Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 Jayme, thanks for posting that story. I try and stay positive with all this, b/c what choice do I really have? Your story really reminds me to keep hoping for better days. Thanks, Hillary ---- Original message ---- >Date: Thu, 26 May 2005 03:05:12 -0000 > >Subject: feeling well >To: Thyroiditis > > Hi there, > > I joined this group about a year ago. I think I > posted once or > twice, but have mostly just read/listened to others > on the group so > far. > > I was diagnosed with thyroiditis in August 2002. It > totally snuck > up on me. I actually went to the doctor to check on > lumps in my > armpit area (which turned out to be sweat gland > cysts). While > there, the dr said that he noticed a lump in my > throat and thought > it was a goiter. I had my blood checked and my TSH > was sky high. > After I learned more about thyroiditis, it all made > sense to me. > The fatigue gradually made its way into my life. By > the time my > blood was checked I was sleeping 10 hours per night > plus taking a 3 > hour nap in the afternoon (it was summer, and I'm a > teacher, so the > naps were possible!). I also had the brain fog, > hair loss, and was > having a hard time losing weight (even though I was > running > regularly and really watching what I ate). > > For about the first 1 1/2 years the dosage of my > medication was > increased everytime my blood was checked. I > attributed the majority > of my increases to becoming pregnant right after > being diagnosed. > However, after birth, it was still increased and has > never gone > down. I am currently on .137 mg of levothyroxine. > I originally > started on synthroid and was switched to > levothyroxine about 6 > months ago. I don't really notice a difference in > the meds. The > thing that bothers me the most is that the > levothyroxine isn't > coated, so it gets caught in my throat occasionally > (a minor > inconvenience). I just had my annualy physical and > my TSH was > at .87 (range was stated at .3 - 5.0). That's the > lowest it has > been since being diagnosed. > > I have to say that I feel really good. I am able to > stay awake > until past 10 pm and feel functional the next day! > I am able to be > active with my son and exercise regularly. I > haven't found that I > have to be particularly careful with my diet. I can > eat almost > everything and feel well. I do try to avoid soy as > much as > possible, though. > > I felt compelled to write tonight to let people know > that feeling > well is possible with thyroiditis and to not give up > hope. > > Thank you all for your posts. It's great to hear > the wealth of > information that you all have. > > Take care, > Jayme > > *Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board > based on patient experiences, and should not be > considered a medical recommendation. > > ---------------------------------------------------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 Thank you for your post, it's nice to know that I won't always feel like this. I just went to the dr, again and she kept my Synthroid at the same dosage 250 mcgs a day. This is the first time in 7 years that it hasn't been increased after the blood tests. I'm still tired but I also have Hypoglycemia and have to watch what I eat. My doctor told me that mostly men over the age of 40 get Hashimoto's. That I needed to tell my siblings if they have any kids that it was hereditary and since I have it there was a chance that my nephews could get it in their 30's. But she said it's mostly men that get it. There are alot of women in this group and I was wondering if any of your guys doctors have told you anything similar? jaymethorson wrote: Hi there,I joined this group about a year ago. I think I posted once or twice, but have mostly just read/listened to others on the group so far.I was diagnosed with thyroiditis in August 2002. It totally snuck up on me. I actually went to the doctor to check on lumps in my armpit area (which turned out to be sweat gland cysts). While there, the dr said that he noticed a lump in my throat and thought it was a goiter. I had my blood checked and my TSH was sky high. After I learned more about thyroiditis, it all made sense to me. The fatigue gradually made its way into my life. By the time my blood was checked I was sleeping 10 hours per night plus taking a 3 hour nap in the afternoon (it was summer, and I'm a teacher, so the naps were possible!). I also had the brain fog, hair loss, and was having a hard time losing weight (even though I was running regularly and really watching what I ate). For about the first 1 1/2 years the dosage of my medication was increased everytime my blood was checked. I attributed the majority of my increases to becoming pregnant right after being diagnosed. However, after birth, it was still increased and has never gone down. I am currently on .137 mg of levothyroxine. I originally started on synthroid and was switched to levothyroxine about 6 months ago. I don't really notice a difference in the meds. The thing that bothers me the most is that the levothyroxine isn't coated, so it gets caught in my throat occasionally (a minor inconvenience). I just had my annualy physical and my TSH was at .87 (range was stated at .3 - 5.0). That's the lowest it has been since being diagnosed.I have to say that I feel really good. I am able to stay awake until past 10 pm and feel functional the next day! I am able to be active with my son and exercise regularly. I haven't found that I have to be particularly careful with my diet. I can eat almost everything and feel well. I do try to avoid soy as much as possible, though. I felt compelled to write tonight to let people know that feeling well is possible with thyroiditis and to not give up hope. Thank you all for your posts. It's great to hear the wealth of information that you all have.Take care,Jayme*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation. Treat me like an angel and I'll take you to heaven...... __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 That's odd...everything I've read says it's MUCH more common in women. They feel it is possibly because of our female hormones & fluctuations. That is why so many women develop symptoms during pregnancy, after childbirth, or at/after menopause. Here's an interesting article: http://www.aarda.org/women.php Joy Re: feeling well Thank you for your post, it's nice to know that I won't always feel like this. I just went to the dr, again and she kept my Synthroid at the same dosage 250 mcgs a day. This is the first time in 7 years that it hasn't been increased after the blood tests. I'm still tired but I also have Hypoglycemia and have to watch what I eat. My doctor told me that mostly men over the age of 40 get Hashimoto's. That I needed to tell my siblings if they have any kids that it was hereditary and since I have it there was a chance that my nephews could get it in their 30's. But she said it's mostly men that get it. There are alot of women in this group and I was wondering if any of your guys doctors have told you anything similar? jaymethorson wrote: Hi there,I joined this group about a year ago. I think I posted once or twice, but have mostly just read/listened to others on the group so far.I was diagnosed with thyroiditis in August 2002. It totally snuck up on me. I actually went to the doctor to check on lumps in my armpit area (which turned out to be sweat gland cysts). While there, the dr said that he noticed a lump in my throat and thought it was a goiter. I had my blood checked and my TSH was sky high. After I learned more about thyroiditis, it all made sense to me. The fatigue gradually made its way into my life. By the time my blood was checked I was sleeping 10 hours per night plus taking a 3 hour nap in the afternoon (it was summer, and I'm a teacher, so the naps were possible!). I also had the brain fog, hair loss, and was having a hard time losing weight (even though I was running regularly and really watching what I ate). For about the first 1 1/2 years the dosage of my medication was increased everytime my blood was checked. I attributed the majority of my increases to becoming pregnant right after being diagnosed. However, after birth, it was still increased and has never gone down. I am currently on .137 mg of levothyroxine. I originally started on synthroid and was switched to levothyroxine about 6 months ago. I don't really notice a difference in the meds. The thing that bothers me the most is that the levothyroxine isn't coated, so it gets caught in my throat occasionally (a minor inconvenience). I just had my annualy physical and my TSH was at .87 (range was stated at .3 - 5.0). That's the lowest it has been since being diagnosed.I have to say that I feel really good. I am able to stay awake until past 10 pm and feel functional the next day! I am able to be active with my son and exercise regularly. I haven't found that I have to be particularly careful with my diet. I can eat almost everything and feel well. I do try to avoid soy as much as possible, though. I felt compelled to write tonight to let people know that feeling well is possible with thyroiditis and to not give up hope. Thank you all for your posts. It's great to hear the wealth of information that you all have.Take care,Jayme*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation. Treat me like an angel and I'll take you to heaven...... __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 I know it is odd, everything I'ver ead and heard from this and toehr groups says women rather than men are more prevalant to get it, but even as I went and talked to my Endocrinologist the other day and my MD. they both said that men are more likely to get it than women, it just doesn't seem right. maryDon & Joy wrote: That's odd...everything I've read says it's MUCH more common in women. They feel it is possibly because of our female hormones & fluctuations. That is why so many women develop symptoms during pregnancy, after childbirth, or at/after menopause. Here's an interesting article: http://www.aarda.org/women.php Joy Re: feeling well Thank you for your post, it's nice to know that I won't always feel like this. I just went to the dr, again and she kept my Synthroid at the same dosage 250 mcgs a day. This is the first time in 7 years that it hasn't been increased after the blood tests. I'm still tired but I also have Hypoglycemia and have to watch what I eat. My doctor told me that mostly men over the age of 40 get Hashimoto's. That I needed to tell my siblings if they have any kids that it was hereditary and since I have it there was a chance that my nephews could get it in their 30's. But she said it's mostly men that get it. There are alot of women in this group and I was wondering if any of your guys doctors have told you anything similar? jaymethorson wrote: Hi there,I joined this group about a year ago. I think I posted once or twice, but have mostly just read/listened to others on the group so far.I was diagnosed with thyroiditis in August 2002. It totally snuck up on me. I actually went to the doctor to check on lumps in my armpit area (which turned out to be sweat gland cysts). While there, the dr said that he noticed a lump in my throat and thought it was a goiter. I had my blood checked and my TSH was sky high. After I learned more about thyroiditis, it all made sense to me. The fatigue gradually made its way into my life. By the time my blood was checked I was sleeping 10 hours per night plus taking a 3 hour nap in the afternoon (it was summer, and I'm a teacher, so the naps were possible!). I also had the brain fog, hair loss, and was having a hard time losing weight (even though I was running regularly and really watching what I ate). For about the first 1 1/2 years the dosage of my medication was increased everytime my blood was checked. I attributed the majority of my increases to becoming pregnant right after being diagnosed. However, after birth, it was still increased and has never gone down. I am currently on .137 mg of levothyroxine. I originally started on synthroid and was switched to levothyroxine about 6 months ago. I don't really notice a difference in the meds. The thing that bothers me the most is that the levothyroxine isn't coated, so it gets caught in my throat occasionally (a minor inconvenience). I just had my annualy physical and my TSH was at .87 (range was stated at .3 - 5.0). That's the lowest it has been since being diagnosed.I have to say that I feel really good. I am able to stay awake until past 10 pm and feel functional the next day! I am able to be active with my son and exercise regularly. I haven't found that I have to be particularly careful with my diet. I can eat almost everything and feel well. I do try to avoid soy as much as possible, though. I felt compelled to write tonight to let people know that feeling well is possible with thyroiditis and to not give up hope. Thank you all for your posts. It's great to hear the wealth of information that you all have.Take care,Jayme*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation. Treat me like an angel and I'll take you to heaven...... __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 , I don't know what school they are from, but my endo who is from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia which has an excellent reputation says that it is more prevalent in women. Are they by any chance trying to brush you off? I have had that problem up until luckily I found a great GP and a great endo. Just because a doctor tells you something doesn't mean they are right. I had one doctor tell me I need a psychiatrist rather than an endo even though she had just told me yes my levels did seem to be up and down over the year. I left her office and never went back and made an offical complaint. Come to find out she just didn't want to deal with my insurance company. Beside it really doesn't matter who it is more prevalent in. You unfortunately have it. Take care of yourself and be your own patient advocate. Good luck, Beth __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 I don't think either of them are trying to brush me off. I've been seeing both of them for more than 7 years, 11 years for the MD. I think maybe they have just seen more men with it than women. maybe. They've been really good about answering any questions and doinf any tests I wanted done and taking the time to explain everything to me. After finding alot of info online I went with the printed out pages and she looked them over with me, she said most of her patients with Hashimoto's don;t try and seek out any answers themselves and was glad to see someone taking things in their own hands. So far this seems to be the only thing she seems to be wrong about, everything else has been the same as what I've found online on websites and what you all have said. maryBeth Elliott wrote: , I don't know what school they are from, but my endowho is from the University of Pennsylvania inPhiladelphia which has an excellent reputation saysthat it is more prevalent in women. Are they by anychance trying to brush you off? I have had thatproblem up until luckily I found a great GP and agreat endo. Just because a doctor tells you somethingdoesn't mean they are right. I had one doctor tell meI need a psychiatrist rather than an endo even thoughshe had just told me yes my levels did seem to be upand down over the year. I left her office and neverwent back and made an offical complaint. Come to findout she just didn't want to deal with my insurancecompany. Beside it really doesn't matter who it is moreprevalent in. You unfortunately have it. Take careof yourself and be your own patient advocate. Good luck,Beth__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 Thanks beth, yes i've been checked for anemia...It was fine. I've had sooo many blood tests in the past 6 months that they checked my hormone levels to see if I was starting menopause..thankfully I'm not..lol I had the 2 hour insulin test for diabetes...that came out ok. The only thing they can find right now is hypoglycemia..and I tend to eat the wrong things sometimes and it brings my sugar level way to low, and that will get me tired too. and then the Hypothyroid and Hashimoto's. I suppose it could be worst. I asked my great aunt if she knew anyone in the family that had any thyroid problems and she said no. So far as far as I can tell I am the first one. mary Beth Elliott wrote: , I was actually told that women tend to getHashimoto's more often. My doctor did advise me thatit was hereditary. My sister is hypothyroid and webelieve my grandmother died of heart problems due tocomplications from a thyroid disorder. Have you had your blood checked for anemia? Thatmight be one of the things causing your fatigue. Hope the rest of your day is energy filled. Beth __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new Resources sitehttp://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/*Note: Information is freely exchanged on this board based on patient experiences, and should not be considered a medical recommendation. Treat me like an angel and I'll take you to heaven...... __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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