Welcome new member

[Guest guest]

sheryl,

welcome - i was recently diagnosed also - i went to a neuro for some recent changes like headaches, BAD memory loss, lack of concentration, dizzinness, spasms, trouble swallowing and i forget if thats everything - i told him that 16 months ago when i had a baby i went into post partum thyroiditis in the hospital and they can't seem to get it regulated since then so he did the antibody test and it was

TPO - 746

thyrogobulin - > 3000

TSH - 4.27

so i'm going to a new endo on the 14th of this month - i'm hoping to get put on armour instead of the Levoxyl i've been on - i'm not sure Levoxyl has been all that bad for me if they were to treat me by the symptoms and not the numbers but after joining this group and learning so much from these intelligent ladies its obvious to me that armour provides everything needed (IMO)

so this visit will determine whether she treats me or i treat myself......

welcome and i'm looking forward to hearing your story

i'm also interested you other members if you can remember the difference in your symptoms between just hypoT and hashi symptoms --- i'm wondering if my new symptoms are related to this or something else totally.....********

visit our website

www.geocities.com/tanyarn96/countryside.html

www.poncetihomes.com

-- Welcome new member

Our newest member Sheryl, from Washington, writes:"I have been recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and am interested in learning more from others who have the condition. "Welcome aboard!Moderator, Thyroiditis*Note: this group generates many posts. To edit your message delivery preferences so your mailbox doesn't get overloaded, click "Edit My Membership" in the top right (blue bar) of your screen and select an alternative delivery option.*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation.

[Guest guest]

OMG , you DO have high antibodies! I thought my thyroglobulin antibodies were high at just under 2000, but you've got me beat there. I frankly wish they'd dry up and go away, lol

The difference between plain hypo (if there is such a thing) and the hypo with hashi's? Really, hypo is the result, so, to me, hypo is hypo, no matter which condition causes it. However it is the antibodies, I think, that can skew test results, cause swings back and forth between hypo, normal, and hyper, so that we have to keep track of it all much more often. It can never be "go home and take a pill and call me in a yr or so". At least, not until or if the gland is killed by these bad boys. I've been known to be hypo since 1993, yet, I just got these kinds of antibodies counts in March of this yr! They just don't necessarily kill the gland right away. No, they have to hang around and torture and confuse you as to what your next blood tests will say, and how will I feel tomorrow, will I feel good or will I feel bad? One month you're on the right amt of hormone for you, but two months from now, it might be too much or not enough. I know that at least I'd know how to replace forever, if the gland was not in there, but I know that a doc probably wouldn't take it out, unless I had multiple nodules, a swollen neck and goiter that absolutely would not go away, after treating for quite awhile, or maybe thyroid cancer (I certainly don't wish that on myself, though. It's just that it is so puzzling, even from day to day.

BTW, compared to the population of mainstream endos, there aren't so many that will treat with Armour, and they are VERY notorious for going by your labs and telling you that it must be something else, if your body doesn't agree with the labs. I've gone to one endo in this area, but Houston has several doctors who have excellent knowledge of the thyroid, with the proper treatment protocol. I'm thinking that NONE of these are endos.

Tx

On Armour for 9 months (like a baby and childbirth, hehe!), feeling better all the time-----Formerly on $ynthroid, then Levoxyl, and sicker than a dog all the time for the last 6-7 yrs on both of them.

Welcome new member

Our newest member Sheryl, from Washington, writes:"I have been recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease and am interested in learning more from others who have the condition. "Welcome aboard!Moderator, Thyroiditis*Note: this group generates many posts. To edit your message delivery preferences so your mailbox doesn't get overloaded, click "Edit My Membership" in the top right (blue bar) of your screen and select an alternative delivery option.*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation.

[Guest guest]

I don't see the orginal post - so I will respond here.

There's not a lot written on alternative treatments but here is some

resources:

Books:

Overcoming Thyroid Disorders by Brownstein

Thyroid Power: 10 Steps to Total Health

by Shames M.D. and Karilee Shames

Both books have some good advice on diet and supplements.

Null has some good advice:

http://www.garynull.com/Article.aspx?

Article=/Library.aspx & Head=Library

(If that link doesn't work - do a search for " thyroid " on his site).

Other information - focusing on alternative care:

http://www.drdebe.com/RevivingYourThyroid.htm

http://www.udoerasmus.com/interviews/02_mary_shomon.htm

http://www.pacifichealthcenter.com/updates/34.asp

http://www.naturalways.com/thyroid.htm

I've had great sucess with Ashwagandha - which can increase T4

levels and commiphora mukul, which assists the conversion of T4 to

T3. Alternative practitioners tend to focus on the liver and

digestive tract as the culprit. TCM tends to focus on the kidneys.

Adenal treatments have helped a lot. I've also been doing NAET, with

great results, as I believe many of my symptoms are allergy related.

Diet was critical for me. Just by changing my diet I eliminated a

lot of the " hypo " symptoms.

> Our newest member 'kirstyweight' writes:

>

> " I have Hashimoto's and would like to read about alternative

treatments. "

>

> Welcome aboard!

>

>

> Moderator - Thyroiditis

[Guest guest]

welcome freincke,

i'm looking forward to hearing your story - i was just diagnosed hashi's but who knows how long it could have been that way. i love learning from everyone's experiences here.

visit our website

www.geocities.com/tanyarn96/countryside.html

www.poncetihomes.com

-- Welcome new member

Our newest member Freincke, from the UK, writes:"I have had Hashimoto's thyroiditis for 4 years and am just now experiencing fluctuations in my T4 and T3 levels causing me all sorts of problems" Welcome aboard!Moderator, Thyroiditis*Note: this group generates many posts. To edit your message delivery preferences so your mailbox doesn't get overloaded, click "Edit My Membership" in the top right (blue bar) of your screen and select an alternative delivery option.*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the welcome! Sorry I haven't jumped in sooner, but my life

has been a bit insane lately. I'm so glad I found this group. I've

found a lot of the side effects of the Hashi's and hypothyroidism

extremely difficult to deal with. And not many people around me seem

to understand. I think sometimes that they think it's all in my head,

though that could be me just being paranoid.

Anyhow, here is a bit more of my story. Since I was about 17 or 18,

I've had problems. I had a lot of issues with weight fluctuation and

muscle cramps and just general tiredness. I could sleep 8-10 hours at

night and still need a nap during the day. I had always thought that

being a teenager meant you were supposed to have tons of energy, but

that never seemed to be the case for me. I can remember talking to

doctor's about it and just getting told to drop the few extra pounds

that I was carrying and it would all be all right. I believed them

and thought it was all my fault.

Things just slowly got worse as time passed. The summer before I

finally got diagnosed, I had reached the point that I was sleeping 14

hours a day, I was losing my hair, and everything just HURT. In July

of 2002, my insurance kicked in and I went for a check-up. The doctor

discovered that I had a goiter and arranged for some blood tests. The

tests results were pretty low and so I was put on 175 micrograms of

Levoxyl. It helped to alleviate the symptoms, but I was still

miserable and getting depressed over the fact.

I remained with that doctor for six months. In that time, I begged

for help, but he didn't seem willing to do anything but throw meds at

me. He finally sent me to an endocrinologist. I went in, was checked

out, and told to stop taking my meds and that it was all in my head,

basically. I was shocked. But I didn't argue. I stopped taking my

meds and never went back to either doctor.

Then, in March of 2003, I hit another low point and went to a new

doctor. By the time I went to her, I was exhausted again, losing my

hair again, the muscle cramps (especially at night) were

excruciating, and I was starting to get boil-like sores on my skin

and was constantly sick because my body wasn't able to fight off

bacteria or germs. I had more blood work done and discovered that my

levels were dangerously low. We started a course of treatment that

has actually served in the past year and a half to make things

better.

I still don't feel 'well' most of the time. I get tired easily and I

still fight with the skin problems and muscle cramps quite a bit. I'm

currently looking for an endocrinologist because my general

practitioner has admitted that I need a lot more help than she

thought I would. I get down sometimes because it doesn't seem fair

that I'm only 24 years old and having to deal with this. I feel like

I'm 50 sometimes. But I keep faith that things are going to get

better.

Thanks for letting me babble. It is nice to be able to talk to other

people who know what it is like and won't treat me like I'm some sort

of hypochondriac. I'm to the point that I no longer talk about how I

feel because I don't want to bother the people around me. Has anyone

else had to deal with that sort of attitude?

Anyhow, thanks again. I'm so glad I joined!

Crista

>

> Our newest member, Crista, writes:

>

> " I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's two years ago

> and have since beeen trying to learn how to deal

> with it. "

>

> Welcome aboard! Jump in with questions or comments

> any time you like.

>

> ~

> Moderator, Thyroiditis

>

> *To edit your message delivery preferences click

> " Edit My Membership " in the top right (blue bar) of

> your screen and select an alternative delivery option.

[Guest guest]

Crista, I completely empathize and understand what you are saying. I feel at times too that others don't comprehend what I am going through and think me just "lazy" or simply depressed. I used to run and kickbox so this *has* left me rather depressed and frustrated. Currently, I am in my second month of a traditional Chinese medicine regimine and have been taking levothyroxine for a year and half. What is the treatment you are on?

Even doctors aren't the best at understanding and I remember one in particular talking to me about the power of positive thinking (as though that was all I needed)!

Keep trying to find the answer that eventually works for you - though I know from experience that can be tiresome and frustrating in itself - and call upon this group to share with.

Best to you,

AnitaCrista wrote:

Thanks for the welcome! Sorry I haven't jumped in sooner, but my life has been a bit insane lately. I'm so glad I found this group. I've found a lot of the side effects of the Hashi's and hypothyroidism extremely difficult to deal with. And not many people around me seem to understand. I think sometimes that they think it's all in my head, though that could be me just being paranoid. Anyhow, here is a bit more of my story. Since I was about 17 or 18, I've had problems. I had a lot of issues with weight fluctuation and muscle cramps and just general tiredness. I could sleep 8-10 hours at night and still need a nap during the day. I had always thought that being a teenager meant you were supposed to have tons of energy, but that never seemed to be the case for me. I can remember talking to doctor's about it and just getting

told to drop the few extra pounds that I was carrying and it would all be all right. I believed them and thought it was all my fault. Things just slowly got worse as time passed. The summer before I finally got diagnosed, I had reached the point that I was sleeping 14 hours a day, I was losing my hair, and everything just HURT. In July of 2002, my insurance kicked in and I went for a check-up. The doctor discovered that I had a goiter and arranged for some blood tests. The tests results were pretty low and so I was put on 175 micrograms of Levoxyl. It helped to alleviate the symptoms, but I was still miserable and getting depressed over the fact. I remained with that doctor for six months. In that time, I begged for help, but he didn't seem willing to do anything but throw meds at me. He finally sent me to an endocrinologist. I went in, was checked out, and told to stop taking my meds and that it was all in my head,

basically. I was shocked. But I didn't argue. I stopped taking my meds and never went back to either doctor. Then, in March of 2003, I hit another low point and went to a new doctor. By the time I went to her, I was exhausted again, losing my hair again, the muscle cramps (especially at night) were excruciating, and I was starting to get boil-like sores on my skin and was constantly sick because my body wasn't able to fight off bacteria or germs. I had more blood work done and discovered that my levels were dangerously low. We started a course of treatment that has actually served in the past year and a half to make things better. I still don't feel 'well' most of the time. I get tired easily and I still fight with the skin problems and muscle cramps quite a bit. I'm currently looking for an endocrinologist because my general practitioner has admitted that I need a lot more help than she thought I

would. I get down sometimes because it doesn't seem fair that I'm only 24 years old and having to deal with this. I feel like I'm 50 sometimes. But I keep faith that things are going to get better. Thanks for letting me babble. It is nice to be able to talk to other people who know what it is like and won't treat me like I'm some sort of hypochondriac. I'm to the point that I no longer talk about how I feel because I don't want to bother the people around me. Has anyone else had to deal with that sort of attitude? Anyhow, thanks again. I'm so glad I joined!Crista> > Our newest member, Crista, writes:> > "I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's two years ago > and have since beeen trying to learn how to deal > with it."> > Welcome aboard! Jump in with questions or comments > any time you

like.> > ~ > Moderator, Thyroiditis> > *To edit your message delivery preferences click > "Edit My Membership" in the top right (blue bar) of > your screen and select an alternative delivery option.*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation. Military justice is to justice what military music is to music. -- Groucho Marx (1890 - 1977)__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome…I feel a bit anxious right know

because I dont know anything about

Hashimoto’s. I have an

appointment for the ninth of November

from the best endo in İstanbul (apparently he has a long waiting list!).

I hope he can give me some

information. I had some tests done and my TPA is around 1350, the other values

were within normal range. I also have

a high cholesterol problem going on for about

2 years. I am a vegetarian so I don’t think it has anything to do with my eating

pattern, lately I always feel tired,

depressed and have put on weight slightly  and feel bloated.

I thougt this was due to

the stres of the last six years.

I  guess I have been a bit unlucky during the last six

years…First I had a very bad case

of viral hepatitis  and  recovered    from the brink of death,

then I found out my son (he

was a baby then) had autism and I have been

struggling to make him better

for the last

six years…After a long period

of theraphy he is very well now

and I can say he is recovered. He goes

to a normal school and is indistinguishable from his peers. I am very happy

about his recovery but this period was

extremely stressfull for me. 2 years

ago I had a cyst removed from my

womb and found out I had fibroadenomas in my breasts! I thought these were the

results of living with all that

stress for 6 years. I have an ultrasound scan every six months

for the fibroadenomas

and the doctor

discovered I had a thryoid

problem during the last one.

So this is my story.

I am generally an active person. I like to go out

a lot and keep busy all

the time, I hate being ill so

I will do my best to beat

the symptoms of Hashimoto’s and be positive and continue

being a busy mum…Any tips are

welcome…

Yonca

yonca@...

-----Original

Message-----

From: suuzin

Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004

7:28 PM

To: Thyroiditis

Subject: Welcome new

member

Our newest member, " yoncimik71, " writes:

" I have just been given a diagnosis of

Hashimoto's

disease during a check-up for breast cancer. I am

33 years old. I would like to know more about this

condition. "

Welcome aboard! Jump in with questions or comments

any time you like.

~

Moderator, Thyroiditis

*To edit your message delivery preferences click

" Edit My Membership " in the top right

(blue bar) of

your screen and select an alternative delivery

option.

*Note:

Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and

should not be considered a medical recommendation.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Yonca. I'm sorry to hear about all the illness

you and your family have been through. It sounds

like you have subclinical hypothryoidism, where

your test values aren't showing what's really going

on. Your TPO is very high, it could be your antibodies

are skewing your other test results. (See the article

in our Links section for more info.) So I dearly hope

this endo. starts you on thyroid replacement right

away. In the mean time, avoid soy like the plague

(it blocks thyroid absorption) and some people here

say that eating walnuts and Brazil nuts helps. Your

cholesterol is very likely due to being hypo.

~

> Hi,

>

> Thanks for the welcome…I feel a bit anxious right know because I dont

> know anything about Hashimoto's. I have an appointment for the ninth of

> November from the best endo in Istanbul (apparently he has a long

> waiting list!). I hope he can give me some information. I had some tests

> done and my TPA is around 1350, the other values were within normal

> range. I also have a high cholesterol problem going on for about 2

> years. I am a vegetarian so I don't think it has anything to do with my

> eating pattern, lately I always feel tired, depressed and have put on

> weight slightly and feel bloated. I thougt this was due to the stres of

> the last six years. I guess I have been a bit unlucky during the last

> six years…First I had a very bad case of viral hepatitis and recovered

> from the brink of death, then I found out my son (he was a baby then)

> had autism and I have been struggling to make him better for the last

> six years…After a long period of theraphy he is very well now and I can

> say he is recovered. He goes to a normal school and is indistinguishable

> from his peers. I am very happy about his recovery but this period was

> extremely stressfull for me. 2 years ago I had a cyst removed from my

> womb and found out I had fibroadenomas in my breasts! I thought these

> were the results of living with all that stress for 6 years. I have an

> ultrasound scan every six months for the fibroadenomas and the doctor

> discovered I had a thryoid problem during the last one.

> So this is my story.

> I am generally an active person. I like to go out a lot and keep busy

> all the time, I hate being ill so I will do my best to beat the symptoms

> of Hashimoto's and be positive and continue being a busy mum…Any tips

> are welcome…

>

> Yonca

> <mailto:yonca@i...> yonca@i...

> Welcome new member

>

>

> Our newest member, " yoncimik71, " writes:

>

> " I have just been given a diagnosis of Hashimoto's

> disease during a check-up for breast cancer. I am

> 33 years old. I would like to know more about this

> condition. "

[Guest guest]

By the way, you mentioned feeling anxious...

anxiety is a common symptom, I had to treat

mine with Paxil in the beginning. But if it's

just anxiety over Hashi's, do try to relax...

one thing for sure is we all react differently

to it but most of us do start to feel much

better on thyroid replacement. It is usually

not life-threatening. I am pretty close to 100%

now. I also forgot to mention to definitely keep

away from any immune boosting substances

like echinacea, now that you have an auto-

immune disease, they can really upset your

system.

~

> Hi,

>

> Thanks for the welcome…I feel a bit anxious right know because I dont

> know anything about Hashimoto's. I have an appointment for the ninth of

[Guest guest]

I get the anxiety problems, too. It's gotten better now that I'm

taking the levoxyl, but I still have what I refer to as 'episodes'.

It gets frustrating.

Anyhow, welcome Yonca.

Crista

> > Hi,

> >

> > Thanks for the welcome…I feel a bit anxious right know because I

dont

> > know anything about Hashimoto's. I have an appointment for the

ninth of

[Guest guest]

Our newest member, Robin171, writes:

" I've just been diagnosed with Hashimoto's

after two years of symptoms. I just need

someone to talk to who understands what

I'm going through while I wait for the right

doctor/treatment. "

Welcome aboard! Jump in with questions or

comments any time you like.

NOTE: I will be mostly offline for the coming

week as my parents are in town through

Thanksgiving.

~

Moderator, Thyroiditis

*To edit your message delivery preferences click

" Edit My Membership " in the top right (blue bar) of

your screen and select an alternative delivery option.