Guest guest Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Tona, What norm reading numbers do your doctors use for thyroid tests? This is important to know since the norm is usually lower than most labs/doctors use. It is also important to understand many things including lack of sleep, other medication, hormones and stress changes body chemistry. I had to discontinue all but my thyroid medication so my thyroid could be regulated. The only bad part was my cholesterol sored from stopping Lipitor. So I had to start taking it again. Thyroid conditions cause weight gain/loss, anxiety, depression, chest pain, etc. When I took too much thyroid medication, doctors gave me anti depressants for anxiety, etc. It took 2 years to find a doctor that determined I was taking too much Synthroid and lowered the dose. The lower dose did away with chest pains, anxiety and the need for anti depressants. When I was given too little or too much medication last year, I gained 10 lbs in a month, felt fatigued, depressed, anxious, etc. Only lost 8 pounds after a year of diet and exercise. Heard a tv doctor tell an athletic gastro bypass patient that her operation, diet and exercise program did not lead to weight loss due to a thyroid condition. He said it would take a year to determine the proper amount and mix of medicaton that would regulate it. I have been with an endo for over a year and am still hypothryoid. I have rib problems too. Started after my auto was hit head on last Feb. I could not recline or sleep without pain and breathing problems. The ortho doctor took x-rays, found nothing and prescribed pain was medication. To make a long story short, the rib pain presisted. The ortho doctor and physical therapist said it was muscle spasms. A gastro doctor said it IBS. A therapist said it was stress. Last month an MRI the rheumotologist ordered showed rib lesions, which have yet to be defined. As for male vs female diet and exercise.... testosterone allows men lose more weight faster than females. My experience has been that anti depressants caused me to gain and retain weight. When I discontinued taking them, I lost weight quickly. I do not recommend discontinuing anti depressants without doctor's supervision. Now due to the thyroid condition, losing a pound is impossible. The only time I lost weight (5 lbs) was when I was hyper and had insomnia for two months. My endo was thrilled, but I could not live that way. So she changed my meds. Now I take three pills (2 levoxyl and 1 Armour) and find out if it is working on Thursday. My endo insists I continue to diet and exercise to keep other disorders (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc) away. It is hard to diet and exercise the way I feel and depressing to see friends and relatives losing rapidly while I stay the same. The endo I see has a check list of symptoms we go over everytime I see her. She uses the responses and test results to determine if I require a medication change. I read about supplements you can add daily that may help depending on the type of symptoms you are experiencing. Unfortunately, I do not remember the name of the book, but know the author is an doctor with thyroid disease. The only advice I can offer is to get as many opinions as necessary until you feel better. I saw four doctors in a year until I found one that looked at the entire picture and not just test results. Good luck, Nan Hello all, My name is Tona and I live outside of Denver, Colorado. I >was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost two years ago, and my GP >prescribed Armour Thyroid. I have been taking it faithfully since my >diagnoses, but have never felt any different. I have no energy, I'm >tired all the time, and I've gained about 18 pounds that won't go >away no matter what I do with my diet or exercise plan. I was also >diagnosed with depression a few years ago, and after trying a few >meds (wellbutrin, lexapro and prozac), my doc and I settled on Celexa. > >I discovered I had Hashimotos Thyroiditis last month. My husband and >I started an agressive health regimen with a meal plan and rigorous >exercise (due to a car accident, I was working out at a much higher >rate than my husband could do). In three weeks, my husband lost 10 >pounds and I lost 2. We did everything the same, so I went to my doc >and asked for a complete thryroid checkup. My doc found my antibodies >were sky high and diagnosed the Hashimotos. She recommended that my >Armour Thyroid dosage not be changed at this time, but I needed to >have my thyroid checked every six months. > >With my symptoms (low energy, depression, weight gain, intolerance to >heat, no sex drive, fatigue) I am wondering if anyone in the group >has had a similar experience and if they know of anything I can >supplement my current thyroid therapy with. My doc tells me that >exercise is essential but I don't have the energy, the stamina or the >desire to do it. My doc is rather progressive, and is open minded to >many things, but I'm hoping for some answers from people who have >been there and done that! > >Thanks everyone, I hope I'll be able to return the favor and help >someone here using my experiences too! >Tona > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.