Weight, thyroid and stopping smoking

[Guest guest]

Gale, I had an experience similar to yours when I quit smoking. For eight years, I drug my body around, wore long johns all summer, froze and could make major haystacks out of my falling hair. I built my house with no air conditioning because I obviously didn't need it and couldn't understand how anyone else in the family could possibly need it. My weight gradually edged up over that time from 96 to 118. When I quit smoking, I couldn't get off the couch for nine months. I went to the doctor and told him I was going to die. FINALLY, he tested my thyroid. My TSH was 78. In that nine months, my weight went up to over 150. I have never been able to lose it.

I cannot take Armour although my Free T3 is very, very low. When I try it, my blood pressure shoots up and I retain water. It is somehow connected to the renin/aldosterone system but I've yet to find a doctor who has any understanding. My aldosterone is high and renin is low - not a good combination. I tolerate T4 fine but I think it is the T3 that affects weight loss.

I've heard many tales of hypos being smokers. I think that without smoking, I couldn't have raised my children. Cigarettes kept me upright.

Val

[Guest guest]

T4 just converts to T3, that's all. Synthetic T4 is supposed

to do that, altho it never did that for me.

How about low cortisol? Low Ferritin? Not enough Armour?

Those very well could have given you those symptoms.

I've read about that here:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thyroid

Sam

=====

> FINALLY, he tested my thyroid. My TSH was 78. In that nine months,

> my weight went up to over 150. I have never been able to lose it.

>

> I cannot take Armour although my Free T3 is very, very low. When

> I try it, my blood pressure shoots up and I retain water.

>

>

> I tolerate T4 fine but I think it is the T3 that affects

> weight loss.

[Guest guest]

From what I understand, Ferritin should be at least 70.

What about orthoiodosupplementation with Iodoral or Lugol's?

Tumor, cyst, thyroid sort of makes me think iodine deficiency.

Hmmm...have you had an iodine loading test yet?

Sam :-O

ps - I've been on 2400mg Ibuprofen since 1987, due to a severe

back injury. 20yrs...so far so good.

=====

> I keep my T4 high and my TSH low, but T3 is almost always at the bottom of

> the normal range.

>

> I don't think its any of those. Hydrocortisone makes me terribly

> agitated.

> Saliva cortisol tests are perfect. Ferritin is 51 - not great but not

> horrible either. The more Armour I take, the higher my blood pressure

> goes.

> I've spent about ten years trying to get to the bottom of it, including

> five

> trials of Armour. Each trial takes me about a year for recovery. I have

> a

> high aldosterone/renin ratio which points to an adrenal tumor or adrenal

> hyperplasia, but nothing showed up with a CAT scan. Its a real dilemma

> for

> me and so far, none of the docs I've seen know more than I do. The last

> one

> was an endo at a university medical school. I went in when I was just

> coming off my last horrible trial of Armour. When I first went in, she

> said

> she'd not stop until she found the problem. She was convinced it was

> Cushings. I knew it was not. Once she ruled that out, she lost interest.

> I was $7,000 poorer.

>

> If my BP ever becomes uncontrollable, I'll get adrenal vein sampling.

> That's the only procedure that clearly defines if the problem is caused by

> a

> tumor, but it is a risky procedure and I'd not have it done anywhere but

> Mayo in Minnesota.

>

> I spent 14 years on strong NSAIDS (and would have killed for them) for

> ankylosing spondylitis, a disease I never had. I had a (benign)

> parathyroid

> tumor and was hypothyroid. Meanwhile, I lost 14 years of enjoying my

> children. My youngest was four when I got sick and 18 when I finally got

> the

> parathyroid surgery. For all I know, 14 years of NSAIDS caused the BP

> problem. More news is coming out about that connection.

> Val

>

[Guest guest]

I keep my T4 high and my TSH low, but T3 is almost always at the bottom of the normal range.

I don't think its any of those. Hydrocortisone makes me terribly agitated. Saliva cortisol tests are perfect. Ferritin is 51 - not great but not horrible either. The more Armour I take, the higher my blood pressure goes. I've spent about ten years trying to get to the bottom of it, including five trials of Armour. Each trial takes me about a year for recovery. I have a high aldosterone/renin ratio which points to an adrenal tumor or adrenal hyperplasia, but nothing showed up with a CAT scan. Its a real dilemma for me and so far, none of the docs I've seen know more than I do. The last one was an endo at a university medical school. I went in when I was just coming off my last horrible trial of Armour. When I first went in, she said she'd not stop until she found the problem. She was convinced it was Cushings. I knew it was not. Once she ruled that out, she lost interest. I was $7,000 poorer.

If my BP ever becomes uncontrollable, I'll get adrenal vein sampling. That's the only procedure that clearly defines if the problem is caused by a tumor, but it is a risky procedure and I'd not have it done anywhere but Mayo in Minnesota.

I spent 14 years on strong NSAIDS (and would have killed for them) for ankylosing spondylitis, a disease I never had. I had a (benign) parathyroid tumor and was hypothyroid. Meanwhile, I lost 14 years of enjoying my children. My youngest was four when I got sick and 18 when I finally got the parathyroid surgery. For all I know, 14 years of NSAIDS caused the BP problem. More news is coming out about that connection.

Val

-----Original Message-----From: rhythmicliving [mailto:rhythmicliving ]On Behalf Of k9gang@...

T4 just converts to T3, that's all. Synthetic T4 is supposedto do that, altho it never did that for me.How about low cortisol? Low Ferritin? Not enough Armour?Those very well could have given you those symptoms.I've read about that here:http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/thyroidSam=====> FINALLY, he tested my thyroid. My TSH was 78. In that nine months,> my weight went up to over 150. I have never been able to lose it.>> I cannot take Armour although my Free T3 is very, very low. When> I try it, my blood pressure shoots up and I retain water.>>> I tolerate T4 fine but I think it is the T3 that affects> weight loss.

..

[Guest guest]

I've had 2 loading tests.

http://www.breastcancerchoices.org/loading.html

I got on this list because I was interested in the WP, too. But I found

dosing symptoms worked very well for me.

Sam ;

> I haven't done the iodine loading test but am watching and thinking about

> it. I got on this list to watch and think about Wiley Protocol and am

> glad

> I spent sufficient time, watching and thinking. I never did it. Somehow

> I

> knew that those huge doses of progesterone cream couldn't be good. I also

> held back, knowing that P cream is not reliable for protecting the

> endometrium.

>

> We're building a house right now. When I get re-settled, I'll probably do

> the test. Certainly, I'm not without discomforts though I am more

> functioning than at many times in my life. I don't have breast problems

> except for some tenderness during my P phases.

>

> Thanks for all your brain scratching, Sam.

>

> Val

>

> -----Original Message-----

> From: rhythmicliving

> [mailto:rhythmicliving ]On Behalf Of k9gang@...

>

>

> From what I understand, Ferritin should be at least 70.

> What about orthoiodosupplementation with Iodoral or Lugol's?

> Tumor, cyst, thyroid sort of makes me think iodine deficiency.

> Hmmm...have you had an iodine loading test yet?

>

> Sam :-O

>

> ps - I've been on 2400mg Ibuprofen since 1987, due to a severe

> back injury. 20yrs...so far so good.

>

> =====

> > I keep my T4 high and my TSH low, but T3 is almost always at the

> bottom

> of

> > the normal range.

> >

> > I don't think its any of those. Hydrocortisone makes me terribly

> > agitated.

> > Saliva cortisol tests are perfect. Ferritin is 51 - not great but not

> > horrible either. The more Armour I take, the higher my blood pressure

> > goes.

> > I've spent about ten years trying to get to the bottom of it,

> including

> > five

> > trials of Armour. Each trial takes me about a year for recovery. I

> have

> > a

> > high aldosterone/renin ratio which points to an adrenal tumor or

> adrenal

> > hyperplasia, but nothing showed up with a CAT scan. Its a real dilemma

> > for

> > me and so far, none of the docs I've seen know more than I do. The

> last

> > one

> > was an endo at a university medical school. I went in when I was just

> > coming off my last horrible trial of Armour. When I first went in, she

> > said

> > she'd not stop until she found the problem. She was convinced it was

> > Cushings. I knew it was not. Once she ruled that out, she lost

> interest.

> > I was $7,000 poorer.

> >

> > If my BP ever becomes uncontrollable, I'll get adrenal vein sampling.

> > That's the only procedure that clearly defines if the problem is

> caused

> by

> > a

> > tumor, but it is a risky procedure and I'd not have it done anywhere

> but

> > Mayo in Minnesota.

> >

> > I spent 14 years on strong NSAIDS (and would have killed for them) for

> > ankylosing spondylitis, a disease I never had. I had a (benign)

> > parathyroid

> > tumor and was hypothyroid. Meanwhile, I lost 14 years of enjoying my

> > children. My youngest was four when I got sick and 18 when I finally

> got

> > the

> > parathyroid surgery. For all I know, 14 years of NSAIDS caused the BP

> > problem. More news is coming out about that connection.

> > Val

> .

>

>

[Guest guest]

I haven't done the iodine loading test but am watching and thinking about it. I got on this list to watch and think about Wiley Protocol and am glad I spent sufficient time, watching and thinking. I never did it. Somehow I knew that those huge doses of progesterone cream couldn't be good. I also held back, knowing that P cream is not reliable for protecting the endometrium.

We're building a house right now. When I get re-settled, I'll probably do the test. Certainly, I'm not without discomforts though I am more functioning than at many times in my life. I don't have breast problems except for some tenderness during my P phases.

Thanks for all your brain scratching, Sam.

Val

-----Original Message-----From: rhythmicliving [mailto:rhythmicliving ]On Behalf Of k9gang@...

From what I understand, Ferritin should be at least 70.What about orthoiodosupplementation with Iodoral or Lugol's?Tumor, cyst, thyroid sort of makes me think iodine deficiency.Hmmm...have you had an iodine loading test yet?Sam :-Ops - I've been on 2400mg Ibuprofen since 1987, due to a severeback injury. 20yrs...so far so good.=====> I keep my T4 high and my TSH low, but T3 is almost always at the bottom of> the normal range.>> I don't think its any of those. Hydrocortisone makes me terribly> agitated.> Saliva cortisol tests are perfect. Ferritin is 51 - not great but not> horrible either. The more Armour I take, the higher my blood pressure> goes.> I've spent about ten years trying to get to the bottom of it, including> five> trials of Armour. Each trial takes me about a year for recovery. I have> a> high aldosterone/renin ratio which points to an adrenal tumor or adrenal> hyperplasia, but nothing showed up with a CAT scan. Its a real dilemma> for> me and so far, none of the docs I've seen know more than I do. The last> one> was an endo at a university medical school. I went in when I was just> coming off my last horrible trial of Armour. When I first went in, she> said> she'd not stop until she found the problem. She was convinced it was> Cushings. I knew it was not. Once she ruled that out, she lost interest.> I was $7,000 poorer.>> If my BP ever becomes uncontrollable, I'll get adrenal vein sampling.> That's the only procedure that clearly defines if the problem is caused by> a> tumor, but it is a risky procedure and I'd not have it done anywhere but> Mayo in Minnesota.>> I spent 14 years on strong NSAIDS (and would have killed for them) for> ankylosing spondylitis, a disease I never had. I had a (benign)> parathyroid> tumor and was hypothyroid. Meanwhile, I lost 14 years of enjoying my> children. My youngest was four when I got sick and 18 when I finally got> the> parathyroid surgery. For all I know, 14 years of NSAIDS caused the BP> problem. More news is coming out about that connection.> Val

..

[Guest guest]

Wow Val, You have mead me feel better. You really have a serious

problem with your inability to take T3. It does not even sound like

you are converting T4 to T3. I sure hope that someday you can get to

the bottom of this. You certainly deserve to feel good after all of

those years.

I can honestly say that if I had known what was about to happen to me

when I quit smoking that I would still be smoking to this day. It is

bad enough to have to deal with hypothyroidism & Meno but it just

seems that nothing is working. My poor hubby has no idea of how he can

help & truthfully there is nothing he or I can do. If the weight gain

would just stop I would feel a little better. I am frantically trying

to find the answer as to how to make it stop.

Val, you right about the estrogen. I am backing down on my dose.

Yesterday I noticed that my hands were swelling. I did the ring test

& yep, too much estrogen. Now I realize that all of those years (20)

or so that I dealt with swolen hands & feet I probuably just needed

some progesterone to balance the estrogen? Who knows. Lol

Gale

>

> Gale, I had an experience similar to yours when I quit smoking. For

eight

> years, I drug my body around, wore long johns all summer, froze and

could

> make major haystacks out of my falling hair. I built my house with

no air

> conditioning because I obviously didn't need it and couldn't

understand how

> anyone else in the family could possibly need it. My weight

gradually edged

> up over that time from 96 to 118. When I quit smoking, I couldn't

get off

> the couch for nine months. I went to the doctor and told him I was

going to

> die. FINALLY, he tested my thyroid. My TSH was 78. In that nine

months,

> my weight went up to over 150. I have never been able to lose it.

>

> I cannot take Armour although my Free T3 is very, very low. When I

try it,

> my blood pressure shoots up and I retain water. It is somehow

connected to

> the renin/aldosterone system but I've yet to find a doctor who has any

> understanding. My aldosterone is high and renin is low - not a good

> combination. I tolerate T4 fine but I think it is the T3 that affects

> weight loss.

>

> I've heard many tales of hypos being smokers. I think that without

smoking,

> I couldn't have raised my children. Cigarettes kept me upright.

> Val

>

[Guest guest]

Here is an article from PUBMED on T3 and weight loss.

Karin

1: Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Feb;85(2):440-5. LinkOut

Plasma concentrations of free triiodothyronine predict weight change in

euthyroid

persons.

Ortega E,

Pannacciulli N,

Bogardus C,

Krakoff J.

Phoenix Epidemiological Clinical and Research Branch, National Institute of

Diabetes and

Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of

Health and

Human Services, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA. emilioo@...

BACKGROUND: Factors that influence energy metabolism and substrate oxidation,

such as

thyroid hormones (THs), may be important regulators of body weight\. OBJECTIVE:

We

investigated associations of THs cross-sectionally with obesity, energy

expenditure, and

substrate oxidation and prospectively with weight change\. DESIGN: Euthyroid,

nondiabetic, healthy, adult Pima Indians (n = 89; 47 M, 42 F) were studied\.

Percentage

body fat (%BF) was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; sleeping

metabolic rate (SMR), respiratory quotient, and substrate oxidation rates were

measured in

a respiratory chamber\. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine

(T(4)), free

triiodothyronine (T(3)), and leptin concentrations were measured in fasting

plasma

samples\. RESULTS: TSH, but neither free T(3) nor free T(4), was associated with

%BF and

leptin concentrations (r = 0.27 and 0.29, respectively; both: P <or= 0.01)\. In

multiple

regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, fat mass, and fat-free mass, free

T(3) was a

positive predictor of SMR (P = 0.02)\. After adjustment for age, sex, %BF, and

energy

balance, free T(3) was a negative predictor of 24-h respiratory quotient (P <

0.05) and a

positive predictor of 24-h lipid oxidation rate (P = 0.006)\. Prospectively,

after an average

follow-up of 4 +/- 2 y, the mean increase in weight was 3 +/- 9 kg\. Baseline

T(3)

concentrations were associated with absolute and annual percentage of changes in

weight

(r = -0.27, P = 0.02, and r = -0.28, P = 0.009, for the age- and sex-adjusted

associations, respectively)\. CONCLUSIONS: In euthyroid Pima Indians, lower free

T(3) but

not free T(4) concentrations were an independent predictor of SMR and lipid

oxidation and

a predictor of weight gain\. This finding indicates that control of T(4)-to-T(3)

conversion

may play a role in body weight regulation.

>

> Gale, I had an experience similar to yours when I quit smoking. For eight

> years, I drug my body around, wore long johns all summer, froze and could

> make major haystacks out of my falling hair. I built my house with no air

> conditioning because I obviously didn't need it and couldn't understand how

> anyone else in the family could possibly need it. My weight gradually edged

> up over that time from 96 to 118. When I quit smoking, I couldn't get off

> the couch for nine months. I went to the doctor and told him I was going to

> die. FINALLY, he tested my thyroid. My TSH was 78. In that nine months,

> my weight went up to over 150. I have never been able to lose it.

>

> I cannot take Armour although my Free T3 is very, very low. When I try it,

> my blood pressure shoots up and I retain water. It is somehow connected to

> the renin/aldosterone system but I've yet to find a doctor who has any

> understanding. My aldosterone is high and renin is low - not a good

> combination. I tolerate T4 fine but I think it is the T3 that affects

> weight loss.

>

> I've heard many tales of hypos being smokers. I think that without smoking,

> I couldn't have raised my children. Cigarettes kept me upright.

> Val

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Val,

I deal w/a Dr in the NYC (endo) that looks at the parathyroid gland pretty

closely and when

you have had surgery there are some things that should be monitered especially

Vit D/

calcium. Have you been to a specialist lately that will take a look at

everything (lots of

blood tests and a 24 hour urine)?

Karin

> >

> > Gale, I had an experience similar to yours when I quit smoking. For

> eight

> > years, I drug my body around, wore long johns all summer, froze and

> could

> > make major haystacks out of my falling hair. I built my house with

> no air

> > conditioning because I obviously didn't need it and couldn't

> understand how

> > anyone else in the family could possibly need it. My weight

> gradually edged

> > up over that time from 96 to 118. When I quit smoking, I couldn't

> get off

> > the couch for nine months. I went to the doctor and told him I was

> going to

> > die. FINALLY, he tested my thyroid. My TSH was 78. In that nine

> months,

> > my weight went up to over 150. I have never been able to lose it.

> >

> > I cannot take Armour although my Free T3 is very, very low. When I

> try it,

> > my blood pressure shoots up and I retain water. It is somehow

> connected to

> > the renin/aldosterone system but I've yet to find a doctor who has any

> > understanding. My aldosterone is high and renin is low - not a good

> > combination. I tolerate T4 fine but I think it is the T3 that affects

> > weight loss.

> >

> > I've heard many tales of hypos being smokers. I think that without

> smoking,

> > I couldn't have raised my children. Cigarettes kept me upright.

> > Val

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I've been collecting those and giving them to docs. They all look at me with blank stares. My impression is that they don't even know what T3 is let alone have any idea what it does. I will add this to my collection.

I can't even take tyrosine to increase T4 to T3 conversion. It also raises my BP. My understanding is that T3 increases aldosterone. For a normal person, that is fine but for me, it is not.

One of these days, I'm going to try Aldactone, an aldosterone blocker. When I do that, I will also try Armour again. Right now, we're in the middle of building a house and trying to make our current one presentable for sale.

Val

-----Original Message-----From: rhythmicliving [mailto:rhythmicliving ]On Behalf Of bigbird3099

Here is an article from PUBMED on T3 and weight loss.Karin1: Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 Feb;85(2):440-5. LinkOutPlasma concentrations of free triiodothyronine predict weight change in euthyroid persons.Ortega E, Pannacciulli N, Bogardus C, Krakoff J.Phoenix Epidemiological Clinical and Research Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA. emilioomail (DOT) nih.govBACKGROUND: Factors that influence energy metabolism and substrate oxidation, such as thyroid hormones (THs), may be important regulators of body weight\. OBJECTIVE: We investigated associations of THs cross-sectionally with obesity, energy expenditure, and substrate oxidation and prospectively with weight change\. DESIGN: Euthyroid, nondiabetic, healthy, adult Pima Indians (n = 89; 47 M, 42 F) were studied\. Percentage body fat (%BF) was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; sleeping metabolic rate (SMR), respiratory quotient, and substrate oxidation rates were measured in a respiratory chamber\. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (T(4)), free triiodothyronine (T(3)), and leptin concentrations were measured in fasting plasma samples\. RESULTS: TSH, but neither free T(3) nor free T(4), was associated with %BF and leptin concentrations (r = 0.27 and 0.29, respectively; both: P <or= 0.01)\. In multiple regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, fat mass, and fat-free mass, free T(3) was a positive predictor of SMR (P = 0.02)\. After adjustment for age, sex, %BF, and energy balance, free T(3) was a negative predictor of 24-h respiratory quotient (P < 0.05) and a positive predictor of 24-h lipid oxidation rate (P = 0.006)\. Prospectively, after an average follow-up of 4 +/- 2 y, the mean increase in weight was 3 +/- 9 kg\. Baseline T(3) concentrations were associated with absolute and annual percentage of changes in weight (r = -0.27, P = 0.02, and r = -0.28, P = 0.009, for the age- and sex-adjusted associations, respectively)\. CONCLUSIONS: In euthyroid Pima Indians, lower free T(3) but not free T(4) concentrations were an independent predictor of SMR and lipid oxidation and a predictor of weight gain\. This finding indicates that control of T(4)-to-T(3) conversion may play a role in body weight regulation.

..

[Guest guest]

My body keeps T3 low to preserve itself.

It is good you stopped smoking. My dad died of lung cancer and it was not pretty.

Just deal with your set of conditions right now and don't look back.

The concept of "balancing progesterone" is a leftover from Dr. Lee. I don't even know what it means. I use progesterone because I have a uterus. I am sickened by all the Lee zealots on the web. Lee was never published in a peer-reviewed journal and his theories have never been able to be duplicated in research. I used P cream for two miserable years. At the end of that time, my bones were worse. Anyone can write books - just look at what T. S. Wiley published.

Val

-----Original Message-----From: rhythmicliving [mailto:rhythmicliving ]On Behalf Of Gale

Wow Val, You have mead me feel better. You really have a seriousproblem with your inability to take T3. It does not even sound likeyou are converting T4 to T3. I sure hope that someday you can get tothe bottom of this. You certainly deserve to feel good after all ofthose years.I can honestly say that if I had known what was about to happen to mewhen I quit smoking that I would still be smoking to this day. It isbad enough to have to deal with hypothyroidism & Meno but it justseems that nothing is working. My poor hubby has no idea of how he canhelp & truthfully there is nothing he or I can do. If the weight gainwould just stop I would feel a little better. I am frantically tryingto find the answer as to how to make it stop.Val, you right about the estrogen. I am backing down on my dose. Yesterday I noticed that my hands were swelling. I did the ring test & yep, too much estrogen. Now I realize that all of those years (20)or so that I dealt with swolen hands & feet I probuably just neededsome progesterone to balance the estrogen? Who knows. LolGale

..

[Guest guest]

Karin, I've been following your posts carefully and really appreciate what you post. In addition to my own issues, my daughter has PCOS.

I posted yesterday about my experience with the university endo. After $7,000, all I got was the offer of an anti-depressant. I keep good track of my calcium but haven't had a Vitamin D test in years. Only recently, thanks in part to your posts, I have become aware of Vitamin D. I've been taking it for a few months and my finger nails are growing. I will get it tested the next time I do blood work. DH and I do yearly blood work with LEF. It is cheaper than going to the doc and more thorough. We have $5,000 deductible insurance.

High calcium is a B & *$#. At my worst, I couldn't even concentrate well enough to talk on the phone. I was three years behind with tax returns. Calcium causes mental problems. For all of those 14 years, my calcium tests were always at the top of normal or just over the top. Calcium doesn't have to be terribly high to make you crazy. High blood calcium happens when the body sucks calcium out of your bones. I hadn't sat directly on my tailbone in years. I always had to keep one leg under me to keep my tail bone off direct contact. A 1/2 mile walk around the block necessitated stopping several times to bend over and take the pressure off my hips. And they kept telling me to exercise more. And all the while, I was being treated with RX NSAIDS for ankylosing spondylitis, a disease I never had. Spondylitis is one of the "big three" of arthritic diseases.

I went to an arthritis clinic because the pain was so bad and the NSAIDS no longer handled it. Ironically, the doctor there diagnosed the hyperparathyroidism. I was in an HMO and had to fight for five months and go through five PCPs to get the surgery. I ended up paying the arthritis clinic out-of-pocket because the HMO would only allow one visit. I will choose death before ever again subjecting myself to an HMO. As I approach the magic age, I fear Medicare is no better than the post office. It is socialized medicine. Are you aware that insurance companies cannot sell primary insurance to people over 65?

Within eight hours of my surgery, my calcium returned to normal and I could sit up in bed without pain in my tailbone. A whole new world opened up for me. For the first time in 14 years, I could partake of life.

I have virtually no trust in the medical "profession."

Val

-----Original Message-----From: rhythmicliving [mailto:rhythmicliving ]On Behalf Of bigbird3099

Hi Val,I deal w/a Dr in the NYC (endo) that looks at the parathyroid gland pretty closely and when you have had surgery there are some things that should be monitered especially Vit D/calcium. Have you been to a specialist lately that will take a look at everything (lots of blood tests and a 24 hour urine)?Karin> >> > Gale, I had an experience similar to yours when I quit smoking. For> eight> > years, I drug my body around, wore long johns all summer, froze and> could> > make major haystacks out of my falling hair. I built my house with> no air> > conditioning because I obviously didn't need it and couldn't> understand how> > anyone else in the family could possibly need it. My weight> gradually edged> > up over that time from 96 to 118. When I quit smoking, I couldn't> get off> > the couch for nine months. I went to the doctor and told him I was> going to> > die. FINALLY, he tested my thyroid. My TSH was 78. In that nine> months,> > my weight went up to over 150. I have never been able to lose it.> > > > I cannot take Armour although my Free T3 is very, very low. When I> try it,> > my blood pressure shoots up and I retain water. It is somehow> connected to> > the renin/aldosterone system but I've yet to find a doctor who has any> > understanding. My aldosterone is high and renin is low - not a good> > combination. I tolerate T4 fine but I think it is the T3 that affects> > weight loss.> > > > I've heard many tales of hypos being smokers. I think that without> smoking,> > I couldn't have raised my children. Cigarettes kept me upright.> > Val> >>