sure.

             

            MTA: I should add, the psychiatrist brought up the hashi's in part because I had a body breakdown of sorts last September when I had a colitis attack. He was looking at my health history, which included anxiety/depression, hypothyroid, etc. and said it had hashi's all over it.

            TRUST THE PROCESS

             

             

             

              Hi Kerry,

              I'm so sorry you are going through all this stuff and can't get your PCP to jump on board. Have you tried going to a specific endo?

               

              I have noticed that in the past year I have also been slow to heal. I have a similar inflammation-train in my right leg. If you touch my hip I jump in the air, my ITB is always tight and usually sore, and my knee and foot both have issues too. Last month I threw my back out, which my PT thinks is related to my right hip issue. My left side is even less flexible but surprisingly I don't have any major issues over there (yet). I've also noticed my skin is slow to heal- tiny acne scars on my face won't go away, and a very minor curling iron burn on my arm from last summer seems to have become permanent.

              I kinda chalked it up to getting older (turning 30 in 2 weeks), and hadn't really thought about it being linked to Hashi's. I haven't tried any gluten-free diet so I can't comment on that.

               

              I think it is great that you are being proactive in your health care and I hope things start to fall in line.

              -Shaunna

                DirtyGrace - it is not good enough - try this - ask  your doc that since your labs are well within the normal range, you would like a trial on a higher dose to see if it makes a difference in the way you feel. Sometimes the way you approach your doc about a dose increase can go a long way in getting you want you want. I was tested for antibodies both before and after my surgery - never had them - so, no explanation as to why my thyroid went out of wack,

                 

                Kerry - have you asked your psych for a doc recommendation? He/she may not feel able to give you just 1 name, but perhaps a short list of docs who might be more sympathetic to your thyroid issues.

                Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away...(unkown)




                Go With The Flow
                Thyroid Support Group

                Kerry1976


                Master of the Side Eye

                  Today I decided it was time for me to take charge of my care. I contacted one of the doctors on Dr. Kharrazian's website that works with patients at a distance.  I emailed my new patient forms this morning and was hoping I would hear from them at some point. By this afternoon, they were calling to let me know what tests they suggest. I was happily surprised by the speed of the contact.

                   

                  We found out that while I have to drive a fair distance for the blood tests (which I expected as I live in the middle of nowhere), one of the closest locations happens to be in my hometown. Smile So I can get the testing I need and see my parents at the same time. Seems like good karma to me.

                   

                  Wish me luck!

                  TRUST THE PROCESS

                   

                   

                   

                    Good Luck !

                    Good for you, Kerry!

                    Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away...(unkown)




                    Go With The Flow
                    Thyroid Support Group

                    Elly.


                      I think it is good karma, too. Good luck!

                      http://www.ellyfosterphotography.com/

                      DirtyGraceFlint


                      The Crap Whisperer

                        I can't wait to hear what you find out! Good luck!

                        Being the best tiny spec that I can be!


                        Oh roo roooo!

                          Kerry, best wishes--it will be very interesting to hear what you find out.  I sure do hope you get some insight into the problem and what you can do to start feeling better.  Please fill us in as soon as you find anything out!


                          Driver, Runner, Bestie

                            So I am a creeping up dose of Synthroid to deal with the fluctuation of THS levels, from 100 to 112 and now 125.  I have good days and bad days; I never really know how I am going to feel.  It is frustrating, but the good news is I ran a Half over this weekend and got 2:07:30, only 12 seconds slower than last year.  Bummer not to improve, but frankly, there are days when an 11 minute mile is a struggle.

                             

                            I have about 6 more weeks until another blood test. 

                            HappyFeat


                              Whoo Hooo, Kate! That's a marvelous finish time! I'm so proud of you.

                              Does the doc give you any sense you'll level out at some point?

                              Don't make excuses for why you can't get it done. 

                              Focus on all the reasons why you must make it happen.

                              Kerry1976


                              Master of the Side Eye

                                I tried my consultation at-a-distance with Dr. Peterson of Wellness Alternatives of St. Louis (a Dr. K protocol doctor) but we had technical difficulties and need to reschedule. I have just received some of the client notes and nutritional information and it appears I will need to make some great changes, but until I have the in person consultation I won't know exactly what. I plan to report back once the rescheduled appointment is made.

                                 

                                MTA: I already know I have to be on a strict GF diet for life. Soy was already out. It also looks like dairy is also going to go away. Grains are up for grabs pending our conversation.

                                 

                                MTAx2: My appointment is rescheduled for later today! Smile

                                TRUST THE PROCESS