Q: How can hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) cause weight loss?
After my miscarriage (3 mos. pregnant) I started to lose weight for what seemed like no reason. Then I got pregnant again and gained weight like normal, carried the baby to term and now my baby is 14 mos. and my weight is lower than ever! (93 lbs)- I cant’ seem to gain. I went to a doctor who specialized in thryoid since my mom has this but she gains weight. He said in a small percentage of people who have underactive thyroid there is weightloss. I’m just wondering how can this be true and if anyone has ever heard of this…

A: usually you would gain weight like your mom….maybe you haven’t the energy for cooking or eating- look at your total intake over the day and see if it matches up. Also- are you on replacement like eg, levothyroxine? sometimes, you will end up a little hyperthyroid, if your dose is too high, or your own thyroid starts to function properly.

Q: I have a underactive thyroid and weight loss?
Hi, i have a underacive tyroid and if i increased my dose over the recommened amount will this make my body become more like hyperactive so it will speed up my metablism , makin me lose weight ?

A: I am currently on thyroid meds and have been for over ten years. It is very, VERY, dangerous to increase your medicine on your own. All kinds of other side-effects will happen to you including having heart palpatations that could cause a mild heart attack. Please tell your doctor about the fact that you feel your medicine is not right. Personally, I see an endocrinologist and not a general practitioner because they know so much more and they specialize in things like thyroid problems. I have gotten much more benefiticial results for my health by seeing an endocrinoloigist and actually am pleased about what I weigh right now.

Q: After starting meds for underactive thyroid, how long till weight loss?
i just recently found out i have an underactive thyroid. i’ve been eating right and exercising daily for the past 6 months with no weight loss.
once i start medication, how long will it take for my exercising to pay off?

A: The ‘medication’ that you are taking is actually replacement thyroid hormone. Making up for what your body is no longer to make on it’s own.

What you need to do now is be patient. It will take some time to get your replacement dose worked up to the level your body needs for proper function.

What should be happening is that you will be started on a low dose and go back in for labs in about six weeks.. then the dose adjusted.

For synthetic T4 hormone adjustments should be done in 25 mcg increments. For whole gland natural thyroid the adjustments should be make in 1/4 grain (30 mg) doses.

This cycle is repeated until your labs and symptoms show that your dose is correct…

Your metabolic rate has slowed due to being low on thyroid hormones. As your thyroid hormone levels come up and your metabolic rate comes up your body will be better able to maintain a healthy weight.. that means that it will be easier to lose excess weight.

One thing that is KEY when dealing with a thyroid disorder is to be sure to that you never skip meals and eat small meals often. This has to do with the hormones.. Your body needs the energy not only for over all function and energy from it as a fuel source but it also needs regular food coming in so that it can convert thyroid hormone.

Skipping meals and undereating will reduce active thyroid hormone levels, lowering metabolic rate and increase fatigue and weight gain.

A hypo person, undereating, can actually gain weight.

You can read a bit more here… Understanding how all this stuff works and what you can do to help your body work the best it can will make the process eaiser for you.

www.thyrophoenix.com/thyroid_101.htm
www.thyrophoenix.com/mini_meals.htm
www.thyrophoenix.com/conversion.thm
www.thyrophoenix.com/adjusting_doses.htm

Q: Weight loss with underactive thyroid?
I recently found out that I have an underactive thyroid and I will probably be taking medication for it soon. Will being on the medication help me lose weight since having an underactive thyroid slows down metabolism?

A: Thyroid meds do not help with weight loss for those with hypothyroidism. What they do is stop the weight gain and allow one to lose weight with diet & exercise. You will need to always test first thing in the morning, getting your morning TSH around 1.0. If your TSH is too high, weight loss with diet & exercoise just won’t happen. Learn as much as possible about the condition, otherwise doctors will underdose you because most don’t know to test in the morning only or they are going by old lab ranges. AACE changed the TSH range in 2003, yet labs like Quest still have it at a higher niumber. Thyroid links below

Q: Is Levothyroxine for my underactive thyroid going to cause weight loss?

A: Levothyroxine side effects typically occur when the dosage is too high. Too much levothyroxine can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism (an excess of thyroid hormones) such as an increased appetite, along with weight loss.The dosage may need changing if these side effects occur.

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/levothyroxine/levothyroxine-side-effects.html

Q: is it safe to tale weight loss pills when you have underactive thyroid problems?
I have under active thyroid and i’ve been trying to lose weight i try to eat right all he time, im not extremely over weight but i just want toi lose 10 more pounds and it;s been really hard and frustrating, i exercise 5 days a wek and i was considering to take weight loss pills but im afraid my thyroid is gonna get worse…..

A: Please don’t take the pills – that will do nothing for you and it may interferer with your thyroid meds. It is very frustrating trying to lose weight when you have a thyroid problem and it can sometimes feel as though you will never get your old figure back but with regular cardio cased exercise and a good diet, you will get there.

Q: Weight loss tips for somebody with an underactive thyroid?
Apart from the obvious eat healthy and exercise is there anything else I can do?

A: I also suffer from hypo-thyroidism and find it hard to keep my weight down. I try to limit sugar and carbs and eat veg in prefer to other food. Avoid bloating food like bread and wine.

I recommend Mary J Shomon’s book ‘The Thyroid Diet’, it had a lot of helpful info and tips for weight management as well as for general well-being. Take good care of yourself as you may find you are more prone to other illnesses, as I am. Good luck and feel free to email if you want to chat about how it is affecting you.

Q: Has anybody had a slightly underactive thyroid and then it just resolved itself? What about weight loss?

A: I did. As a teen, it was diagnosed, biopsied, and I took Synthroid for it. Got married, stopped taking the meds. About 10 years later I mentioned it to a dr. and he done blood work just as a precautionary measure. No trace of it. I was tested twice more over the next 15 years. Still, no trace.

Praise God!

Never had any weight variance due to it, either.

Q: Underactive thyroid?
I have a few questions….once u go on medications for underactive thyroid do u have to stay on it forever? Does the medications cause decrease sex drive? Can weight loss stabilize thyroid? Can the heart palpatations lead to more serious heart problems?
I dont know the cause of it yet.

A: once on the med–you will probably have a blood test to check the level of the drug in your blood-and your meds will be adjusted accordingly–you will probably be on it for life–the meds have no effect on your sex drive–weight loss will do nothing for your thyroid-but-the proper amount of thyroid hormone in your blood may actually help with the weight loss–your thyroid actually regulates your metabolism–and if yours isn’t working uo to par-the meds just give it a boost!

Q: i recently had bloodwork done and found out i have an underactive thyroid?
however i seem to have all the symptoms of an overactive thyroid. weight loss, irritability, headaches, fatigue.is this common to have symptoms of one but a diagnosis of the other?

A: Yes, I had Graves Disease, which is an overactive thyroid giving signs of underactive. Ironic, no?

I had to have my thyroid destroyed by radioactive iodine and now that we have the proper dose of Synthroid, I’m doing much better. I hope yours can be treated with medicine and not having to lose your thyroid.

Best wishes. Listen to your doctor, please.

Q: Just recently my roomate started to gain a lot of weight due to underactive thyroid (Hypothyroid)?
Is there any way she can lose it? She was working out religiously- about 7 hours of mostly cardio exercise per week to lose weight. But she just continued to pack on the weight.
Now that she is on medication for the condition, can she expect to see the (weight loss) result from exercise that she was hoping to achieve? Is there any way to lose the weight at all? What are some realistic weight loss expectations if she continues the regular work out routine and medication (if any )?

A: I had the same thing happen in high school. The problem with thyroid medication is that it takes a while (months) for it to start taking effect, and the levels will need to be checked and readjusted every few months. She will be able to lose the weight she gained, but it may take some time. She needs to be very patient with herself and her body as it is quite easy to slip into some very unhealthy weight-obsessed behaviors as a result of this condition. Everyone’s bodies act differently, so just tell her to be patient. It IS possible to lose the weight, just tell her not to overwork herself since she may not have found the ideal dosage for her yet (it’s always tricky in the beginning). The thyroid gland affects lots of basic functions in our bodies, and one of the symptoms of an underactive gland is depression, which may also take a while to revert itself and may be contributing to her stressing about weight. Just tell her not to rush – eventually things will go back to normal.

Q: underactive thyroid?
I have had stomach issues my whole life and finally decided to go to a specialist. The doctor reccomended that I get an endoscopy (camera through mouth) and some blood work. The endoscopy turned out fine, but the blood work said that I have and underactive thyroid. Please answer these questions…

-What are some treatments for an underactive thyroid?

-Can the medicine they give you cause weight loss?

A: well im not a dr or anything but i had a friend who had an underactive thyroid and after she began treatment she dropped down to 100 lbs(shes 5′8!)and couldnt gain weight at all! thats really all i know about it…sorry i couldnt be much help

Q: Unexplained weight loss – over active thyroid?
I’ve had an underactive thyroid for several years and am on thyroid replacement medicine. I had a second child 6 months ago and I gained a lot of weight. At first it was hard to come off, and then it did quickly. Thing is, I keep losing and losing weight.

I’m eating a lot and trying to eat high calorie food. I snack all evening and have even switched to chocolate milk for the additional calories. I’m 5′8″ and now 110 lbs.

Is it possible that this pregnancy changed my thyroid from underactive to overactive? I just thought of that. Plus, if this is the case, I am still taking my medication.

My head feels like it’s racing sometimes, I’m easily distracted and completely full of energy. I will call my doc but I’m actually a little worried something is very wrong.
Yes, I am a lot more active with the two young ones. I go from morning til night. Still doesn’t seem normal.

A: As you know, a simple bood test can check your thyroid levels.

Could it be that you are just a lot more active with 2 young ones to look after?

Your Dr is the only one who can tell what is wrong with you.

Q: KELP AND UNDERACTIVE THYROID?
I used to have autoimmune graves disease and went through Radio Active Iodine ablation…almost a yr back. then I became underactive and since then I am on synthetic thyroid hormone, my question is can I take kelp to reduce the weight I keep gaining ever since I had iodine ablation. Is it safe to take? I know I should consult my doctor first, but I just need to know if some one has tried it for weight loss resulted from hypothyroidism.

A: You may require a dosage adjustment on your synthroid hormone, but in truth the kelp is just a source of iodine, and you are probably getting the RDA from your diet (salt is ubiquitous and is iodized). Kelp is not the magic bullet. Can you examine your diet and exercise patterns more closely and take appropriate action? That will be a greater help!

Q: can hypothyroidism cause increased anxiey, poor apetite, and weight loss?
I have been on thyroid replacement hormones on and off now for about 5 yrs for hypothyroidism. A couple weeks weeks after lowering my dose, i noticed the above symptoms along with depression and feeling out of place. I’ve read that hypothyroidsm causes weight gain but im losing weight becuase of not eating well a fast pulse. So could an underactive thyroid be causing this?

A: Yes it can. And actually it’s hyperthyroidism that causes weight gain. Hypothyroidism does the opposite and can cause weight loss. You should see a doctor and get blood work done.

Q: symptoms of overactive and underactive thyroid?
i think i may have an overactive thyroid but dont know what the symptoms are! can anyone please help explain what symptoms might occur with an underactive thyroid and an overactive thyroid please?
im mainly asking because my moods havent been good lately, i thought maybe my pill had been the problem but ive been on it for 4 years and ive only just become moody lol
also, excessive hair i thought was down to an overactive thyroid…is that right?

A: overactive thyroid

you will sweat a lot
weight loss over a few months
your eyeballs may be popping out.
you might have palpitations
your palms will be warm and sweaty
you will feel anxious and jittery.
high pulse

underactive thyroid ( opposite to evrythin thats there in overactive)

mostly it will be unexplained weight gain..
lethargy… you might not feel like doing stuff u used to..
cold palms and soles..

Q: If I can feel my thyroid a bit enlarged is this an overactive or underactive thyroid?
I have been having trouble getting in to see a doctor a the last couple of weeks my thyroid seems to be enlarged. I have had restricitve sensation on my throat. In the last 24hrs I think I can feel the actual gland just above my breastbone. It makes me gag if I press on it lightly ie like to wash myself there etc.
Is this sympton of overactive or underactive thyroid if it is thyroid at all.
Are there any foods that will make this worse or any foods that may help. I have changed my diet recently also.
I live in a very isolated area with very minimal transport. I will endeavour to try to find a way to get in too see a doctor again tomorrow, Monday however I was wondering if anyone could tell me anything in the meantime.
Thanks

A: Enlarged thryoid can mean under or overactive thyroid. If you are gaining weight, feeling sluggish, or feel cold often, it is probably underactive. If you feel anxious, sweaty, or have been losing weight, it may be overactive. Underactive thyroid slows metabolism down, overactive speeds it up. Either way, you need to consult a doctor for a definite diagnosis.

Q: Underactive to overactive thyroid gland in 6 months?
I’ve been taking 25mcg levothyroxine for several years for a slightly underactive thyroid gland.
My last TSH back in January was 6.52. I have just had it rechecked and it is now 0.05! How is this possible given that I have been taking such a small amount of medication?
Also, is there a possibility that I might lurch from underactive to overactive on a regular basis now? I am female and 50. Thanksxx

A: It could be the time of day you tested as well. TSH changes throughout the day. It should always be done first thing in the morning when its near its high point. The TSH is the least reliable thyroid test because of the fluculations. A free t4 and free t3 will tell if you are really hyper now.

Q: What do you guys think? Could it be an overactive thyroid/underactive thyroid? I’m diabetic so… ?
I’m a 15 year old diabetic male (Type 1) and I weigh 128 lbs and I’m 5′9.5” tall. I’m trying to put on some weight to bring up my BMI, but no results, I’ve actually lost weight. I don’t have high blood sugar readings and it’s been suggested to me that it could be my thyroid.

So… Overactive? Underactive? What do you think? Or could it be something else altogether?

Thanks guys

A: if you had done research then you would know that its not UNDER ACTIVE thyroid cuz you would be putting on weight. you may have OVER ACTIVE thyroid though as that makes you loose weight.
here is a great link to learn about hyperthyroidism (over active):
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview
and here is a great link to learn about hypothyroidism (under active) so you know the difference:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-topic-overview

go to your dr to be tested.

Q: My grandmother had an OVERactive thyroid, is it possible that I could have an UNDERactive thyroid passed down?

A: As the others state, anything is possible if there are endocrine (hormone) problems in your family. On my mom’s side, both my grandma & my aunt had thyroid cancer, my 2 uncles are hypothyroid, and my mom was hyperthyroid. I myself had a golf ball sized pituitary (“master gland” of the body, located at the base of the brain, normally the size of a pea) tumor which totally threw all my hormones off. You should see an endocrinologist yearly and have all your hormones, including pituitary hormones, checked if there’s any kind of family endocrine history.

1 in 5 people will develop a pituitary tumor in their lifetime… it’s far more common than people think…

Q: can you have a thyroid gland that varies from overactive to underactive at different times?
a few yrs ago i was tested and it was slightly overactive.
they tested it later and it was slightly underactive.

A: Number 3 was correct. hashimotos is a disease of the thyroid that causes it to swell, and then contract…when it is larger, it is making too much thyroid hormone, and when it is small, it is making you hypothyroid. the way to regulate it, or at least slow it down is by taking a synthetic thyroid medication…like synthroid or the generic. as you get older, the thyroid may end up stopping production, and you will have to monitor your levels the rest of your life. I had it, undiagnosed for years…and now my daughter has it as well. there is good information at the mayoclinic.com, and I am listing a site for thyroid cancer, not because I think you have it, but because it lists excellent thyroid specialists in endocrinology, and in case you ever need a surgeon, it has a referral list fo them as well. Also, the yahoo health group on thyroid may be useful for you as you would be talking to other people on the same journey, but maybe farther along. good luck and good health.

Q: can a underactive or overactive thyroid be cuerable? help am 17yr old lad and keep losing weight will it stop?

A: No, there is no cure for any thyroid diseases. Only treatment.

It will only stop when you see a doctor and get into treatment. If you have Grave’s disease, the correct treatment is methimizole (or PTU in the UK).

Q: I think my mother diagnosed me with an overactive thyroid!!!! Just need a few questions answered!!!?
I have a lot of sweating, pulse in ear, weak immune system, weight gain, big legs, heavy periods, heavy cramps due to period, a lot of hair growth and I’m 15. Do you think I have an overactive or underactive thyroid.

A: You can divide your symptoms into both.
Hyperthyroid: sweating, fast pulse
Hypothyroid: weight gain (rarely can be hyper), heavy periods
Hair growth can be any endocrine imbalance, and bad cramps can just happen. It might be worthwhile to check hormone levels, because your symptoms seem like they’re due to something going on with your endocrine system.

Q: what are the symptoms of underactive and/or overactive thyroid?

A: Hypothyroidism- patient is slow with a slow pulse, cold course skin, course facial features, tends to gain weight, may retain fluid especially in the legs. and may get memory loss and occasionally psychiatric disturbance. May develop diffuse enlargement of the thyroid.

Hyperthyroidism- patient is fidgety and anxious, fast pulse, sweaty hot skin and may lose weight. Patient may also develop protruding staring eyes, which may precede the other symptoms. May develop nodular enlargement of the thyroid.

Q: what are the symptoms of an overactive/under active thyroid???
I went to the Dr. yesterday but i really wasnt understanding what the dr was saying becuase they drew blood and i get kind of light headed…..what are the symtoms of an overactive/underactive thyroid???

A: overactive (hyperthyroid) symptoms include, increased sweating, feeling hot, rapid heart beat, nervousness, anxiety, weight loss, and diarrhea.

Underactive (hypothyroid) symptoms include, slow heart rate, constipation, fatigue, weight gain, depression, sensitivity to cold, sensitivity to light, dry skin, dry thinning hair, low bp, thinning eyebrows, ridged fingernails with no moons on fingers (only thumbs)

Below are a couple of thyroid links.

Q: i recently had bloodwork done and found out i have an underactive thyroid?
however i seem to have all the symptoms of an overactive thyroid. weight loss, irritability, headaches, fatigue.is this common to have symptoms of one but a diagnosis of the other?

A: Yes, I had Graves Disease, which is an overactive thyroid giving signs of underactive. Ironic, no?

I had to have my thyroid destroyed by radioactive iodine and now that we have the proper dose of Synthroid, I’m doing much better. I hope yours can be treated with medicine and not having to lose your thyroid.

Best wishes. Listen to your doctor, please.

Q: overactive thyroid will total removal make me go underactive?
cannot work this site out as new been trying to message a doctor on here but cannot do it. having surgery to remove all of it then put on medication, will i go underactive as dont want to put the weight on, many thanks, back at hospital soon so will find out everything from surgeon. thanks

A: Total thyroidectomy is always followed by hormone replacement. They won’t leave a patient after removing the whole thyroid , without proper treatment. Usually synthroid is given.
Good luck!

Q: which is worst underactive thyroid or overactive.?

A: I have suffered from both and neither is a pleasurable condition.

I was originally diagnosed with Graves disease causing my thyroid to be overactive. I suffered hair loss, excessive dry skin, low heat/cold tolerance, tremors, and I developed a slight stutter. An over active thyroid also speeds the aging process of the body. My organs had the wear and tear of a 60 year old man when I was only 30.

I was given radiation to kill part of my thyroid in hopes of slowing it down. It worked but slowed my thyroid down too much. This has resulted in chronic fatigue, severe body aches and pains, slow judgment, slurred speech, sloppy hand writing, depression, low sex drive, weight gain, and a general feeling of being bogged down.

I would have to say, of the two, I would rather be overactive than under active. I may age quicker but at least I could enjoy DOING things instead of barely wanting to get out of bed.

Q: Underactive thyroid..meds make me feel overactive and nervous?
Hi all, I’ve been recently diagnosed of having a very slightly underactive thyroid(I’m basically normal..but my TSH is a bit higher than the norm). This happened after I mentioned to my doctor that my hair keeps falling out, I get recurrent candida infections and that my wounds heal slowly…And I am a skinny, otherwise healthy 25 year old! Well, after I started taking the prescribed Eltroxin…I started to feel terrible within a week…heart palpitations, sore chest, dizzyness, sore muscles…almost flu like symptoms. I was so anxious…I felt i could die any minute! I phoned the GP and all she said was..mm..this is funny..lets try Euthyrox on a lower dose……I was already on 0.025! I neglected to get the meds from having the bad experience…and since stopping the eltroxin I’ve been feeling great! Should I risk taking the Euthyrox..or go see her first? I think she overdosed me or wrongly diagnosed me..I am to skinny to be having a underactive thyroid
Hi again..hahaha…yeah…I do have vegetarian habits…love my tofu and soy porrige! But I do agree with norton…I would like to have this sorted out…probably by a endocrinologist…because I am of child bearing age and might be considering getting pregnant within the next few years

A: Smippy – From your description, you may well be getting too high a dose of thyroid medicine which needs to be adjusted, HOWEVER, the worst thing to do is to play “games” with your doctor by not being completely honest and communicating with your doctor – that means everything you are feeling. If you do not trust your doctor, then get another who is a specialist in endocrinology treatment of thyroid problems. PLEASE do not play doctor or hide from her what is going on with your body.

Q: Has any-one had an radioactive iodine for a overactive thyroid if so what happens when you go to the hospital?
l have had a overactive thyroid for 6 years (where you lose weight,underactive you gain weight) l have a appointment to have an iodine drink but do not know what to expect or how long it takes, no luck from my doctors. So if any-one can help with some info would be grateful.

A: I had radioactive treatment almost 3 years ago – when you arrive at the hospital you sign a form that you are not pregnant, or planning to get pregnant in next 6 months, and that you will not go into public places like cinemas etc in following weeks after treatment. You then get taken into a laboratory looking room where you put on a big theatre paper coat thing to cover your clothes incase of any spillage. The technician then gets a special sealed cup thing from enclosed area and holds it for you to drink from a straw. Its only a small amount and doesnt really taste of anything!! Once it is finished he asks you to remove the overcoat and leave asap as he doesnt want exposed to radiation from you apparently!! Its all very simple and painless, its just boring for the weeks afterwards as i wasnt allowed to work (as couldnt guarantee not in contact with pregnant females or kids) and couldnt go to shopping centres or cinema etc. I just sat around house reading and watching tv/playing on computer!!

Be sure to get your levels checked 4 to 6 weeks after. I got checked 3 months after by which point my levels were rock bottom and i was severely underactive with many many symptoms. I gained 3 stone in 8 weeks after it!! I’m sure this is because of the huge delay in starting me on thyroxine and because i had been underactive initially before going overactive!!

I too got named the ready brek kid after it by my friends who thought my urine should glow in the dark!!

Hope this helps and good luck. It honestly nothing to worry about – the treatment is super simple!

Q: underactive thyroids?
I recently went to the doctors because I had swollen ankles. The tests came back and revieled I have underactive thyroids. I know it’s not a big deal and I will have to take medication for the rest of my life probably, but I was wondering if anyone knew about the medication I am on. It is called Levothyroxine(sp?) Does it make you loose weight?

A: It is possible that you could lose weight now that you’re being treated but it most likely will be a minimal amount of weight. I believe most people that have hypothyroidism only lose 10% or less of their body weight.

I am also taking this medication. I have not lost any weight yet. But the doctor is still trying to figure out the right dosage. My dosage just got increased so maybe that will change. Good luck!

Q: How easy have women with underactive thyroids found it to concieve?
i have done alot of research into it, just want to know from couples where the woman has had an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.

Details please if thats ok – or email me that. x x

Thankyou.
k_a – alot of places including my GP have said it can be more than twice as heard to concieve with hypothyroidism, and there is supposed to be an increased chance of miscarraige.

A: I have hypothyroidism and I had no problems getting pregnant once I was on the appropriate dose of Thyroxine.I had problems getting pregnant and I went to the doctors and they found I had Hpothyroidism , once I started taking it I got pregnant.

Q: Will diane 35 stil be effective contraceptive if taking eltroxin for underactive thyroids?

A: For thyroid information go to Aboutthyroid.com or search for Mary Shomon (she runs the site and has written several books on the subject.) Eltroxin will not affect your contraceptive at all. You are still protected. All the eltroxin does is what your thyroid should be doing for you but can’t. It’s like if you had diabetes and had to take insulin, the insulin would not affect your contraceptive either.

Q: Do anyone suffer from fibroids of the uterus and underactive thyroid?
I just wondered if anyone is suffering from fibroids of the uterus and underactive thyroids, fibromyalgia, arthritis and being deaf all at once?

A: I have an underactive thyroid and fibroids, but they are not connected to each other, according to my doctor.

Q: i am a type 1 diabetic with underactive thyroids…?
i have underactive thyroids and im a type 1 diabetc, i have no idea what to do, i have seen my doctor and had my bloods done, the doc said that my thyroids are stable, im taking 125 levothyroxine a day and roughly 25 units of insulin a day. i need to lose 40 lbs…does anyone have any advice on how i can do this??? my doc said i should just eat properly and excercise and thats what i have done but the weight isnt moving

A: You doctor is quite correct you will need to reduce your calorie intake and take more regular vigorous exercise. In the case of type 1 diabetes this must be done with the help of careful blood sugar monitoring and with the help and advice of your diabetic dietitian.

Vigorous exercise reduced blood sugar quite rapidly and intake of food must be carefully balanced to avoid sudden hypos.

Edit Disastrous suggestions from Clarissa who I just cannot believe is a nurse!

Q: 11 days an still no period with negative results yesterday.. but started thinkin, cud underactive thyroids…?
cud underactive thyroids affect the tests? im supposed to be on thyroxine tablets but i dont take them, (i no stupid thing do, but they make me feel 10 times worse) anyway, thyroids produce hormones, so could that be the reason for negative results? iv never ever missed a period in my life or never late, i do have a child already an i didnt have no pregnancy symptons with her, but these last 2 weeks, all i have felt is really sick, over tired (more than usual, i no underactive corses tirdness) hungry more, boobs dont hurt but feel heavier, feel teary alot lately aswell..

sorry if it dont make sense, but any advice will be great!

thanx in advance x

A: Hi I was exactly the same. I took a pregnancy test and it showed a very faint positive line. After going to see the nurse the following day she confirmed that I WASNT pregnant as her test was negative. I had all the same symptoms as you. I left it another few days and did another test that confirmed I WAS pregnant! I think it is to early to rely on pregnancy tests 100% and I suggest you give it a few more days before taking another. It certainly sounds to me like you are. I ended up taking about 8 tests before I believed it so just give it a couple more days. I hope you get the result you want xx

Q: What happens if thyroxine doesnt work for an underactive thyroid?
My friend has an underactive thyroid and she`s now taking 100micrograms yet its showing no improvement, does that mean she`ll need to have surgery? she is very scared!!! thanks

A: Have a look at these sites…
Im sure it will help ur frnd,this are very informative sites.
Do check it….

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/underactive-thyroid-treatments-levothyroxine-lthyroxine

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/underactive_thyroid.html

Q: How can I get fit when I have underactive thyroid & depression?
I am taking meds for depression (Bipolar too) and Underactive thyroid how can I lose weight? Will Wii fit work?

A: No Wii Fit isn’t really the answer as the level of exercise is so mild. It is a fun thing to do however so you can do it as well as doing other exercises. The best way to help you get rid of depression and the weight that can come from an underactive thyroid is a really good, strict diets and plenty of cardio based exercises. Have your tried running+ Start slowly and build up. A lot of my clients claim that its “natures anti-depressant” and a brilliant help when you are feeling low.

Q: Does anyone here have underactive thyroids?
If so how were you diagnosed and how are you coping with it?

Many thanks

A: Diagnosis requires the results of 3 thyroid blood tests:

The T4 is low
The TSH is elevated
Thyroid antibody or TPO is positive

Treatment is easy, simple replacement with the correct dose of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxin. One the correct dose is reached the patient is absolutely normal.

Q: Will the atkins diet help you to lose weight if you have an underactive thyroid?
I recently found out my thyroid is underactive and that is why I have struggled with my weight for so long. Does anyone know if the atkins diet will work with and underactive thyroid? I am already on meds for my thyroid and it seems to be normal at times when they check it and others off a little. I have only had blood work done twice though.

A: I also have an under active thyroid and have tried a low calorie diet, and have lost weight. My aunt does the Atkins diet and she seem to loose weight on it ( and she also has an under active thyroid). I hope it helps. I think once you are stable at a normal level, then you will just have to try a little hard then other to loose the weight. Good Luck.

Q: Does any one have any healthy tips on a underactive Thyroid?
Since being diagonosed with a underactive thyroid and having it removed, my weight has gone up by two stone, I exercise regular and watch what I eat, but there’s no shift, I just joint a gym and hope this will help, but could benefit from any tips. Thanks BB.

A: Hi. I have an underactive thyroid as a result of long-term Lithium use for Bipolar. I gained alot of weight too. I assume that you are on thryoid hormone medication and that it is checked regualarly? I have my thyroid levels checked every 3 months to make sure my medication is working.

Besides that, I try to get 30-45 mintues a day of cardiovascular exercise by walking and I lift weights 3 times a week. The weight-lifting helps the most because it builds muscle.

Also, try and get enough sleep because I have read that lack of sleep and stress can cause cortisol levels to increase. Cortisol increases fat particularly in your stomach.

Q: Can underactive thyroid affect the ability to get prego?
If you have an underactive thyroid can that affect your ability to become prego? It is hereditary for women in my family after the birth of their frist child. I have a daughter and we r TTC again. I am wondering if this can/will be a factor in our ability to concieve quickly?
Also in case its a factor, I am not taking any medication for it at the moment.

A: You definately need to be checked if you think you might have an underactive thyroid. It does make it harder to get pregnant, and if by chance you do get pregnant without treatment , they are finding links to pregnant women with untreated underactive thyroid (HYPO-thyroidism) to brain under-development during gestation to later learning disabilities.

It took me a year to concieve with untreated hypothyroidism, (normally I concieve very easily. ) My levels were still within normal even though I was having symptoms (no periods for months and months before I concieved.) This was in the 90s. So the Dr. didn’t medicate me. My son has learning problems, had speech delays, ect. Finally when I started losing hair and my levels were still on the edge of normal I started taking meds and my cycles are now perfect 28 day cycles. It makes a big difference. Be careful and Good luck.

Q: underactive thyroids gaining weight ?
hi ive just been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and i have put on a bit weight but thort it was because i have been eating a lot of pizza and drinking lager lately i have to have another blood test before they will give me tablets so just wondering if the tablets will prevent me from gaining weight as im getting married next year aside from the fact i worked hard to lose ten stone in the first place please help me thanks

A: http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/thyroid-function-and-natural-progesterone.php

Progesterone deficiency, for example, can cause fatigue, weight gain, irritability, depression, memory and concentration problems, headaches, irregular and painful mentstrual cycles, fluid retention, loss of sex drive, and cold hands and feet. These same symptoms are also characteristic of hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone resistance.

Emerging evidence suggests the symptoms of hypothyroidism occurring in patients with progesterone deficiency become less so when progesterone is added and hormone balance is achieved. In other words, progesterone supplementation can play a major role in balancing our hormones which can very likely include improved thyroid hormone function.

serach the web for “natural progesterone thyroid” and you will find many others

e.g.

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/thyroidarticle.html

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/aboutstress.html

Virginia Hopkins was one of John R Lee’s co-authors.

This link takes you to a suggested saliva hormone testing route

http://uk.geocities.com/willim_walker@btinternet.com/willim_001.html#W_180

1 do an online hormone test
2 do an appropriate saliva test and obtain results
3 get results & discuss with a NPIS doctor or educate your GP/MD

I have various links to other sites on this

http://uk.geocities.com/willim_walker@btinternet.com/willim_001.html

http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/weight-gain-and-natural-progesterone.php

Hormone imbalance can often contribute to unslightly and unhealthy weight gain, particularly around the tummy, hips and thighs. And to add insult to injury, by simply being overweight you’re body is converting that extra body fat into a form of estrogen called estradiol that will further compound your estrogen dominance.

Certainly, there’s an inseparable connection between fat and estrogen. And the good news is that progesterone – our body’s ‘natural’ anti-estrogen – will help your body convert fat into energy.

A natural diuretic, progesterone will further assist weight loss by regulating sodium imbalance within the body, correcting fluid retention and helping you eliminate excess fluid from the body. However, it may initially exacerbate estrogen dominance symptoms which can have the appearance of weight increase which is usually only temporary.

# # #
As can be seen it is estrogen that is causing your weight gain.
Your body can only lose weight on a permanent basis when your hormones are balanced. If you are estrogen dominant the message to the body is store “excess food” as fat that is the way the huiman body works.

I hope I have given you a few pointers in the right direction

Q: How to lose weight with a underactive thyroid?
I have an underactive thyroid and would really like to lose the weight that i’ve put on from it. I’m not awfuly overweight and I love to do physical activity. But its very hard for me to lose it because of my thyroid! it seems like whenever I lose some weight, I gain most of it back. any tips?
also, it seems working out helps more for me rather than cutting out food more (although I know I need to do both)

A: I have an underactive thyroid as well, yet I still lose weight at a normal rate. (2-4 lbs a week) I exercise and eat well, and it shows. Don’t let fatique get the better of you. You can do this, even if that means walking for only ten minutes a day. That’s sure a lot better than sitting around wishing you could exercise for an two hours. It’s great that you already love to be active!Keep a positive outlook on life and laugh often, this will give you energy and make you more positive towards losing weight. Remember, a sucessful diet has to be a lifestyle change. When you reach goal, don’t stop eating fruit and veggies and exercising.
Losing weight with a sluggish thyroid is a challenge, but defintely far from impossible!

Q: Can you lose weight if you thyroid is underactive?
I’ve had a problem with my thyroid for years and take medication. It is underactive. I am familiar with all the symptoms and I think it is underactive again and I need a stronger medication.

Thing is though – I am losing weight. Muscle weight. I shouldn’t be – I eat a lot! This has been going on for about a month now. Does this happen sometimes with an underactive thyroid?

A: It can happen.

I highly recommend finding a good chiropractor/nutritional specialist. Your body isn’t getting the nutrition it needs. A chiropractor can see that neck and spinal vertebrae are in place, so that nerves aren’t getting pinched. You would be surprised at what pinched nerves can cause.

They can also check to see what your thyroid needs. It doesn’t really need medications to regulate it, it needs natural supplements to feed it so it can heal itself. Your adrenal glands may be run-down too, because they work with the thyroid.

More and more insurance plans are covering chiropractic, so don’t delay. Good luck!!

Q: Has anyone ever developed a underactive thyroid (hypo) during their pregnancy?
I have just found out that I have an enlarged thyroid and I am almost 6 months pregnant. They think this is like an underactive thyroid and I am worried that this was found so late and my babies development could be at risk? Has anyone delt with this?

A: I had the same issue but it was discovered with routine blood work when I was four months pregnant.

I was given meds to take daily – in fact I still take them and my little guy is now sixteen months and perfect – but my thyroid is still a mess.

Eat good foods, get rest, ask your doctor tons of questions (and certainly your ultrasounds ought to reveal if there are any issues).

Hope that helps

Q: What are the effects of an underactive thyroid during the first 2 -3 weeks of pregnancy?
There is link between mothers with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) during pregnancy and developmental delays in their babies. 20% of these children have IQ scores of less than 85 compared to 5% of the children of women with normal thyroids. Unborn babies 12 weeks and younger are 100% dependent on their mothers for their thyroid hormones.

If a woman were only 2 weeks pregnant and was found to have an underactive thyroid and was only beginning to take medication for the condition, could the baby have cognitive impairments from the mother going the first two – three weeks without receiving treatment for her hypothyroidism?

I think it’s a possibility that I have an under active thyroid, which is why I’m concerned. I’ve been extremely tired lately, usually feel cold, constipated, have heavy irregular periods and have gained 15 pounds in the past seven months. I’m not normally a hypochondriac, but if I do have that condition, I’m concerned since it’s a possibility that I may be pregnant. I am having it checked next Tuesday.

A: For underactive thyroid Thats called hypothyroidism. I was hyperthyroid and I am not balanced. The natural way to go would be seaweed or blackcohosh,walnuts. I dont believe its dangeraous to the babay but check with your doctor. Seaweed treat hypoand hyperthyroidism. Nori has the least iodine and best to eat, and contains vitamin a&c. Can start with walnuts first and then see how it goes. if not better add little bit of nori vegetable to soup, salads or steam veggies. Medication has side effects and the natural form above barely has none. God Bless.

Q: Underactive thyroid and pregnancy???
Hi I am 17 weeks pregnant and have underactive thyroid since birth,,
I am scared about the baby as I ve been told that it could have a chance of having the same problem as mine,
I feel really guilty and concerned as the midwife said they might take the baby after birth to intensive care and I am really scared about it.
Has any one here been throught the same experience as this,,pls help I just want to know how bad it is
Thanx

A: Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, is really not a major issue during pregnancy. If you have an elevated TSH, then you should be put on thyroid hormone(synthroid) and then have your levels checked every 1-2 months during the pregnancy.

Some experts don’t even think you need to be very aggressive in adjusting hormone levels during pregnancy.

I would suggest seeing an Ob/Gyn or Endocrinologist, midwifes are usually not trained to deal with higher risk pregnancies.

Q: Can underactive thyroid function symptoms be similar to early pregnancy symptoms?

A: Yes
My sister has an underactive thyroid
Answer mine

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsKTc9xeJQWKO5dm0kKj39Xsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080827071251AANLkhb

Q: pregnancy and a underactive thyroid?
Is it possible that a thyroid condition can interfere with a accurate HPT?
Im 6 days late all 5 HPTs are neg, and im waiting on my blood work but im just so damn curious. Anyone have a idea?

A: No. Home pregnancy tests detect beta-HCG… and thyroid hormones play no role what so ever with that.

HPT will be accurate.

Q: having problem with underactive thyroid, due to birth problems in pregnancy, cant treat on medication pls help
had overactive thyroid for 3 mths, now its underactive, my TSH level is normal but T3 and T4 isnt, have seen specialist but cant go on medication as the TSH level is ok. Specialist says should go back to normal with time. Had a very bad delivery with second child which he believes caused the condition. There has to be something i can do as i cant go on medication. my hair is falling out in big clumps every day, my skin is very dry. i have mood swings. cant sleep properly, get hot flushes (menopause numbers are ok) putting on weight and am feeling depressed now. no clothes fit, i used to be very fit, used to walk an hour a day, now cant last 10 minutes. just want to sleep all day. Does anyone have any suggestions what i can do naturally to make me feel better. i cannot go on like this anymore, GP says this could go on for another few months possibly another year. i cant wait that long. Please help!!!!!

A: Iodine may help for thyroid problems. So plenty of seafood or kelp tablets. Vegemite is also rich in iodine so a large tablespoon of vegemite every day or some vegemite sandwiches every day may help.

Q: does a thyroid affect chances of pregnancy?
i take my meds everyday to keep my thyroid at normal levels. but ive been trying to conceive for bout 6 to 7 months now, and nothing. i get so upset when my period comes. could my thyroid be the problem? has anyone had babies with underactive thyroid? know anyone?
and if its not what the problem is? what could it be? my partner has two children already so i know its not him. i heard before to lay on my back with legs in the air for 10-15min any other ideas, ways helped you, if u were having trouble?

A: Sorry, Jonathan C is incorrect. A dysfunctional thyroid, whether its under or over active, CAN interfere with fertility. It can cause your female hormones to be thrown off wack so that you don’t ovulate properly. Usually, when the thyroid is being controlled by medications, fertility is restored (IF that was the ONLY problem to begin with).

So my questions to you are…. how often is your thyroid level being checked? If you’re being checked regularly and your levels have been normal, then I would say there may be something else going on. If you haven’t been checked lately, I would start there and go get a blood test.

If you know for sure your thyroid levels are fine you have 1 of 2 choices … 1) start the process of going through level 1 fertility tests (a complete hormone check, sugar level check, ultrasound of reproductive organs and a sperm analysis for your partner) or 2) give it a few more months since most perfectly healthy couples can take up to a year to conceive and you haven’t yet reached that mark. If you do decide to give it a few more months, I would strongly recommend you start charting your body basal temperatures. Your charts will help you to better manage your cycles and they can sometimes flush out an issue that you aren’t aware is going on … such as lack of ovulation or irregular ovulation. And… they provide helpful information to your doctor about what your hormones are doing throughout your cycle (if and when you see the doctor…bring them with you).

If you chart, do it for the next 6 months. You’ll either be pregnant by then, or have an idea why. And at the end of 6 months, it really will be a year that you’ve been trying. FertilityFriend.com has a great online charting program that’s easy and free. All you do is plug in your temps everyday, the software does the rest.

http://www.fertilityfriend.com/

Good luck.

Q: Can thyroid medication effect the outcome of a pregnancy test??
I take a thyroid pill everyday for an underactive thyroid and I have had many pregnancy symptoms including bloating, breast swelling and tenderness, darkening of the areola, nausiousnous etc. However I just took a pregnancy test and it came up negative…it mentions on the package that some medications may change the results does anyone know if a thyroid medication is one of those medicines??

A: I don’t believe it is. I think what the package is referring to is taking hormone-based medications.

You could be testing too early. Wait until your period is due and test again. If your period is due or even late, then wait a couple of days and test again, or just go to the doctor for a blood test.

Good luck.

Q: Help! Pregnancy and Thyroid?
I heard that having an underactive thyroid can lower your HcG levels so that its harder to get a positive pregnancy test. Is that true?
I do have hypothyroidism, and im not on the full dosage yet, do you think i’ll get bumped up?

A: If you are hypothyroid, then you need to be treated for hypothyroidism…..you need to be taking synthroid or another med, like levothyroxine (generic equiv.)

I went on levothyroxine when they discovered the disease, 4 months postpartum. I have now been taking it for the past 20 months, and am 32 weeks pregnant with baby #2 now.

I haven’t gotten many straight answers about how hypothyroidism causes problems conceiving a baby, but I wasn’t getting my period for a long time after I gave birth, because of hypothyroidism. It is a crappy syndrome, but you can turn it around.

I actually ended up having to take clomid to help get pregnant this last time. They didn’t say whether it had to do with being hypo or not.

Go get the proper medical treatment for hypothyroidism. It can really cause a lot of health problems.

I had had a miscarriage several years ago. During that pregnancy, and my first successful pregnancy, I ate a lot of food, but still lost huge amounts of weight.

In all my pregnancies I have had to PIG OUT in order to keep weight on, and my doc did tell me that whatever caused my hypothyroidism could possibly have caused the metabolic overactivity too, and the miscarriage could have come out of all that. But who really knows?

One suggestion:
You can go to fertilityfriend.com , and look at women’s bbt charts, and actually do a specific search for charts of women who have hypothyroidism. You can see how they ovulated, and whether they conceived. I loved this site when I was ttc.

And, it will help you learn to use “fertility awareness”…(charting to help you conceive). I swear by it.

edit: Face T. offered some excellent information. Very useful to me….I had never been informed of that info before.
Thanks, Face T.

Q: Are there any other women that have underactive thyroid disorder and do not get there period every month ?
I have gone almost 2 months without having my period before. I haven’t had my period since I got it on the 26th of May. I have taken pregnancy tests and they both said negative. My husband and myself have been trying to get pregnant for months now and do not want to dissapointed again. Urine tests , blood tests for pregnancy never work for me. They always come back negative , unless I am atleast 3 months pregnant. Then they say positive. Thanks

A: i know many who have very irregular menstural cycles who have hypothyroidism.

but you can still get very pregnant.

so good luck.

Q: could a thyroid problem cause false positives on pregnancy tests?
ive taken 5 and all are positive, but someone told me my underactive thyroid could cause false positives?

married and trying to conceive
i am on synthroid

A: Are you taking medication for your underactive thyroid? My dr talk me that that was 1 reason I wasn’t conceiving. If not and you are pregnant you need to see the dr and see if they recommend medication. You need to be in the best health for you and your baby. Congrats! Sounds like you are expecting!!!

Q: Thyroid during Pregnancy?
i had a underactive thyroid a year ago but it eventually corrected itself. i am now 37 weeks pregnant! BUT i am now worrying about my thyroid. i had it tested when i was 22 weeks pregnant and the results were normal at the time.

my question is can my thyroid levels become abnormal around 37 weeks? and do you think my baby is okay?

the reason i had a underactive thyroid before was because i had a dermoid cyst on my ovary that produces thyroid hormones. the cyst was removed but now i have another one.

A: I would just remind your doctor about this, and see what they say to do. I have hypothyroidism and take medication and am pregnant, and my doctor told me I should get it checked once per trimester. But at 37 weeks, you are so close to delivery, I don’t know if you should have it checked now or wait until the baby is born. Best of luck.

Q: anyone TTC with underactive thyroid problems?
I went for my pre-conception check up yesterday and they told me my thyroid levels were low (had this problem 10 years ago when i was like 14)
anyone have the same issue? did you have trouble getting pregnant or are you ahving trouble? how does this affect you and pregnancy?

A: Since the thyroid makes the hormones that influence most of the other hormonal glands, proper thyroid function is vital. Ovulation is the result of hormonal surges, which unless they occur you will never be able to ovulate or conceive.

Another concern would be the cause of the thyroid problem. The thyroid gland relies on the presence of a wide spectrum of minerals and trace elements in the body. If you have any condition, such as gluten allergy, that interferes with your ability to absorb minerals and vitamins, then you could eventually be suffering from a variety of degenerative diseases.

This condition is hardly ever diagnosed properly among adults, and is often overlooked in infants. Ironically, while the tests for adults are practically useless in identifying it, they are better indicators for infants. Infants and children with gluten allergy usually become autistic. Check the Celiac and Autism website.

Q: low thyroid preventing pregnancy?
im 21 the husband and i have been trying to get pregnant for a year(hit our 1yr mark in October) i found out i had an underactive thyroid through bloodwork and was put on medication. after my follow up bloodwork the doc called me and said “your numbers came back for your thyroid and they are stone cold normal” so that is good news.Now my question is could my underactive thyroid have made it harder for us to conceive? and now that its in check do u think i will be able to get pregnant easier? thank you to everyone in advance:) & baby dust to everyone TTC!!

A: Thyroid levels not being optimized can definitely effect your ability to conceive and carry to term.. it can also affect the development of your fetus and the growth and development of your baby after birth.

It’s more than a matter of having the levels ‘in normal range’ it’s a matter of having them at the correct levels within their ranges AND that the correct levels are being monitored.

The tests that should be taken are:
TSH
Free T4
and Free T3

If they are only monitoring TSH (which is a pituitary hormone, NOT a thyroid hormone) or are monitoring thyroid hormones other than the Frees. You won’t know for sure if your body is getting enough replacement hormone, or if your body is properly converting it to active hormone.

It is possible to have hormone levels that will allow you to conceive, but not enough to carry the pregnancy to term.

Or to have enough to carry to term, but not enough to do it in a healthy manner, in which case your body starts taking hormone from your fetus.. affecting it’s growth and development.

So it is VERY important to monitor the thyroid hormone levels, not just the TSH level, and make sure that those values are at the proper levels within their ranges for your health.. and the health of your baby.

This page will introduce you to the hormones, labs and options for replacement hormones so that as you do your research things will make a little more sense.

www.thyrophoenix.com/thyroid_101.htm

As to your actual question. Once thyroid hormone levels are optimized and your body is working correctly your body will be able to do what it could have done with a properly working thyroid gland.

I say it that way cuz there are other things that can also affect fertility… Thyroid may be a contributing factor, or the only factor.

Q: Underactve thyroid!!! Caused by Pregnancy?
I have just been told I have a severe underactive thyroid. I was wondering if being pregnant could have caued it? I still have 20kgs to lose and was wandering once I start on the meds will that weight be easier to lose because it has been so hard trying to lose it.
The doc also wants a scan and is waiting on more blood tests. I dont know why. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks heaps

A: It could be becuase of your pregnancy, but being a woman and getting an autoimmune disorder (Hashimotos and Graves both are autoimmune disorders and mess with your thyroid gland) are pretty common things. Pregnancy sometimes will activate a predisposition for an autoimmune disorder, especially one involving the thyroid gland since usually when you’re pregnant your thyroid gland gets more active then it would otherwise.

Yes having synthetic thyroid hormone will help you loose weight as well, you’ve been probably gaining weight becuase of the hypothyroidism. I would also be talking to your doctor about congenital defects if you are presently pregnant, not getting enough thyroid hormone can be devastating sometimes.

The scan is to rule out thyroid cancer. The blood tests are to see how your thyroid stimulating hormone levels are doing (THS) and your T3 and T4 levels are doing. Your THS levels will go high and your T3/4 levels will drop if you have Hashimotos – when your body attacks your thyroid gland and kills the T3 & T4 producing cells. Your THS levels could be low or high and have an appropriate response of T3/4 production if you have Graves disease. So the reason why your thyroid hormone levels are low needs to be determined, because it effects the treatment. And too sometimes women get temporary low (or even high) thyroid levels after giving birth, and not have Graves or Hashimoto’s.

After it’s determined what is going on, your thyroid levels need to be brought up but how much you need might need a lot of adjustment – again a lot of blood testing.

A lot of people live healthy lives on Synthroid (synthetic thyroid hormone), you can too.

Q: I dont like prescription drugs. Does anyone know of an all natural thyroid product for underactive thyroid?
One that is regarded as safe and effective as Synthroid?

A: Yes, there’s Armour and Naturethroid. I find them to be a better treatment for hypothyroidism. Armour has been around long before Synthroid. I believe its the makers of the synthetic meds that have turned doctors off using Armour. Plus, the makers of Armour do not push their product with doctors.

I switched to Armour from Levoxyl 4 years ago. It was the best move I made. Almost every symptom is gone now. I’ll post info about it below. If you have any questions you can contact me through yahoo answers.

Q: Are there any natural remedies or ways of dealing with an underactive thyroid?

A: Yes. Eat food with a good supply of Iodine (any food to do with the sea, really) Best sources are seaweed (you can buy kelp tablets, if you don’t like the taste), and make sure to use sea salt.

Another thing that you should be doing is stimulating teh thyroid. The best way to do this, and the easiest, is with one yoga move, the sarvangasana. Lie on your back. Raise you legs and you buttocks off the floor, until your body is straight in the air and you are supporting it on your neck. Your chin should be pressed against you chest, and you support your back with your hands. Every time you breath, your thyroid will be massaged, and this will help to normalise it.

Q: Is there a natural way to treat Underactive Thyroid ??
Thank you very much !!

Rebecca

A: Plenty of iodine might help. A large table spoon of vegemite every day or vegemite sandwiches contain plenty of iodine. There is also iodine in sea food. An iodine supplement might also help.

Q: any natural remedies for underactive thyroid, Im not to keen on taking thyroxine for rest of my life?

A: None that I know of, but it is vital you take your thyroxine as it is necessary for your body’s metabolism regulation otherwise all functions will slow down and you will feel lethargic and your weight may increase.

Q: Natural remedies/herbs for a sluggish thyroid?
I believe I may have a underactive thyroid. I have many of the symptoms, but I don’t want to go on a synthetic drug and be stuck on it for the rest of my life. Is there anyone here who has tried any natural or herbal remedies for a sluggish thyroid? Did it help? Thank you for any responses.

A: hi there

everyone has given great advice, and the bladderwrack really is the best. i was recently diagnosed with endometriosis, and according to my blood tests, my thyroid level is fine but is on the low end and i have been having hypo symptoms as well. i am genetically wired to have hypothyroid–my mom, grandma and great grandma all have/had it (my ggma died of goiter!), so unless i take some action it will only get worse. yesterday i went to see a naturopath, and she immediately knew i had low thyroid and put me on a bladderwrack/wild lettuce/irish moss tincture, along with some other supplements since the thyroid is involved in hormone production which has been part of my endometriosis problem. they’re all connected.

i would suggest, if you can afford it, to get your thyroid checked with your regular doctor, and then take those results to a naturopath. most insurance does not cover the naturopath, but it cost me less than $100 to see one (not including the supplements). most are willing to work with you, because they are genuinely concerned about your health. by seeing the naturopath you can make sure you’re getting exactly the amounts you need so you dont cause other problems! i definitely think it is worth it to have the advice and guidance of someone who understands how our bodies work a little better than we do.

good luck and best of health to you!
~josey~

Q: anyone ever just stopping taking thyroid meds cold turkey. Mine is underactive,and want to go natural. thanks?
am taking 112 mcgs and having anxiety and legs hurting all the time.
shell6865 tried to contact you about your thyroid story but says you cannot be contacted by email please add me or email me at deefortheday06@yahoo.com

A: Your body needs both T4 and T3 thyroid hormones. If your body is properly absorbing the T4 from the medication you are taking and is breaking it down to T3, you may not notice for a week or so that you’ve stopped taking it.
You don’t mention what you are referring to when you say “natural.” If you are going to take Armour Thyroid or something like it, it is an excellent choice! I’ve been on it for several years and feel a lot better because it contains both T4 and T3. The T3 kicks in fairly fast and gives you energy to get going in your day.
Good luck!

Q: my wife is on zoloft (labido killer) and levothyroxin for underactive thyroid. how does she get sex drive back
we use to do it lots but the last 4 years it has went from at least 3 times a week to she does it maybe once a month because i get moody (like she doesn’t want me).so she does it just to satisfy me. I am (and you can ask her) probably in the top 10 percent of greatest husbands in the world. is there something natural or prescription she can take? I need advice. i miss love making more than sex please help with advice and knowledge.

A: You should tell her to try a natural female enhancement. I have been there and it’s not fun for relationships. I tried Hersolution and have pleased my husband all night now. I saved on it at the time at herenhancement.com also. She should be feeling these potent herbs working within a day or two. Youll be happy

Q: I have a underactive thyroid, what supplements can I take to help myself?
I went to a ND and found that I have an underactive thyroid (I suspected this much, my hair has thinned and I’m always tired), I would really like to try helping my condition on my own before shelling out the money he’s asking for to treat this thing. Maybe I should, he says my hair will come back in, anyway do you have any suggestions, I have heard of kelp, I was at the natural foods store today and saw so many thyroid supplements I couldn’t even guess w/o more education on the matter. Penny for your thoughts…
u know more than once I went to MD’s and they treated me like I was a 20 something year old female boo whooing b/c her hair was shedding and she felt tired, this ND did a thorough exam for at least 1 hr and then told me this info, even though I suspected it for years. I waited to hear them say it, I never mentioned it the ND. I wanted to cry when i finally heard it, b/c I really knew something was going on w/ my body but MD’s wouldn’t listen

A: Did your ND do blood tests or did he diagnose just by history? if he diagnosed only by history and PE, that is inadequate.
You need to find out why you’re hypothyroid. Iodine supplements will help only for cases of iodine deficiency. However, this cause of hypothyroidism is really rare especially in developed countries. You need to find out more and I suggest seeing a GP or get a referral to an
endocrinologist. This is a doctor who specializes in glands such as the thyroid. The specialist will perform tests to find out if your thyroid is really hypoactive (the correct term for underactive) or if there’s something else going on.

Edit: I’m sorry your MD treated you that way. Many can be like that due to assholism or just plain fatigue. Still, diagnosing hypothyroidism is not diagnosed just by “examining for an hour” and being nice. Hair loss and weakness are very non-specific symptoms and it can be several other things aside from hypothyroidism. If you don’t like your doctor go see another one.

Q: Thyroid problems and natural remedies?
I have an underactive tthyroid and take Levothyroxine every day. This is something I have been told by my GP that I may have to do for the rest of my life. I am however trying to learn more about my condition so that I can maybe treat it and improve the function of my thyroid through natural therapies or remadies. Any one with some ideas about how I could do this … any suggestions about websites or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

A: There is absolutely NO possibility of dealing with your thyroid deficiency using anything other than replacement thyroid hormone and levothyroxine is now the international standard drug. Attempts to avoid this will of course be detrimental to your health.

Q: Eltroxin or a natural remedy?
Are you supposed to take Eltroxin for life and what negative effects on the body does it have? Is there a natural remedy that you can take for an underactive thyroid?

A: You can take synthetic hormones (like Synthroid) or hormones from pigs called Armour. Over 95% of people who took both will tell you that Armour worked better for them. Why? Simple. Armour has all the thyroid hormone in them (T4, T3, T2, T1), and synthetic only has the main one (T4). Eltroxin is the synthetic name (one of the many names) for the thyroid medicine drug people take when they do not produce enough thyroid hormone. THERE ARE NO natural remedies for a thyroid especially when you have autoimmune thyroiditis. Even if you dont, and you have low thyroid without an autoimmune disease you still need drugs to supplement what you do not produce. NO plant, remedy, tincture, vitamin, or food can provide you with the thyroid hormone you need. It can only be supplemented from a synthetic or animal thyroid hormones. Some synthetic hormones add T3 or you can take a T4 med with a T3. The reason Armour is great because it has all in it. Good luck to you.

Q: i have a thryoid condition (unmedicated) does anyone have any natural remedies?
i had a right thyroidectomy over 8 years ago and am showing symptoms of an underactive thyroid in the last few months i have an appointment at a specialist (not to nov 08 – they are all very busy people) looking at natural therapies for diet or lifestyle or natupathy if anyone has any life stories that would be great too!
to the person who said i am “just fat” im actually not “just fat” yet i am trying to prevent that so get your facts straight

A: Kelp is a good idea for a start. If you go to a qualified naturopath they can also give you herbal tinctures that will help your thyroid function. Avoid those foods [Vegetables in the genus Brassica] that interfere with iodine absorption, such as:

Bok choy
Broccoli
Broccolini (Asparations)
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Canola
Cauliflower
Chinese cabbage
Choy sum
Collard greens
Kai-lan (Chinese broccoli)
Kale
Kohlrabi
Mizuna
Mustard greens
Rapeseed (yu choy)
Rapini
Rutabagas
Tatsoi
Turnips

There are foods that will help with iodine absorption, such as avocado and coconut.

Q: Capsiplex Slimming Pill – Has anyone tried it, does it work?
I have been trying to find user reviews of the Capsiplex slimming pill. I have found a few sites online which review it but all seem rather negative e.g. – http://www.diet-reviews.co.uk/buy-capsiplex/ .

Is there any actual GENUINE reviews from people that have used Capsiplex? Does it really speed up the metabolism? My doctor says I have an underactive Thyroid and Im looking for something natural that may help.

A: I am really disgusted by all the spam people keep posting.

I really doubt that pill works. It’s just another fad diet pill that rapes some half a**ed data into a new magic pill. There have been 1700 magic pills in 35 years, and people keep getting fatter; these pills ain’t working. As a matter of fact most fad diets do make people fatter. “Low fat” foods in the 80’s really messed up America in terms of directly making people fat.

Take the pills your doctor gives you. What is happening is you are low on a certain hormone. The pills are that hormone. It’s like there’s no wheel on my bike – so put a wheel on! Simple as that. There is no hormone in your thyroid, put some in.

There are no dangerous side effects from the real pills. Any fad diet pills I guarantee will mess you up and take your money.

Q: Why do I have such a big crash in moods?
I have natural highs which are very high, but then I crash badly, even in the same day. When it happens I hate myself and feel incredibly hateful to myself. I have a underactive thyroid which is stable apparently, and pernicious aneamia. Does anyone know what I can do to stop the highs and lows.

A: You say that you have anunder active thyroid(hypothroidism) and anemia. Is this being treatment with medication like synthroid medication after having a blood testmfor it and having lab work for your anemia? Symptoms of low thyroid is having symptoms of fatique, weight gain because your metabolism is sluggish, and depression. Some symptoms of anemia are variable. Some are somewhat like the ones of slow thyroid also, you will more than likely be tired and sluggish, weight problems, possibly from the lack of minerals in your body,and more than likely, moodly from the lack of what the body needs to function. The dislike of yourself could be from the loss of your ability to function as normally as you once did. The crash and burn sessions that you experience is not what you are accustomed to have had before these problems begain. You did not express your age to the readers. Also sometimes, other persons donot understand what is causing you do be like you did at one time. They probably believe that you should “snap out of it” and be the way that you use to be.Number one that I suggest is to ignor the negative remarts if you canbecause you wont be able to do until you seek medical attention. If you have not seen your primary care doctor or go to the clinic, or try a walk in daytime care facility. You definitely require lab tests to determine your medical problems and have the correct medicines for the low thyroid and the anemia. If your body is not functioning properly then other things begin to fail also. It is not uncommon to acquire signs of depression. Some doctors or even research will show that if your thyroid problems are in slow range that depression is a very likely symptom. I would discuss this problem with the doctor about the mood changes and the highs and lows you are having. Some councelling would be a positive aid in the problems you are having. This would be something that you would benefit from and ignor people that are negative about your good intentions to help yourself mentally and physically.

Q: Natural Thyroxine through health shop/diet??
I have a slightly underactive thyroid but not bad enough to get my GP to prescribe thyroxine. I hardly eat at all cos any sugar makes me balloon up in weight. I have put on a stone and a half since my thyroid problems started and I eat less than I used to.

Is there any natural way to get my thyroxine levels up? Or how can I ensure insulin is doing its job properly?

Thanks

A: Sea Kelp is supposed to help with thyroid problems. You can get it in health food shops in tablet form.

Q: Anyone have hypothyroidism? can you treat it without a prescription medication?
i’m 20 and just got diagnosed with an underactive thyroid …i was wondering if there are any natural ways or thyroid supplements i could take to boost its function and help me get back to normal ….?

A: I have to take medication for mine. I haven’t heard of any supplements to take. The medication is probably cheaper than any supplements anyway. I take the generic (L-Thyroxine) and only pay $3.00 for a 3 month supply.

Q: If I am diagnosed with an underactive thyroid will my bipolar treatment stop?

A: No, the underactive thyroid was probably caused by the bipolar treatment. Mine was.

Q: underactive thyroid?
I have had stomach issues my whole life and finally decided to go to a specialist. The doctor reccomended that I get an endoscopy (camera through mouth) and some blood work. The endoscopy turned out fine, but the blood work said that I have and underactive thyroid. Please answer these questions…

-What are some treatments for an underactive thyroid?

-Can the medicine they give you cause weight loss?

A: well im not a dr or anything but i had a friend who had an underactive thyroid and after she began treatment she dropped down to 100 lbs(shes 5′8!)and couldnt gain weight at all! thats really all i know about it…sorry i couldnt be much help

Q: Do you know of any alternative treatments for underactive thyroid?
Anything I can do besides taking Synthroid or pig hormone?

A: Actually it depends on why your thyroid gland is unable to produce sufficient hormone on it’s own.

If it’s been physically damaged from injury, disease, or poisoning, or due to a genetic defect, or autoimmune disorder you will need to provide your body with replacement hormone.

If perchance it’s under producing due to a shift in chemistry due to an eating disorder and/or insufficient caloric intake due to extreme dieting, you correct your eating habits.

If it’s due to a nutrient deficiency such as selenium (fairly common) or iodine (not likely) then you correct the deficiency.

So you’d need to get a determination as to what is wrong before you would be able to take a shot at some type of support to allow your gland, if actually healthy, to be able to provide sufficient hormone.

More likely than not.. it’s probably more a case of needing the replacement.

Synthroid is the brand name for the most commonly prescribed form of synthetic T4 hormone.. there are more than a dozen other brands, with a much better track record for consistency in potency.

Pig thyroid.. what’s actually used is dehydrated pig thyroid, ground to a powder and then, combined with fillers, is made it to pills or capsules. It too is sold under many different brand names.

Other alternatives, for a natural source of thyroid hormone, though not very commonly used, are dried cow thyroid and dried sheep.

For many folks synthetic T4 is not readily used by their bodies, it’s either not absorbed properly or their bodies are unable to convert it from the Storage stage (T4) to the active state, T3.

For those of us that aren’t able to use the synthetic, the desiccated, dried hormone, is a life saver, literally.

One common problem for a surprising number of folks that they are started on too large a dose of replacement and have a bad reaction, or, they are started the correct low dose, but are not told to return for labs and adjustments.

The correct way to start replacement is 25 mcg of T4 OR 15 mg (1/4 grain) of natural. You take your dose consistently every day for six weeks, then have a blood draw to determine how well your body is processing and converting the hormone.

With the synthetic T4 it also matters how you take it. Due to how it is manufactured you need to take it on an empty stomach (4 hours after a meal and 1 hour before a meal) since it requires stomach acid to remove the sodium molecule added during manufacture.

It’s also important to avoid taking calcium or iron rich foods (especially supplements) within four hours of taking thyroid hormone. Iron and Calcium both bind with thyroid hormone, making it unusable by the body.

You also need to be careful with how you use antacids and acid controllers cuz they too can cause the thyroid hormone to be unusable by the body.

I hope I’ve made enough suggestions so that your situation might be covered.. so that you can make a more informed decision.

The links below will add a bit more information if you’d like to get started researching your options more.

Q: Underactive Thyroid?
I got my blood tests back and been diagnosed with borderline underactive thyroid disease – as it is borderline my doctor has decided to take blood tests in a couple of weeks to decide if I need the treatment , has anyone got any information they could provide or personal experiences or symptoms?

I am 22 by the way. Thanks

A: Many patients remain borderline for many years, so your doctor is right not to be in any hurry to treat you. Once this decision is made you will be on levothyroxine for life.

Classically patients with frank underactive thyroids are cold, slow, have dry skin, slow pulse and may gain weight.

Q: Hyperactive thyroid and radioactive iodine treatment?
My husband was diagnosed with hyperactive thyroid ( Graves disease) and is going to go thru radioactive iodine treatment. I was wondering if you or anyone you know have gone thru it and if it worked well and if there was any side effects? Also how long did it take for the thyroid to become underactive requiring you to take hormone replasements?

A: I went through the radioactive iodine treatment two years ago. I remember throwing up a lot that evening and having a bad headache, but after that evening, I was fine. That may have just been how my own body reacted to the radioactive iodine though.

If I remember correctly it was about three or four months after my radioactive iodine treatment that they finally started me on my thyroid medication.

Q: I have Vit B12 deficiency, high BP and underactive thyroid?
I was diagnosed 5 months ago. I have had a course of B12 injections but no treatment for thyroid as yet. I have to have it checked again next month to see if it is still underactive. The problem is, even after my B12 injections, I am still so tired all the time and I can’t motivate myself to do anything. I have just got over a really bad cold which doesn’t help. Could the thyroid problem be causing the tiredness and lethargy? Are there any supplements I can take to give me more energy?

A: Both B12 deficiency & hypothyroidism can cause fatigue. You’ve got a double hit. I can only imagine how you feel.

I was treated for B12 deficiency (secondary to another issue) & it took me over a month until I felt better. In the meantime, I had profound fatigue. I wasn’t sleepy, I just had to lean on something or lie down. I also had other symptoms.
You might try researching both conditions. I put a link to a (B12 defic.) page I had found informative.
–I hope that you are getting rest & that your health issues will begin to resolve soon.

Q: Levothyroxine, anyone taking this medication for underactive thyroid?
Just commenced on this treatment a few days ago and have what can only be described as a panic attack feeling? Anyone on this medication that can tell me your experiences and if the medication has worked for you?
Thanks

A: Levothyroxine is the generic brand of synthetic T4-only. T4 is a storage hormone, meant to convert to the active hormone T3. And for some like you, there is a reaction to having only T4 as you are having. For that reason, you may want to investigate a different med to treat your hypothyroidism–desiccated thyroid like Armour, or Naturethroid, or Westhroid. They all give you what your own thyroid would be producing: T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. It’s all explained here on a patient-to-patient website: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Q: Has anyone had trouble conceiving because of thyroid problems? (underactive)?
I have been having trouble conceiving. My mum recently told me that she has an underactive thyroid, I know it is hereditory and I have most of the symptoms so am thinking this may be the cause of my hormone imbalance and irregular cycles.

What i want to know is, how long after beginning treatment did it take people to conceive?

A: Well, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at the age of 13 because I had a huge goiter on my neck. (I’m almost 23 now.) So, I’ve been on that small little pill for almost 10 years now.

Well, took my husband awhile to get pregnant. So, I took fertility blend and that helped immediately, but if you THINK you may have hypothyroidism and are not taking anything to help it. Then YES you will have a hard time getting pregnant probably. You need you thyroid to produce enough hormones, etc. . . to have a proper cycle in order to get pregnant. Even at that if it’s not under control you’ll have a hard time keeping your pregnancy going because it’s even more of a strain on your hormones/body while pregnant. You’ll want to go get checked out.

Q: Can I get pregnant whilst undergoing treatment for thyroid antibodies?
Hi everyone

My partner and I have decided to try for another baby. After my first child I was diagnosed with post-partum hyperthyroiditis, which eventually turned into an underactive thyroid, and then went on to develop thyroid antibodies.

I am currently on 75mcg thyroxine, having been increased from 50mcg a couple of months ago. I have been on thyroxine for about a year. The doctor recently told me that it is recommended to have a TSH level of between 0 and 4. Mine is currently 3.2, so it is in the recommended zone at the moment, but I have been warned that it will go up gradually.

I’m wondering, will I have trouble conceiving? I read somewhere that doctors like TSH levels to be between 0 and 2 if you are trying for a baby.

A: Samantha,
Sometimes – but certainly not always – thyroid disease can affect your fertility. According to Dr. Sheldon Rubenfeld, a practicing thyroidologist, and Founding Chairman of the Thyroid Society for Education and Research, fairly common problems caused by thyroid dysfunction are anovulation (no ovulation, or release of an egg) and menstrual irregularities. With no egg to fertilize, conception is impossible. However, if you have thyroid disease and are contemplating pregnancy, you would be advised to become educated about how thyroid dysfunction can affect fertility and pregnancy – and what to do about it. Read all you can, ask questions, and urge your doctors to perform the necessary blood tests to keep your levels in check. Thyroid dysfunction can halt ovulation by upsetting the balance of the body’s natural reproductive hormones. One way to tell if you’re ovulating is to test the level of a pituitary hormone called LH (or luteinizing hormone) by using an ovulation predictor kit. LH stimulates the ovaries to release an egg. The kit will show you if you have that surge in LH that indicates ovulation. If there is too much or too little thyroid hormone, ovulation might not occur.Remember…even though you may be menstruating regularly, you may not be ovulating – and may never know that fact until after years of infertility. Hyperthyroidism –is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone, thyroxine. The condition is often referred to as an “overactive thyroid.” Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, means a reduced level of thyroid hormone. This can cause various symptoms, the most common being: tiredness, weight gain, constipation, aches, dry skin, lifeless hair and feeling cold. Treatment is usually easy by taking a tablet each day to replace the missing thyroxine. Treatment usually works well and symptoms usually go. Postpartum thyroiditis is a recently discovered problem that spans the spectrum of both hyper and hypothyroidism. This condition, which tends to occur immediately after pregnancy, may produce antibodies which damage thyroid tissue, thereby releasing thyroid hormone passively into the bloodstream and producing hyperthyroidism. During the recovery phase, thyroid levels may fall, producing either temporary or permanent thyroid failure. Since the discovery of thyroid hormones and its tremendous influence on the internal system of our body, in 1915, the thyroid gland and its diseases have been well studied. With the continuing development of medicine, it is possible to detect and diagnose the diseases in their very early stages. However, the treatment of thyroid disease has been proved, at times, to be somewhat troublesome. Sometimes the cure for hyperthyroidism has changed it into hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism is then treated as the final result. This, obviously, produces many problems for the patient. To this end, the situation should be discussed with your doctor or specialist to ascertain that the situation remains in control. When the body delivers too much thyroid hormone, both the mother and the baby can suffer. Miscarriages, premature births, and intrauterine growth retardation can occur when the disorder goes undiagnosed or untreated. These are the dangers of Hyperthyroidism – or having an overactive thyroid gland – and it can pose special concerns during pregnancy. Pregnant women with hyperthyroidism can also develop high blood pressure, and are at greater risk of heart conditions.

ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. – MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED.

It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms.

The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

I add a link with details of this subject

http://thyroid.about.com/
od/gettestedanddiagnosed/
a/7things.htm

Hope this helps
matador 89

Q: What could my mum possibly do to get her hair to start growing again as she has an underactive thyroid?
My mum has an underactive thyroid that is being treated with thyroxine but is on a low doseage at the moment as she has just been put back on treatment for it. The problems with her thyroid go back 50yrs as she has had it from being ten years old but it has gone both ways and seems to be affected by hormonal sequences in her life. If anyone can give me any ideas of what we could possibly try for her I would be most grateful? thanks for your time Julie xx

A: My OH has this, he takes a Brewers Yeast tablet one daily and it has helped thicken his hair. Your Mum could try this and buy some Tail and Mane shampoo, this will thicken her hair. Google Tail and Mane – it really does work. Its good for anyone who wants thicker hair, you mum will notice a difference. It’s about £2.99 a bottle and lasts for ages. You can buy it online.

Hope this helps, have a great week Hun

Q: Underactive thyroid, will I go back to normal???
I have just been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, which went undetected for quite a while. I developed the typical characteristics, such as dry hair, brittle nails, and my facial features also changed slightly, due to puffiness. I haven’t started treatment yet, as I am waiting for blood results to come back.
When I am established on the treatment, will my symptoms disappear (especially the facial changes) as I now look older than I did, and my features have hardened???? Obviously, I am concerned about this, as I would like to feel attractive again.

A: Not if you take the doctors medication, you have to take the natural medicine to return to normal, please read on as it will be the most important information that you will find on the web…….

First off all if you are in the UK, 99% of doctors do not know how to treat thyroid disease. They only know about Thyroxin which is a synthetic CHEMICAL and should not be in your body. It has many side affects, some (few) don’t feel unwell on thyroxin as you may well find in a couple of months…weight gain, extreme fatigue, frequent bowel movements, puffy eyes and dry skin, and many others.

In the long term it leads to osteoporosis. In time you will experience these side affects, so please keep the information that I am about to tell you as you WILL need it. You can treat your thyroid by natural medication with NO side affects. The medication is called Armour Thyroid and is derived from pig’s glands that have a great success rate. They actually used to prescribe it in this country for people with thyroid disease. Yet most doctors don’t even know that, in fact most doctors will not have heard of it and advice you against it while not being able to give you scientific evidence why you shouldn’t! That’s because it’s all about money not health. Their problem with natural products is that nobody can patent them, so the government cannot have exclusive ownership. But they can by making up synthetic chemicals.

What you need to know is that about 85% of people are unable to transfer T4 into T3 when they use Thyroxin. T3 is essential to the function of the main organs of your body. Armour thyroid naturally has T4, T3 and T2 and T1 and it make you feel well with no side affects. Thyroxin does not have T2 & T1. Once you research it at the site below you can order it from the recommended site www.internationalpharmacy.com
I was on Thyroxin for two years and did not feel well on it I had absolutely no energy and my weight ballooned up to 19 and a half stone. I started my Armour in April this year and I am now 15 and a half stone with loads of energy. Armour Thyroid helps increase your metabolism where thyroxin slows it down. As you don’t know me, don’t take my word for your health go to www.tpa-uk.org.uk Sheila Turner (expert on thyroid disease) runs this thyroid patient advocacy site which will inform and educate you on your disease. There are over six hundred other people on that forum who are taking Armour Thyroid and can give you advice. Pretty soon you will see that doctors know absolutely nothing about treating the thyroid. They are ignorant about it.

Beware of people on this site who are not what they seem, and will try and discredit amour thyroid at every opportunity.

Q: What are the effects of an underactive thyroid during the first 2 -3 weeks of pregnancy?
There is link between mothers with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) during pregnancy and developmental delays in their babies. 20% of these children have IQ scores of less than 85 compared to 5% of the children of women with normal thyroids. Unborn babies 12 weeks and younger are 100% dependent on their mothers for their thyroid hormones.

If a woman were only 2 weeks pregnant and was found to have an underactive thyroid and was only beginning to take medication for the condition, could the baby have cognitive impairments from the mother going the first two – three weeks without receiving treatment for her hypothyroidism?

I think it’s a possibility that I have an under active thyroid, which is why I’m concerned. I’ve been extremely tired lately, usually feel cold, constipated, have heavy irregular periods and have gained 15 pounds in the past seven months. I’m not normally a hypochondriac, but if I do have that condition, I’m concerned since it’s a possibility that I may be pregnant. I am having it checked next Tuesday.

A: For underactive thyroid Thats called hypothyroidism. I was hyperthyroid and I am not balanced. The natural way to go would be seaweed or blackcohosh,walnuts. I dont believe its dangeraous to the babay but check with your doctor. Seaweed treat hypoand hyperthyroidism. Nori has the least iodine and best to eat, and contains vitamin a&c. Can start with walnuts first and then see how it goes. if not better add little bit of nori vegetable to soup, salads or steam veggies. Medication has side effects and the natural form above barely has none. God Bless.

Q: hi just got blood results back &i have an underactive thyroid gland,it runs in my family,but i dont want to?
take thyroxine,can anyone tell me anything about this condition,im just hearing negative things like [ aw you ll put on loads of weight,and you ll have to take tablets for the rest of your life ,im 39 dont smoke dont drink,am pretty active and watch what i eat, can anyone shed some light on alternative treatments or anything about this.

A: Understanding Thyroid Problems – the Basics
What Are Thyroid Problems?
Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much of these vital body chemicals results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.

Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.

7 Causes of Fatigue in Women

WebMD Feature

We are in the midst of a global energy crisis but it has nothing to do with oil. The problem is unexplained fatigue.

“The single biggest complaint I hear from my patients, day in and day out, is fatigue,” says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, Director of the NYU Medical Center Women’s Heart Program and associate professor at the NYU School of Medicine.

If you are getting a healthy 7 to 8 hours a night and you’re still tired, Goldberg says it’s time for a check–up to uncover the causes for fatigue.

Read more about 7 causes of fatigue in women

Related to hypothyroidism symptoms, thyroid tests, TSH, medication, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, goiter, Underactive thyroid, synthroid, hyperthyroid, depression, thyroid surgery, thyroid disorders
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
What Causes Thyroid Problems?
All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways:

Graves’ disease: The production of too much thyroid hormone.
Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body’s chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules.
Subacute thyroiditis: inflammation of the thyroid causes the gland to “leak” excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months.
Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: Although rare, hyperthyroidism can also develop from these causes.
Hypothyroidism, by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Since your body’s energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels. Causes of hypothyroidism include these:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.
Removal of the thyroid gland: The thyroid may be surgically removed or chemically destroyed as treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide: Cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine amiodarone, or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays may expose you to too much iodine. You may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism, especially if you have had thyroid problems in the past.
Lithium: This drug has also been linked as a cause of hypothyroidism.
Untreated for long periods of time, hypothyroidism can bring on a myxedema coma, a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate hormone injections.

Hypothyroidism poses a special danger to newborns and infants. A lack of thyroid hormones in the system at an early age can lead to the development of cretinism (mental retardation) and dwarfism (stunted growth). Most infants now have their thyroid levels checked routinely soon after birth. If they are hypothyroid, treatment begins immediately. In infants, as in adults, hypothyroidism can be due to these causes:

A pituitary disorder
A defective thyroid
Lack of the gland entirely
A hypothyroid infant is unusually inactive and quiet, has a poor appetite and sleeps for excessively long periods of time.

Cancer of the thyroid gland is quite rare and occurs in less than 10% of thyroid nodules. You might have one or more thyroid nodules for several years before they are determined to be cancerous. People who have received radiation treatment to the head and neck earlier in life, possibly as a remedy for acne, tend to have a higher-than-normal propensity for thyroid cancer.

Q: What is the best treatment and exercise for Rhumetoid Arthritis?
I have been suffering from RA for about 8 years now and its getting worse. I have some weight issues but its difficult to lose weight when you hurt everywhere all the time, I also have an underactive thyroid and take meds for it. I try and try but barely lose. It took me 6 months just to lose 11 pounds, and that was practically starving and ignoring my pain; actually my last blood test showed that I was dieting too hard (according to my doc), but doing it any other way takes off nothing. Any suggestions?

A: The first and most important step is to understand your disease and its treatment by seeking correct information. Take your medications exactly as prescribed, and tell your doctor, a rheumatologist if any drug seems to be losing its effectiveness or is causing adverse reactions or side effects. Successful management of your condition also depends on the proper mix of rest and exertion which only you can control. It s also important to maintain a regular, well balanced diet. Through trial and error you can learn when to push yourself and when to take it easy. This is one of the most crucial lessons to be learned in living with arthritis.

Q: Diagnosed with an Underactive Thyroid?
I had my son april 2007 and I started regular periods shortly after my 6 week check up. Then I didn’t get a period November or December, but did get one January and it was normal, and so far this month have not gotten AF. So I went to the doctors they took blood and said my thyroid levels were a little low and I could either go to my family doctor for treatment or go back to my OB doctor for treatment. My question is my husband and I have been TTC #2 and from what I understand having a low thyroid level could be the reason I haven’t been able to concieve yet. However, I wanted to know how long after starting treatment my cycles would regulate out so I could concieve. And also if any other of you have had a similiar problem Thank you all for your answers and opinions I appreciate it.

A: I too was about to start a fertility work-up when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, as we had been ttc #1 for 10 months with no luck. My OB was about to refer me to an endocrinologist when we got pregnant. She then started me on .75 mcg of synthroid (TSH was 4.7) and checked levels every four weeks. I’m now up to 125 mcg and at last look levels were 2.0. It may be a ttc factor for you or not but either way it’s good you found out now and can bring your levels down before you conceive so it doesn’t affect the development of your baby when you do conceive.

Q: What therapy is recommended for an underactive thyroid gland?

A: They usually use Synthroid (one of the commonly used drugs) as hormone replacement therapy. Of course taking in iodine can help too, (if you don’t take in much of this.. like using iodized salt) since it is necessary to make the hormones..

Q: Underactive to overactive thyroid gland in 6 months?
I’ve been taking 25mcg levothyroxine for several years for a slightly underactive thyroid gland.
My last TSH back in January was 6.52. I have just had it rechecked and it is now 0.05! How is this possible given that I have been taking such a small amount of medication?
Also, is there a possibility that I might lurch from underactive to overactive on a regular basis now? I am female and 50. Thanksxx

A: It could be the time of day you tested as well. TSH changes throughout the day. It should always be done first thing in the morning when its near its high point. The TSH is the least reliable thyroid test because of the fluculations. A free t4 and free t3 will tell if you are really hyper now.

Q: would it be ok for me to take the contraceptive pill as i have an underactive thyroid gland?
i take thyroxine tablets everyday for my thyroid. just wondering would the contraceptive pill be dangerious

A: Being on levothyroxine in the appropriate dose, returns thyroid patients entirely to normal. Your risks on the pill would be identical to anyone else.

Q: Is it safe to take slimming pills containing bladderwrack if you have an underactive thyroid gland?

A: Slimming pills are generally bad for your health period.

Q: Could i have an underactive thyroid gland?
My symptoms are:
-Weight gain (quite big amount)
-Hair loss
-Dry skin
-Itchy eyes
-Fainting (maybe not associated)
-Constipation
-Itchy throat
-Breathing trouble (could be related to my asthma)
Is it that? or could it be something else?

A: Those are all pretty tell tale symptoms of overt hypothyroidism. Don’t go do something stupid like buying hormone supplements online, this is something worth seeing your doctor about.

He/she might have you do something as simple as change your diet, but go make sure that something else isn’t going on.

Q: My friend has an underactive thyroid gland and is really depressed, what advice can i give her?

A: She is depressed because her thyroid is under active. The doctor will give her a pill to take everyday, and it may take up to 3 months for her thyroid to balance, then she will feel great. Meanwhile, be her friend. This is a hard time for her. Some days she is so down she just doesn’t want to get out of bed. Gaining weight is not unusual. Loosing hair and fingernails splitting are also possible. Taking antidepressants does NOT work for an under active thyroid. Just be her friend.

Q: I have an underactive thyroid gland what are some of the most common side effects?
the doctor has put me on synthroid and i dont see a difference he has since increased my dosage .75mcg currently
some times i feel very weird like light headed is the best way i can describe it i have had a lot of other medical tests and have all come back normal has anyone else experienced this

A: The symptoms of hypothyroidism relate to a general “slowing down” of the body’s functions. They include:
feeling tired and sleeping excessively
easily feeling the cold
dry and thickened skin
coarse, thinning hair and eyebrows and brittle nails
sore muscles, slow movements and weakness
depression and problems with memory and concentration
weight gain
constipation
fertility problems and increased risk of miscarriage
heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods
There may also be swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck – a goitre.

Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) – occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This tends to slow down the body’s functions. Symptoms include tiredness, constipation and sensitivity to the cold.

The thyroid gland is found in the neck. It lies in front of the wind-pipe (trachea), above the level of the collar-bones and measures approximately 2 by 4 cm. It secretes hormones, which are chemicals produced by the body to help regulate how cells, and the organs made up of groups of cells, work. Hormones are sometimes called chemical messengers.

The thyroid hormones are thyroxine (also called T4 because it contains four iodine atoms) and triiodothyronine (also called T3 because it contains three iodine atoms). These are released into the blood stream.

T3 speeds up the body’s metabolism by encouraging the cells, in the muscles or the skin for instance, to work faster or to grow. Most of the T3 in the blood is converted from T4.

Over- and underactive thyroid
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid is under active, with too little of the thyroid hormones being released. In contrast, hyperthyroidism occurs when there is over-production of T3 and T4, causing the body’s metabolism to “speed up”. This results in symptoms such as anxiety and feeling hot, even in cool weather. For more information, please see the separate BUPA factsheet Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Hormone production
The production of T3 and T4 is regulated by another hormone called TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone or thyrotropin) which is made in the pituitary gland (found in the brain). A normal level of TSH is one of the indicators that the thyroid system is working properly.

Causes of hypothyroidism
Iodine insufficiency
The chemical element iodine is a major component of thyroid hormones. Worldwide, a deficiency of iodine in the diet is the leading cause of hypothyroidism. This is much less common in the UK because iodine is contained in salt, which has iodine added to it during manufacture.

Autoimmune hypothyroidism
In the UK, and other countries where the amount of iodine in the diet is adequate, the main cause of hypothyroidism is “autoimmune hypothyroidism”.

Antibodies are proteins designed to defend the body from foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. In autoimmune diseases, antibodies attack the body itself. In autoimmune hypothyroidism, antibodies destroy thyroid gland cells preventing the gland from being able to release normal amounts of thyroid hormones.

A condition known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is associated with autoimmune hypothyroidism. It results in a goitre, a swelling of the thyroid gland, that is visible as a lump on the neck. With no goitre the condition may be called atrophic thyroiditis or primary myxoedema.

Other causes:
Congenital hypothyroidism (a condition babies are born with) happens when the thyroid gland fails to develop properly or does not produce adequate thyroid hormones. All babies in the UK are screened for this when the baby is 6-8 days old with a blood sample taken from a prick on the heel. With treatment, babies with congenital hypothyroidism develop normally.

Inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) due to infection can lead to hypothyroidism. Also, disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, both of which are involved in the overall regulation and production of thyroid hormones, can lead to hypothyroidism.

Risk factors for hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is more common in older people.
Women are more likely to be affected than men.
Autoimmune hypothyroidism is more likely in those who have other conditions resulting from an autoimmune disorder such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, vitiligo and Addison’s disease.
Some medicines can affect the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. These include lithium carbonate (for bipolar disorder) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm abnormalities).
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
The symptoms of hypothyroidism can initially be very mild and develop slowly. It is possible to have some of these symptoms before the amount of thyroid hormone drops below normal.

This type of mild hypothyroidism is called subclinical hypothyroidism. People affected need to be monitored by their doctor, who will watch out for further symptoms.

Occasionally, a thyroid problem, such as thyroiditis, can resolve on its own without the need for treatment. However in general, if hypothyroidism is not treated, the symptoms slowly get worse and it becomes more and more difficult to function normally.

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
Many of the above symptoms can be caused by conditions other than underactive thyroid. However, anyone who experiences these symptoms should consult their GP. A doctor will usually discuss symptoms, perform a physical examination and then request some blood tests if he or she suspects hypothyroidism.

The first step in diagnosing hypothyroidism is to measure TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).

When the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone, the TSH level is raised. When this abnormality is found, T4 (thyroxine) is also measured, and in autoimmune hypothyroidism or hypothyroidism due to treatment of hyperthyroidism, T4 is low.

When levels of TSH and thyroid hormones are difficult to interpret, other causes of hypothyroidism may be suspected.

The diagnosis of autoimmune hypothyroidism is usually confirmed by the presence of particular antibodies in the blood.

Other blood tests or further investigations may also be needed. These could include an ECG (heart tracing) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to examine the nature and extent of a goitre.

Treatment
Thyroxine (T4) can be given in tablet form. The body is able to convert this to T3 just as it would if the thyroid gland were producing the thyroxine normally. It can take some time to get the dose right. It is usual to start with a low dose, building up gradually every six weeks and adjusting the dose according to TSH levels.

People usually feel much better once they are taking thyroxine. Side-effects are unusual because a missing hormone is simply being replaced. However, if too much replacement thyroxine is given, symptoms of an overactive thyroid may be experienced.

People with subclinical hypothyroidism may not have any treatment, though doctors vary in their approach. Some prefer to offer treatment. Others recommend frequent monitoring to see whether overt hypothyroidism (with symptoms) does develop.

Once the correct dose of thyroxine replacement has been established, it is usual to have annual checks of TSH.

Pregnancy and hypothyroidism
The functioning of the thyroid gland can change during pregnancy. In the first half of pregnancy it is normal for the total amount of thyroid hormone to be slightly increased.

Women with hypothyroidism need more frequent checks during pregnancy, as their thyroxine requirements tend to increase.

Five percent of women have a mild problem with the thyroid three to six months after delivery. This has an autoimmune cause and can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Although it rarely needs treatment it does mean that thyroid problems are more likely in later life.

Further information
British Thyroid Foundation
0870 7707933

http://www.btf-thyroid.org

Q: i have an underactive thyroid gland and am taking medication for it?
just wondering if i ever want a baby will this harm the development f my child??

A: No, it will not harm the development of your baby. What you are taking is the thyroid hormone that your own body cannot produce.

Q: Any women here with an underactive thyroid gland how are you affected?

A: i do have “hypothyroidism” although it wasnt allways under-it was over for quite sometime.

i take medication everyday for it, and as long as i stick to it faithfully, i have no problems. If i skip a few days, i get dull headaches, and tired.

goto—www.webmd.com–excellent site.

Q: I have being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid gland 5 mnts ago, ne tips or ne precautions i need to know?

A: depending on your tsh levels, you will be prescribed a synthetic thyroid med….take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning with just water. don’t eat for at least 1/2 hour and take calcium and other vitamins at least 4 hours apart….they mess with absorption. about.com and mayoclinic have lots of info on hypothyroid and you should educate yourself about it. also, there is a great yahoo health group for thyroid. It takes about 6 weeks for meds to be fully absorbed, and then you will probably have to be retested. good luck and good health.

Q: What symptons are caused by an underactive thyroid? Could swelling of the throat be the thyroid gland?
Currently on thyroid meds but having lots of symptoms like no energy, swelling on the right side of the throat, pain and weakness of the legs, edema. Does this sound like thyroid troubles?

A: Yes. youir’e having symptoms of Hypothyroidism. The dose of Throxine is low and cannot be increased very fast. Hang in there it will take time for the drug to work and later on the doctor will gradualy increase the dose. (Every three weeks).
Symptoms of underactive thyroid are feeling weak, dry skin, depressed mood, lack of energy, constipation, cold intolerance, adding weight etc.

Q: hi just got blood results back &i have an underactive thyroid gland,it runs in my family,but i dont want to?
take thyroxine,can anyone tell me anything about this condition,im just hearing negative things like [ aw you ll put on loads of weight,and you ll have to take tablets for the rest of your life ,im 39 dont smoke dont drink,am pretty active and watch what i eat, can anyone shed some light on alternative treatments or anything about this.

A: Understanding Thyroid Problems – the Basics
What Are Thyroid Problems?
Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much of these vital body chemicals results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism.

Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.

7 Causes of Fatigue in Women

WebMD Feature

We are in the midst of a global energy crisis but it has nothing to do with oil. The problem is unexplained fatigue.

“The single biggest complaint I hear from my patients, day in and day out, is fatigue,” says cardiologist Nieca Goldberg, MD, Director of the NYU Medical Center Women’s Heart Program and associate professor at the NYU School of Medicine.

If you are getting a healthy 7 to 8 hours a night and you’re still tired, Goldberg says it’s time for a check–up to uncover the causes for fatigue.

Read more about 7 causes of fatigue in women

Related to hypothyroidism symptoms, thyroid tests, TSH, medication, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, goiter, Underactive thyroid, synthroid, hyperthyroid, depression, thyroid surgery, thyroid disorders
© 2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
What Causes Thyroid Problems?
All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways:

Graves’ disease: The production of too much thyroid hormone.
Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body’s chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules.
Subacute thyroiditis: inflammation of the thyroid causes the gland to “leak” excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months.
Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: Although rare, hyperthyroidism can also develop from these causes.
Hypothyroidism, by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Since your body’s energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels. Causes of hypothyroidism include these:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.
Removal of the thyroid gland: The thyroid may be surgically removed or chemically destroyed as treatment for hyperthyroidism.
Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide: Cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine amiodarone, or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays may expose you to too much iodine. You may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism, especially if you have had thyroid problems in the past.
Lithium: This drug has also been linked as a cause of hypothyroidism.
Untreated for long periods of time, hypothyroidism can bring on a myxedema coma, a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate hormone injections.

Hypothyroidism poses a special danger to newborns and infants. A lack of thyroid hormones in the system at an early age can lead to the development of cretinism (mental retardation) and dwarfism (stunted growth). Most infants now have their thyroid levels checked routinely soon after birth. If they are hypothyroid, treatment begins immediately. In infants, as in adults, hypothyroidism can be due to these causes:

A pituitary disorder
A defective thyroid
Lack of the gland entirely
A hypothyroid infant is unusually inactive and quiet, has a poor appetite and sleeps for excessively long periods of time.

Cancer of the thyroid gland is quite rare and occurs in less than 10% of thyroid nodules. You might have one or more thyroid nodules for several years before they are determined to be cancerous. People who have received radiation treatment to the head and neck earlier in life, possibly as a remedy for acne, tend to have a higher-than-normal propensity for thyroid cancer.

Q: i have an underactive thyroid gland?
i suffer from an underactive thyroid gland and it really is getting me down. i have put on over 1 stone in weight in just a few months. i try and be good all week to try and lose weight, then at the weekend i have a treat, what happens , any weight i might have lost is put back on.
i am 37 no spring chicken but i know , when i try i can look good, i just dont want to be fat for turning 40.
i am 5ft 3inch an 11 stone.

has any one got any answers except rigerous diet and excercise that is beyound unnatural?????
PLEASE!!!!.. I AM DESPERATE.

thanks for any advise.
i have got medication 50 mgs of levelthyroxine but it does not help with the weight. i still have a sluggish metabolism.

A: Karen, have you been to your doctor for your under-active thyroid gland? If not please see your physician, he/she can prescribe medication for it.. under-active thyroid can make you gain excessive weight, and dieting will not correct the problem. I had just the opposite problem and could not gain weight, until I got the problem corrected. It didn’t matter how many calories I consumed, I could not put on a pound, I continued to lose weight. But my doctor put me on medication that corrected the problem.. It could also damage your heart and it controls other organs too.. It can make you very nervous and tired, there are lots of symptoms that you may be over looking so please see your doctor for the sake of your health. Hope I have helped in some small way. Good Luck.

p.s. I just saw your last post, sometimes it takes a while to get the level of medication your body needs… but keep seeing the doctor until the level is corrected and talk with him/her and tell them everything even if you have to make a list to take with you to your physician.

Q: underactive thyroid?
My wife and I both have an underactive thyroid glands, are the children likely to develop the same

A: Yes, genetics play a major role.

You can give your children supplements when they grow up into the appropriate age for taking pills which isn’t too far.

Q: Any foods to be avoided or eaten more of with an underactive thyroid gland???
I have just been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid gland which has come as a great relief to me as I can’t seem to lose the weight which I have piled on(I have always been a size 8-10 but the last couple of years I have struggled to squeeze into a size 12)I am always tired and have been taking different depression medications for the last 5 years with no luck-I finally have the answer to what has been causing me this nightmare for years!I wondered are there any foods which should be avoided with an underactive thyroid or any foods which I should try to eat more of?Many Thanks.

A: You should be able to eat whatever you please (being sensible of course and not eating junk foods). As your metabolism returns to normal on the thyroxine, you should find you start to lose the weight you have gained.

Q: Underactive thyroid symptoms?
My mom has an overactive thyroid- and I think I have an Underactive thyroid…..I always feel sluggish, hungry and I’m always bloated, I have also gained some weight recently.. Are there any other symptoms with an underactive thyroid? I going to a doctor next week but I would like to get a little bit of info about it.

Thanks

A: Being anxious and even depressed can sometimes be a symptom of an underactive thyroid for some people (an example only but I have read about this and talked to others who have had similar symptoms).

I am also including the link to a site that may help you find even more information:

http://thyroid.about.com

Q: Will my underactive thyroid symptoms go away once I start my meds?
I have a VERY LOW underactive thyroid (according to my doctor it is terribly low).

I have really bad symptoms like everything with me is wrong, my hair falls out like no tomorrow, just chunks at a time, and its like dead straw hair. my muscles are super weak, if I write two sentences my arms will start to ache, I recently gained 30 pounds (when I was eating less and exercising more, my doctor says its cause my metabolism is so slow from my underactive thyroid thats why I am gaining weight), I get really bad shortness in breathe, pale, poor memory, swollen hands and feet, Hoarseness or deepening of the voice, brittle thin nails, bad immune system, heavy periods, joint pain, EVERYTHING! it causes soo many problems, ecspecially with the horsey throat and the dry hair falling out soo much, weight gain, swollen fingers and muscle soreness there my main big problems..
they are truly ruining my life, I am starting my meds next week, are my symptoms going to gradually go away (I really hope so) or am I going to have them all my life. Pleaseee people help me and answer me my mind is baffled with these questions, I need a clear answers.

Thank you soo much, GOD BLESS!

A: It may take a couple of weeks, but you will definitely feel much better. Most of the time, the doctor will start you on an estimated dose then draw your blood level in a week or two, then adjust your dose until they get it just right. Be patient; you will be fine.

Q: what r the symptoms of an underactive thyroid?
I have been extremely tired for the past week and have dry and sore eyes. are these symptoms.. going to ring my doc tomorrow and try and get appt.

A: Not much there to suggest thyroid disease. Most doctors would not investigate tiredness present for any less than 4 weeks in the absence of any more significant symptoms.

Q: What are your thyroid symptoms?
I’ve read all the literature and some other questions, but I want to know YOUR symptoms of an over or underactive thyroid. What do you experience? I think mine is low, but I haven’t had it checked yet. What do you say to the doctor if it is a low normal and they don’t think you need meds, but you know it just ain’t workin’ for you? “Give me some freakin’ drugs!”?
Holy crap! That low temperature thing is totally me! Who knew?!

A: I know exactly what you’re talking about.

You know you aren’t feeling right. You just KNOW it’s probably your thyroid, because according to all the literature, and everyone you talk to, your symptoms and the way you just “feel” match a diagnosis of thyroid deficiency perfectly.

BUT… you go into your doc’s office, he draws blood. You ask him to be sure to check both T3 and T4. Reluctantly he says okay, acting like the patient shouldn’t be making suggestions like that. So the results come back, and what a surprise, they are within “normal limits.” Am I right?

So, here’s what worked for me. First, I came upon this website for Dr. Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome. This is a naturopath, I think, who presents compelling evidence that people with otherwise normal thyroid blood results, but who have lower than normal body temperature, can be helped with his particular thyroid therapy. It’s the real deal, and it works.

I went to my doctor, told her the situation, explained why I thought I might be a candidate for this therapy, and she went ahead and gave me cytomel. It is a pre-thyroid hormone, or something like that. Look it up to be sure I’m not giving you incorrect information about the cytomel. Anyhoo, it has worked wonders for me.

My symptoms (and on the Wilson website you’ll be surprised how many of them there are!), have almost completely subsided. We started at 50 micrograms (mcg), and I am at 150 mcg right now, and expect that’s where I’ll stay.

She told me that the main possible side effect is osteoporosis from the cytomel. However, I am going to have the bone density scans done as time goes by. I’m being careful about the calcium content of my diet, and I do weight bearing exercise to try and keep my bones pointing in the right direction.

Check out the Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome website, and see what you find out. If your doctor says no, try a different doctor.

I am very lucky with mine, in that she recently graduated and is still loving her profession. She is also open to new possibilities and new ideas. Try a young doctor if your current one isn’t doing it for you.

Good luck, and keep pushing for this. It just might work for you, and if it does, you’ll wonder where the real you has been hiding! Your body should have the proper hormones to feel and function right!

Incidently, my symptoms included extreme fatigue, uncaring or unwilling to move through the day, constipation, body aches, being cold or chilly a lot, feeling kind of “foggy”, losing words when I was talking… I KNEW the word I wanted to say, but couldn’t recall what it was… things like that. Once I was driving and all of a sudden just panicked because I thought I was going the wrong way on a 1 way road. Totally not the way it was, but I was confused and frightened. Only happened once, but it felt like just a severe mental fog setting in briefly. Nothing even similar to that has happened since I started on the cytomel. All the symptoms have lifted, and the lack of fogginess and having some energy (not an abnormal amount, just a NORMAL amount), feels great!

Hang in there, and keep trying. Check out cytomel on the net and learn about it so that when you talk with your doctor, you will be informed and ready to champion your cause. It’s your body, make sure that whatever doctor you have knows that is how you feel!

Q: symptoms of overactive and underactive thyroid?
i think i may have an overactive thyroid but dont know what the symptoms are! can anyone please help explain what symptoms might occur with an underactive thyroid and an overactive thyroid please?
im mainly asking because my moods havent been good lately, i thought maybe my pill had been the problem but ive been on it for 4 years and ive only just become moody lol
also, excessive hair i thought was down to an overactive thyroid…is that right?

A: overactive thyroid

you will sweat a lot
weight loss over a few months
your eyeballs may be popping out.
you might have palpitations
your palms will be warm and sweaty
you will feel anxious and jittery.
high pulse

underactive thyroid ( opposite to evrythin thats there in overactive)

mostly it will be unexplained weight gain..
lethargy… you might not feel like doing stuff u used to..
cold palms and soles..

Q: I think i have underactive thyroid?
I have all the symptoms of underactive thyroid, but my blood test come back as normal. Although it does not show up in my blood, can I still have it?
Even though the blood test come back as okay, i still think i have it as i got ALL the symtoms of underactive thyroid and its not just a temporary thing, i have had it a while and its getting worse and worse and i know in myself that it isn’t right.

A: No the blood test was telling the truth!

Q: Is an underactive thyroid if left untreated harmful?
I have had symptoms of an underactive thyroid for almost 2 years now (tiredness, rapid weight gain, feeling cold and then hot, numb toes and arms etc) is it harmful if left untreated? Also is there any pills I can buy over the counter (in the UK) that can help regulate my thyroid? Thanks

A: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain important hormones.

Women, especially those older than 50, are more likely to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

The good news is that accurate thyroid function tests are available to diagnose hypothyroidism, and treatment of hypothyroidism with synthetic thyroid hormone is usually simple, safe and effective once the proper dosage is established.

You will need to see a doctor who will determine how much thyroid hormone you will need. This medication is very inexpensive but you will need to be tested by your doctor from time to time.

Q: Question on med Levothyroxine for underactive thyroid?
I was told by my doctor recently that I have an underactive thyroid (never had that before I am 44) so he put me on Levothyroxine. Once a day 0.100MG. I am wondering if anyone has any good or bad news on this drug or personal experience and their symptoms of an underactive thyroid because I feel okay. (Aside from being tired). Thanks.

A: Many women become low thyroid as they get older.

I was diagnosed with low thyroid when I went in for a physical before getting pregnant. I was 39 years old and was unaware of any symptoms. As far as drugs and side effects go, levothyroxine is much better than most pharmaceuticals.

However, some people don’t do all that well with levothyroxine, and since it is the standard drug for docs to prescribe with low thyroid, if you are one of the people who doesn’t do well on it, you may have a tough road ahead to get someone to do the tests and experimenting you will need to get the right medicine and the right dose.

As time went on I did feel very tired, even on the drug, and had other symptoms as well (shortness of breath, confused thinking, hard to lose weight). The symptoms can be very subtle – so subtle that you don’t notice them until you feel better due to drugs or whatever, then you say “wow, I feel like myself again. I didn’t even notice how bad I was feeling.”

A great website for info is http://thyroid.about.com

Q: underactive thyroid………………?
i have had blood tests and says im on borderline of an underactive thyroid i feel so lifeless im getting deppressed and these are symptoms of underactive thyroid this is my second lot of tests ive had as well but the doctor wont give me anything to help it does anyone have any advice on what to do please

A: Underactive thyroid needs to be treated with medication so that your body gets the thyroiud hormones it needs – there is NO other way.
Your symptoms are clearly thyroid related and if your doctor won’t treat you, you need a new doctor who knows whatr they’re doing or an endocrinologost who is experienced in treat the thyroid.
When you say borderline, you need to find out exactly what your levels (test results) are? You are ENTITLED to this information, The do some research. If they are over 3 or 4 and certainly over 5, then you NEED treatment and the doctor need sto be reminded that refusal to treat IS a problem.

Q: Started a vegan diet about two months ago, I have recently had symptoms of an underactive thyroid?
I started eating a vegan diet about 3 months ago. In the last 2 weeks, I’m freezing all of the time (I live in the Arizona, so it’s not exactly cold), my skin has gotten drier, always sleepy, sore muscles for no reason. I’m on the thin side, but I always have been.

could it be soy milk inhibiting my thyroid? I drink about a glass or two a day.
I am well-versed in nutrition. For the first two weeks of eating, I anally documented everything I ate and changed my diet accordingly to meet dietary needs.
and that’s how I started drinking soy milk – for calcium and B12, the two nutrients I was lacking.

A: First of all, do not attempt to self-diagnose a problem. This should be done by a doctor. You could go down a list of symptoms and it could match almost anything. You may have an infection for all you know.

Are you not using iodized salt? If you have an iodine deficiency, this could cause thyroid problems http://www.vegfamily.com/dietician/1006a.htm Salt has been iodized in the US for the better part of the past century for all people– including meat eaters. If you don’t use it, you need to get a bit of iodine in your diet somewhere– about 150 mcg. http://veganhealth.org/articles/iodine/

I’m going to assume, because of your thin condition, that you do not eat a whole lot of food. Is that a correct assumption? Do you have any kind of eating disorder? Make sure you eat enough food to maintain a healthy weight, and meet your nutritional needs– such as getting enough iron, calcium, and other micronutrients. Iron is especially important for females who have their monthly period, because you lose iron when you bleed. If you are female and you’re of menstruating age, you need more iron than a male. Vegetarians may also need a bit more iron from plant sources because it is nonheme. http://veganhealth.org/articles/iron/

You also want to be sure you’re eating vitamin B12 daily in either a supplement or in fortified foods in addition to eating a healthy diet. Here’s an excellent website on vegetarian and vegan nutrition http://www.vrg.org/

edit: The reason I mentioned iodine was because you asked about soy and thyroid. The American Dietetic Association stated, “Foods such as soybeans, cruciferous vegetables, and sweet potatoes contain natural goitrogens. These foods have not been associated with thyroid insufficiency in healthy people provided iodine intake is adequate (They cited Messina M, Redmond G. Effects of soy protein and soybean isoflavones on thyroid function in healthy adults and hypothyroid patients: a review of the relevant literature. Thyroid. 2006;16:249-258.).” http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/VegetarianPositionFINAL.pdf If your iodine is fine, this research indicates that it’s not the soy that would cause a thyroid problem.

Q: Is one of the symptom of thyroid disease excessive saliva/slober in the trachea/throat?
Are the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland excessive slober in the trachea/throat?
or is that a symptom of an underactive thyroid gland??
which one?

A: No, that is not a symptom of thyroid disease.

Q: What are the symptoms of a thyroid diorder in a child age 9?
My daughter’s tyroid seem enlarged and I was curious if she may have an underactive thyroid. She had gained weight in the last year.
And what causes thyroid problems

A: o poor memory and concentration
o tiredness & fatigue
o depression
o irritability
o weight gain
o muscle weakness and cramps
o intolerance to cold weather
o deteriorating or slowing growth rate
o constipation
o dry, coarse, itchy skin
o brittle hair
o a croaky, hoarse voice
o slow reflexes
o slow heart rate
o delayed as well as precocious sexual development
o high cholesterol levels
o girls may suffer from increased menstrual flow

NB: children and adolescents with under activity of the thyroid may have almost no symptoms or signs other than weight gain or slowing growth.

Q: Just diagnosed with fibromyalgia but had all the symptoms for hypothyroidism but blood work was normal ????
I had alot of the symptoms for underactive thyroid so I went to the dr. but all the blood work came back normal, at least what they consider normal. They ran a few more tests checking for arthritis and lupus but they were normal also so the dr. said he felt I had fibromyalgia and put me on cyclobenzaprine. Has anyone had the same thing happen to them.

A: For some reason that doctors don’t understand, there is a connection between hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. In fact some studies say 15% of people diagnosed with hypothyroidism will develop fibromyalgia. Did you see a rheumatologist? Fibromyalgia is very difficult to diagnose and is normally only diagnosed by a rheumatolgist by taking a complete history and a physical exam checking for 18 tender areas called trigger points. If your doctor isn’t a specialist, I would be suspicious about that diagnosis, especially if he didn’t check you for these tender spots. It’s not something that can be diagnosed simply by ruling other things out. That being said, I’d see a specialist for sure, because the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and has no known cure and there are lots of diseases that are MISdiagnosed as fibro. You may actually have something more treatable. Look into Lyme disease, which is also often misdiagnosed as fibro. I have both hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia but since I’m in the medical field I have a hard time with not knowing the cause of fibromyalgia. I’ve done lots of research and find that there are a lot of closely related diseases often misdiagnosed as fibro such as Lyme, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and adult growth hormone deficiency. I guess my point is that it’s hard to live with something with no known cause or cure, so see the specialists, ask lots of questions, and try to find out if it could be something else. Good luck!

Q: what are the symptoms of underactive and/or overactive thyroid?

A: Hypothyroidism- patient is slow with a slow pulse, cold course skin, course facial features, tends to gain weight, may retain fluid especially in the legs. and may get memory loss and occasionally psychiatric disturbance. May develop diffuse enlargement of the thyroid.

Hyperthyroidism- patient is fidgety and anxious, fast pulse, sweaty hot skin and may lose weight. Patient may also develop protruding staring eyes, which may precede the other symptoms. May develop nodular enlargement of the thyroid.

Q: what are the symptoms of an over/underactive thyroid gland?

A: Overactive – loosing weight, heart palpitations, shaking hands, heat intolerance, greasy hair / acne, bulging eyes, gritty eyes – basically your body overworking because its got too much thyroid hormone in your blood. These are the symptoms I had before treatment.

Underactive – putting on weight or unable to loose any weight, feeling the cold, dry skin, headaches, pins and needles, tiredness – the opposite of overactive, in that your body does not have enough thyroid hormone. These are the symptoms I have now that I’ve gone the opposite end of the scale due to RAI treatment.

Q: Are underactive thyroid symptoms similar to any other disorder?

A: yes i have an underactive thyroid and the symptoms are very similar to depression. ie feeling tired, not sleeping properly low sex drive, low moods etc. if u are worried look on nhs direct website and u can diagnose yourself based on your symptoms or visit your gp. hope u feel better

Q: Underactive thyroid symptoms?
My mom has an overactive thyroid- and I think I have an Underactive thyroid…..I always feel sluggish, hungry and I’m always bloated, I have also gained some weight recently.. Are there any other symptoms with an underactive thyroid? I going to a doctor next week but I would like to get a little bit of info about it.

Thanks

A: Being anxious and even depressed can sometimes be a symptom of an underactive thyroid for some people (an example only but I have read about this and talked to others who have had similar symptoms).

I am also including the link to a site that may help you find even more information:

http://thyroid.about.com

Q: Can underactive thyroid function symptoms be similar to early pregnancy symptoms?

A: Yes
My sister has an underactive thyroid
Answer mine

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsKTc9xeJQWKO5dm0kKj39Xsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080827071251AANLkhb

Q: Will my underactive thyroid symptoms go away once I start my meds?
I have a VERY LOW underactive thyroid (according to my doctor it is terribly low).

I have really bad symptoms like everything with me is wrong, my hair falls out like no tomorrow, just chunks at a time, and its like dead straw hair. my muscles are super weak, if I write two sentences my arms will start to ache, I recently gained 30 pounds (when I was eating less and exercising more, my doctor says its cause my metabolism is so slow from my underactive thyroid thats why I am gaining weight), I get really bad shortness in breathe, pale, poor memory, swollen hands and feet, Hoarseness or deepening of the voice, brittle thin nails, bad immune system, heavy periods, joint pain, EVERYTHING! it causes soo many problems, ecspecially with the horsey throat and the dry hair falling out soo much, weight gain, swollen fingers and muscle soreness there my main big problems..
they are truly ruining my life, I am starting my meds next week, are my symptoms going to gradually go away (I really hope so) or am I going to have them all my life. Pleaseee people help me and answer me my mind is baffled with these questions, I need a clear answers.

Thank you soo much, GOD BLESS!

A: It may take a couple of weeks, but you will definitely feel much better. Most of the time, the doctor will start you on an estimated dose then draw your blood level in a week or two, then adjust your dose until they get it just right. Be patient; you will be fine.

Q: what r the symptoms of an underactive thyroid?
I have been extremely tired for the past week and have dry and sore eyes. are these symptoms.. going to ring my doc tomorrow and try and get appt.

A: Not much there to suggest thyroid disease. Most doctors would not investigate tiredness present for any less than 4 weeks in the absence of any more significant symptoms.

Q: symptoms of overactive and underactive thyroid?
i think i may have an overactive thyroid but dont know what the symptoms are! can anyone please help explain what symptoms might occur with an underactive thyroid and an overactive thyroid please?
im mainly asking because my moods havent been good lately, i thought maybe my pill had been the problem but ive been on it for 4 years and ive only just become moody lol
also, excessive hair i thought was down to an overactive thyroid…is that right?

A: overactive thyroid

you will sweat a lot
weight loss over a few months
your eyeballs may be popping out.
you might have palpitations
your palms will be warm and sweaty
you will feel anxious and jittery.
high pulse

underactive thyroid ( opposite to evrythin thats there in overactive)

mostly it will be unexplained weight gain..
lethargy… you might not feel like doing stuff u used to..
cold palms and soles..

Q: underactive thyroid………………?
i have had blood tests and says im on borderline of an underactive thyroid i feel so lifeless im getting deppressed and these are symptoms of underactive thyroid this is my second lot of tests ive had as well but the doctor wont give me anything to help it does anyone have any advice on what to do please

A: Underactive thyroid needs to be treated with medication so that your body gets the thyroiud hormones it needs – there is NO other way.
Your symptoms are clearly thyroid related and if your doctor won’t treat you, you need a new doctor who knows whatr they’re doing or an endocrinologost who is experienced in treat the thyroid.
When you say borderline, you need to find out exactly what your levels (test results) are? You are ENTITLED to this information, The do some research. If they are over 3 or 4 and certainly over 5, then you NEED treatment and the doctor need sto be reminded that refusal to treat IS a problem.

Q: What are your thyroid symptoms?
I’ve read all the literature and some other questions, but I want to know YOUR symptoms of an over or underactive thyroid. What do you experience? I think mine is low, but I haven’t had it checked yet. What do you say to the doctor if it is a low normal and they don’t think you need meds, but you know it just ain’t workin’ for you? “Give me some freakin’ drugs!”?
Holy crap! That low temperature thing is totally me! Who knew?!

A: I know exactly what you’re talking about.

You know you aren’t feeling right. You just KNOW it’s probably your thyroid, because according to all the literature, and everyone you talk to, your symptoms and the way you just “feel” match a diagnosis of thyroid deficiency perfectly.

BUT… you go into your doc’s office, he draws blood. You ask him to be sure to check both T3 and T4. Reluctantly he says okay, acting like the patient shouldn’t be making suggestions like that. So the results come back, and what a surprise, they are within “normal limits.” Am I right?

So, here’s what worked for me. First, I came upon this website for Dr. Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome. This is a naturopath, I think, who presents compelling evidence that people with otherwise normal thyroid blood results, but who have lower than normal body temperature, can be helped with his particular thyroid therapy. It’s the real deal, and it works.

I went to my doctor, told her the situation, explained why I thought I might be a candidate for this therapy, and she went ahead and gave me cytomel. It is a pre-thyroid hormone, or something like that. Look it up to be sure I’m not giving you incorrect information about the cytomel. Anyhoo, it has worked wonders for me.

My symptoms (and on the Wilson website you’ll be surprised how many of them there are!), have almost completely subsided. We started at 50 micrograms (mcg), and I am at 150 mcg right now, and expect that’s where I’ll stay.

She told me that the main possible side effect is osteoporosis from the cytomel. However, I am going to have the bone density scans done as time goes by. I’m being careful about the calcium content of my diet, and I do weight bearing exercise to try and keep my bones pointing in the right direction.

Check out the Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome website, and see what you find out. If your doctor says no, try a different doctor.

I am very lucky with mine, in that she recently graduated and is still loving her profession. She is also open to new possibilities and new ideas. Try a young doctor if your current one isn’t doing it for you.

Good luck, and keep pushing for this. It just might work for you, and if it does, you’ll wonder where the real you has been hiding! Your body should have the proper hormones to feel and function right!

Incidently, my symptoms included extreme fatigue, uncaring or unwilling to move through the day, constipation, body aches, being cold or chilly a lot, feeling kind of “foggy”, losing words when I was talking… I KNEW the word I wanted to say, but couldn’t recall what it was… things like that. Once I was driving and all of a sudden just panicked because I thought I was going the wrong way on a 1 way road. Totally not the way it was, but I was confused and frightened. Only happened once, but it felt like just a severe mental fog setting in briefly. Nothing even similar to that has happened since I started on the cytomel. All the symptoms have lifted, and the lack of fogginess and having some energy (not an abnormal amount, just a NORMAL amount), feels great!

Hang in there, and keep trying. Check out cytomel on the net and learn about it so that when you talk with your doctor, you will be informed and ready to champion your cause. It’s your body, make sure that whatever doctor you have knows that is how you feel!

Q: What are symptoms of a child with a underactive thyroid?

A: Symptoms of hypothyroidism in a child may include weight gain; not growing in height, fatigue, depression, mood changes, constipation, muscle and joint aches, dry skin, headaches, and all the other symptoms that adults can get like, low blood pressure, vertigo, slow heart rate, low body temp, feeling cold especially hands and feet, ridged fingernails, dry thinning hair, sore throat, sleep apnea, sensitivity to light, and thinning eyebrows

Q: Is an underactive thyroid if left untreated harmful?
I have had symptoms of an underactive thyroid for almost 2 years now (tiredness, rapid weight gain, feeling cold and then hot, numb toes and arms etc) is it harmful if left untreated? Also is there any pills I can buy over the counter (in the UK) that can help regulate my thyroid? Thanks

A: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain important hormones.

Women, especially those older than 50, are more likely to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism upsets the normal balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

The good news is that accurate thyroid function tests are available to diagnose hypothyroidism, and treatment of hypothyroidism with synthetic thyroid hormone is usually simple, safe and effective once the proper dosage is established.

You will need to see a doctor who will determine how much thyroid hormone you will need. This medication is very inexpensive but you will need to be tested by your doctor from time to time.

Q: Question on med Levothyroxine for underactive thyroid?
I was told by my doctor recently that I have an underactive thyroid (never had that before I am 44) so he put me on Levothyroxine. Once a day 0.100MG. I am wondering if anyone has any good or bad news on this drug or personal experience and their symptoms of an underactive thyroid because I feel okay. (Aside from being tired). Thanks.

A: Many women become low thyroid as they get older.

I was diagnosed with low thyroid when I went in for a physical before getting pregnant. I was 39 years old and was unaware of any symptoms. As far as drugs and side effects go, levothyroxine is much better than most pharmaceuticals.

However, some people don’t do all that well with levothyroxine, and since it is the standard drug for docs to prescribe with low thyroid, if you are one of the people who doesn’t do well on it, you may have a tough road ahead to get someone to do the tests and experimenting you will need to get the right medicine and the right dose.

As time went on I did feel very tired, even on the drug, and had other symptoms as well (shortness of breath, confused thinking, hard to lose weight). The symptoms can be very subtle – so subtle that you don’t notice them until you feel better due to drugs or whatever, then you say “wow, I feel like myself again. I didn’t even notice how bad I was feeling.”

A great website for info is http://thyroid.about.com

Q: Underactive Thyroid?
I got my blood tests back and been diagnosed with borderline underactive thyroid disease – as it is borderline my doctor has decided to take blood tests in a couple of weeks to decide if I need the treatment , has anyone got any information they could provide or personal experiences or symptoms?

I am 22 by the way. Thanks

A: Many patients remain borderline for many years, so your doctor is right not to be in any hurry to treat you. Once this decision is made you will be on levothyroxine for life.

Classically patients with frank underactive thyroids are cold, slow, have dry skin, slow pulse and may gain weight.

Q: what are the symptoms of an over/underactive thyroid gland?

A: Overactive – loosing weight, heart palpitations, shaking hands, heat intolerance, greasy hair / acne, bulging eyes, gritty eyes – basically your body overworking because its got too much thyroid hormone in your blood. These are the symptoms I had before treatment.

Underactive – putting on weight or unable to loose any weight, feeling the cold, dry skin, headaches, pins and needles, tiredness – the opposite of overactive, in that your body does not have enough thyroid hormone. These are the symptoms I have now that I’ve gone the opposite end of the scale due to RAI treatment.

Q: Started a vegan diet about two months ago, I have recently had symptoms of an underactive thyroid?
I started eating a vegan diet about 3 months ago. In the last 2 weeks, I’m freezing all of the time (I live in the Arizona, so it’s not exactly cold), my skin has gotten drier, always sleepy, sore muscles for no reason. I’m on the thin side, but I always have been.

could it be soy milk inhibiting my thyroid? I drink about a glass or two a day.
I am well-versed in nutrition. For the first two weeks of eating, I anally documented everything I ate and changed my diet accordingly to meet dietary needs.
and that’s how I started drinking soy milk – for calcium and B12, the two nutrients I was lacking.

A: First of all, do not attempt to self-diagnose a problem. This should be done by a doctor. You could go down a list of symptoms and it could match almost anything. You may have an infection for all you know.

Are you not using iodized salt? If you have an iodine deficiency, this could cause thyroid problems http://www.vegfamily.com/dietician/1006a.htm Salt has been iodized in the US for the better part of the past century for all people– including meat eaters. If you don’t use it, you need to get a bit of iodine in your diet somewhere– about 150 mcg. http://veganhealth.org/articles/iodine/

I’m going to assume, because of your thin condition, that you do not eat a whole lot of food. Is that a correct assumption? Do you have any kind of eating disorder? Make sure you eat enough food to maintain a healthy weight, and meet your nutritional needs– such as getting enough iron, calcium, and other micronutrients. Iron is especially important for females who have their monthly period, because you lose iron when you bleed. If you are female and you’re of menstruating age, you need more iron than a male. Vegetarians may also need a bit more iron from plant sources because it is nonheme. http://veganhealth.org/articles/iron/

You also want to be sure you’re eating vitamin B12 daily in either a supplement or in fortified foods in addition to eating a healthy diet. Here’s an excellent website on vegetarian and vegan nutrition http://www.vrg.org/

edit: The reason I mentioned iodine was because you asked about soy and thyroid. The American Dietetic Association stated, “Foods such as soybeans, cruciferous vegetables, and sweet potatoes contain natural goitrogens. These foods have not been associated with thyroid insufficiency in healthy people provided iodine intake is adequate (They cited Messina M, Redmond G. Effects of soy protein and soybean isoflavones on thyroid function in healthy adults and hypothyroid patients: a review of the relevant literature. Thyroid. 2006;16:249-258.).” http://www.eatright.org/ada/files/VegetarianPositionFINAL.pdf If your iodine is fine, this research indicates that it’s not the soy that would cause a thyroid problem.

Q: Can the symptoms of diabetes and underactive thyroid be the same?
SORRY FOR ASKING SO MUCH
A little over a year ago I woke up from drinking and felt like shit, which usually isn’t the case. The next two months or so I started to notice that I was urinating a lot and drinking a lot more water than usual. Then I moved from Pennsylvania to Denver and really started to notice the difference. Every day I would wake up feeling as if I had a hangover. I thought it was just the altitude difference but as time went on things got even worse. So I went to the doctors to see if I was diabetic and they said I have an underactive thyroid. They gave me .05mg of levothyroxine “which isn’t a lot from what I understand” and I have been on it for almost a year now. They said I may be sensitive to high level as glucose but should just eat right and exercise. So I have a few questions
1.I’m only 21, is that normal
2.I wasn’t and still am not fat for having a “decrease appetite”
3.I still tend to get dry mouth and urinate a lot “back at sea level, Rhode island lots of humidity”
4.My meds say not to eat anything for an hour after taking it, which if I eat anything within 1.5-2hrs I usually feel like shit and get extreme dry mouth.
5.And ever since college I started to wet to bed every couple months “usually after drinking” is this because of excess blood sugar

A: to me its not the same but why not have a test and find out if you have sugar problems also. its a different test but it could be sugar problems and not that other i am not sure which type of doctor ou saw but i would take and find out cause sugar can make you feel bad and it can tire you out and it could b that instead.

Q: Underactive thyroid?
I have a few questions….once u go on medications for underactive thyroid do u have to stay on it forever? Does the medications cause decrease sex drive? Can weight loss stabilize thyroid? Can the heart palpatations lead to more serious heart problems?
I dont know the cause of it yet.

A: once on the med–you will probably have a blood test to check the level of the drug in your blood-and your meds will be adjusted accordingly–you will probably be on it for life–the meds have no effect on your sex drive–weight loss will do nothing for your thyroid-but-the proper amount of thyroid hormone in your blood may actually help with the weight loss–your thyroid actually regulates your metabolism–and if yours isn’t working uo to par-the meds just give it a boost!

Q: Underactive Thyroid?
I have only recently been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and to tell you that i am absoutely knackered, not even hearing alarms and late for work. Would i be better to take some time off sick to let the levothyrone tablets to work?

A: You would be much better asking your doctor this question.

Here’s one factsheet you could read http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/underactive_thyroid.html but I would strongly advise you to ask your doctor for more information on managing it. Doctors aren’t just there to write prescriptions, they’re there to help us manage our health too.

Here’s some more information at the British Thyroid Foundation too – hopefully you’ll be able to find some support there too.

http://www.btf-thyroid.org/

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Q: underactive thyroid?
I was just wondering if anyone out there has an underactive thyroid? How long have you had it and how do you feel physically? How did you feel when you where first diagnosed? Explain symptoms please. Any advice for me as to feeling better.
I have an underactive thyroid and have had it for 5 years. Got it after I had my daughter and stopped breast feeding. I am on medicine and get blood work done regularly. Still feel kind of sick alot. Have had multiple tests on evrything else including my brain. Just wondering if anyone else out there has problems with it.

A: I have had hypo thyroids for 13 yrs..I have been on synthroid for yrs and not to lie to you I have never felt they way I used to..I wake up tired and sometimes so depressed that I can’t handle life ..I have gained a lot of weight but still not as much as a lot of others.I have no self confidence no more and I have alot of fears and anxiety.Going to walk the dog is hard now..Making supper for family is hard..I stay sick and get sick easy..It’s like I no longer have a immune system..I have mood swings like I have bi polar and severe menstrual problems.Sometime I don’t even have a period at all for months and then I have one that last a week and then off for a week and starts over again..I really don’t eat alot and still gain weight and it is very difficult for me to loose weight even when I follow a doctors plan..My blood pressure is low and really that is only the one good thing about this disorder..I am cold all the time and in the summer I can’t take the heat at all.I don’t sun burn but sweat like a hog…I hope you find something to help you and if you do let me know Please..Thanks and Good Luck….

Q: What happens if thyroxine doesnt work for an underactive thyroid?
My friend has an underactive thyroid and she`s now taking 100micrograms yet its showing no improvement, does that mean she`ll need to have surgery? she is very scared!!! thanks

A: Have a look at these sites…
Im sure it will help ur frnd,this are very informative sites.
Do check it….

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/underactive-thyroid-treatments-levothyroxine-lthyroxine

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/underactive_thyroid.html

Q: How can I get fit when I have underactive thyroid & depression?
I am taking meds for depression (Bipolar too) and Underactive thyroid how can I lose weight? Will Wii fit work?

A: No Wii Fit isn’t really the answer as the level of exercise is so mild. It is a fun thing to do however so you can do it as well as doing other exercises. The best way to help you get rid of depression and the weight that can come from an underactive thyroid is a really good, strict diets and plenty of cardio based exercises. Have your tried running+ Start slowly and build up. A lot of my clients claim that its “natures anti-depressant” and a brilliant help when you are feeling low.

Q: Will the atkins diet help you to lose weight if you have an underactive thyroid?
I recently found out my thyroid is underactive and that is why I have struggled with my weight for so long. Does anyone know if the atkins diet will work with and underactive thyroid? I am already on meds for my thyroid and it seems to be normal at times when they check it and others off a little. I have only had blood work done twice though.

A: I also have an under active thyroid and have tried a low calorie diet, and have lost weight. My aunt does the Atkins diet and she seem to loose weight on it ( and she also has an under active thyroid). I hope it helps. I think once you are stable at a normal level, then you will just have to try a little hard then other to loose the weight. Good Luck.

Q: Does any one have any healthy tips on a underactive Thyroid?
Since being diagonosed with a underactive thyroid and having it removed, my weight has gone up by two stone, I exercise regular and watch what I eat, but there’s no shift, I just joint a gym and hope this will help, but could benefit from any tips. Thanks BB.

A: Hi. I have an underactive thyroid as a result of long-term Lithium use for Bipolar. I gained alot of weight too. I assume that you are on thryoid hormone medication and that it is checked regualarly? I have my thyroid levels checked every 3 months to make sure my medication is working.

Besides that, I try to get 30-45 mintues a day of cardiovascular exercise by walking and I lift weights 3 times a week. The weight-lifting helps the most because it builds muscle.

Also, try and get enough sleep because I have read that lack of sleep and stress can cause cortisol levels to increase. Cortisol increases fat particularly in your stomach.

Q: Can underactive thyroid affect the ability to get prego?
If you have an underactive thyroid can that affect your ability to become prego? It is hereditary for women in my family after the birth of their frist child. I have a daughter and we r TTC again. I am wondering if this can/will be a factor in our ability to concieve quickly?
Also in case its a factor, I am not taking any medication for it at the moment.

A: You definately need to be checked if you think you might have an underactive thyroid. It does make it harder to get pregnant, and if by chance you do get pregnant without treatment , they are finding links to pregnant women with untreated underactive thyroid (HYPO-thyroidism) to brain under-development during gestation to later learning disabilities.

It took me a year to concieve with untreated hypothyroidism, (normally I concieve very easily. ) My levels were still within normal even though I was having symptoms (no periods for months and months before I concieved.) This was in the 90s. So the Dr. didn’t medicate me. My son has learning problems, had speech delays, ect. Finally when I started losing hair and my levels were still on the edge of normal I started taking meds and my cycles are now perfect 28 day cycles. It makes a big difference. Be careful and Good luck.

Q: How to lose weight with a underactive thyroid?
I have an underactive thyroid and would really like to lose the weight that i’ve put on from it. I’m not awfuly overweight and I love to do physical activity. But its very hard for me to lose it because of my thyroid! it seems like whenever I lose some weight, I gain most of it back. any tips?
also, it seems working out helps more for me rather than cutting out food more (although I know I need to do both)

A: I have an underactive thyroid as well, yet I still lose weight at a normal rate. (2-4 lbs a week) I exercise and eat well, and it shows. Don’t let fatique get the better of you. You can do this, even if that means walking for only ten minutes a day. That’s sure a lot better than sitting around wishing you could exercise for an two hours. It’s great that you already love to be active!Keep a positive outlook on life and laugh often, this will give you energy and make you more positive towards losing weight. Remember, a sucessful diet has to be a lifestyle change. When you reach goal, don’t stop eating fruit and veggies and exercising.
Losing weight with a sluggish thyroid is a challenge, but defintely far from impossible!

Q: Can you lose weight if you thyroid is underactive?
I’ve had a problem with my thyroid for years and take medication. It is underactive. I am familiar with all the symptoms and I think it is underactive again and I need a stronger medication.

Thing is though – I am losing weight. Muscle weight. I shouldn’t be – I eat a lot! This has been going on for about a month now. Does this happen sometimes with an underactive thyroid?

A: It can happen.

I highly recommend finding a good chiropractor/nutritional specialist. Your body isn’t getting the nutrition it needs. A chiropractor can see that neck and spinal vertebrae are in place, so that nerves aren’t getting pinched. You would be surprised at what pinched nerves can cause.

They can also check to see what your thyroid needs. It doesn’t really need medications to regulate it, it needs natural supplements to feed it so it can heal itself. Your adrenal glands may be run-down too, because they work with the thyroid.

More and more insurance plans are covering chiropractic, so don’t delay. Good luck!!

Q: How do I treat my underactive thyroid?
I have an underactive thyroid. My initail levels were TSH 180 and T3 was 7. I am now on 150mg of thyroxine but my TSH is still high at 19. Does anyone have any ideas of how I could help this myself in the meantime as i am always tired, feeling run down. Also have high blood pressure and am on medication for that.

A: You will need to be patient. Go for frequent blood tests, every 4-6 weeks until your TSH is in a normal range. Your doctor should raise your dose after a high TSH test. If your TSH is normal and you still do not feel well, you may wish to try cytomel (t3), along with thyroxine (t4). Some people have trouble converting T4 into T3.

Take your medication, and do not eat food near the time you take it. It interferes with the absorption of it.

I had my thyroid removed, and until my medication was correct it was very tough. Even after I thought my medication was correct, it needed to be modified. I now take 200 mcg.

Q: Have other women with an underactive thyroid and menopausal gone off sex?
I am in my late 40’s and suffer with an underactive thyroid and am also going through the menopause. My problem is I have no sexual urges at all. This has been going on for the last two years and it is causing problems in my marriage as obviously my husband wants sex but I wont do it just to keep him happy. Is this normal and is there anything I can do to get my sex drive back as I used to really enjoy sex ?

A: Talk to your doctor. A drop in libido is pretty common as you enter menopause, because it’s dictated by your hormones…and well, those are all out of whack.

You could try maybe using some OTC remedies for menopause symptoms and see if that doesn’t help things.

There are also female sexual enhancement drugs marketed called Avlimil & Sentia….you could maybe look into that as well.

Good luck.

Q: I potentially have an underactive thyroid. Should it be safe for me to drink alcohol?
There is a chance that I have an underactive thyroid, but am waiting for blood test results.

I rarely drink, but soon I am having a birthday party and would be consuming alcohol.

Is this okay for someone with a potentially underactive thyroid?

A: i have an underactive thyroid and i get drunk at least 3 times a week. are you not supposed to drink with hypothyroidism?

Q: what is the medication used to treat an underactive thyroid, and how well does it work?
If you have gained a lot of weight (1-2 Stone) due to an underactive thyroid will the medication help you to lose weight?

A: Thyroxine or the non synthetic version – Armour are used to treat thyroid problems. They do not help you to lose weight unfortunately but they help to support your thyroid which should help some of the other symptoms diminish like exhaustion, irregular body temp, hair loss etc.

Exercise and a diet full of the right foods for your thyroid

Q: I have borderline underactive thyroid. Can Kelp tablets help and how long do they take to have an effect?
Doctor says will do another blood test in 2mnths but I’m tired out! The last blood test showed I had underactive thyroid so Doc did another one 2wks later and now its just borderline.

A: I really think you should allow your doctor to keep a watch on your condition for a while.
If you start taking Kelp or any other treatment the doctor is not going to be able to get a true reading and you could mask another condition.
Be patient for a little while, it may sort it self out.

Best wishes