Re: New to the group

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group! Sorry you too have to be here. Hashimoto's is treatable. Don't let a Dr brush you off like that. Perhaps that's the extent of his/her knowledge on this disease. I will tell you, though, you have to stay vigilant and educate yourself so that when you see a Dr regarding this they don't just throw some medical words at you and dismiss you. The reality is that it is difficult for many of us to find a Dr that treats this. A common problem to experience is that most dr's will treat you according to you labs results..not your symptoms. This is the problem I am going through right now. My labs are within "normal" range...so why do I still have all the terrible symptoms that go along with this? Another thing that I have learned is that if we are all soo very different then how can we all be held to the same "noraml ranges" regarding our blood/tests? This is a learning process and we are all

here to help. Make sure you keep a full record of EVERYTHING any Dr may test you for, etc...I even ask for a copy of the progress notes that the Dr writes for each visit. You have a right to it and you never know when you will need it! In my case I am so fatigued and exhausted that each day is a struggle for me. In 1 year I have gained 70lbs and In 1 month my waist grew 4.5 inches. Talk about depressing! So I understand the clothes thing...hell, I don't even feel like my skin fits me anymore!! You are not alone...you have found a good group to support you! Remember, question everthing your Dr tells you and never settle for an answer you don't like! marycareybotanical wrote: Hi--I am just joining --I was diagnosed with antithyroid antibodies years ago. Only recently did I learn that having antibodies meant that I had Hashimoto's. If I am incorrect in saying that please let me know.I have had several doctors tell me that this condition is not treated. Some would give me 25mcg of synthroid. When I was still experiencing many symptoms my dr. upped it to 50 mcg. I am now on Armour (120 mg) and I guess I am self treating for symptoms.My acne is mostly gone. I have not lost any noticeable weight (gained 12 lbs in last year so none of my clothes fit.) Severe PMS seems a little better. Have any of you found success with any treatment?

Are we all like me--hypo without being treated like we are?P.S. I had a parathyriod tumor removed last year. I ave heard that is common with Hashimoto's. Is that true?

[Guest guest]

Hi : Welcome! Here is what is working for me, but I realize we are all different and what works for one doesn't always work for another. I was diagnosed with Hashi's 2 1/2 yrs. ago. It is my understanding that yes, if you have the antibodies, you have this disease. After going to two endocrinologists that I felt didn't really listen to me and the symptoms I was still experiencing, I found an holistic doctor that looked into some other things. I am now taking Vit D3, DHEA (for adrenal fatigue, many of us have this), Iodoral, Progesterone cream, multi-vitamins and Armour. This doctor does not just treat by blood work, but mostly by how I am feeling. His attitude is that I don't have to feel awful with this disease. My primary care doctor told me he thought all my symptoms would go away once on the right dose of thyroid meds, which did not happen for

me. You will learn a lot from people on this website. This is just my experience. Good luck. Oh, and I continue to try to lose the weight I have gained, over 30 lbs. since the diagnosis. Resistance exercise is what my doctor has recommended and is what I have been trying this past month. I have found there is no quick fix for me, it is a journey to good health and this website has helped me a lot on my journey. Take care, marycareybotanical wrote: Hi--I am just joining --I was diagnosed with antithyroid antibodies years ago. Only recently did I learn that having antibodies meant that I had Hashimoto's. If I am incorrect in saying that please let me know.I have had several doctors tell me that this condition is not treated. Some would give me 25mcg of synthroid. When I was still experiencing many symptoms my dr. upped it to 50 mcg. I am now on Armour (120 mg) and I guess I am self treating for symptoms.My acne is mostly gone. I have not lost any noticeable weight (gained 12 lbs in last year so none of my clothes fit.) Severe PMS seems a little better. Have any of you found success with any treatment? Are we all like me--hypo without being treated like we are?P.S. I had a parathyriod tumor removed last year. I ave heard that is common with Hashimoto's. Is that

true?

[Guest guest]

One more thing....I am going to take some of these posts and share them with the doctor today....anything you want to add would be greatly appreciated

CandyWondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your response. I had read that Iodoral wasn’t

good for people with Hashimoto’s—is it specific to each person? Can you tell

me what dose of DHEA you take? Is it by prescription? Do you think it helps?

Also—how much armour do you take? I am up to 60 mg, 2x a day. I am wondering

if that is sufficient—given that some doctors wouldn’t give me anything.

Thanks for your help—

From:

Thyroiditis [mailto:Thyroiditis ] On Behalf

Of M.

Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 11:35 PM

To: Thyroiditis

Subject: Re: New to the group

Hi :

Welcome! Here is what is working for me, but I realize

we are all different and what works for one doesn't always work for

another. I was diagnosed with Hashi's 2 1/2 yrs. ago. It is my

understanding that yes, if you have the antibodies, you have this

disease.

After going to two endocrinologists that I felt didn't

really listen to me and the symptoms I was still experiencing, I found an

holistic doctor that looked into some other things. I am now taking Vit

D3, DHEA (for adrenal fatigue, many of us have this), Iodoral, Progesterone

cream, multi-vitamins and Armour. This doctor does not just treat by

blood work, but mostly by how I am feeling. His attitude is that I don't

have to feel awful with this disease. My primary care doctor told me he

thought all my symptoms would go away once on the right dose of thyroid meds,

which did not happen for me.

You will learn a lot from people on this website. This

is just my experience. Good luck. Oh, and I continue to try to lose

the weight I have gained, over 30 lbs. since the diagnosis. Resistance

exercise is what my doctor has recommended and is what I have been trying this

past month. I have found there is no quick fix for me, it is a

journey to good health and this website has helped me a lot on my journey.

Take care,

marycareybotanical wrote:

Hi--I am just joining --I was

diagnosed with antithyroid antibodies

years ago. Only recently did I learn that having antibodies meant that

I had Hashimoto's. If I am incorrect in saying that please let me know.

I have had several doctors tell me that this condition is not treated.

Some would give me 25mcg of synthroid. When I was still experiencing

many symptoms my dr. upped it to 50 mcg. I am now on Armour (120 mg)

and I guess I am self treating for symptoms.

My acne is mostly gone. I have not lost any noticeable weight (gained

12 lbs in last year so none of my clothes fit.) Severe PMS seems a

little better. Have any of you found success with any treatment? Are

we all like me--hypo without being treated like we are?

P.S. I had a parathyriod tumor removed last year. I ave heard that is

common with Hashimoto's. Is that true?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I also have hashi's and iodine definitely made me worse--hyper for

days. Other's with hashi's have had similar experiences, a few ended

up in the ER. There are many studies showing it aggravates hashi's

and/or can cause hypothyroidism.

That said, there does seem to be some hashi people who tolerate it. I

would say to keep it a very low dose for an extended period of time to

give yourself time to see how it will affect you. Gradually increase

in small increments.

>

> Thank you for your response. I had read that Iodoral wasn't good

for people

> with Hashimoto's-is it specific to each person? Can you tell me

what dose

> of DHEA you take? Is it by prescription? Do you think it helps?

Also-how

> much armour do you take? I am up to 60 mg, 2x a day. I am wondering if

> that is sufficient-given that some doctors wouldn't give me anything.

> Thanks for your help-

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi : I always forget to include that I have a goiter, therefore the Iodoral does help me. Some hashis do o.k. on iodine and others have terrible reactions. I feel good on it however. I take what you take, 60mgs of Armour two times a day. I think I would like to increase it, but will wait until I see my Dr. again on June 30th. I get the 25mg of DHEA from a compounding pharmacy through the mail. I do see it on the drug store shelves, and asked my Dr. about this, but he said he trusts this pharmacy to make it the exact way it should be made. Who knows, it could very well be the same as in the stores. I get other things from this pharmacy, so it is not a big deal to order the DHEA. But, no you don't need a script for it and yes, I do think this is helping with my energy level. This is one of the tests that my doctor checks regularly and my numbers are

coming up slowly. I get my blood work done every three months. My doctor takes that into account as well as how I am feeling and goes from there. What I realized is that I was expecting that these meds and supplements I take would work within the first week I took them. I am really noticing that I am not nearly as tired as I was and my mood seems so much more calm. I just have this peaceful feeling inside which is such a nice change since I also suffer from an anxiety disorder. Hope this helps. mary carey wrote: Thank you for your response. I had read that Iodoral wasn’t good for people with Hashimoto’s—is it specific to each person? Can you tell me what dose of DHEA you take? Is it by prescription? Do you think it helps? Also—how much armour do you take? I am up to 60 mg, 2x a day. I am wondering if that is sufficient—given that some doctors wouldn’t give me anything. Thanks for your help— From: Thyroiditis [mailto:Thyroiditis ] On Behalf Of M.Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 11:35 PMTo: Thyroiditis Subject: Re: New to the group Hi : Welcome! Here is what is working for me, but I realize we are all different and what works for one doesn't always work for another. I was diagnosed with Hashi's 2 1/2 yrs. ago. It is my understanding that yes, if you have the antibodies, you have this disease.

After going to two endocrinologists that I felt didn't really listen to me and the symptoms I was still experiencing, I found an holistic doctor that looked into some other things. I am now taking Vit D3, DHEA (for adrenal fatigue, many of us have this), Iodoral, Progesterone cream, multi-vitamins and Armour. This doctor does not just treat by blood work, but mostly by how I am feeling. His attitude is that I don't have to feel awful with this disease. My primary care doctor told me he thought all my symptoms would go away once on the right dose of thyroid meds, which did not happen for me. You will learn a lot from people on this website. This is just my experience. Good luck. Oh, and I continue to try to lose the weight I have

gained, over 30 lbs. since the diagnosis. Resistance exercise is what my doctor has recommended and is what I have been trying this past month. I have found there is no quick fix for me, it is a journey to good health and this website has helped me a lot on my journey. Take care, marycareybotanical <marycareync (DOT) rr.com> wrote: Hi--I am just joining --I was diagnosed with antithyroid antibodies years ago. Only recently did I learn that having antibodies meant that I had Hashimoto's. If I am incorrect in saying that please let me know.I have

had several doctors tell me that this condition is not treated. Some would give me 25mcg of synthroid. When I was still experiencing many symptoms my dr. upped it to 50 mcg. I am now on Armour (120 mg) and I guess I am self treating for symptoms.My acne is mostly gone. I have not lost any noticeable weight (gained 12 lbs in last year so none of my clothes fit.) Severe PMS seems a little better. Have any of you found success with any treatment? Are we all like me--hypo without being treated like we are?P.S. I had a parathyriod tumor removed last year. I ave heard that is common with Hashimoto's. Is that true?

[Guest guest]

M. wrote:

> My primary care doctor told me he thought all my symptoms would go

> away once on the right dose of thyroid meds, which did not happen for me.

>

I personally think it has to be the correct thyroid med, or combination

of thyroid meds. Synthroid or armour don't work for everyone. Some

people need synthroid with T3, or synthroid with armour, or armour with

T3 or straight T3. It is trial and error to find the right med or

combination of meds as well as the correct dosing.

sol

[Guest guest]

mary carey wrote:

>

> Thank you for your response. I had read that Iodoral wasn’t good for

> people with Hashimoto’s—is it specific to each person? Can you tell me

> what dose of DHEA you take? Is it by prescription? Do you think it

> helps? Also—how much armour do you take? I am up to 60 mg, 2x a day. I

> am wondering if that is sufficient—given that some doctors wouldn’t

> give me anything. Thanks for your help—

>

>

>

Many people with Hashi's can't tolerate supplemental iodine, but some

do. DHEA is the same some people have good results from it, some don't.

I'm one that doesn't. I suspect in my case the hormone conversion flow

chart doesn't work properly. I also technically should need and do well

with supplementation of at least estradiol having total surgical

menopause 18 years ago. But I feel worse with estradiol, and also

progesterone.

There are no rules for thyroid hormone dosing except to use a dose of

the med that works best for you at a dose that relieves your symptoms.

Supposedly there is an assumption that most people need 3-5 grains of

armour to be " optimized " but I go hyper somewhere between 1 1/2 and 1

3/4 grains.

sol

[Guest guest]

M. wrote:

> I always forget to include that I have a goiter, therefore the Iodoral

> does help me. Some hashis do o.k. on iodine and others have terrible

> reactions. I feel good on it however.

>

When I see posts related to goiter and iodine, I just like to stick my

oar in and mention that goiter can also be a result of too much iodine.

If iodine is reducing your goiter that isn't likely your problem, LOL.

But it happens, and hardly anyone is aware of it.

sol