Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 HI my name is Dawn I am 40 and live in Florida, my doctor did several blood tests on me this past January after I complained that I always felt so tired and very forgetful. My TSH levels came back at 12.282, my TPO antibodies came back at 8270, my total cholesterol was 269. My doctor told me I have an under active thyroid caused from an auto immune disease called " Hasimotos " and that all I have to do is take Synthyorid 75 mcg (its purple)for the rest of my life and that I will be fine. I confused that he is not treating my high cholesterol though with any meds too? I am beginning to wonder if I should find another doctor or a thyroid specialist. He also diagnosed me a couple years prior with mild Mitral Valve Prolapse that he believes I was born with, does any one else have this and Hashinmotos too? I have been taking my medicine daily so far, when I do forget to take it I get really bad headaches and feel terrible and can not get out of bed on some days, but for the most part since staring on meds I feel like a my brain is thinking clearer now, but I am still forgetful, my hands and feet do not feel as dry as before and I have a little more energy. I am due for new blood work and am hoping my levels have gone down. But what bothers me the most is that my legs ache and skin feels on FIRE during the nightime. Does anyone else have these symtoms? If so is it from the disease or medecine and does anything help? I drink regular coffee daily, because I need the caffine in the morning. don't eat a lot of food although my choices when I do are not the healthiest but I am currently working on that, my weight has not gone down at all,still at 180 lbs and I run around all day at work racing from here to there as an Executive Assistant to a VP, I feel a little hyper while doing all my errands at work, so I am not sure if it is the medicine or the adrenaline from just being on the go? I do not smoke cigs and really try not to ever drink any alcohol because when I have in the past even just a few drinks I can not get out of bed the next day and I don't feel right for the next week afterwards. I have been reading some of the postings lately on this website and am getting really concerned that Hashimotos is not a simple just take pill and you will be fine kinda of disease, so any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Dawn, No thyroid disease is as simple as just taking a pill and you'll be OK. I have been fighting this for nearly 12 years. I was never diagnosed as "Hasimotos", but "Hypothyroid". Two years after be diagnosed I discovered that I had a brain tumor and in the process of having a baseline hearing test before removal of the brain tumor, an ENT also discovered that I had a large tumor on my thyroid. The biopsy on it came back with suspicious cells, so two weeks after removing the brain tumor they removed 1/2 of my thyroid. I was put on maintenace dose of synthroid, but my levels fluctuated over the next 7 -8 years at which point after over a year of telling my doctor that there was something else growing in my throat they discovered two large tumors on the remaining thyroid which again showed suspicious, so they removed the remainder 1 year ago. I am still trying to regulate my medication and calcium levels. Once you have thyroid disease it is an ongoing challenge to keep the hormone levels where they should be. You will need to have regular blood work to monitor your levels. If you aren't seeing a specialists that deals in thyroid disorders, I highly recommend that you find one. Jeannie New Member w/Hashimotos HI my name is Dawn I am 40 and live in Florida, my doctor didseveral blood tests on me this past January after I complained thatI always felt so tired and very forgetful. My TSH levels came backat 12.282, my TPO antibodies came back at 8270, my total cholesterolwas 269. My doctor told me I have an under active thyroid causedfrom an auto immune disease called "Hasimotos" and that all I haveto do is take Synthyorid 75 mcg (its purple)for the rest of my lifeand that I will be fine. I confused that he is not treating my highcholesterol though with any meds too? I am beginning to wonder if Ishould find another doctor or a thyroid specialist. He alsodiagnosed me a couple years prior with mild Mitral Valve Prolapsethat he believes I was born with, does any one else have this andHashinmotos too?I have been taking my medicine daily so far, when I do forget totake it I get really bad headaches and feel terrible and can not getout of bed on some days, but for the most part since staring on medsI feel like a my brain is thinking clearer now, but I am stillforgetful, my hands and feet do not feel as dry as before and Ihave a little more energy. I am due for new blood work and am hopingmy levels have gone down. But what bothers me the most is that mylegs ache and skin feels on FIRE during the nightime. Does anyoneelse have these symtoms? If so is it from the disease or medecineand does anything help?I drink regular coffee daily, because I need the caffine in the morning. don't eat a lot of food although my choices when I do are not the healthiest but I am currently working on that, my weight has not gone down at all,still at 180 lbs and I run around all day at work racing from here to there as an Executive Assistant to a VP, I feel a little hyper while doing all my errands at work, so I am not sure if it is the medicine or the adrenaline from just being on the go? I do not smoke cigs and really try not to ever drink any alcohol because when I have in the past even just a few drinks I can not get out of bed the next day and I don't feel right for the next week afterwards.I have been reading some of the postings lately on this website andam getting really concerned that Hashimotos is not a simple justtake pill and you will be fine kinda of disease, so any input oradvice would be greatly appreciated.Dawn No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.1 - Release Date: 3/23/2005 No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.1 - Release Date: 3/23/2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Welcome, Dawn! With proper treatment of the thyroid disease, the cholesterol levels will normalize. Seems like you may havea halfway decent dr,recognizing the connection between thyrroid disease and cholesterol levels. You should have more tests done.... The Free T4, The Free T3, and ferritin. You are right, Hashimoto's in not a take just this one pill and you are all better. Our levels of thyroid hormones change and with Hashimoto's , the changes are the cycles from hyper to hypo among other things.....Also, like a diabetic with insulin, we have more of a need for thyroid hormones when ill, or in winter. Synthroid is a T4 only med, If it helps you regain your life, great, but.... If you still feel so unlike yourself,chance are it is not just due to age, depression, weight, female(or what other excuses we have heard), you may need adjustment in the dosage an/or switching to Natuaral thyroid(which has T3,T2 and T1 plus calcitonin)which you may not have had your T4 converting well to.... ThyroFeisty(Feisty)Proud Group Co-owner www.thyrophoenix.com I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. Sir Winston Churchill British politician (1874 - 1965) New Member w/Hashimotos > > > HI my name is Dawn I am 40 and live in Florida, my doctor did > several blood tests on me this past January after I complained that > I always felt so tired and very forgetful. My TSH levels came back > at 12.282, my TPO antibodies came back at 8270, my total cholesterol > was 269. My doctor told me I have an under active thyroid caused > from an auto immune disease called " Hasimotos " and that all I have > to do is take Synthyorid 75 mcg (its purple)for the rest of my life > and that I will be fine. I confused that he is not treating my high > cholesterol though with any meds too? I am beginning to wonder if I > should find another doctor or a thyroid specialist. He also > diagnosed me a couple years prior with mild Mitral Valve Prolapse > that he believes I was born with, does any one else have this and > Hashinmotos too? > > I have been taking my medicine daily so far, when I do forget to > take it I get really bad headaches and feel terrible and can not get > out of bed on some days, but for the most part since staring on meds > I feel like a my brain is thinking clearer now, but I am still > forgetful, my hands and feet do not feel as dry as before and I > have a little more energy. I am due for new blood work and am hoping > my levels have gone down. But what bothers me the most is that my > legs ache and skin feels on FIRE during the nightime. Does anyone > else have these symtoms? If so is it from the disease or medecine > and does anything help? > > I drink regular coffee daily, because I need the caffine in the > morning. don't eat a lot of food although my choices when I do are > not the healthiest but I am currently working on that, my weight has > not gone down at all,still at 180 lbs and I run around all day at > work racing from here to there as an Executive Assistant to a VP, I > feel a little hyper while doing all my errands at work, so I am not > sure if it is the medicine or the adrenaline from just being on the > go? I do not smoke cigs and really try not to ever drink any alcohol > because when I have in the past even just a few drinks I can not get > out of bed the next day and I don't feel right for the next week > afterwards. > > I have been reading some of the postings lately on this website and > am getting really concerned that Hashimotos is not a simple just > take pill and you will be fine kinda of disease, so any input or > advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Dawn > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Hi Dawn, I am new here as well, and have a recent Hashi's diagnosis. I am going to echo the other responses that it is not as simple as taking one pill and you can manage this disease. I had a similar experience with my doctor and after researching the reality of auto immune disease, I decided to switch to a wholistic practitioner. I have an appointment on May 26th. I can't wait. I am taking a T4 only medication as well and I still suffer from the night time heat bursts you are describing. I am hoping that getting my TSH levels down and switching to a natural thyroid med will help that go away. I have read a few things that lead me to believe that these heat burst are related to immune system attacks on the thyroid. Maybe someone on the baord with more experince than I have can comment on that. If that is the case, the way I understand it, suppressing your TSH levels will result in relief. Someone please correct me if I am wrong here. There is a lot to learn about both Hashi's and Hypothyroidism. Please let me know if I can help in any way. > > HI my name is Dawn I am 40 and live in Florida, my doctor did > several blood tests on me this past January after I complained that > I always felt so tired and very forgetful. My TSH levels came back > at 12.282, my TPO antibodies came back at 8270, my total cholesterol > was 269. My doctor told me I have an under active thyroid caused > from an auto immune disease called " Hasimotos " and that all I have > to do is take Synthyorid 75 mcg (its purple)for the rest of my life > and that I will be fine. I confused that he is not treating my high > cholesterol though with any meds too? I am beginning to wonder if I > should find another doctor or a thyroid specialist. He also > diagnosed me a couple years prior with mild Mitral Valve Prolapse > that he believes I was born with, does any one else have this and > Hashinmotos too? > > I have been taking my medicine daily so far, when I do forget to > take it I get really bad headaches and feel terrible and can not get > out of bed on some days, but for the most part since staring on meds > I feel like a my brain is thinking clearer now, but I am still > forgetful, my hands and feet do not feel as dry as before and I > have a little more energy. I am due for new blood work and am hoping > my levels have gone down. But what bothers me the most is that my > legs ache and skin feels on FIRE during the nightime. Does anyone > else have these symtoms? If so is it from the disease or medecine > and does anything help? > > I drink regular coffee daily, because I need the caffine in the > morning. don't eat a lot of food although my choices when I do are > not the healthiest but I am currently working on that, my weight has > not gone down at all,still at 180 lbs and I run around all day at > work racing from here to there as an Executive Assistant to a VP, I > feel a little hyper while doing all my errands at work, so I am not > sure if it is the medicine or the adrenaline from just being on the > go? I do not smoke cigs and really try not to ever drink any alcohol > because when I have in the past even just a few drinks I can not get > out of bed the next day and I don't feel right for the next week > afterwards. > > I have been reading some of the postings lately on this website and > am getting really concerned that Hashimotos is not a simple just > take pill and you will be fine kinda of disease, so any input or > advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 Hello Dawn! You have already caught on to the general attitude t'wd the disease of Hashimoto's, i.e., " take a pill a day, and it'll all go away " . No such luck. Could you post your lab #s for the Free T3 and Free T4? If you didn't have those two tests, those are the ones that you need because those are the actual thyroid hormones. The TSH is the pituitary hormone that jostles the thyroid to make hormone, IF the thyroid can, but according to many experts, even the pituitary gets sick in longstanding hypothyroidism. In your case, you have probably been chronic for quite a while, as you have mitral valve prolapse. MVP is a VERY common symptom of hypo, since longstanding hypo affects all connective tissue in the body, and those heart valves are made of muscle and connective tissue just like everything else in the body. Bless your heart, you have ungodly high TPO antibodies, unbelievable. I thought mine were very high at over 1000, and the other one at almost 2000, but then the former test, they just stop counting over a thousand, with this particular lab. New Member w/Hashimotos > > > HI my name is Dawn I am 40 and live in Florida, my doctor did > several blood tests on me this past January after I complained that > I always felt so tired and very forgetful. My TSH levels came back > at 12.282, my TPO antibodies came back at 8270, my total cholesterol > was 269. My doctor told me I have an under active thyroid caused > from an auto immune disease called " Hasimotos " and that all I have > to do is take Synthyorid 75 mcg (its purple)for the rest of my life > and that I will be fine. I confused that he is not treating my high > cholesterol though with any meds too? I am beginning to wonder if I > should find another doctor or a thyroid specialist. He also > diagnosed me a couple years prior with mild Mitral Valve Prolapse > that he believes I was born with, does any one else have this and > Hashinmotos too? > > I have been taking my medicine daily so far, when I do forget to > take it I get really bad headaches and feel terrible and can not get > out of bed on some days, but for the most part since staring on meds > I feel like a my brain is thinking clearer now, but I am still > forgetful, my hands and feet do not feel as dry as before and I > have a little more energy. I am due for new blood work and am hoping > my levels have gone down. But what bothers me the most is that my > legs ache and skin feels on FIRE during the nightime. Does anyone > else have these symtoms? If so is it from the disease or medecine > and does anything help? > > I drink regular coffee daily, because I need the caffine in the > morning. don't eat a lot of food although my choices when I do are > not the healthiest but I am currently working on that, my weight has > not gone down at all,still at 180 lbs and I run around all day at > work racing from here to there as an Executive Assistant to a VP, I > feel a little hyper while doing all my errands at work, so I am not > sure if it is the medicine or the adrenaline from just being on the > go? I do not smoke cigs and really try not to ever drink any alcohol > because when I have in the past even just a few drinks I can not get > out of bed the next day and I don't feel right for the next week > afterwards. > > I have been reading some of the postings lately on this website and > am getting really concerned that Hashimotos is not a simple just > take pill and you will be fine kinda of disease, so any input or > advice would be greatly appreciated. > > Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 I too have just joined this group, and just have been dx with Hashimoto's. My TSH was over 900, and the antibodies were " through the roof " as my doctor said. My first doctor (OB) I complained to said " well, no wonder you feel bad, you just had a baby, you have rheumatoid arthritis, and 3 kids... what do you ecpect. " Needless to say he wouldn't test my thyroid. Finally months later, my thyroid was 3x normal size. The endo did a scan to find a " Spot " on the right side. I still dont know what exactly the spot is, but he is monitoring it and may biopsy it if it shows worrysome in April. I have had my medication increased 3x over 6 months, and I feel as if it is still not right. When it gets increased I feel great for a few weeks, then it seems as if it is down hill from there. This past week I have been useless to my family. I feel rotten. I can't tell if the muscle aches and stiffness is due to the thyroid or the rheumatoid. I have had the reumatoid for 20 years, so I would think I would know the difference... I am only 35. I feel like my life is over because I feel so rotten, depressed and discouraged. I am going on vacation tomorrow, but when I get back I am going to see if my endo can see me earlier since I feel so bad. I can hardly get out of bed in the morning because my body hrts so much, and Advil doesn't help any... which the arthritis has been dorment for a year and a half, and usually is helped with Advil at least. Thanks for the opportunity to join this group and vent... I am pretty discouraged and need a quick pick-me-up Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 > My first doctor (OB) I complained to said " well, no wonder you feel > bad, you just had a baby, you have rheumatoid arthritis, and 3 > kids... what do you ecpect. " Cheryl, I can relate to what you said above. I'm 37, have 6 kids, and often have trouble myself deciding how much tiredness is just due to being a busy mom, and how much is because my thyroid isn't right. I have Hashi's also. > I have had my medication increased 3x over 6 months, and I feel as > if it is still not right. When it gets increased I feel great for a > few weeks, then it seems as if it is down hill from there. This is exactly what happens to me. I now take 120 mg of Armour, and with each increase I have about 2 weeks where I feel GREAT. Conquer the world great. And then, I remember how I COULD feel, and SHOULD feel even though I do have 6 kids, you know? Then, it begins to go away, and for the next month until I've had another increase kick in, I feel like I push myself through each day. It's rough, especially when you have so much to do and people depending on you... I get angry sometimes, because I should be thinner, I should get more accomplished, or at least feel good doing it! I can imagine with adding RA into the picture, that it must be awfully hard for you. We're both young! We shouldn't feel so badly. We have lots of things left to accomplish! I just try and take a deep breath and remember that with each dose increase I'll feel a tad better. Patience is NOT one of my virtues. I do have an excellent Dr. now who is right on the money with treating my thyroid, so I hope sometime soon to feel really good again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 Welcome, Cheryl! , proud group co-owner Re: New Member w/Hashimotos > > > I too have just joined this group, and just have been dx with > Hashimoto's. My TSH was over 900, and the antibodies were " through > the roof " as my doctor said. > > My first doctor (OB) I complained to said " well, no wonder you feel > bad, you just had a baby, you have rheumatoid arthritis, and 3 > kids... what do you ecpect. " Needless to say he wouldn't test my > thyroid. > > Finally months later, my thyroid was 3x normal size. The endo did a > scan to find a " Spot " on the right side. I still dont know what > exactly the spot is, but he is monitoring it and may biopsy it if it > shows worrysome in April. > > I have had my medication increased 3x over 6 months, and I feel as > if it is still not right. When it gets increased I feel great for a > few weeks, then it seems as if it is down hill from there. This past > week I have been useless to my family. I feel rotten. I can't tell > if the muscle aches and stiffness is due to the thyroid or the > rheumatoid. I have had the reumatoid for 20 years, so I would think > I would know the difference... I am only 35. I feel like my life is > over because I feel so rotten, depressed and discouraged. > > I am going on vacation tomorrow, but when I get back I am going to > see if my endo can see me earlier since I feel so bad. I can hardly > get out of bed in the morning because my body hrts so much, and > Advil doesn't help any... which the arthritis has been dorment for a > year and a half, and usually is helped with Advil at least. > > Thanks for the opportunity to join this group and vent... I am > pretty discouraged and need a quick pick-me-up > > Cheryl > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Hey julie: I am encouraged to have your reply. I am still trying to figure out what true fatigue is and what hashi's fatigue is and where that line is. I have 3 kids, and 2 in school, the youngest is just now 1 year. He is keeping me busy. I work, but only 5 days a month (thank God I couldnt do more than that). It's not like I have a strenuouse lifestyle and yet by 9pm when my husband gets that goofy look in his eyes, I need to roll over and go to sleep because I just can't muster up one more ounce of energy. My levoxil is 112 mcg right now, which I think it needs to be increased still. It's been about 6 weeks since my last blood work and I won't get another panel done for another week or 2. It is normal to feel great for a week or two then lousy again? I figured i would just keep feelng great. I have so much to learn. i feel like I have spent my last 25 years studying rheumatoid arthritis, now I'm just switching subjects. My 7 year old wants to become a doctor so she can find a cure for her mama (she's wanting to save the world too!). Weight isn't an issue for me.. well i could probably stand to gain a pound or two, but I won't complain about that one... I am just in so much pain and I am so tired I feel horrible. I wish that I wouldn't be like this and I feel like throwing a 2 year old's temper tantrum saying " This just isn't fair! " No one in my family has anything, they are all healthy and I'm the one with the double whammy. Thanks for letting me vent Cheryl so many thing to do, so little energy > Cheryl, > > I can relate to what you said above. I'm 37, have 6 kids, and often have > trouble myself deciding how much tiredness is just due to being a busy mom, > and how much is because my thyroid isn't right. I have Hashi's also. > > > I have had my medication increased 3x over 6 months, and I feel as > > if it is still not right. When it gets increased I feel great for a > > few weeks, then it seems as if it is down hill from there. > > This is exactly what happens to me. I now take 120 mg of Armour, and with > each increase I have about 2 weeks where I feel GREAT. Conquer the world > great. And then, I remember how I COULD feel, and SHOULD feel even though I > do have 6 kids, you know? Then, it begins to go away, and for the next > month until I've had another increase kick in, I feel like I push myself > through each day. It's rough, especially when you have so much to do and > people depending on you... I get angry sometimes, because I should be > thinner, I should get more accomplished, or at least feel good doing it! > > I can imagine with adding RA into the picture, that it must be awfully hard > for you. We're both young! We shouldn't feel so badly. We have lots of > things left to accomplish! I just try and take a deep breath and remember > that with each dose increase I'll feel a tad better. Patience is NOT one of > my virtues. I do have an excellent Dr. now who is right on the money with > treating my thyroid, so I hope sometime soon to feel really good again. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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