Q: Thyroid problems?
I have fibromyalgia, which has a lot of the same symptoms as thyroid problems. But now I’m wondering if I might have that. I have an appointment for a physical next week (but I might have to cancel it since my period is due to start by Monday) and I plan on talking to my doctor about it.
What are some of the symptoms? My friend had a problem with her thyroid and I know everyone is different, so I’d like to know what your symptoms have been.

A: there are 2 types of thyroidism hypo and hyper, I personally suffer from hypo type the symptoms are tiredness slow heart beats, the link below may provide you with what you seek

Q: Thyroid Problems?
I have Thyroid problems. My doctor told me my T3 hormone is off. If I don’t take Synthroid I feel like I’ve been walked all over. I have been on the medication for about a year and just recently I have started feeling bad. I think it might have something to do with my Thyroid but I have never seen a specialist. People ask me what kind of Thyroid disease I have but no one has ever told me. What I am asking is, should I see a specialist? If I don’t need to see one what should I ask my doctor to get the information I need?

A: first off it is always good to see a specialist. 2nd your thyroid levels shoulld be tested every so often to see where they r at. This is important becuz most people need to adjust their Synthroid either up or down to accomodate theeeir thyroid levels. I would see a specialist becuz that is what they deal with all the time where as a family doc might not be as thorough. I would be willing to bet that your med needs adjustment. The thyroid disease the people are talking about is hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. One type the thyroid works to much and the other the thyroid doesn’t work enough. Sounds like hypothyroid to me but i am no Doctor. However I am into medicine and the body

Q: thyroid problems?
what are the symptoms of thyroid problems, is a deep voice one of the signs

A: I had an enlarged thyroid (goiter) and hypothyroidism. That caused my voice to become kind of hoarse so it sounded a little deeper. Other commong hypothyroidism symptoms include hair loss, weight gain, slow metabolism, fatigue, mental confusion, loss of memory, and feeling cold.

Hope that helps!

mari

Q: What are the most common treatment methods for thyroid problems?
My docotor is testing my blood for thyroid problems, and I would like to know what treatments they may suggest if I do have any problems. Also, what are the possible issues with my thyroid that they may be checking for? Signs and symptoms? Not sure if this makes a difference, but I am a 22 yr old female – two children/c-section.

A: FIRST THING~ If your doctor won’t listen to YOU, get a new one! YOU KNOW when your body is good & when it’s not! I refuse to listen to someone who won’t listen to me…because they think they know it all since they “went to school for the degree”. Well, they didn’t go to school & study MY BODY! So, get a new doc, and don’t feel bad about it. What if something bad happened to you? Would you hesitate to let that doc know at that point? DON”T LET IT GET THERE!
I have given several links below to read & perhaps you can read through & understand the different thyroid symptoms & problems.
Here is some information about myself, plus some symptoms since you seemed to be interested:
I have low thyroid. I’ve had it for 10 years. I got it after I had my second child at about the age of 25. If you have low thyroid…here’s a great question to answer: Can you see the floor of your house? That was what was asked of me at one point, and to my amazement, the answer was no!
My signs are: messy house, no desire to do anything…go anywhere, spend time with my kids or my guy, sleep a lot, hard to keep my eyes open at times, HUGE weight gain that over the past years have not found an easy way to take off…so I give up a lot, I have terribly dry hair & don’t wash it a lot so it stays strong, I have bumps on my face…not like pimples, but I think it’s from dry skin, and perhaps some others that I can’t remember at this time…that’s another symptom–forgetfullness.
Here are the “GENERAL” signs for most people: fatigue and lack of energy. Women suffering from underactive thyroid experience heavier menstrual periods. Sluggishness and forgetfulness are symptoms of underactive thyroid problem. Other symptoms of this thyroid disorder are dry skin and hair and constipation.
If you have high thyroid, or an overactive one, the signs are: increased body metabolism. This is followed by weight loss and excessive warmth and sweating. Persons suffering from overactive thyroid experience trembling hands, irritability and rapid heartbeat or palpitations. Women with overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism may experience shorter or lighter menstrual periods.
I take medication, and sadly will have to take 1 pill everyday for the rest of my life. There’s a blood check that they will do to see if you have low or high. I hope i’ve helped you!!

Q: How do I tell the difference bwtn anemia and thyroid problems?
I never had anemia till I had my first child, that was 5 years ago. I’ve been dealing with it ever since and every child I’ve had after him it has gotten a little worse. I’m thinking its a nutritional defincientcy that my children took and I never replaced it somehow. I want this taken care of and cured. But some friends of mine said that I might have thyroid problems and to get it checked. What is the difference btwn the two and how can I tell? I’m not sure what to do. If anyone has experienced this or knows what to do please help, I have to chase after three children and need my energy. lol I would love to go to a naturopath but just don’t have the money to do it.

A: You need to get a blood test to determine what you have. There’s no sense messing around trying to figure it out on your own. It’s great that you’ve investigated it to a point, but once you realize you will need treatment regardless of which condition you have, you’re only delaying it by looking here. Call your doctor and make the appointment. The sooner you get it done the sooner you will be treated and you’ll be back to your old self.

Q: What are the risks of having Thyroid problems during pregnancy?
Some body I know is early in a pregnancy and just found out she has thyroid problems. What are the risks involved for the child? How severe are they?

A: There can be some potential risks ~ you didn’t mention if your friend is hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. I myself have hypothyroidism (underactive) and am currently 7 months pregnant. Continued use of prescribed meds should be taken and closely monitored by her endocrinologist & obstetrician as levels may vary while pregnant. The baby does not have it’s own thyroid function until the 2nd trimester. Also, with the thyroid medication, she should take it AT LEAST several hours before or after taking her prenatal vitamin.

Q: Does Alcohol affect the growth of someone with thyroid problems?
My daughter has a under-active thyroid, the condition she has is called hashimoto’s Disease. She is 17yrs old and her bone age is of a 12yr old. I found out she has been drinking alcohol when going out with her friends. Since her growth is already a problem with her thyroid almost non existent and will be gone in time, and trying to getting her growth development up to where she should be. I wanted to know how alcohol would affect someone with thyroid problems?

A: Alcohol has not direct effect on the thyrodi itself but it will effect pose as a problem with other systems in the body. Casual drinking is not a problem but it should be minized or avoided if possible.

The main affect is to slow metabolism of the body…more of an issue with weight gain in hypothyroid individuals especially after the teen years when the body begins to naturally slow metabolism. She wont grow much at this age but remind her she’s still an underage drinker . GOodluck

Q: How do they test for thyroid problems?
I’ve been having a lot of nasty symptoms for the past few months, and thyroid problems run in my family.

The problem is that I’m deathly afraid of getting blood taken from my arm. It’s like a phobia. I’ve avoid going to the doctor because of it.

Can they test for it some other way?

A: Basal temps are relatively accurate for some people but not others. The more reliable diagnostics require a blood draw. Bite the bullet.

Q: Do problems with your thyroid make a person irritable and hard to deal with?
I have a co-worker that used to be so easy to get along with. We laughed a lot and just got along great. Lately though she is often cranky and has such strong reactions to little things. She has been dealing with thyroid problems.
Has anyone had this happen?

A: Hi it can be possible as thyroid equalizes your hormones and then now that if it is her thyroid is causing trouble it is possible her hormones are all screwy which could cause the issues.

However I suspect it is more to do with the stress of having such a chronic illness is causing her. I have a chronic illness and it causes me a LOT of stress in a variety of areas.

I mean it could be causing her more medical bills and thyroid means expensive medication!

It could be causing problems within her home life with her relatives and husband & kids if she has them. Stress with money related and transfer into a HUGE variety of things.

Instead of looking at her as not your “fun work friend” right now, maybe start by offering her lunch on paydays.

Something that would help you both chill out, and spend some unrelated to work (thus unrelated to money) time together.

Ask her how things are going. Ask if she is finding it hard.

Just because she may be downplaying it–it doesnt’ sound like she is handling it well. That is where friends, family & even co-workers can help out!!

Trust me! Good luck!

Q: Does anyone know what the symptoms of thyroid problems are?
My sister told me see was having blood work done because her doctor thinks her symptoms may be explained by a thyroid problem. What are some common symptoms? She says one of her symptoms is her hair falling out. I can’t find anything about that symptom as related to thyroid problems!

A: The thyroid gland, which is in your neck, sets the rate at which you produce energy from your body’s stores by the release of thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroid
If you’re producing too much hormone, and the gland is overactive, you’re said to be hyperthyroid. You’ll have too much energy, lose weight, feel warm and may have symptoms such as palpitations.

There are many causes of an overactive thyroid and you may need blood tests and scans to find out what’s responsible.

The most common reason is when your body’s defences falsely recognise your own tissue as an invader and begin to attack it. This is called autoimmune disease and it stimulates the thyroid to produce more hormones.

If you have a cyst or growth in the thyroid, it may also produce too much hormone.

Hyperthyroidism symptoms may include:

weight loss
rapid heartbeat
tremor
excessive sweating
heat intolerance
anxiety
muscle weakness
goitre
irregular periods

Hypothyroid
If your thyroid is underactive – not producing enough hormone – you’ll have too little energy and will feel slow, tired and lethargic. You’ll become hypothyroid.

Again, there are many causes, but for some it seems to be part of the ageing process. Hypothyroidism is especially common in women after the menopause. Look for the following symptoms:

exhaustion, tiredness, sleep problems
difficulty concentrating or remembering
weight gain
dry hair, skin and nails
depression or anxiety
constipation
poor libido
breathlessness and swelling of feet
hoarseness
cold intolerance
face swelling and puffy eyes
in women, heavy periods

How many people are affected?
Hyperthyroidism affects up to one in 50 people and is ten times more common in women than in men. It can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 20 and 50.

Hypothyroidism is ten times more common in women than in men and usually occurs over the age of 40.

What’s the treatment?
It’s difficult to prevent thyroid illness. Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormone medication. Treatment of hyperthyroidism may involve medication to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, radioactive iodine therapy or a thyroidectomy (removal of part of the thyroid gland).

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006

Q: Can a teenager experience severe thyroid problems?
Hello. I’m fifteen years old and kind of curious as to if I have hypo/hyperthyroidism. I haven’t had a chance to get to a doctor just yet, but I plan on going soon. I did some research and it seems as though I have oh, so many of the symptoms. But I noticed that most people experiencing thyroid problems are in their mid-thirties. So maybe I can get a second opinion?
I’d greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

A: It’s entirely possible that you have a thyroid problem, even though you’re so young. My friend (who’s 16) has had a thyroid problem for many years, which she inherited. Definitely head to the doctor with your concerns, a simple blood test with find out if it’s your thyroid, and if it isn’t, you’ll be in the right place to find out what the problem really is.

Q: How do you get thyroid problems? Is it genetic? Can you avoid them?
My aunt has thyroid problems, and its hard for her to lose weight, but that’s half her part.

I exercise regularly and eat a reasonably healthy diet. Is that all there is to avoid thyroid disease?

And is it life threatening? Sorry, but i know nothing about this condition.

A: The cause is not well understood. Genetics probably play a part, but not in a predictable pattern, just a slightly increased chance. But thyroid problems are relatively common in the general population. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you are taking precautions to prevent it, which always helps! These conditions are treatable, and not life threatening (unless of course your are taking about cancer, but that doesn’t sound like your concern).

Q: Has anyone here had thyroid problems and lost pregnancies because of it?
there is a history of thyroid problems in my family. and I lost two pregnancies. Do you think its possible for these things to be related?

A: I heard that it was a possibility. No with that being said…. I have Hypothyroid and had a healthy 8 pound 1 ounce baby girl who was a day late. But I also was taking a thyroid medicine while I was pregnant, and before an dafter. Maybe talk to your doctor about that if you already haven’t. Hope this helped.

Q: Can Thyroid Problems Cause Infertility in Women?
I have been trying to get pregnant for a few months now. I have been diagnosed with thyroid problems: mainly, they are underactive. I am not taking any meds to correct this currently, and have heard that it can cause infertility in women. Is this true? If so, how common is it? Thanks for taking the time to read.

A: I have an underactive thyroid and since being diagnosed my cycles have been irregular (even on medication). A few years ago my cycles were every 5-6 weeks and although they were longer than usual, they had some kind of pattern to them which helped me to track ovulation. I got pregnant with my son within 6 months. Now we are trying for our second baby and my cycles have gotten so much worse. The main reason is due to an ectopic pregnancy I had last year which resulted in one of my tubes being removed. After my surgery my cycles were 3-4 months apart so I am now taking Clomid. This is my first cycle and it hasn’t worked so I now need to increase the dose to see if that makes a difference. So in answer to your question, yes thyroid problems can cause problems when trying to conceive. It can play havoc with your hormones especially when you’re not taking medication. The good news is that there are drugs out there that can help you if need be so I wouldn’t worry too much about it just yet. Good luck anyway and god bless you x

Q: How long should blood work for thyroid problems take to come back?
I had blood work done about a week ago for a possible thyroid problem. I know that that is a pretty in depth test, they check cholesterol, t3, t4, and TSH, but its coming up on 8 days with no news from the Dr., just seems a little long to me. I asked them to call either way just so I know.

A: I have had thyroid tests and cholesterol work done. I would say that 12 days or possibly even 14 days would be sufficient time for these tests. Call your Doctor and ask to speak with Dr. or your Dr’s nurse. Let them know how long that it has been and that you feel the tests should be back by now and double check to see if they are in? Keep calling them and that will get them rolling.

Q: thyroid problem?
I’ve been doing a lot of research on the internet for my problems. I have irregular periods(all my life), tired all the time, I cannot keep weight on ect. My grandmother told me a while back that a lot of women in our family have a thyroid problem. What is your opinion? I’m planning on going to the doctor to get a test.

A: here is some information about myself, plus some symptoms in case anyone coming upon your question may be interested;
i have low thyroid. if you have low thyroid…here’s a great question to answer: can you see the floor of your house? that was what was asked of me at one point, and to my amazement, the answer was no!
anyway, the signs are:fatigue and lack of energy. Women suffering from underactive thyroid experience heavier menstrual periods. Sluggishness and forgetfulness are symptoms of underactive thyroid problem. Other symptoms of this thyroid disorder are dry skin and hair and constipation.
if you have high thyroid, or an overactive one, the signs are:increased body metabolism. This is followed by weight loss and excessive warmth and sweating. Persons suffering from overactive thyroid experience trembling hands, irritability and rapid heartbeat or palpitations. Women with overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism may experience shorter or lighter menstrual periods.
I take medication, and sadly will have to take 1 pill everyday for the rest of my life. there’s a blood check that they will do to see if you have low or high. i hope i’ve helped you!!

Q: Thyroid problem?
My husband is feeling weakness and fatigue since last few days. Also there is a frequent change in mood and temparament. Wht could be the possible reason and remedies available. Doctor has adviced a thyroid test should he undergo the test to diagnose the abovesaid problem. Also is this curable and how does one’s daily activities and body functioning affected due to thyroid problems.

A: There’s hypothyroid (underactive) and hyperthyroid (overactive) If he is experiencing fatigue it is probably hypothyroidism. All your husband will need is a morning blood test. Most doctors only do TSH, I’d suggest a TSH, Free T4, Free T3, and an antibody test. The TSH sometimes doesn’t catch things because TSH changes throughout the day.

If your husband is hypothyroid, he will be put on a thyroid medication that he will take daily. The dosage is adjusted by blood work until it is stable. Most feel best with a morning TSH around 1.0 if on T4. For those on T4 & T3, they feel best with a mid-range Free T4, and a high in range Free T3.

First, let him get the test making sure its a morning test only. Then if he has a thyroid problem visit the below site

Q: Thyroid Problem?
I got an ultra sound on my thyroid, last week because i have the symptoms of a thyroid problem. My question is, since the thyroid controls the hormones and stuff like that, if i get the problem fixed will my boobs grow as a result? If the thyroid thing is the problem, I have been suffering from it for years, therefore my puberty was messed up resulting in me being an A cup =( SO, I know its a stupid question, but just humor me and give me some answers lol. thanks

A: There is a Thyroid Organisation you can ask them on-line (or even join them)

http://www.thyroid.org/

Here is a site that also deals with thyroid problems

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/thyroid_problems/article_em.htm

and just many more sites:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-US&q=Thyroid

Q: Does your thyroid gland have to be swollen for you to have a thyroid problem?
I have all of the symptoms of a thyroid problem except a swollen thyroid gland. So does it sound like I have a thyroid problem or does it sound like a different problem?

A: No, it does NOT have to be swollen and you should NOT be diagnosed on a thyroid blood panel only! Especially if the doc only blood tests for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). If he/she does then run do not walk from their office. TSH is your body’s thermostat which is secreted by your Pituitary Gland.

I learned the hard way from experience and now due to doctor’s misconceptions I had to have my thyroid surgically removed. I missed thyroid cancer by a hair width. I will be taking 2 pills 3 times per day for the rest of my life because of doctors solely relying on blood tests. I had a sub-clinical thyroid condition (meaning blood tests within the normal to low normal range) which later resulted in a autoimmune disease thyroid condition. I should have been diagnosed based on symptoms, but it takes a doc with a lot of knowledge to think outside the 4-corners of their medical textbook and guts too. My symptoms began 15 years ago and it took 15 years to hit rock bottom for my disease to surface on blood tests but then it became an autoimmune disease and was TOO LATE. Autoimmune disease is where your immune system turns against you and it begins to attack your body.

Also, I found that specialists such as Endocrinologists were the least informed. I found that they were quick to push mental health drugs treating only the symptoms and not getting to the root of the real problem. Go to the library and SELF-EDUCATE, read all books by patient advocate Mary J. Shomon, Doctors Ridha Ahrem and Steven F. Hotze. Once you learn just how important the thyroid is to your body’s well being and how it functions, then you will be able to connect the dots. You know your body better than anyone.

If you can remember one key important fact which is that some/most doctors medicate using the T-4 hormone (a thyroid pro-hormone) only, but a patient’s problem could lie with the assimilation of the T-3 hormone (the thyroids active hormone). After T-4 enters cells it must be converted into T-3 which is the active active form of thyroid hormone (active OUTSIDE of your blood stream) it is what effects your mental health (depression), memory, fatigue, body temperature, muscle strength, cholesterol level, weight, hair, skin, nails, etc. A complete hormone panel is key too (estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol,melatonin). I prefer hormone testing using saliva over blood, which unfortunately, the majority of insurance plans do not cover. I feel it is money well spent.

Good Luck and Be Well.

Q: How will having a thyroid problem effect my life? Will anything be different?
I just found out I have a thyroid problem, not sure what kind yet though. What effects will it have on my daily life, will I always have it or does it do away. Are there any long term effects?

Thanks
Will I still be able to have children someday?

A: i have hypothroidism and it has been horrible. i started having anxiety and numbness every once in a while. once its leveled out with meds it does make things better. especially energy. once you start taking meds you will loose weight. make sure you take synthroid instead of levothyroxin or any other genectric brand. hope all goes well.

Q: How do you know if you have thyroid problem or if you anemic?
Im 17 years old and Im a girl, and from the things thats been happening and the way I have been feelings I think I might have a problem with my thyroid or I may be anemic. What are some signs of both and what causes them? Oh I do plan to go see the doctor! Im just a little worried! Thanks so much!

A: Cam,

Do yourself a favor and see your doctor. Thyroid issues and anemia can be found with simple blood tests. No sense in worrying when it’s easy to find out.

Good luck.

Q: What are some major thyroid problem signs?
I am young and curious if I have a thyroid problem what are some of the symptom’s.

A: 10. Muscle and Joint Pains, Carpal Tunnel/Tendonitis Problems.

Aches and pains in your muscles and joints, weakness in the arms and a tendency to develop carpal tunnel in the arms/hands and tarsal tunnel in the legs, can all be symptoms of undiagnosed thyroid problems. (For more information)

9. Neck Discomfort/Enlargement.

A feeling of swelling in the neck, discomfort with turtlenecks or neckties, a hoarse voice or a visibly enlarged thyroid can all be symptoms of thyroid disease.

To help find out if your thyroid may be enlarged, try a simple “Thyroid Neck Check” test at home.

8. Hair/Skin Changes.

Hair and skin are particularly vulnerable to thyroid conditions, and in particular, hair loss is frequently associated with thyroid problems. With hypothyroidism, hair frequently becomes brittle, coarse and dry, while breaking off and falling out easily. Skin can become coarse, thick, dry,and scaly. In hypothyroidism, there is often an unusual loss of hair in the outer edge of the eyebrow. With hyperthyroidism, severe hair loss can also occur, and skin can become fragile and thin.

7. Bowel Problems.

Severe or long-term constipation is frequently associated with hypothyroidism, while diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with hyperthyroidism.

6. Menstrual Irregularities and Fertility Problems.

Heavier, more frequent and more painful periods are frequently associated with hypothyroidism, and shorter, lighter or infrequent menstruation can be associated with hyperthyroidism. Infertility can also be associated with undiagnosed thyroid conditions. (For More Information)

. Family History.
If you have a family history of thyroid problems, you are at a higher risk of having a thyroid condition yourself. You may not always be aware of thyroid problems in your family, though, because among older people, it is often referred to as “gland trouble” or “goiter.” So pay attention to any discussions of glandular conditions or goiter or weight gain due to “a glandular problem,” as these may be indirect ways of referring to thyroid conditions.

4. Cholesterol Issues

High cholesterol, especially when it is not responsive to diet, exercise or cholesterol-lowering medication, can be a sign of undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Unusually low cholesterol levels may be a sign of hyperthyroidism.

3. Depression and Anxiety.

Depression or anxiety — including sudden onset of panic disorder — can be symptoms of thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism is most typically associated with depression, while hyperthyroidism is more commonly associated with anxiety or panic attacks. Depression that does not respond to antidepressants may also be a sign of an undiagnosed thyroid disorder. (For More Information)

2. Weight Changes.

You may be on a low-fat, low-calorie diet with a rigorous exercise program, but are failing to lose or gain any weight. Or you may have joined a diet program or support group, such as Weight Watchers, and you are the only one who isn’t losing any weight. Difficulty losing weight can be a sign of hypothyroidism. You may be losing weight while eating the same amount of food as usual — or even losing while eating more than normal. Unexplained weight changes and issues can be signs of both hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. (For More Information)

1. Fatigue.

Feeling exhausted when you wake up, feeling as if 8 or 10 hours of sleep a night is insufficient or being unable to function all day without a nap can all be signs of thyroid problems. (With hyperthyroidism, you may also have nighttime insomnia that leaves you exhausted during the day.) (For More Information)

If you have some of the above symptoms, your next steps should be to read Thyroid Disease 101, along with a visit to your doctor for a thorough thyroid evaluation.

Q: How can you tell if you have a thyroid problem?
I lose weight very easily, but just eating a couple of pieces of pizza can make me bloat and gain 5 pounds over-night. Is this a thyroid problem?

A: Here are the most common signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. A blood test, preferably ordered and interpreted by an endocrinologist, is needed to make this diagnosis. The link below has more information about this disease:
Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can’t tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido

Q: Can hairloss on a healthy Chihuahua be a sign of a thyroid problem?
My 2 year old Chihuahua has a lot of hairloss. He has a great appetite and is full of energy, but my vet told me he could have a thyroid problem. Has anyone ever heard of this or anything similar to this?

A: Thyroid problems can cause hair loss in dogs. Dogs usually get low thyroid levels rather than high. They are usually tired, seek out warmth, tend to gain weight and eat normal to less than normal amounts of food. Your dog is only 2 and young for thyroid problems but it happens. Make sure he gets 1. skin scrapings for mites, done by your vet. There are mites that are not itchy but still require treatment. 2. tested by culture (NOT just the black light) for ringworm and 3. Complete bloodwork including thyroid level. There are other endocrine things that can cause hair loss and some can be found on bloodwork.

I’m sure common sense will prevail here, but please don’t do that ice water thing that someone suggested. OMG!!

Q: I am suffering from thyroid problem and have become psychologically weak?
I am suffering from thyroid problem and have become psychologically weak. I am taking the medicines but i don’t know why i am feeling depressed?

A: Is it hypothyroidism that you have? It would have been useful if you’d given some more information about when you were diagnosed, what medication and dosage you’re on, how long you’ve felt this way etc

When you have an underactive thyroid, the medication you’re usuallly given is synthroid. The doctor will start you on a low dose and then check your levels with a blood test after approx 6 weeks. If your levels arn’t right then they will increase your dosage accordingly.

It can take a while to find the right dosage but until they do, you probably wont feel any better.

I think I am in pretty much the same situation to you. I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been on a low dose – 50mcg for the past 6 weeks. I had a blood test yesterday and get the results next week. I’ve gained a lot of weight and feel very down a lot. Hopefully i’ll get my dose increased and feel better soon aswell.

Q: How can you lose weight when you have a thyroid problem?
I have a thyroid problem thats slows down my metabolism to the rate that its hard for me to lost weight, any suggestions?

A: You need the first thing in the morning TSH around 1.0 or weight loss will be almost impossible. You also need to be conveting T4 to T3. To find out if you are converting T4 into T3, get a free t3 test. If the result is below midrange switch to a T4/T3 medication like Armour.

As far as diet, avoid soy and increase fiber. Work your way up to exercising 1 hour at least 4 days a week.

thyroid weight loss forum below

Q: How can i lose weight healthily with a thyroid problem?
I have recently been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (an under active thyroid). This was after putting on 4.5 stone (over half my body weight as i weighed 8.5 stone before hand) in less than six months, even though my diet and exercise had not changed. obviously, i know the best way to lose weight is through diet and exercise, but i cant seem to shift the weight. is losing weight when you have a thyroid problem more difficult?

A: exerciseing with Jack is Great for getting rid of baby fat/weight http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKCGe2Ezris

Q: Has anyone else found that they developed a thyroid problem after pregnancy?
I begged my doctor to check because I’ve been miserably tired and no matter how hard I try I’ve just been maintaining weight. Well, she checked, and I have a thyroid problem. Did anyone else find out pregnancy knocked their thyroid out of whack and did their doctor deny it as a possibility?

A: One of my good friends did after she gave birth to her second child (no problems after first). She did not start her period again and could not lose any weight and in fact put a bit more back on. She was getting very concerned that she might be pregnant again (her first 2 are only 15 months apart) but after no periods and the weight issues for 7 months the doctor did tests and found she had developed hypothyroidism. She was put on meds for about 9-12 months (sorry not too sure about that bit but know it was a long time) and she is perfectly fine now. Her doctor did initially deny it but agreed in the end that was what it was.

Q: When you have a thyroid problem does that make you gain weight?
Well I feel like I have gain just recently because I have some kind of health problem. So I went to the doctor and he said that my thyroid was not normal so he took some blood.

A: If you have an underactive thyroid, it is normal for weight gain…Your metabolism isn’t as active….If this is the case you can take a prescription called synthroid to bring your level back to normal…

Q: How would a 17 year old girl know if she has a thyroid problem?
How could she get a thyroid problem?

A: i have a thyroid problem and i am 16
my symptoms were hair loss, and i lost a lot of weight(you could also gain weight. it goes both ways)
and i had headaches EVERYDAY.

after seeing the doc. he gave me a little pink pill that i have to take everyday 30 min. before breakfast and i feel just fine(:

Q: Can Thyroid Problems Cause Infertility in Women?
I have been trying to get pregnant for a few months now. I have been diagnosed with thyroid problems: mainly, they are underactive. I am not taking any meds to correct this currently, and have heard that it can cause infertility in women. Is this true? If so, how common is it? Thanks for taking the time to read.

A: I have an underactive thyroid and since being diagnosed my cycles have been irregular (even on medication). A few years ago my cycles were every 5-6 weeks and although they were longer than usual, they had some kind of pattern to them which helped me to track ovulation. I got pregnant with my son within 6 months. Now we are trying for our second baby and my cycles have gotten so much worse. The main reason is due to an ectopic pregnancy I had last year which resulted in one of my tubes being removed. After my surgery my cycles were 3-4 months apart so I am now taking Clomid. This is my first cycle and it hasn’t worked so I now need to increase the dose to see if that makes a difference. So in answer to your question, yes thyroid problems can cause problems when trying to conceive. It can play havoc with your hormones especially when you’re not taking medication. The good news is that there are drugs out there that can help you if need be so I wouldn’t worry too much about it just yet. Good luck anyway and god bless you x

Q: Is it Really Impossible for Women with Thyroid Problems to Lose Weight?
not sure if that’s an excuse to not exercise and eat right…
i don’t have thyroid, but occasionally i will come across a female who claims they have it and uses that as an excuse to get bigger and bigger and bigger (just trying to understand)

A: Yup, it is possible to lose weight and no, and, while it is an excuse to lose weight it is not a valid excuse.

FIRST – make sure that you actually have a thyroid problem. Less then 5% of the population actually has a diagnosed thyriod problem

ASSUMING that you actually do have an underactive thyroid, your doc will give you meds to regulate it – thus, no more problem

I am not sure why someone would not want to find 2 hours a week for a little exercise (3 days of 20 minute of cardio and 2 30 mintue resistance training) to increase energy and feel better or why someone would not want to eat a little better to improve the way their body runs but… If you don’t , use your thyroid as an excuse and learn to love the body that you are in

Q: Fertility treatment options for women with thyroid problems and immature eggs?
Hi all, I have a friend who has been trying to conceive for a few yrs now. She has been thru IVF with no sucess. She had been originally told she had hormonal issue with thyroid, but now has been told her eggs are not mature enough to concieve. What would be an alternative to IVF or other fertility treatments. Ur advice would be appreciated.

A: that’s probably best answered by an expert…did she do one IVF treatment or more than one…you can ask an RE online for free and give them the specifics about your friend to get a second opinion as well! check www.FertilityTies.com best of luck!

Q: For Women who have thyroid problems?
at my prenatal classes, i found out that women who have thyroid problems might have problem with breastfeeding or not enough producing milk in their breast to feed the baby. I need to know ur personal experience if u had problem breastfeeding with your thyroid or did it went well with yours? were u able to improve it better? how?

A: I have hypothyroidism, and my milk never fully came in. I also had a breast reduction years earlier, and that just added to the problem. I tried to pump, but only got a teaspoon of milk after 30 minutes of pumping. I had to start my daughter on formula.

You’ll just have to see how it goes when you have your baby. Chances are you’ll be able to produce enough milk to satisfy your daughter! Start working with a lactation consultant immediately after giving birth.

Good luck!!!

Q: Whats are signs of thyroid problems, in women?

A: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/thyroid_problems/article_em.htm

^^ above is a site all about information on thyroid problems.

Also, you can get your thyroid levels checked by your doctor, through blood work.

Some symptoms of thyroid problems would be being: overweight, hard to gain weight, always cold, low iron levels, etc..

Q: A woman was getting radiation for thyroid problems and couldn’t be around pregnat women is this all radiation?
I’m pregnant and my landlord is going through chemo and radiation am I alowed to go see her or should I send someone else to pay my rent? Has anyone heard of this? She doesn’t know I’m pregnant yet I’m 20 weeks.

A: ok im perfect to answer ur question
u cnt be around ur landlord for up2 a week after she has received radiation after the week is up ur fine so if it has been a week yea i would suggest u to send someone else to pay ur rent i said im perfect for this because im 36 weeks pregnant and earlier during my pregnancy my mother had to receive a radiation for thyroid cancer and i couldnt be near her for 7 dayz but she’s fine now cancer free thank GOD and be careful with ur unborn baby

Q: Women with thyroid problems, info needed please?
I have something called HYPOPITUITARISM hypo pit u it air ism. I have thyroid and pituitary problems. i have to take birth control just to get my period. I also take prednisone and synthroid. I know I have to ask my doc but, it’s complicated. Do I see my endocronologist about this or a gynocologist? I really want to have a baby. It’s time. If you have thyroid issues and had a baby, what did you have to do? PLEASE answer to the best of your ability. I don’t think god would put this wanting a baby in my heart if i can’t conceive. Thanks so much. God Bless
I was seeing a doc steady for 12 yrs, he sent me to a adult endocronologist. I couldn’t understand a damn thing he said and I tried going to another doc. In the mix I lost my whole medical file at the old docs, and am starting out like new. No, I’m fat 250, lol at 5′8″ also. I put a post in pregnancy. It started with THYROID issues, please help. Go there and c what those women said, veryyyyy uplifting. best of luck, and God Bless you. Thanks again.

A: Wow, Im sorry, I know how you feel. I am suffering from Hypothyroidism and Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (hormone disorder that puts cysts on ur ovaries-PAINFUL), High Liver Enzymes. Im 21 years old, and married. My disorders are also giving me trouble with child bearing. I dont know if i want to do the birth control, I had soo many issues with it when i was one them. Anywayz, Since 2006 I have gained weight and lost weight, Dont get a period for 3 months and then it only last 4 days max heavy and its gone. Since 06′Doctors would push me away saying i have a hormonal issue, it will clear up..and thats it. I miscarried 3 times, havent gotten pregnant in 4 years. Last february, I got really sick, and I was always nauseas and vomiting, and had my period for 2 months straight. I decided to see the Gynocologist about my issue I was using a box of 36 ULTRA absorbant Tampons with in 3-4 days, couldnt walk i was in soo much pain. After testing me and doing Transvaginal ultra sound they found my Left ovary full of bad cysts (at least 12) and my Right one full of Simple Cysts. Which is causing me not to be able to concieve. My thyroid issue is also a problem, I am 5 ft even, and 8 months ago I weighed in at 132lbs most muscle, now im 194. Thats alot of weight. No diet i tried has helped, nothing. My Gyno is sending me to the fertility specialist, She will be sending a note to my Insurance Co. stating that due to my medical issues I have to see a fertility specialist we are seeking pregnancy. On top of it all, I have to take Nu-iron (lack of iron in my blood), Thyroid (armour) meds for the rest of my life. Find a good Doctor, Everyone I run into at the labs, or hospitals, has my doctor so far. She is Wonderful. My husband and I are trying to have a baby soo bad. So do you have problems with gaining weight as well? what are you doing for it.

Q: Women with thyroid problems.. please answer…?
How did you discover you had a thyroid problem? I know you find out through blood tests.. but did the symptoms worsen, and then you went in? If so, what was it like? Thanks!!
Aw Angel, you are too sweet!! xx

A: Hi. I started to feel extremely tired, and my hair started to fall out really bad, so i went to the doctor. She did a blood test that showed i had Hypothyroidism ( which i had never even heard of ). Some other symptoms i had were, dry skin, peeling fingernails, cold all the time, hair loss, depression, and i would just start crying all the time for no reason. The symptoms did get worse. Now i’m on medication, and the symptoms are better, but have not gone away completely. It can take a long time to become healthy again once you start to take medication. Could be a year or two. Weight gain is another common symptom, but i have not gained any weight ( probably because i feel so bad most of the time i hardly eat ). It’s not a fun thing to have, hope you don’t have to go through it.

Q: Can a women with thyroid problem become pregnant in time she wants to?
I was diagnosed to have a thyroid problem does it affect my conceiving in case I plan to get pregnant?I’m I already infertile?
I’m also constipated does it have any relation to my thyroid problem?
thank you.

A: - first you must know that thyroid gland produce hormone named ” thyroxine ” this hormone affect nearly all body systems so elevation of this hormone at your body will affect many system
- the most serious effect is when the heart is affected ” you feel palpitation , rapid pulse , some time shorting of breathing ” as the hormone increase the power and rate of cardiac contraction which will make u expeince easy fatigability after minor efforts
- cardiac affection is danger during pregnancy ” as your heart have overwork to supply the blood to ur baby”
- SO ,, u must control ur thyroid hormone level before pregnancy and remaining following up ur thyroid hormone level + ur cardiac function at doctor clinic to have safe pregnancy
- thyroid hormone is easy to control medicaly BUT u must keep follow up at doctor clinic
- lastely .. thyroid hormone effect on Gastrointestinal Tract directly produce mainly diarrhoae ,,, but constipation may occur due to increasing your appetite ” u eat too much food ” which is the effect of the hormone at the brain ” it also treatable by medication

– LASTELY HAVE NICE BABY BUT DON’T FORGET PRENATAL FOLLOW UP

Q: So I just read on here somewhere, that women who have Thyroid problems…?
have a harder time producing breast milk. Is that true? Because I know my mom had her Thyroid removed about 15 yrs ago due to it being enlarged. but she was never able to breast fed any of her children, she tried with me and that lasted for about 2 weeks. I have had a Thyroid test done, because of my mom, and found that I had a low test rating, or whatever they called it, they wanted me to come back and test again, but my medical ran out, so I couldn’t. But I tried to breast feed as well, that lasted for about a month, of on going trying for hours a day.with nothing producing with no happy results and had to switch to formula. ( baby was loosing to much weight)
I am pregnant now, and plan on trying again to breast feed, but the whole Thyroid issue has me thinking now. Could have that have been a issue with me trying to breast feed? I am going to talk with my Dr at my next visit for sure now. I already told her about my test results, but I didn’t ask any more about it cus I didn;t know about the breast feeding part.

But don’t think I will be using this as a excuse not to breast feed, I am just curious now. So please no nasty comments, just accurate & peaceful answers please. Thanks.
“even if you were using this as an ecuse it’s a good one”

Nope, I wouldn’t and haven’t.
Thanks Mystic…I also have pretty bad anemia as well. So my next appt. I am going to talk with my DR, and ask for some more test and help. Cus I really want to breast feed this time around, I was devestated the 1st time around. Thank you.

A: Yes low thyroid, aside from being really bad for mom, can cause low milk supply.

Which is why any woman that doesn’t “make enough milk” with proper help needs to be referred for testing for thyroid, anemia, diabetes, and PCOS. Because at least three of those disorders can be serious if not treated.

I’m continually disgusted by a medical system that clearly cares so little for the health of women.

Breastfeeding and Thyroid Problems: Links

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-links.html

Breastfeeding and Thyroid Problems: Studies and References

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-refs.html

Breastfeeding and Thyroid Problems: Diagnostic Testing & Treatments

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-treatment.html

http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-faq.html
Low thyroid levels (hypothyroid)

Moms who are hypothyroid have low thyroid hormone levels and elevated TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels. Symptoms include cold intolerance, weight gain, dry skin, thinning hair, poor appetite, fatigue, depression and *********reduced milk supply. ********

http://www.breastfeed-essentials.com/hindrances.html
Low thyroid (hypothyroidism). Some women can develop this conditition for the first time during pregnancy and lactation. A test to check the thyroid function is always a good idea when a low supply does not respond to the usual methods for increasing it. Other symptoms of low thyroid include excessive hair loss, dry skin, increased sensitivity to cold, loss of appetite, extreme fatigue, depression, and a swelling in the neck area. If a low thyroid is diagnosed, the medication to increase its activity is compatible with breastfeeding.

Q: what are the alternate treatement to thyroid problem in women?

A: Alternative Treatment for Thyroid problems include glandulars of animals such as pig thyroid(armour thyroid),and natural T3/T4 extracted from the pig thyroid gland.
Kelp tablets for natural iodine source.L-thyroisin,and other nutritional supplement products.Coconut oil also has benefits for the thyroid gland,as well as dietary modification.

Q: Can a woman develop thyroid problems after pregnancy?

A: Yes! In fact, it is very common. If you think you may have thyroid problems or have a family history of thyroid problems, please get your levels checked. It’s a simple blood test.

From http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/pregnant.html

“Thyroid illnesses are estimated to occur in up to 10% of women after childbirth and may occur up to one year after delivery. It is even more common in women with autoimmune diseases, such as diabetes, Graves’ disease, premature graying of the hair, rheumatoid arthritis and vitiligo (see the section on hyperthyroidism). In addition, some forms of postpartum thyroid disease may place you at increased risk to develop this illness again with subsequent pregnancies.

Postpartum thyroid disease can be an overactive thyroid, an underactive thyroid or both. Since many of the symptoms of thyroid disease are subtle and often overlap with the postpartum experiences of healthy women, the diagnosis of thyroid disease is often not considered. Symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, irritability, weight changes or fatigue, which are common after delivery, even when thyroid disease is not present.

The most common cause of postpartum thyroid disease is thyroiditis, which is usually due to an autoimmune process. Thyroiditis occurs when the body produces antibodies against its own thyroid cells, either causing excess thyroid hormone to be released into the bloodstream (hyperthyroidism) or destroying so much thyroid tissue that the remaining thyroid cannot produce enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). Within the first one to four months after delivery, the hyperthyroid or overactive phase is most common. You may have a slight enlargement of the thyroid gland and you may notice increased anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, weight loss, and difficulty concentrating.

The second phase of postpartum thyroiditis is an underactive or hypothyroid period and usually occurs 3 to 8 months postpartum. This phase can be characterized by a slight enlargement of the thyroid gland and symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, lack of energy and often depression. In fact, many cases of so called postpartum depression have actually been linked to postpartum thyroid disease and are readily treatable (see the section on painless thyroiditis for details).”

Q: Why do doctors usually remove a problem thyroid in women but not in men?
Male co-worker has thyroid problem and wants his removed but doc only wants to put him on medication. His sister had hers removed and another co-workers wife had hers removed. Any reason why they take them out from women patients more often then men?
Male co-worker said he knows of quite a few circumstances where females had theirs removed so not just based on the 3 in my question. Co-worker had radio-active iodine treatment and it didn’t work. I had a cat with a thyroid problem and she had the radioactive iodine treatment and it worked for her the 2nd time around. My theory to the question was that maybe the thyroid stuck out in females so doctors removed it so they wouldn’t look like they had an Adams Apple, but that just seems like a silly answer now after ready the replies!

A: From a registered nurse and person with HYPOTHYROIDISM I can tell you that it depends on the situation. If the thyroid is found to have nodules forming consistently, removal is preferred. Also it may depend on what type of thyroid problem they are having. If they have malignancies on the thyroid gland, to prevent metastasis, removal is imminent. However if the person has Hashimoto’s or another type of autoimmune disorder, the thyroid is removed to prevent thyroid cancer. Side effects of pregnancy is thyroid destruction. Also, when a person had radioactive iodine uptake, usually people with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism can result and the thyroid should be removed to prevent further problems. As far as one gender getting it removed more than the other, I have not seen nor heard any such evidence. I have cared for many patients that were post thyroidectomy and the gender didn’t stick out for any reason.

Q: what kind of problems could be faced in pregnancy by a woman in thyroid?
hi,can u pls tell me if i want to be enjoy being a mother in age of 30 and having thyroid,is their any problem which could come in between.

A: You may need to consult a physician.

Q: Is it typical for people with diabetes to have other autoimmune disorders such as lupus and thyroid problems?
I have type 1 diabetes and have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and am going through testing for lups, i have known several other women with type 1 & 2 diabetes having lupus. is this a common thing? something to somewhat expect?

A: Not sure about Lupus, but I know Celiac is more common in people with Type 1 diabetes. I would say best person to ask is your endocronologist.

Q: Is there any reason for having symptoms of a thyroid problem, but having normal blood levels?
I have a lot of the symptoms, but I got my blood tested and it came back normal. My mom had hyperthroidism and had her thyroid removed. Problems in this area are hereditary, but I cant figure out why I have all the symptoms and no reason for it…. Help me?

A: You probably have what is called “Subclinical Hypothyroidism”. Basically, with this condition, the pituitary gland, which is in charge of regulating the thyroid gland, produces extra amounts of TSH to stimulate the thyroid to maintain a normal circulating level of thyroid hormones. While with “Subclinical Hypothyroidism” you technically are not Hypothyroid (thyroid hormone levels are normal), your pituitary is working hard at keeping your thyroid hormone levels within the normal range. In a significant number of patients, the TSH levels must climb in order to continue to stimulate the thyroid gland. Eventually, over the course of months to years, the thyroid gland no longer responds. At this point, “Subclinical Hypothyroidism” turns into overt Hypothyroidism. With Subclinical Hypothyroidism you will have Hypothyroid symptoms. Some doctors refuse to treat Subclinical Hypothyroidism and wait until you become fully Hypothyroid. I think this is a huge mistake. Treating Subclinical Hypothyroidism early on not only helps the patient so they don’t feel horrible, but also lessens the extent of how bad the Hypothyroidism can get. I had a doctor who refused to treat my Subclinical Hypothyroidism and I got so bad that I couldn’t hold down a job and spent most of my time in bed. I searched for a new doctor and found one that was willing to treat my Subclinical Hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, going for so long without treatment caused other problems…I ended up with heart damage, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lost most of my hair for a while and when it grew back it turned completely gray (it wasn’t before) and many other bad things happened. So it’s important to get treated right away.

I suggest you find yourself a good “thyroid doctor” called an Endocrinologist and have a simple blood test including an antibody test (sometimes called an ANA test) to see if you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (an auto-immune disease of the thyroid which often starts out as Subclinical Hypothyroidism). Here is a good Endocrinologist locator:

http://www.armourthyroid.com/con_phLocator.aspx

I highly recommend you get the book, “Living Well with Hypothyroidism” by Mary J. Shomon. It is an easy book to read and you will learn a lot. You may buy it cheap at Amazon.com for as little as $6.05 used

(http://www.amazon.com/Living-Well-Hypothyroidism-Doctor-Revised/dp/0060740957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249143075&sr=8-1)

or you can get it at a book store (if they don’t have it, have them order it for you).

Once you find a good doctor that is willing to treat you have him/her put you on Armour Thyroid (a type of medication for Hypothyroidism). I was first placed on Synthroid (Levothyroxine) and although it got my thyroid levels in the normal rage, I still had the hypo symptoms and felt awful. It wasn’t until I went on Armour Thyroid that I felt like my old self again. The difference is a hormone called T3. Synthroid doesn’t have T3 in it only T4. Many in the medical field think that Hypothyroid people only need T4 and that your body will convert T4 to T3, but many people’s bodies don’t convert T4 to T3 well and that’s why they still have hypo symptoms while on Synthroid. The human thyroid gland naturally produces hormones T1, T2, T3, T4, T5…etc. Synthroid is a synthetic hormone replacement with only T4. Armour Thyroid is a natural hormone replacement and it has all the hormones your thyroid naturally produces so it stands to reason that treating a disease as naturally as possible is best. Synthroid has a huge marketing campaign with medical schools and doctors’ offices and they try to tell everyone Armour Thyroid isn’t any good. Don’t believe that. Armour Thyroid has been around for over 100 years and is very reliable and is regularly tested and approved by the American Food and Drug Administration. Because of all the negative marketing from Synthroid about Armour, you may have a difficult time getting a doctor to prescribe Armour. However, if you go to the Armour Thyroid web site and use their doctor locator you should be able to find a doctor in your area and state that is willing to prescribe Armour. Believe me it is well worth it to go out of your way to get Armour.

http://www.armourthyroid.com/

Print this out. Take it to your doctor. If your doctor poo-poos this, then fire your doctor and go to that doctor locator I gave you and find a doctor that will help you. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get treated right away. Good luck!

Q: Are my problems all symptoms of a thyroid problem?
Doctor had a blood test done today because irregular periods and fatigue. I also have acne that just started last few months, losing alot of hair, trouble losing weight, mouthful of canker sores, twitchy eye, blurry vision that comes and goes. Now I’m curious, is all this related? I’ve just been ignoring it, because everytime I go to a doctor for the canker sores they just say it’s stress.

A: to me i think you should take a muliti vitimains.eat healthy meals and yes stress will cause a lot of your problems.but is he checking your thyroids?because if your thyroid count is low that will make you gain weught. but if you are so call dieting it will also cause your problems too. you see if you don’t get the nutrirets your body needs it goes wild.so take vitimains,eat right,stay away from things that will stress you out.good luck.

Q: What are the symptoms of thyroid problem?
are any of these associated with it?

diaroea
nausea
dizzy
tremors
palpitations
headaches
hunger
depression
hair falling out (not in clumps but strands)
fatigue and sometimes insomnia

I’ve had these symptoms for coming upto 3 years and have can i point out i have a severe needle phobia which is being worked on by a therapist…which is the reason i haven’t had any tests done.

I also have had agoraphobia for 3 years.
thanks

A: It is possible that you have a hyper thyroid yes. I suggest asking your doctor for a blood test to put your mind at ease. I went to my doctor 5 years ago with all those symptoms and more. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and stayed on PTU tablets for 3 years. 12 months ago I had radioactive idodine to kill off my thyroid which didnt work. 3 weeks ago I had a total Thyroidectomy. Best thing I ever did in my life . I now feel normal (despite the side effects which I am experiencing). If I were you I would go to the doctor soon for blood tests as if it is a thyroid problem you really need to do something about it before you end up like I did. It caused alot of panic attacks for me also, and I had never had before I was hyper. As for the needle phobia, Take a couple of panadol before you go, and take a book to read while they are taking blood. It helps to take you mind off it all. Let me know how you go Chin up

Q: What would you say the chances of me are of having a thyroid problem with these symptoms?
1. My neck feels swollen outwards, but muscular and in the bone structure.
2. My Adam’s Apple is about 2x the size of the average male’s and I don’t have an extremely skinny neck.
3. Two small lumps (under my skin, feel like lymph notes) have formed under my chin and are always visible.
4. My lymph notes are ALWAYS swollen.
5. When bending my neck back it feels like I’m lifting weights and the strain is directly under my Adam’s Apple.
6. It’s hard for me to touch my chin to my chest.
7. It feels like I’m lifting a weight when I swallow and sometimes at the end of the day my neck will be sore (especially directly under my adam’s apple).
8. Half the time my adam’s apple and directly under it hurts.
9. Sometimes my adam’s apple will spasm and move violently up and down against my will.
10. Light pressure against my neck (even a hug) can make my adam’s apple and under it hurt for a long time.

Also, is the thyroid test a simple blood test? Could a naturepath doc help me?

A: Don’t walk, *run* to your doctor. Your lymph nodes should never be swollen for any length of time unless you have an infection or other illness, and when coupled with these other symptoms, I would absolutely put you in the hands of any doctor as quickly as possible. There’s more to a neck/throat than just the thyroid, but a blood test can indicate deficiencies easily, though sometimes a second test may be necessary. A doctor should also feel around and note unusual formations. You ought not let this go any longer and see for certain. Any doctor- just go.

Best of luck!!

Q: what are signs or symptoms of a thyroid problem or disorder?
Hello, I have not had mine checked yet, but one of my doctors (for anxiety) told me to because I have anxiety and night sweats. I am in the process of finding a doctor to do blood work for me to get it checked. In the meantime though, can you tell me what other signs or symptoms are associated with thyroid?

Thanks

P.S.. I am 27 year old female, if that makes a difference.

A: hypothyroidism/Hashimotos disease:
fatigue
weight gain or inability to lose weight even when dieting
high (bad) cholesterol
low (good) cholesterol
high triglycerides
joint pain
light sensitivity
dry skin
depression
anxiety
arrhythmia’s
cold hands and feet
low blood pressure
fibromyalgia
tingling hands & feet
sleeping too much
heavy periods
infertility
cold intolerance
low body temperature

hyperthyroidism/Graves disease:
anxiety
heart palpitations
weight loss
bulging eyes
eye problems
aggression
trouble sleeping/inability to sleep
weight loss/inability to gain weight
fatigue
heat intolerance
elevated body temperature
high blood pressure
tacchycardia

Q: symptoms of thyroid problem but negative blood test?
Recently had tests for thyroid problems, runs in my family on both sides and have been really cold all the time, putting on weight really quicklyand suffering total energy crashes. Blood tests came back as negative and doctors reaction was to put me on diet pills ….! Do reasonable amount of exercise (netball & rugby) and eat ok so don’t think weight is the problem, anyone know something else that causes these things?
Am getting fed up with wearing jumpers and sleeping all the time!

A: You should have your cortisol, blood sugar and insulin levels checked also.

Q: What are the first signs/symptoms of a thyroid problem?
I don’t feel well and my dad and 2 auntys have had their thyroids removed.

A: The “signs and symptoms” of a dysfunctional thyroid can be easily confused, and some patients will present no overt “symptoms” at all.

Since you have a family history of thyroid issues, I’m surprised your family practitioner hasn’t given you a proper blood test to check your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
This is the only way to determine your thyroid function.

Make an appointment asap and ask to have the tests done.

Good Luck.

Q: Thyroid problem?
can someone give me some symptoms of thyroid problem in your throat? I have a lump that I can feel inside my throat but can not on the outside. It feels like I have something stuck there but I don’t. Can anyone give me any insight to what can be there besides your thyroid.

A: here is some information about myself, plus some symptoms in case anyone coming upon your question may be interested;
i have low thyroid. if you have low thyroid…here’s a great question to answer: can you see the floor of your house? that was what was asked of me at one point, and to my amazement, the answer was no!
anyway, the signs are:fatigue and lack of energy. Women suffering from underactive thyroid experience heavier menstrual periods. Sluggishness and forgetfulness are symptoms of underactive thyroid problem. Other symptoms of this thyroid disorder are dry skin and hair and constipation.
if you have high thyroid, or an overactive one, the signs are:increased body metabolism. This is followed by weight loss and excessive warmth and sweating. Persons suffering from overactive thyroid experience trembling hands, irritability and rapid heartbeat or palpitations. Women with overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism may experience shorter or lighter menstrual periods.
I take medication, and sadly will have to take 1 pill everyday for the rest of my life. there’s a blood check that they will do to see if you have low or high. i hope i’ve helped you!!

Q: Does anyone know what the symptoms of thyroid problems are?
My sister told me see was having blood work done because her doctor thinks her symptoms may be explained by a thyroid problem. What are some common symptoms? She says one of her symptoms is her hair falling out. I can’t find anything about that symptom as related to thyroid problems!

A: The thyroid gland, which is in your neck, sets the rate at which you produce energy from your body’s stores by the release of thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroid
If you’re producing too much hormone, and the gland is overactive, you’re said to be hyperthyroid. You’ll have too much energy, lose weight, feel warm and may have symptoms such as palpitations.

There are many causes of an overactive thyroid and you may need blood tests and scans to find out what’s responsible.

The most common reason is when your body’s defences falsely recognise your own tissue as an invader and begin to attack it. This is called autoimmune disease and it stimulates the thyroid to produce more hormones.

If you have a cyst or growth in the thyroid, it may also produce too much hormone.

Hyperthyroidism symptoms may include:

weight loss
rapid heartbeat
tremor
excessive sweating
heat intolerance
anxiety
muscle weakness
goitre
irregular periods

Hypothyroid
If your thyroid is underactive – not producing enough hormone – you’ll have too little energy and will feel slow, tired and lethargic. You’ll become hypothyroid.

Again, there are many causes, but for some it seems to be part of the ageing process. Hypothyroidism is especially common in women after the menopause. Look for the following symptoms:

exhaustion, tiredness, sleep problems
difficulty concentrating or remembering
weight gain
dry hair, skin and nails
depression or anxiety
constipation
poor libido
breathlessness and swelling of feet
hoarseness
cold intolerance
face swelling and puffy eyes
in women, heavy periods

How many people are affected?
Hyperthyroidism affects up to one in 50 people and is ten times more common in women than in men. It can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 20 and 50.

Hypothyroidism is ten times more common in women than in men and usually occurs over the age of 40.

What’s the treatment?
It’s difficult to prevent thyroid illness. Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormone medication. Treatment of hyperthyroidism may involve medication to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, radioactive iodine therapy or a thyroidectomy (removal of part of the thyroid gland).

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006

Q: What are the symptoms of a thyroid problem. Is it just hair loss only or other signs?

A: I am one of these sufferers of a thyroid disorder, called; Hypothyroidism. The doctor took four years to correctly diagnose me!

Here are the symptoms for an over-active thyroid;

1: Putting on weight without eating any more, whilst having a healthy diet.

2: Feeling lethargic, no matter how much sleep you have had.

3: Mood swings.

4: Feeling cold.

5: Hair loss!

Untreated, a multi-nodular goitre can form in the thyroid, but the eyes do not become prominent as with the over-active thyroid condition.

The patient will feel more lethargic as the time goes by, and might be unable to have the strength to get out of bed.

—————————————————————–

If it is Hyperthyroidism, over-active thyroid;

1: Feeling hot even when the weather is cold.

2; Rushing about, not able to relax, tense.

3: Palpitations.

4: Feeling irritable all the time.

5: Unable to sleep.

If this condition is left untreated, the thyroid could swell, and so can the eyeballs, which is called; Goitre

A blood test can easily ascertain, which thyroid condition the patient has. Treatment is difficult to get the correct level of thyroid hormone needed in to regulate the body, but if you have a good specialist, called an; Endocrinologist it may take only 6 months to a year, depending on the severity of the case.

But, you will have to go back for regular three monthly blood tests to keep an eye on it. I found that if I had a weight gain, or managed to lose some weight, it affected the dosage I was on. So keep an eye on that too.

Donni-Jay

Q: What should be done about a thyroid problem, when nodules are present, what are symptoms?
Are allergies commonly related to thyroid issues? Are there are any nontradition / non western medicine approaches to treatment? Is this an issue that should be adressed by a doctor?

A: If you are having thyroid problems, yes you do need to go to a doctor. My grandmother had to have her’s removed at the age of 19. You can get cancer of the thyroid and you don’t want to take chances with that. You will need to have some tests run to find out for sure if it is your thyroid that is the problem and your doctor will go from there. Make an appointment and if any one of your immediate family members have had any kind of thyroid disease, you need to tell you doctor about that also. I hope all is well.

Q: Thyroid Problem?
I got an ultra sound on my thyroid, last week because i have the symptoms of a thyroid problem. My question is, since the thyroid controls the hormones and stuff like that, if i get the problem fixed will my boobs grow as a result? If the thyroid thing is the problem, I have been suffering from it for years, therefore my puberty was messed up resulting in me being an A cup =( SO, I know its a stupid question, but just humor me and give me some answers lol. thanks

A: There is a Thyroid Organisation you can ask them on-line (or even join them)

http://www.thyroid.org/

Here is a site that also deals with thyroid problems

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/thyroid_problems/article_em.htm

and just many more sites:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-US&q=Thyroid

Q: Are these symptoms of slight thyroid problem?? ?
Recently i realised i have been eating ALOT. i cant stop eating and never feel full. Or if i do, i usually start to feel hungry again half an hour later. And the amount that i eat is… um, more than what my parents eat add together, plus the fact that i’m a 15 year old girl, it just makes this entire thing super scary. (Recently, i eat like, in one day, 5 chocolate doughnuts, 2 bananas, 2 tubs of yogurt, 1 extra humongous beef burger with cheese and two thick slices of meat, 5 granola bars, and dinner and lunch that consists of main dishes and lots of rice, and i’ll feel like eating another 2 grapefruits. BUT I NEVER USED TO EAT THIS MUCH!!!!) It’s scaring me.

And recently i have really frequent defecations, like, right after i eat something. And my mensus didn’t really come. And my hair has been dropping so much i’m afraid i’ll turn bald. Like if i just run my fingers through my hair, a huge bunch of hair will fall off….

i checked online to see the symptoms of thyroid problems, but i dont have ALL the symptoms, so i’m just wondering if i do have some thyroid disease or something. Like, i don’t think i have a problem with sleeping, my neck isnt changing size, and my skin is the same as ever. But i’m quite surprised that my weight remained at around 50kg all these while. (i’m 164 kg, so that’s fine right?)

please tell me what’s wrong with me….!

and yeah, i realised these days i have really bad concentration.

A: Not to say this is what you have but check out the symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

- infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
- infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
- increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
- ovarian cysts
- acne, oily skin, or dandruff
- weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
- insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
- skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
- pelvic pain
- anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
- sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

Q: What kind of hair loss is associated with a thyroid problem? Are there other symptoms?

A: Hair loss associated with thyroid problems most commonly are:
eyebrows – the outer corner of eyebrows tends to fall away leaving appearance of half an eye brow.
Hair breakage – hair falling out in clumps or breaking easily when brushed.

Taking good supplements as well as the thyroid meds can get your hair back strong again though.

Q: symptoms of a thyroid problem?
im a 13yr old girl and i recently got my blood taken so the doctors can see if there is somthing wrong with my thyroid.
my aunt also has this problem so can it be genetic?
do you think it is likely that i DO have a thyroid problem?
also, can you MAKE your thyroid messed up or are you born with it?

here are some of my symptoms:
always tired
weak
slow metabolism
liver spots
sleeps alot
can’t lose weight (never been skinny in my life)
losing hair/dry hair
dry skin

thank you!

A: I had all of the same symptoms, and also thought it was a thyroid problem. It turned out I was just depressed, and eating unhealthy foods, which made me tired and weak.

Q: What are the symptoms of thyroid problem?
are any of these associated with it?

diaroea
nausea
dizzy
tremors
palpitations
headaches
hunger
depression
hair falling out (not in clumps but strands)
fatigue and sometimes insomnia

I’ve had these symptoms for coming upto 3 years and have can i point out i have a severe needle phobia which is being worked on by a therapist…which is the reason i haven’t had any tests done.

I also have had agoraphobia for 3 years.
thanks

A: It is possible that you have a hyper thyroid yes. I suggest asking your doctor for a blood test to put your mind at ease. I went to my doctor 5 years ago with all those symptoms and more. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and stayed on PTU tablets for 3 years. 12 months ago I had radioactive idodine to kill off my thyroid which didnt work. 3 weeks ago I had a total Thyroidectomy. Best thing I ever did in my life . I now feel normal (despite the side effects which I am experiencing). If I were you I would go to the doctor soon for blood tests as if it is a thyroid problem you really need to do something about it before you end up like I did. It caused alot of panic attacks for me also, and I had never had before I was hyper. As for the needle phobia, Take a couple of panadol before you go, and take a book to read while they are taking blood. It helps to take you mind off it all. Let me know how you go Chin up

Q: Are my problems all symptoms of a thyroid problem?
Doctor had a blood test done today because irregular periods and fatigue. I also have acne that just started last few months, losing alot of hair, trouble losing weight, mouthful of canker sores, twitchy eye, blurry vision that comes and goes. Now I’m curious, is all this related? I’ve just been ignoring it, because everytime I go to a doctor for the canker sores they just say it’s stress.

A: to me i think you should take a muliti vitimains.eat healthy meals and yes stress will cause a lot of your problems.but is he checking your thyroids?because if your thyroid count is low that will make you gain weught. but if you are so call dieting it will also cause your problems too. you see if you don’t get the nutrirets your body needs it goes wild.so take vitimains,eat right,stay away from things that will stress you out.good luck.

Q: symptoms of thyroid problem but negative blood test?
Recently had tests for thyroid problems, runs in my family on both sides and have been really cold all the time, putting on weight really quicklyand suffering total energy crashes. Blood tests came back as negative and doctors reaction was to put me on diet pills ….! Do reasonable amount of exercise (netball & rugby) and eat ok so don’t think weight is the problem, anyone know something else that causes these things?
Am getting fed up with wearing jumpers and sleeping all the time!

A: You should have your cortisol, blood sugar and insulin levels checked also.

Q: what are signs or symptoms of a thyroid problem or disorder?
Hello, I have not had mine checked yet, but one of my doctors (for anxiety) told me to because I have anxiety and night sweats. I am in the process of finding a doctor to do blood work for me to get it checked. In the meantime though, can you tell me what other signs or symptoms are associated with thyroid?

Thanks

P.S.. I am 27 year old female, if that makes a difference.

A: hypothyroidism/Hashimotos disease:
fatigue
weight gain or inability to lose weight even when dieting
high (bad) cholesterol
low (good) cholesterol
high triglycerides
joint pain
light sensitivity
dry skin
depression
anxiety
arrhythmia’s
cold hands and feet
low blood pressure
fibromyalgia
tingling hands & feet
sleeping too much
heavy periods
infertility
cold intolerance
low body temperature

hyperthyroidism/Graves disease:
anxiety
heart palpitations
weight loss
bulging eyes
eye problems
aggression
trouble sleeping/inability to sleep
weight loss/inability to gain weight
fatigue
heat intolerance
elevated body temperature
high blood pressure
tacchycardia

Q: Is there any reason for having symptoms of a thyroid problem, but having normal blood levels?
I have a lot of the symptoms, but I got my blood tested and it came back normal. My mom had hyperthroidism and had her thyroid removed. Problems in this area are hereditary, but I cant figure out why I have all the symptoms and no reason for it…. Help me?

A: You probably have what is called “Subclinical Hypothyroidism”. Basically, with this condition, the pituitary gland, which is in charge of regulating the thyroid gland, produces extra amounts of TSH to stimulate the thyroid to maintain a normal circulating level of thyroid hormones. While with “Subclinical Hypothyroidism” you technically are not Hypothyroid (thyroid hormone levels are normal), your pituitary is working hard at keeping your thyroid hormone levels within the normal range. In a significant number of patients, the TSH levels must climb in order to continue to stimulate the thyroid gland. Eventually, over the course of months to years, the thyroid gland no longer responds. At this point, “Subclinical Hypothyroidism” turns into overt Hypothyroidism. With Subclinical Hypothyroidism you will have Hypothyroid symptoms. Some doctors refuse to treat Subclinical Hypothyroidism and wait until you become fully Hypothyroid. I think this is a huge mistake. Treating Subclinical Hypothyroidism early on not only helps the patient so they don’t feel horrible, but also lessens the extent of how bad the Hypothyroidism can get. I had a doctor who refused to treat my Subclinical Hypothyroidism and I got so bad that I couldn’t hold down a job and spent most of my time in bed. I searched for a new doctor and found one that was willing to treat my Subclinical Hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, going for so long without treatment caused other problems…I ended up with heart damage, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lost most of my hair for a while and when it grew back it turned completely gray (it wasn’t before) and many other bad things happened. So it’s important to get treated right away.

I suggest you find yourself a good “thyroid doctor” called an Endocrinologist and have a simple blood test including an antibody test (sometimes called an ANA test) to see if you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (an auto-immune disease of the thyroid which often starts out as Subclinical Hypothyroidism). Here is a good Endocrinologist locator:

http://www.armourthyroid.com/con_phLocator.aspx

I highly recommend you get the book, “Living Well with Hypothyroidism” by Mary J. Shomon. It is an easy book to read and you will learn a lot. You may buy it cheap at Amazon.com for as little as $6.05 used

(http://www.amazon.com/Living-Well-Hypothyroidism-Doctor-Revised/dp/0060740957/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249143075&sr=8-1)

or you can get it at a book store (if they don’t have it, have them order it for you).

Once you find a good doctor that is willing to treat you have him/her put you on Armour Thyroid (a type of medication for Hypothyroidism). I was first placed on Synthroid (Levothyroxine) and although it got my thyroid levels in the normal rage, I still had the hypo symptoms and felt awful. It wasn’t until I went on Armour Thyroid that I felt like my old self again. The difference is a hormone called T3. Synthroid doesn’t have T3 in it only T4. Many in the medical field think that Hypothyroid people only need T4 and that your body will convert T4 to T3, but many people’s bodies don’t convert T4 to T3 well and that’s why they still have hypo symptoms while on Synthroid. The human thyroid gland naturally produces hormones T1, T2, T3, T4, T5…etc. Synthroid is a synthetic hormone replacement with only T4. Armour Thyroid is a natural hormone replacement and it has all the hormones your thyroid naturally produces so it stands to reason that treating a disease as naturally as possible is best. Synthroid has a huge marketing campaign with medical schools and doctors’ offices and they try to tell everyone Armour Thyroid isn’t any good. Don’t believe that. Armour Thyroid has been around for over 100 years and is very reliable and is regularly tested and approved by the American Food and Drug Administration. Because of all the negative marketing from Synthroid about Armour, you may have a difficult time getting a doctor to prescribe Armour. However, if you go to the Armour Thyroid web site and use their doctor locator you should be able to find a doctor in your area and state that is willing to prescribe Armour. Believe me it is well worth it to go out of your way to get Armour.

http://www.armourthyroid.com/

Print this out. Take it to your doctor. If your doctor poo-poos this, then fire your doctor and go to that doctor locator I gave you and find a doctor that will help you. I cannot stress enough how important it is to get treated right away. Good luck!

Q: What would you say the chances of me are of having a thyroid problem with these symptoms?
1. My neck feels swollen outwards, but muscular and in the bone structure.
2. My Adam’s Apple is about 2x the size of the average male’s and I don’t have an extremely skinny neck.
3. Two small lumps (under my skin, feel like lymph notes) have formed under my chin and are always visible.
4. My lymph notes are ALWAYS swollen.
5. When bending my neck back it feels like I’m lifting weights and the strain is directly under my Adam’s Apple.
6. It’s hard for me to touch my chin to my chest.
7. It feels like I’m lifting a weight when I swallow and sometimes at the end of the day my neck will be sore (especially directly under my adam’s apple).
8. Half the time my adam’s apple and directly under it hurts.
9. Sometimes my adam’s apple will spasm and move violently up and down against my will.
10. Light pressure against my neck (even a hug) can make my adam’s apple and under it hurt for a long time.

Also, is the thyroid test a simple blood test? Could a naturepath doc help me?

A: Don’t walk, *run* to your doctor. Your lymph nodes should never be swollen for any length of time unless you have an infection or other illness, and when coupled with these other symptoms, I would absolutely put you in the hands of any doctor as quickly as possible. There’s more to a neck/throat than just the thyroid, but a blood test can indicate deficiencies easily, though sometimes a second test may be necessary. A doctor should also feel around and note unusual formations. You ought not let this go any longer and see for certain. Any doctor- just go.

Best of luck!!

Q: What are the first signs/symptoms of a thyroid problem?
I don’t feel well and my dad and 2 auntys have had their thyroids removed.

A: The “signs and symptoms” of a dysfunctional thyroid can be easily confused, and some patients will present no overt “symptoms” at all.

Since you have a family history of thyroid issues, I’m surprised your family practitioner hasn’t given you a proper blood test to check your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
This is the only way to determine your thyroid function.

Make an appointment asap and ask to have the tests done.

Good Luck.

Q: Does anyone know what the symptoms of thyroid problems are?
My sister told me see was having blood work done because her doctor thinks her symptoms may be explained by a thyroid problem. What are some common symptoms? She says one of her symptoms is her hair falling out. I can’t find anything about that symptom as related to thyroid problems!

A: The thyroid gland, which is in your neck, sets the rate at which you produce energy from your body’s stores by the release of thyroid hormones.

Hyperthyroid
If you’re producing too much hormone, and the gland is overactive, you’re said to be hyperthyroid. You’ll have too much energy, lose weight, feel warm and may have symptoms such as palpitations.

There are many causes of an overactive thyroid and you may need blood tests and scans to find out what’s responsible.

The most common reason is when your body’s defences falsely recognise your own tissue as an invader and begin to attack it. This is called autoimmune disease and it stimulates the thyroid to produce more hormones.

If you have a cyst or growth in the thyroid, it may also produce too much hormone.

Hyperthyroidism symptoms may include:

weight loss
rapid heartbeat
tremor
excessive sweating
heat intolerance
anxiety
muscle weakness
goitre
irregular periods

Hypothyroid
If your thyroid is underactive – not producing enough hormone – you’ll have too little energy and will feel slow, tired and lethargic. You’ll become hypothyroid.

Again, there are many causes, but for some it seems to be part of the ageing process. Hypothyroidism is especially common in women after the menopause. Look for the following symptoms:

exhaustion, tiredness, sleep problems
difficulty concentrating or remembering
weight gain
dry hair, skin and nails
depression or anxiety
constipation
poor libido
breathlessness and swelling of feet
hoarseness
cold intolerance
face swelling and puffy eyes
in women, heavy periods

How many people are affected?
Hyperthyroidism affects up to one in 50 people and is ten times more common in women than in men. It can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 20 and 50.

Hypothyroidism is ten times more common in women than in men and usually occurs over the age of 40.

What’s the treatment?
It’s difficult to prevent thyroid illness. Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormone medication. Treatment of hyperthyroidism may involve medication to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, radioactive iodine therapy or a thyroidectomy (removal of part of the thyroid gland).

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006

Q: What are the symptoms of thyroid problems in dogs?
My Schnauzer is shedding quite a bit and he’s hyperactive. I’ve read that dogs with a thyroid problem can be lethargic or hyperactive but I’d like to hear from someone who has experience with this.

A: 90% of thyroid problems in dogs are caused by a hypoactive thyroid, meaning that the thyroid gland is under functioning. Symptoms that the owner usually notices is that the dog is usually overweight (and not just slightly), lethargic, exercise intolerance and usually has patchy hair or the hair coat isn’t as thick as it used to be. To diagnose this, it’s a very simple blood test and the condition is easily controlled by daily oral medication, but has to be monitored by more blood testing to find the right dosing of the medication. Easiest thing to do for your little guy is to just call your Vet for an exam and ask for some blood work! Best of luck.

Q: Are these symptoms of slight thyroid problem?? ?
Recently i realised i have been eating ALOT. i cant stop eating and never feel full. Or if i do, i usually start to feel hungry again half an hour later. And the amount that i eat is… um, more than what my parents eat add together, plus the fact that i’m a 15 year old girl, it just makes this entire thing super scary. (Recently, i eat like, in one day, 5 chocolate doughnuts, 2 bananas, 2 tubs of yogurt, 1 extra humongous beef burger with cheese and two thick slices of meat, 5 granola bars, and dinner and lunch that consists of main dishes and lots of rice, and i’ll feel like eating another 2 grapefruits. BUT I NEVER USED TO EAT THIS MUCH!!!!) It’s scaring me.

And recently i have really frequent defecations, like, right after i eat something. And my mensus didn’t really come. And my hair has been dropping so much i’m afraid i’ll turn bald. Like if i just run my fingers through my hair, a huge bunch of hair will fall off….

i checked online to see the symptoms of thyroid problems, but i dont have ALL the symptoms, so i’m just wondering if i do have some thyroid disease or something. Like, i don’t think i have a problem with sleeping, my neck isnt changing size, and my skin is the same as ever. But i’m quite surprised that my weight remained at around 50kg all these while. (i’m 164 kg, so that’s fine right?)

please tell me what’s wrong with me….!

and yeah, i realised these days i have really bad concentration.

A: Not to say this is what you have but check out the symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).

What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

- infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
- infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
- increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um)
- ovarian cysts
- acne, oily skin, or dandruff
- weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
- insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
- skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
- pelvic pain
- anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
- sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep

Q: What are the symptoms of a thyroid problem. Is it just hair loss only or other signs?

A: I am one of these sufferers of a thyroid disorder, called; Hypothyroidism. The doctor took four years to correctly diagnose me!

Here are the symptoms for an over-active thyroid;

1: Putting on weight without eating any more, whilst having a healthy diet.

2: Feeling lethargic, no matter how much sleep you have had.

3: Mood swings.

4: Feeling cold.

5: Hair loss!

Untreated, a multi-nodular goitre can form in the thyroid, but the eyes do not become prominent as with the over-active thyroid condition.

The patient will feel more lethargic as the time goes by, and might be unable to have the strength to get out of bed.

—————————————————————–

If it is Hyperthyroidism, over-active thyroid;

1: Feeling hot even when the weather is cold.

2; Rushing about, not able to relax, tense.

3: Palpitations.

4: Feeling irritable all the time.

5: Unable to sleep.

If this condition is left untreated, the thyroid could swell, and so can the eyeballs, which is called; Goitre

A blood test can easily ascertain, which thyroid condition the patient has. Treatment is difficult to get the correct level of thyroid hormone needed in to regulate the body, but if you have a good specialist, called an; Endocrinologist it may take only 6 months to a year, depending on the severity of the case.

But, you will have to go back for regular three monthly blood tests to keep an eye on it. I found that if I had a weight gain, or managed to lose some weight, it affected the dosage I was on. So keep an eye on that too.

Donni-Jay

Q: are these symptoms of thyroid problems or something else?
recently ive been veryyy hungry and veryy thirsty all the time (therefore going to the bathroom often) and also for some reason, even though im eating a lot more…im loosing weight. when i had my period it was so light, basically nothing except for the first day. im tired all the time, taking naps constantly. i have an enlarged thyroid and they told me if i was having problems with my period i should see them again..but i dont know if this is a thyroid problem or something else. please help me!

A: Very much sounds like hyperthyroidism.

Q: Thyroid problems, symptoms the same as depression?
Hi again…I was talking with a lady and she had very similiar symptoms as me with my “Burn-out: Depression”. She said that her thyroid was ‘out of wack’. I have had my thyroid checked this year (about 1 month before I was diagnosed) and the blood work indicated that my thyroid count was normal. Is it possible that other blood work would indicate otherwise?
I have had previous problems with thyroid count and I was sent to a specialist and then the number was normal (without meds.). That was 3 weeks after the original blood work. How can the count be off (a crazy amount) one day and then normal the next? Is there a possibility that I am being treated for a wrong illness? Has anyone had thyroid problems in the past? I would really enjoy reading your answers. TY. Have a great weekend.

A: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause symptoms of depression and fatigue, which may be what you are experiencing.
If you think that this might be an issue for you, see a different doctor than the one you saw last time and get your levels checked again.
I have hypothyroidism and it is an easy thing to manage once you get it diagnosed.

Go here for a list of symptoms. Good luck with everything.

http://www.webmd.com/hw/thyroid_disorders/hw145669.asp?pagenumber=2

Q: what are some signs and symptoms of thyroid problems?
what are the symptoms of thyroid problems…basically,how do you know you have issues with you thyroid (male)..what happens to you…do you lose appaetite,hairloss/balding???etc…what happens?

A: Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid. Symptoms would include; weight gain, difficulty losing weight, fatigue, constipation, depression, dry thinning hair, dry skin, low body temp, brain fog, decreased sex drive, muscle and joint aches

Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid. Symptoms may include; weight loss, diarrhea, anxiety, excessive sweating, headaches,

Q: what are all of the symptoms of a thyroid problem?
what are the long term effects if not treated?

A: Thyroid is a gland in the neck which produces a hormone thyroxine which basically increases the metabolic rate.So there may be two possibilities.
(1 ) You have less thyroxine. The symtoms will be.
You are sluggish.
You cannot stand cold.
You have a loss of appetite.
Your heart rate is low.
Your blood sugar will drop.
You will get fatter.
(2)You have more thyroxine. The symptoms will be opposite those of the above.
Goitre is a condition where your Thyroid swells up. Some goitres prouce less thyroxine. some produce more and some may even be malignant.

Q: Anyone had sucessful radiation treatment of thyroid problem in cat?

A: Not personally, but I have seen quite a few hyperthyroid cats come through our vet school clinic for this treatment, as well as seeing them at follow up in general clinics and most do really well.

The most important thing- has your cat been on oral medication already (e.g. neomercazole)? Almost every vet I know, both out in practice and the specialists at uni stress how important it is to use orals drugs first to assess the cat’s response, as meds are a reversible treatment whereas radioiodine is not.

This may well have been explained to you, so apologies if it has, but I’ve seen this mistake made. The main issue is that hyperthyroidism can actually mask underlying kidney disease because it actually increases the blood flow (and therefore filtration) through the kidneys. As a result nothing, or very little shows up abnormal on blood tests but as soon as the cat’s thyroid problem is treated, signs of renal failure become apparent.

If neomercazole was used to treat the thyroid disease it’s less of a problem because you can reduce the drug dose and balance between the kidneys and the thyroid but if the treatment used was irreversible- radioiodine or removal of the thyroid- there is nothing that can be done.

If your cat has been on neomercazole or similar, and has had a good response with no problems it would certainly be worth doing the radiation treatment.

goldie- fortunately very few cats actually become hypothyroid after radioiodine treatment, so very few need to take thyroid hormones ) Just important to monitor bloods for a period afterwards to make sure that all is okay.

Q: Dog question: Thyroid problem? Medication-treatment options-experiences please!?
Took my dog to the vet yesterday. The symptoms are a patch of bumps on his chin that will not go away after 30 days of 500mg Cephlaxin(2 pills 2 times a day). Vet recommended a Thyroid panel that will not be back for 10 days. Until then, we are continuing the antibiotics- and maybe for longer this time if thyroid is normal.
Does anyone know what the treatment is IF there is indeed a problem? Any experiences to share?
The dog is a 14 month old Rottweiler. 128 lbs- trim.
The dog also hs excessive callusses on elbows and knees from hardwood floors- (he refuses a dog bed) The bumps do have a slight odor that the vet said was infection(i knew that and it was the reason for the follow up visit) He sheds and has dander alot too- In my opinion, but I have 2 dogs so who’s to know.

A: I have alot of expience with thyroid problem dogs. 3 of 5 of my dogs have hypo thyroid ( low thyroid) this makes them hungry, gain weight, tired, or less energetic, and usually make their hair thinner and shed more. Some dogs even get aggresive because they do not feel themselves with low thyroid. Our dogs have always been prescribed Levo…something I don;t have it with me right now but theat is the most common one. it si inexpensive for our 100 pound Lab/ Rott mix it was only about $20 a month. I am not sure of your vet thinks your dog has hypo thyroid or hyper thyroid. One of our cats has Hyperthyroid..which does the opposite..makes this very hyper and they usually can not keep weight on. The medication is about the same price. Also hypothyroid makes then itchy and can cause skin irritations. Good Luck!

Q: My doctor says I have a thyroid problem, what are my options for treatment? What should I be prepared for?
My doctor told me I have an overactive thyroid gland and sent me to the hospital to take radioactive pills for a thyroid scan. Now he’s sending me to a specialist. He said its not cancer but he’s afraid to give me treatment. I’m worried and I don’t know what to expect next.

A: The specialist is likely an endocronologist. Nothing to fear. You will likely be given a series of drugs to go on.

Your doctor doesnt want to give you treatment because he’s not fully aware of what drugs you will need to take. Trust me when I tell you that that is a good doctor. He is looking out for your best interest.

Take this one step at a time and breathe.

Here is some information for you. Time to educate yourself:

http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec13/ch163/ch163b.html#sec13-ch163-ch163b-116

Q: What are the most common treatment methods for thyroid problems?
My docotor is testing my blood for thyroid problems, and I would like to know what treatments they may suggest if I do have any problems. Also, what are the possible issues with my thyroid that they may be checking for? Signs and symptoms? Not sure if this makes a difference, but I am a 22 yr old female – two children/c-section.

A: FIRST THING~ If your doctor won’t listen to YOU, get a new one! YOU KNOW when your body is good & when it’s not! I refuse to listen to someone who won’t listen to me…because they think they know it all since they “went to school for the degree”. Well, they didn’t go to school & study MY BODY! So, get a new doc, and don’t feel bad about it. What if something bad happened to you? Would you hesitate to let that doc know at that point? DON”T LET IT GET THERE!
I have given several links below to read & perhaps you can read through & understand the different thyroid symptoms & problems.
Here is some information about myself, plus some symptoms since you seemed to be interested:
I have low thyroid. I’ve had it for 10 years. I got it after I had my second child at about the age of 25. If you have low thyroid…here’s a great question to answer: Can you see the floor of your house? That was what was asked of me at one point, and to my amazement, the answer was no!
My signs are: messy house, no desire to do anything…go anywhere, spend time with my kids or my guy, sleep a lot, hard to keep my eyes open at times, HUGE weight gain that over the past years have not found an easy way to take off…so I give up a lot, I have terribly dry hair & don’t wash it a lot so it stays strong, I have bumps on my face…not like pimples, but I think it’s from dry skin, and perhaps some others that I can’t remember at this time…that’s another symptom–forgetfullness.
Here are the “GENERAL” signs for most people: fatigue and lack of energy. Women suffering from underactive thyroid experience heavier menstrual periods. Sluggishness and forgetfulness are symptoms of underactive thyroid problem. Other symptoms of this thyroid disorder are dry skin and hair and constipation.
If you have high thyroid, or an overactive one, the signs are: increased body metabolism. This is followed by weight loss and excessive warmth and sweating. Persons suffering from overactive thyroid experience trembling hands, irritability and rapid heartbeat or palpitations. Women with overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism may experience shorter or lighter menstrual periods.
I take medication, and sadly will have to take 1 pill everyday for the rest of my life. There’s a blood check that they will do to see if you have low or high. I hope i’ve helped you!!

Q: Whats the best conditioning treatment for dry hair caused by thyroid problems?
I have been losing my hair for a year now and the condition of it is really bad, all due to being hypo. It is very dry and brittle so was wondering if anyone else who has the same problem has found a conditioning treatment that really works. Thanks in advance.

A: Try Philosophy’s Sheer Splendor shampoo and conditioner. They also make a deep conditioner mask that is great too.

Philosphy products can be bought at Sephora, philosophy.com, QVC or Nordstrom’s

Q: Radioactive Iodine or drug treatment for thyroid disease?which is better?
Please enlighten my mind about this two type solution for thyroid disease, maybe if there’s no hope for short medication with my thyroid problem i chose Radioactive treatment.

A: Whatever you do, do NOT have radiation.

I’m assuming that you have Grave’s disease. Did the doctor who offered you radiation tell you that radiation is NOT a cure for Grave’s disease? Did he tell you that it makes Grave’s disease worse? And did he tell you that after you have the radiation, you will not only still have Grave’s disease, but you will also have an additional disease (iatrogenic hypOthyroidism)? Did he tell you that while radiation will get rid of one symptom of Grave’s disease only (hyperthyroidism) that it might come back?

If your doctor didn’t tell you these things, then he is not allowing you informed consent. That is malpractice. And you should RUN away from this doctor as fast as you can, and find a new one.

The correct treatment for Grave’s disease is methimizole (or PTU in the UK). You take it until your body naturally goes into remission, or for the rest of your life, whichever comes first. There is absolutely NO cure for Grave’s disease. There is only treatment. Any doctor who tells you that he can cure you is telling lies and commiting malpractice.

Q: My 3 months old baby is 18 lbs, does he have thyroid problem, where he gains weight ?
If thyroid problem is there, is there a treatment where baby becomes normal ? What is child obesity , how does it affect baby’s growth ?

A: their are 2 typs of thyroid problems. if he had a thyroid problem the new born test would of picked it up. talk to the dr if ur worried

Q: What Thyroid problem arises in ladies & what is its remedy?
My wife is facing some throid problems since two years. I want the proper treatment of the problem.

A: Both hypo & hyper thyroidism affect ladies.The best solution to the problem is proper medication which she have to take life long.

Q: I have a cat with post thyroid removal problems (low calcium) any one know about treatment for this?
due to removal of thyroid/parathyroid glands my cat needs ongoing treatment with calcium & vitamin D has any one else had this problem with their cat & what was the medication name?

A: Go to a holistic pet store and get your cat a multi vitamin. and/or a calcium supplement. You can also change her diet to suit her needs. When you go to the holistic pet store they will have a proper food for for her needs. He doesn;t need medication he needs a proper diet and supplements. You don;t always have to turn to cemicals to cure something.

Q: How much is thyroid treatment for cats?
I took my 10 yr old cat to the vets today because despite being her usual self, she’s been losing a lot of weight. The vet took her blood, and is going to let me know the results in a couple of days, but seems to think the most likely cause is a thyroid problem.

Of course getting her the treatment is without question, but I’d like to know how much I can expect to pay, and what further costs there might be.

Looking on the Internet, the tablet option is probably more likely, but I don’t know how long she will be on the medication for, and how often she will have to have blood tests?

Will these blood tests cost the same as the diagnosis blood test?

And how much will the tablets be?

Will my cat have the same life expectancy as before, and be happy?

Any information or shared experiences are much appreciated.

I’m in the UK, by the way.

Thanks.

A: My cat Gadget took tablets from 15 – 19 year old. Methemazole ( it’s not spelt exactly the same as that but something similar.) and he was fine.

Treatment was about £10- 15 a month. It worked well for him and gave him a full new lease of life. He never fully put back all the weight on, he was a big tom and suddenly he looked on the skinnier side. But he was happy and not in pain whatsoever. I only put him down when he started to slow from other problems. His kidneys were a little bit too far gone.

Admittedly administering a tablet once a day to Gadget was a royal pain but it was worth it. I think we took him back to the vet’s about once every 6 months for check ups? Not always blood tests though

at 10 years old your cat should happily live on these tablets for at least a few years, Just make sure in the meantime he’s looked after!

Q: Can someone with thyroid problems or hypothiroidism lose weight without having treatment first?
I wonder if I don’t have any treatment (for now) it is possible to lose weight if I go on a diet.
I ask this because I’ve heard that 1st people have to go on hormone treatment and 2nd they can go on a diet.
Thank you

A: If you are currently hypothyroid, it can be difficult to lose weight. It still makes good sense to exercise and eat well, but if your metabolism is already running on the slow side, it can be more difficult to lose weight.

See Mary Shomon’s site listed below.

Q: has anyone had a cat that had radioiodine treatment for thyroid problems, if so were there any side effects?

A: It was offered to us for one of ours, but the cost was so high (over $1,000) that we opted to do the methamazole twice a day instead.

Q: Will I need Treatment for my Thyroid?
My Doctor notified me that the Sonogram of my Thyroid shows that my Goiters are swollen, and that I do have little Masses. Besides that, I do have uncomfortable Symptoms. Am I going to need Treatments, and if so which one is the most effective? Anybody with similar Thyroid Problem, can give me an Advise? Thanks!

A: They are classified in different ways:
* A “diffuse goiter” is a goiter that has spread through all of the thyroid (and can be a “simple goitre”, or a “multinodular goitre”).
* “Toxic goitre” refers to goitre with hyperthyroidism. These most commonly due to Graves’ disease, but can be caused by inflammation or a multinodular goitre.
* “Nontoxic goitre” (associated with normal or low thyroid levels) refers to all other types (such as that caused by lithium or certain other autoimmune diseases).
A goiter only needs to be treated if it is causing symptoms.
Treatments for an enlarged thyroid include:
* Radioactive iodine to shrink the gland
* Surgery (thyroidectomy) to remove all or part of the gland
* Small doses of Lugol’s iodine or potassium iodine solution if the goiter is due to iodine deficiency
* Treatment with thyroid hormone supplements if the goiter is due to underactive thyroid.
Consult the doctor.

Q: Does this seem like a thyroid problem?
I’ve felt a bit “off” for a few years now, but lately I’ve been feeling pretty awful. I’m fatigued almost all the time, and have to nap even if I get plenty of sleep. Sometimes I get random chest pains or my heart flutters. I feel like I’m not getting enough oxygen when I breathe, and that I’m mentally dull/slow. I eat constantly but can never seem to gain any weight. I overheat very easily and sweat even when it isn’t hot out. I randomly have a bout of diarrhea almost every month, and often have abnormal abdominal pain before exciting events. I occasionally have manic phases where I can’t sleep and my mind races uncontrollably. Lastly, my muscles (especially my arms) are really weak, but I’m pretty out of shape.

I’ve done some research on my own, and am planning on seeing a doctor at some point. I’m just curious if anyone here has experience with thyroid problems, if they had similar symptoms, and how they turned out with treatment. Any other general info is welcome.
Also, if not a thyroid problem, any idea what it may be?

A: This is likely to be a thyroid case, based on your history of fatigue, heart flutters, mental dullness, weight gain, etc. Problem is, it doesn’t seem to correlate to either hyperthyroidism (excessive) or hypothyroidism (less) because of contrary symptoms (although, I will admit that these symptoms are not steadfast).

Apart from that, the other likely cause for fatigue and heart flutters could be long-standing anaemia.

Do keep an eye on your menstrual cycles & see if they’re still regular/ irregular and of your normal flow or if they’ve dereased in quantity.

Treatments for either thyroid or anaemia is good. Most patients are in normal health status within 3 months or so, with good patient compliance.

Do get yourself checked by a medical professional without delay. A ‘few years’ is already a long time to contemplate a visit to the doctor’s.

Q: Thinning hair: Thyroid problem?
Folks,

I have thinning hair problem. Dermatologist recommended blood test, which showed TSH 3rd generation (Thyroid Studies) as 6.34 (normal range is 0.35 – 5.5 MCIU/ML).

New normal range : TSH levels of 0.3 to 3.0, according to http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/labs2003.htm.

Dermatologist initially told that 6.34 is normal but later he called me again and told that we need to run Thyroid treatment. He has asked another full test of Thyroid levels.

Do you think 6.34 should be treated or Doctor is recommending this to continue treatment (for bucks) ?

What is the normal range of Thyroid levels ?

What will be the recommended treatments ?

Any hopes of getting the hair back ?

Thanks

A: Yes, I do think you shold be treated, especially when damage can be happening with a TSH over 2.0. Your thinning hair could be a symptom of hypothyroidism. For treatment, I recommend Armour because it helps with thinning hair, fatigue, depression, brain fog, and muscle and joint aches. I am hypothyroid. I was started on Levoxyl and had no relief from symptoms. When I switched to Armour most of my symptoms went away, including the thinning hair. Armour is adjusted by free t4 and free t3, not by TSH.

Q: Has anyone else found that they developed a thyroid problem after pregnancy?
I begged my doctor to check because I’ve been miserably tired and no matter how hard I try I’ve just been maintaining weight. Well, she checked, and I have a thyroid problem. Did anyone else find out pregnancy knocked their thyroid out of whack and did their doctor deny it as a possibility?

A: One of my good friends did after she gave birth to her second child (no problems after first). She did not start her period again and could not lose any weight and in fact put a bit more back on. She was getting very concerned that she might be pregnant again (her first 2 are only 15 months apart) but after no periods and the weight issues for 7 months the doctor did tests and found she had developed hypothyroidism. She was put on meds for about 9-12 months (sorry not too sure about that bit but know it was a long time) and she is perfectly fine now. Her doctor did initially deny it but agreed in the end that was what it was.

Q: Thyroid problem & pregnancy?
I’m 9weeks5days pregnant today and I went to the doctor for my first prenatal appt. they did my bloodwork and the results said that I had a slightly low thyroid. The doctor also assured me that the thyroid & pregnancy hormone sometimes clash and it can be hard to read them. I have NEVER had a problem with my thyroid. So it most likely is just something with the pregnancy hormone. But my question is….if it is something…what are the problems it can cause with the pregnancy? We also just found out that I am severely low with iron. I have always been slightly low, but its geting pretty bad. Which is why most days I can barely drag myself out of bed. Can this cause any problems with the baby?

A: A lot of times pregnancy can cause your thyroid function to slow a bit. This is very easily managed by taking a daily hormone supplement (if the problem is serious enough that it needs to be treated by medication). Your doctor should do a routine check of your thyroid levels while you are pregnant as they will fluctuate a lot. As long as you are getting tested regularly and taking the meds as they are prescribed (if needed), then there really isn’t much risk to your child.

As far as the iron problem, I cannot help you.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

Um…why is the next poster repeating me word for word????

Q: how the thyroid problem reflects in pregnancy?
I am 28 years.. I have thyroid problem since my childhood.. will the thyroid problem reflects the married life.. If it so what are the measures to be taken

A: I am hypothyroid, I was digonised recently. But mine is treatable (as doctor said that). I was told that after level goes back to normal, you can easily get pregnant.

Q: Thyroid problem during pregnancy does effect baby complexion? Kindly help me!?
i am 25 year old this is my first pregnancy 5month, first pregnancy was aborted, I have thyroid problem because of that i was unable to conceived at 2nd trial of pregnancy once i started having Thyronorm tab 50mcg i got conceived within 15 days but my doctor has advised me to have this tab through out pregnancy, i just what to know does it effect baby growth, complexion and Thyroid development? Is this really a serious prob. how i will get rid of this? My Doctor said i need to continue this after pregnancy as well ,kindly give me few body-exercise information so i can get rid of this i have pimple prob as well. Thank you very much in advance indeed

A: I have hypothyroidism, and I am going to tell you straight up how it will be for you. I take 225mcg of Synthroid daily, it is monitored every 4 weeks, if I werent on the medication then I have a higher chance of my child developing abnormalities in the womb. The baby already has a functioning thyroid on their own by 15 weeks, they no longer rely on mommy for that, however it is VERY crucial that your levels continue to be monitored up to and after delivery. As long as you take your meds you will be fine, your baby is no harm unless you stop taking it, as it can cause preterm labor.

*I cannot breastfeed due to being on the medication because IT DOES pass through my breast milk, and my child doesn’t need that hormone going through his body, so he will be formula fed.

Q: Thyroid problem during pregnancy?
I just got a prescription for my thyroid. It doesn’t produce enough hormones. I’m 5 months pregnant, so my question is: could my under active thyroid affected my baby at all? Thanks in advance!

A: I have read MANY studies on this as my last pregnancy was after I had found out I had thyroid disease. Hypothyroidism can definitely affect your child’s congnitive and intellectual level. However, even if you were hypothyroid for a part of your pregnancy, getting your TSH level under control asap almost always reverses what may have been done. So, please do not worry, but DO make sure you are followed by an endocrinologist. Your TSH should not be higher than a 2 in pregnancy, ideally. Also, make sure you do not take your prenatal vitamins (or any suppliment containing iron or calcium) for 4 hours before or after your Synthroid. And make sure you are waiting at least an hour to eat after you take it. Congrats in advance on your baby!

Q: Is thyroid problem will affect my sex life and pregnancy?
Hi, I am 23 yrs old & planning to get married. I have thyroid problem, I have hypothyroidism. m taking my medicines but still it is not under control.I am afraid that this will affect me in my future….in my sex life or in pregnancy. My periods are very painful, is thyroid is the reason? My haemoglobin level is between 10-11, is it correct?
Do i need to consult doctor?? or I am just over reacting?? Give your suggestions. Thanks…

A: u r not taking medicine altroxine correctly, take this empty stomach soon after getting out of the bed, keep the bottle on dining table. then it will give effect.
it is good news to us that u r planning our good wishes r with u, but don’t forget us keep asking after marriage too.
It will not effect ur sex life which depends on ur testosterone hormone secreted by ur ovaries and also known as in females pleasure hormones. and pregnancy also be not effected.
Pain during periods could be due to some infection in ur vagina and uterus, which can be corrected by taking some antibiotic for a week.
ur hb is well in normal range u can take some iron rich diet to raise a little more say 12
I think I have cleared ur doubts, if u have any more please let me know

Q: Does being cold during pregnancy mean you have a thyroid problem?
I have read that feeling cold during pregnancy can be a sign of hypothyroidism but is their anyone who was not diagnosed with this and still had cold symptoms during their pregnancy?

A: i’m only fourteen.
never been pregnant.
but i was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, and i’m sure that there is nothing to worry about.
hormones go crazy when you’re pregnant.
just see your doctor and if you really are worried get a blood test from the vein in your arm, they can easily tell you if your thyroid is doing what it’s supposed to.
and if it’s not, there are tons of medecations to try that will get you back on track.
good luck!
xx

Q: What are the risks of having Thyroid problems during pregnancy?
Some body I know is early in a pregnancy and just found out she has thyroid problems. What are the risks involved for the child? How severe are they?

A: There can be some potential risks ~ you didn’t mention if your friend is hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. I myself have hypothyroidism (underactive) and am currently 7 months pregnant. Continued use of prescribed meds should be taken and closely monitored by her endocrinologist & obstetrician as levels may vary while pregnant. The baby does not have it’s own thyroid function until the 2nd trimester. Also, with the thyroid medication, she should take it AT LEAST several hours before or after taking her prenatal vitamin.

Q: i have thyroid problem.i got pregnancy.this is 2 nd month.now my baby development is good ?
in june to july end i use 75 mg of thyroid medicine.it is not suitable for my body.again i use 88 mg of thyroid medicine.but now i am not checking of thyroid level.i got pregnecy .is my baby position and development good?i am scaring about of my baby growth.

A: go to a doctor they can tell you whats best. they may want you to discontinue your meds until you have your baby. my cousin has the same problem as you. you should think about what’s best for the baby. your doctor will be able to tell you more about how your baby is doing and you need to be checked every month anyway. good luck.

Q: Pregnancy, hair falling out, and thyroid problem?
I developed a thyroid condition shortly after the birth of my first child. I was told it was somewhat common and eventually it corrected itself.

Now, pregnant for the second time, my hair is very brittle and coming out in chunks. Is it possible I developed the thyroid problem again, this time DURING the pregnancy instead of after?

I will see my doctor in 2 1/2 more weeks. I am just curious if this has happened to anyone else.

A: I would say it is possible, and you should have your doctor run a TSH test for you. Having yourself become too hypothyroid while you are in early stages of pregnancy is not good for the baby. You might want to make a call and have them run some bloodwork before your next appointment.
It is very common to have thyroid problems that are discovered during pregnancy, not the kind that just goes away…very treatable.
and, by the way, hair is the last thing to recover, since our body sees it as so unnecessary….I wish you and the baby good health.

Q: Same girl with thyroid pregnancy problem?
Yes I’ve had a blood test done. They said I’m not, I had a ultrasound and the reason they gave me was maybe a bowel was in the way. They don’t know and don’t want to deal with the difficulty of the situation. My boyfriend, friend and myself felt a pulse, like a heartbeat of the baby in my stomach. I just know I am with all the symptoms to go with it. I’m nausis sometimes too. I really do believe I am. Us women know our bodys and when somethings different. Thank you for your answers.

A: Well first off your not going to “feel” the babys heartbeat, second, if your blood test came back negative, then your not pregnant, your thyroid issue wouldnt make the pregnancy test inaccurate..third, a bowel wouldnt get in the way of the US. Sorry but I have to agree with the doc’s I dont think your pregnant, but like the 1st poster said..only time will tell.

Q: Thyroid problem and pregnancy…?
Has anyone been able to get pregnant despite having a low thyroid? I’ve read that it can cause early miscarriages, birth defects, etc. I take a few herbs, but no medications and have been trying to conceive for 11 months, to no avail.

A: well my mom had thyroid cancer wile i was being born.. and im fine i promise :]

collage prep classes and such.. i’d ask a doctor just in case

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: hypothyroidism (low thyroid problem) and pregnancy?
My husband and i have been TTC since we got married almost 4 yrs ago and had no luck. then a year ago i thought i was went 3 months with no period and went to the dr after negative preg. tests and they told me i have hypothyroidism. which can cause a woman not to ovulate and have no period ive been on medicine for it now over a year. does any one else have hypothyroidism and had any luck with getting prego’s? how do i ask my doctor to put me on clomid to TTC can i ask him to be put on medicine to help us get pregnant without having to go to a fertility clinic? or is the hypothyroidism even making me infertile? HELP!

A: First thing to work on is getting th first thing in the morning TSH around 1.0. If any higher, pregnancy may not happen. Also, once pregnant, its important that the TSH stays around 1.0 so not to miscarry.

You may also want to get your progesterone levels checked. Many who are hypothyroid, have low progesterone levels. This was the case for me. I use a USP grade progesterone cream. I have a friend who is hypothyroid and was only having 2 or 3 periods a year. She started using the cream and is now have period every month.

Best of luck in getting pregnant.

Q: thyroid problems and pregnancy?
how do you know if you have a thyroid problem? do you have the same symptoms as pregnancy? just curious
and if you are pregnant and have a thyroid problem does it complicate things?

A: If you have it while pregnant, it’s fine you just have to see your specialist to test your levels throughout your pregnancy. They do not have the same symptoms. There are two types of thyroidism. Hyper and Hypo. One makes you gain weight and keep it on, and one makes you stay really thin. Both aren’t good when uncontrolled. A simple blood test will tell you if you have it or not, so see your doctor if you’re concerned.

Q: What kind of thyroid problem causes the eyes to bulge out?
My aunt has this problem and I’m just wondering.

A: Hyperthyroidism – Graves disease is often suspect.

Q: thyroid problem causes highblood pressure?
i am 19 and i seem to have highblood pressure. i have many symptoms. i had blood tests done and the only thing wrong that came out was my T3 levels were a little high at 5.8 thouhg tsh and t4 were fine. does a thyroid problem causes highblood pressure?

A: Having had hyperthyroidism for years and finally being diagnosed with Graves Disease I can tell you what I have experienced. A hyperthyroid can cause a lot of problems. Palpations of the heart is what I had. My heart would race and I would feel faint. I suggest you try the National Graves Disease website. They list all the symtoms and give some explaination of what you should do. Hope you feel better soon!

Q: Thyroid Problem causes small breasts? ?
I recently went to the doctor and she told me I have an enlarged thyroid.soon i am going to get an ultrasound of it to figure out the problem. I wear an A cup bra and i am 16 years old. I got my period when i was 13. large breasts run in my family.

does my thyroid problem relate to my breasts!??help needed.

A: No im 21 and i have a enlarged thyroid to and it didnt make ur breast small..

Q: could a thyroid problem cause any real difficuly losing fat?
i workout hard regularly and eat clean the majority of the time minus a few give ins the junk sometimes. i am staring to do cardio at the gym again to. i doa fairly decent amount of walking outside of the gym to. i can’t seem to lose any fat. i lose inches but my wait stays the same. what could be the problem?

A: Do you eat soy?

Q: Can a thyroid problem cause problems with fertility?
I’ve just found out that my thyroid level is abnormal, can this effect fertility? I was tested for this, and other things because of trouble trying to conceive after a miscarriage. Stacie

A: Hi There,
If you are trying to become pregnant and have symptoms of low thyroid, it is crucial that you get
your thyroid levels corrected before you even conceive.
As you are trying to get pregnant right now and cannot,it could be because you hypothyroidism is making you infertile.
i read that studies show that women with low thyroid have trouble getting pregnant, however with proper
thyroid supplementation you can help achieve pregnancy, so dont think that is it Stacie.
Your Gp will help you with this and provide you will all the advice and support you need.
Good Luck

Q: can a thyroid problem cause hot flashes?
My husband was just told that his thyroid is out of whack, He has been having really bad hot flashes.
What other things take place in the body when the thyroid is elevated?

A: Absolutely – your thyroid controls every metabolic function in your body, so it can cause either hot flashes, or it can cause you to be cold all the time, or both – it can cause fevers and chills. It can cause weight gain and loss. (depending on whether you are high or low). It can cause cramping in your muscles, it can cause you to either be tired all the time, or to not be able to sleep (racing thoughts, need to move, etc.) It can also cause you to feel depressed or manicky – often thyroid problems are misdiagnosed as bipolar if they are severed.
It can cause you to be hungry all the time or not hungry at all.
It can also cause diarreah or constipation. Headaches and nausea too.
Good luck – it’s hard to get the meds balanced at first if the thyroid is still partially functioning, but it will get there and he will feel much better.

Q: Can thyroid problem/medicine cause the growth of white hair?
I’ve started having a few white on my head ever since a few months ago. I am NOT under alot of stress or anything. And I am not very old so that couldn’t be the reason. But I am taking a thyroid medication. Does anyone know if Thyroid problem/medicine will cause the growth of white hair? I am afraid it is something else. Thank you. If you also have that problem, please tell me about it.

A: I have read the reports of a few patients over the years on thyroid yahoo groups who said they had some white hairs growing in. And it seemed to be related to being on T4-only meds like Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothyroxine–all which leave you hypothyroid to one degree or another. And one problem with remaing hypothyroid is poor digestion of nutrients like copper and minerals, and that can lead to white hairs. Here’s a list of continuing hypothyroid symptoms on T4 meds which include white hairs: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/long-and-pathetic

You might also google “white hair hypothyroid” and see a lot.

Q: can having a thyroid problem cause you to not digest milk and if so why?
I use to be able to drink milk and now I throw up everytime I drink it even in my ceral. I had my thyroid check and supposely it is fine. what do the thyroid have to do with drinking milk?

A: Our bodies change. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there is anything wrong with your thyroid, you may have simply become “lactose intolerant”. No longer being about to digest milk sugars.

You can try using Lactaid, or try replacing milk with soymilk. Soymilk is healthy and has many cancer fighting properties.

Good luck!

Q: Does excess flaxseed oil suppliment give you thyroid problem?
I take Omacore fish oil suppliment. Can I also take flaxseed oil? I read about excess flaxseeds in diet cause thyroid problems. Isit true? How much and what form – oil, raw seeds, roasted seeds or powder – is the safe flaxseed intake?

A: The raw flax seeds themselves do:
http://www.drmirkin.com/nutrition/N192.html
This is from a compound called cyanogen.
It is converted in the body to another chemical called Thiocyanate (SCN). SCN in high concentrations in the blood for prolonged periods may have an adverse affect on the thyroid gland and may reduce its ability to take up Iodine.
http://www.ifafitness.com/health/herbals.htm
You should not eat more than 3 tablespoons a day of the raw seeds and I would opt for less than this if you are even borderline hypothyroid or are on medication for hypothyroidism.
Cyanogen is made inactive my cooking:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Flax-Seeds:-A-Rich-Source-of-Omega-3s&id=154185
so roasted flax seeds would be free of cyanogen. Powder would be cyanogen free only if was processed by pasteuisation or another method to remove cyanogen. It would be best to contact the manufacturer for such info. If it was from sprouted seeds, the sprouting process may remove cyanogen but again you need to ask the manufacturer for details. There is often a contact number on the packaging.

Flax seed oil: there are conflicting reports:
This report says flax seed oil does not contain cyanogen:
http://www.ifafitness.com/health/herbals.htm
and so does this:
http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~shlevy/DIETARY%20SUPPLEMENTS.htm
This report says that flax seed oil (quote): “contains also neurotoxic cyanogen glycosides and immuno-suppressive cyclic nonapeptides. Therefore, in order for flaxseeds oil to be used as edible food for reducing the plasma level of cholesterol and hyperlimidemia, it is preferable to remove these toxic components and saturated fatty acids from flaxseed or its oil before using as edible food.” (unquote):
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?wo=2006137717
I would therefore again ask the manufacturer if the oil has been processed for removal of the toxic compounds.
It is likely that flax seed oil manufacturers are aware of the toxic components by way of the seeds and process the oil to remove these, by various methods such as this:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/g102426115603321/

Fish oil is excellent for you …why not stick with fish oil.
Also, I do know that flax seed oil goes rancid really quickly so if you purchase a bottle of the oil you need to refridgerate it.

If you have thyroid problems stay away from soya also as this can cause problems with the thyroid gland in those predisposed to problems especially.

Hope this helps.
Best wishes.

Q: How can a thyroid problem cause you to act bipolar???

A: Because the thyroid gland effects metabolism and metabolism has an effect on the whole body. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can cause a host of symptoms. Too little hormone can cause brain fog, too much can cause anxiety

Q: Is there a way besides a thyroid problem that someone simply cant lose weight no matter what?
i know there are lots of posts about how they cant lose weight, or they have tried and tried and still cant lose anything no matter what, so is it really possible that something other than a thyroid problem could cause someone to not be able to lose any weight at all? or is it more likely that they arent being so truthful with there diet/exercise regimine and such?

A: 1. Insufficient Exercise and Poor Eating Habits

You cannot lose weight by cutting calories alone. Adequate exercise and healthy eating habits go hand in hand when it comes to weight loss. Most Americans simply don’t get enough exercise to burn up the amount of calories that they consume on a daily basis. A steady stream of calories without a means to burn them equals weight gain, plain and simple.

A healthy individual looking to maintain his or her weight needs an average of 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day: A brisk walk, playing with your kids in the park, washing the car by hand. If you’re looking to lose weight, 60 minutes of cardio a day is recommended until you reach your target weight, when you can then go down to 30 minutes a day.

When deciding on a program to get healthy and lose weight, begin by closely examining the foods that you are eating. Keep a diary of what, when and how much you are eating. Looking at nutrition labels will tell you what’s in your meal and allow you to track your caloric intake as well as the fats, sugars, vitamins and minerals that you are consuming. After a week, evaluate your list, identify the problem areas and make adjustments accordingly.

A healthy eating program should be high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in saturated fats, sugar and salt. Determine what your daily caloric intake should be and don’t exceed it. If you are worried about feeling hungry, prepare fruity snacks to nibble on throughout the day. They are high in fiber, naturally sweet and will keep you feeling full.

Individuals who have major health concerns, such as cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes or osteoporosis should work with a nutritionist to develop a healthy eating plan. If you are otherwise healthy but utterly confused by nutrition in general, a nutritionist might be just what you need to get on the proper track.

2. Syndrome X

Syndrome X is a metabolic disorder that affects one out of ever four Americans and can lead to cardiovascular disease and diabetes if left untreated. Syndrome X is chiefly characterized by insulin resistance. When food is consumed by a healthy individual, the body releases insulin to escort glucose into the cells where it can be burned efficiently. When insulin resistance is present, the cells fail to recognize the glucose and deny it entry. The glucose, without a destination, is left to build up in the bloodstream. The liver detects that the cells are not getting enough glucose and pumps more out to remedy the situation, further clogging the bloodstream with sugar. Eventually all of this glucose makes its way to the liver where it is converted to fat and stored throughout the body.

While weight gain due to insulin resistance is not necessarily caused by overeating, insulin resistance is caused by obesity, lack of exercise and diets high in carbohydrates. If you suspect that you might be insulin resistant, see your doctor for a simple test. Early detection could not only be the key to your weight loss, but also important in avoiding cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the future.

3. Stress

Are you plagued by stress on a daily basis? Even little stressors have the ability to add unwanted pounds to your body, thanks to a physiological response called “fight or flight”. Back in the days of our ancestral hunters and gathers, fight or flight was necessary for survival. When facing down an angry bear, the body would increase its production of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol to provide the hunter extra energy to battle his prey. After the immediate danger was over, the body would stop producing adrenaline but would continue to pump out cortisol. The cortisol served to stimulate insulin release and maintain the blood sugar levels resulting in an intense hunger. All of this was necessary for our ancient ancestor’s survival, however today we rarely have the need for such drastic responses.

While the type of stressors that we face in our everyday lives hardly compare to facing down a grizzly bear, our body’s response is exactly the same. Every time your workload becomes too much to handle or your children drive you off of the deep end, your body responds as if it was in mortal peril. Experiencing stressful events on a daily basis means that your adrenal glands could be pumping out the calming hormone cortisol on a regular basis.

After a stressful event subsides, the first thing that many of us do is reach for comfort food. This makes sense since the cortisol pumping through your body is effectively telling you to eat. The problem is, going back to its ancient roots, the fight or flight response was intended for physical threats in which massive amounts of energy were expended in order to survive. That intense hunger was supposed to trigger the hunter to replenish his body after the fight was over. Today’s stressors however, rarely involve physical activity. This means that the food you consume in r

Q: Can a thyroid problem cause vision problems?
I’m only curious as this guy I know claims to have vision problems due to his thyroid. If you could cite a source that be great. Thanks.

A: If he is hyperthyroid (overactive thyroid), then yes, eye problems are a classic symptom. It doesn’t always happen, but it can cause people’s eyes to bulge out and feel uncomfortable. It’s partly because of the extra thyroid hormone that the thyroid is producing, and partly due to odd antibodies that stimulate the thyroid and fool it into working too hard – the antibodies can also stimulate tissue behind the eyeball.

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 problem?
I went to the doctor and told him I had put on 40plus lbs in 6 months I eat healthy exercise. I told him Im tired alot, headaches, the weight, and I feel like something is stuck in my throat at all time it drives me nuts. Could it be thyroid? Can the thyroid cause you to be moody extremely moody? he is doing blood work etc just wanting to get some ideas etc
Im almost 30, my mother had discovered thyroid problems when she was 34 so I pray its nothing serious cause I know what my mom goes through with it and other issues that have risen since
I did get my blood work done around 830 am after took the kids to school , also I get a ultrasound of my thyroid and throat etc in the morning

A: Yes, all your symptoms sound like Hypo-thyroid or possibly Hashimotos Thyroid. Make sure the Dr. did the free T3, T4, & TSH bloodtests. Also, include the antibody test (Thyrogobulin Antibody Titer) to see if you have the auto-immune form of Hashimoto’s. Thyroid problems are very herditary & tend to run in families. In our family my Mom, myself, & both of my nieces have Thyroid problems. The lumpiness you feel in your throat is caused by your Thyroid being enlarged, that should go away with medicine.

I’m glad that you had your Thyroid ultrasound done too. This along with the bloodwork will give your Dr. all the conclusive evidence he needs to diagnose your condition & rule out any Thyroid nodules etc.

Hopefully, he will start you on Thyroid meds if tests point that way. If you start meds, give it about 30 days before you start feeling better. In my past experience, Thyroid levels take time to correct. Wait & see what tests reveal & if you need Thyroid supplementation, I have found that Endocrinologists at times do a better job of titrating your medicine & getting you feeling better faster. Good luck, hope you are feeling better soon!!

Q: causes of Thyroid problem, can stress be a possibility?
I am asking this since I am going through an anxiety/stress dis-order at the moment and for those who don’t know, this results in constant panic attacks, which you have increased heart rate, shortness of breathe, sweating, dizzyness (those are my symptoms anyways)

Now I am going through a program on my own for attacking this dis-order and one of their first suggestions was to get your Thyroid checked, but they do not say why.
2 Months ago, I got my thyroid checked on my anual check up (this was before I started this program) and they found out that my thyroid gland has failed and stopped producing T3 and T4 hormones.
The Dr. Is confused since this does not run in the family and I am rather healthy.
I am thinking, the result of decreased hormone is a slower heart rate (but I never experience this)

Here is my question:
Is it possible that being stressed often (having a fast heart rate) be the cause of shutting down your thyroid in attempt of your body slowing your heart rate?

A: no i dont think thats the cause of it. Are u on medication to treat the low hormone?If not i would get on some cause thats going to help u out.

Q: Can thyroid problem hair loss be diagnosed as male pattern baldness?
I’m 23 years old (male) and have been losing a significant amount of hair for about a year now. Recently, its just been getting worse. I also notice I have flaky, dry scalp, with really small pieces of skin falling off occasionally (not sure if its dandruff). I’ve gotten my TSH levels checked and they appeared to be normal according to my doctor. He referred me to a dermatologist that simply ran his finger through the top of my head and concluded I have male pattern baldness (prescribed me propecia). I’m not sure if thats a good enough evaluation from my dermatologist. I also noticed I have dry skin and I suffer from some serious food coma. In fact, I find myself tiring quite easily. Now I’m kind of confused as to what my problem really is…if I continue to lose hair at this rate, I’d be bald in no time!!! Is it really male pattern baldness and I’m just thinking too much, or could it be an unseen/undiagnosed thyroid problem?

A: It’s possible. Do you know what your TSH number was? Also, was the TSH done first thing in the morning? TSH is highest while we sleep, so you want to test asap in the morning while its near this high point. By 2PM, its at its lowest point and could stop a diagnosis.

A TSH over 2.0 is not normal, but most doctors won’t treat you until the TSH is over 3.0 and some 5.5.

My advice is to find out the TSH. If it was done in the afternon, retest it. Also, get a free t4 and free t3. Then you’ll know if the hairloss is thyroid related or not. I had hairloss, even the outer part of my eyebrows disappeared. Once I got on Armour thyroid my eyebrows grew back and the thinning of my hair stopped.

Q: Thyroid problem, malnutrition, or the innevitable hair loss in men?
I guess a bit in the middle of this Fall semester, I’ve been feeling sluggish, tired, and have had several problems with constipation. In the last few months, my hair has been thinning and I’m loosing lots of hair. Before I noticed it, my scalp was itchy at times and now the hair is extremely thin and at times it just breaks off; I can see my scalp from some angles; the thinning is working itself from top of the head to the bottom. Now, my scalp itches or mildly stings at times.
I just started taking vitamins, changed my diet (more tuna, greens, chicken, soy protein), and am about to get an appointment at the doctor. I’m not seeking a diagnosing from you, just your ideas on the possibility of thyroid problems, male hair loss, or malnutrition.

P.S. I started noticing the hair thinning and fall after using a shampoo with gelatin and Vitamin B12 if that means anything.

A: Thyroid problems are possibly the most overlooked thing in medicine. I had noticed a decrease in my energy level, was having wild mood swings, my fingernails were starting to come loose from the nail beds, my hair was falling out and was dead looking. I kept looking in the mirror thinking I didn’t look like myself, but you can talk yourself out of anything if you try hard enough. My hands were starting to tremble all the time and I couldn’t walk across the street without feeling like I was going to pass out. It wasn’t until I developed a goiter that anyone finally addressed the thyroid issue. Upon intense testing it was determined that I had both diseases of the gland, both the hyperactive and hypoactive disease. I had been tested several times for T levels and everything looked fine, that was because it usually happened during the period of time that my levels had evened out between being too low and too high. About once in a 6 week period, I felt great, then I was either riding the euphoria train or drowning in a pool of despair. Find someone who will check thyroid function and be diligent about ruling out the thyroid as a reason for your problems. I wish you luck, and I hope that you can rule out the glandular problem quickly. If you do find out it is your thyroid, let me assure you there is light at the end of the tunnel and you will feel much better once it is dealt with properly.

Q: What are the symptoms of a thyroid problem. Is it just hair loss only or other signs?

A: I am one of these sufferers of a thyroid disorder, called; Hypothyroidism. The doctor took four years to correctly diagnose me!

Here are the symptoms for an over-active thyroid;

1: Putting on weight without eating any more, whilst having a healthy diet.

2: Feeling lethargic, no matter how much sleep you have had.

3: Mood swings.

4: Feeling cold.

5: Hair loss!

Untreated, a multi-nodular goitre can form in the thyroid, but the eyes do not become prominent as with the over-active thyroid condition.

The patient will feel more lethargic as the time goes by, and might be unable to have the strength to get out of bed.

—————————————————————–

If it is Hyperthyroidism, over-active thyroid;

1: Feeling hot even when the weather is cold.

2; Rushing about, not able to relax, tense.

3: Palpitations.

4: Feeling irritable all the time.

5: Unable to sleep.

If this condition is left untreated, the thyroid could swell, and so can the eyeballs, which is called; Goitre

A blood test can easily ascertain, which thyroid condition the patient has. Treatment is difficult to get the correct level of thyroid hormone needed in to regulate the body, but if you have a good specialist, called an; Endocrinologist it may take only 6 months to a year, depending on the severity of the case.

But, you will have to go back for regular three monthly blood tests to keep an eye on it. I found that if I had a weight gain, or managed to lose some weight, it affected the dosage I was on. So keep an eye on that too.

Donni-Jay

Q: I have hair loss because of my new thyroid problem. What can i do to stop the shedding ?

A: You state “new thyroid problem”. I’ve had thyroid problem for over 20 years and it can wreak havoc on your system until you get things balanced. Thyroid is one of those hormones that controls lots of things – from weight to to heart rate to temperature regulation – a whole lot of important stuff. Your hair, skin and nails will be affected too.

So…. while hair loss is worrisome, getting your thyroid under control is most important. Hair can grow back.

Check with your physician – and best of luck.

Q: What kind of hair loss is associated with a thyroid problem? Are there other symptoms?

A: Hair loss associated with thyroid problems most commonly are:
eyebrows – the outer corner of eyebrows tends to fall away leaving appearance of half an eye brow.
Hair breakage – hair falling out in clumps or breaking easily when brushed.

Taking good supplements as well as the thyroid meds can get your hair back strong again though.

Q: Hair Loss problem – please help!?
So I’ve always been known for my giant thick hair and now i’m losing it all! I’ve done the japanese hair straightening treatement 2 years ago and have been using a ceramic hair straightner ever since (1-2x a week). I’m healthy, eat right, no thyroid problems. How do i fix this sudden hair loss problem?? any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

A: Are you stressed out, by any chance? I’ve heard that stress can cause that to happen. So can hormones. I hope it comes back to you but it doesn’t sound like you’re really doing anything wrong. I doubt it’s your ceramic iron or anything. You didn’t give too much other information but the first thing I’d change would be diet (take vitamins?), then think about your stress level. If you’re having a big crisis right now, I’m sure it will grow back once the dust settles. If you take birth control pills, you may want to ask your gyn about the possibility of that being a side-effect. Good luck with everything!

Q: Hair loss problem – need help ?
I am 24 year old girl and I am having this problem since I had malaria 5yers ago. After that I had beauty treatment for my hair which included hair oil massage and some kind of hair pack. that time I had nice hair groth, but as I stoped that treatment again my hair fall started. though I got good result from that treatment I don’t want to go for it as it was costly.

My hair’s texture is much much better than before. But the only problem is thining of my hair and slow but continuous hair loss. If you have any home remedy or any tips regarding this then please help me.

Do I have to do any test for this problem? (I have no thyroid problem.)

What should I do to stop my hair fall?

While massaging your hair you should move your finger tips or the skin of head?

How often you should do hair massage (in days/weeks/months)? If you are doing it daily will it cause in baldness?

Does low calcium can cause your hair to suffer?

Thanks to all those who will answer my questions.

A: Nutrition is very important. Protein and B vitamins especially. Biotin is supposed to be good to support hair growth. I take that and and Omega 3/6/9 from GNC. I’m also currently trying hair supplements (Hairtopia) but I don’t know if it works yet, I bought a Nioxin starter set at the recommendation of the receptionist at the salon. I don’t know if that works yet either but all of these things have been recommended so I figure it can’t hurt. (Although I think the Hairtopia may be making me break out.) A lot of people recommend prenatal vitamins but I think any vitamin is good and that its the pregnancy, not the vitamins that makes hair grow.

Q: hair loss problem…?
i just ask a question the other day about this.
i think i might have thyroid problems because my hair is falling out really bad and i am only 18 years old. also i have dry skin and i feel tired all the time which lead me to believe that it is a thyroid problem but i went to the doctor and had a blood test and it was normal. i looked it up online and it says this has happened to other people before but i don’t know what to do or if it really is what i think it is. also i had a baby about 4 months ago so that might be part of it but i was losing hair bad even before that but since then its got worse.

A: I’ve had hair loss problems too and i am around your age. I’ve had that problem for a few years now, it very well could be a thyroid problem and it might be something minor like the shampoo or water you are using. Our water here is salty so when people from other countries visit, their hair falls out like crazy. For me, i know why it falls out and it’s because it gets too long, when it gets to the certain length i start to shed like crazy! my mom does too so I guess that’s normal.

Just get your thyroid checked again and again in a few months. Hopefully its minor.

Q: can thyroid problems cause hair loss?

A: Definitely! Hair loss is one of the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, (underactive thyroid).

Q: Can anthing be done for female hair loss due to ungeractive thyroid? I take thyroxine but am still losing.?
I’ve tried several products but none seem to work. I;ve noticed that although the subject of thyroid problems is sometimes mentioned, they all seem to shy away from saying whether the product works for this condition or not. Am I doomed to be bald? Please help.

A: You may to have your dose adjusted. I lost almost all of my hair when I was first diagnosed….so embarrassing. It took a little while to get the dosage right but now I have my very thick hair back.

Tell your doc about it and he/she should do another T4 to see how your levels are looking.

Good luck, I feel your pain, honey!!

Q: hair loss due to thyroid irreversible? doc says yes…true?
I have had thyroid problems for a long time I take medicine for it..I have the kind that makes you gain weight…I take synthroid for it or levothroid…well anyways, I have never lost hair while I had thyroid in the past or that I noticed..but a few months ago I was loosing hair like crazy it was all over my pillow on my clothes the floor everywhere…it has calmed down a bit now but it’s still falling…I can see places were this is no hair not like bald patches but if I put my hair back I can see my head skin ha ha…I tried to not think about it much so I don’t get depressed but I am depressed, worried, sad. I survived cancer, grew beautiful hair only to have it taken by thyroid. My doctor said it would grow back once we get my thyroid back in order but I don’t know if he was just trying to calm me down or if he was serious. I went in crying one day cause I was feeling really bad crying, hair loss, headaches, dizzyness, weight loss. Is it possible for this thyroid nightmare to end?

A: Your doctor is telling you the truth, but it may take a few weeks for you to feel better, and longer than that for your hair to all come back in its normal glory. Both hypo- (low) and hyper- (high) thyroidism can cause hair loss (weird but true).

If your doctor only checked your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level, which many do when following up patients who are on Synthroid, then you might ask him to run the full thyroid function panel, which includes T3 and T4. The timing between taking the dose and the blood being drawn is important for the full panels.

Since you’ve been taking Synthroid, you must be hypothyroid. If you’re suddenly losing hair, you’re either not getting enough medication now (needs can change), or are getting too much and have become temporarily hyperthyroid. Check the websites below for more information.

Good luck!

Q: Hair loss on cat’s tail?
I have a 1 year old spayed female cat that has a hair loss problem. She is loosing hair in patches on her tail. No hair loss on the rest of her body. We have seen the vet, and she is not excessivly grooming. We switched her diet from Natural Balance dry, to Innova Evo wet with no improvements, so an allergy is unlikely. She is feline leukemia negative, and does not have a thyroid problem. Before we bring her back for a second vet visit, does any one have any ideas about what could be causing this? She is an only pet, indoors only.

A: It could be due to a skin allergy to something that the cat comes into contact on a constant basis such as bedding or carpet. It could be from a carpet cleaner or detergent or simply from an allergy developed to a certain food or food ingredient.

Check the cat’s tail to see if there is any fleas or ticks.

Start by trying to narrow down where your cat spends the most time and see if eliminating access to this area or object relieves the hair loss. If this does not help, you can try to gradually switch back to a premium brand cat food. Sometimes, even the ingredients in the cats food, when transferred through licking, can cause skin irritations, flakiness and result in hair loss.

If it persists, I would advise to take the cat to the vet for further examination.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Q: Women’s hair loss problem………….?
I have been through thyroid cancer three times. I am doing fine right now. But, my hair has become thin. I am taking the proper medicine everyday. I haven’t even gone through menapause yet. ( I know some women go through it early.)

Is there any vitamin or anything I can do to try to get at least some of my hair back? I know my hair loss must be a hormonal thing.

A: I use Nioxin hair products. Use the complete line for the full benefit. I lost alot of hair in June 07 b/c of taking Nexium for acid reflux. Good Luck!

Q: Thyroid problem…will my hair grow back?
I’m only 16 years old and I’ve loss A LOT of hair. My hair line goes all the way to the back of my head, I think it’s because of a thyroid problem. If I start getting treatment, is there a possibility that my hair will grow back?

A: I don’t see why not… If you’re losing hair because your body’s suffering and treatment should “normalize” things somewhat… wouldn’t it make sense that your hair could grow back afterwards?

I’m no expert on this stuff, but I know you can lose your hair from trauma and it will grow back after the body recovers, so I really don’t see why it would be any different for other conditions from which you can recover.

Q: Help..thyroid hair loss..tired and weak..?
I have hypothyroid but recently instead of gaining weight I have been loosing (isn’t that hyper) that’s not the only thing I have lost….half of my hair is falling out. Even worse, my head is itchy and sometimes feels like it burns. I have been to the doctor hundreds of times and he keeps checking the thyroid levels and adjusting meds to fit my needs but I still feel tired, weak, like I just can’t go on anymore (not like dying but really tired and the my head just feels cloudy and pain or pressure to the sides and in the back of my neck. I am saving money to see a specialist but has anyone else experianced this? I think there may be something really wrong with me and I don’t know if it is my thyroid or if they are not looking past the thyroid and looking at other possible problems. I don’t know what else to do.

A: I can totally relate to your problems. I have been hypo for 12 years now. It will get better. You have to get regulated first and that takes awhile. Check out the below website, you need to find a good Dr. that understands hypothyroidism. Check out one in your area. Unfortunately this disease does not allow for passivity, you need to learn as much as you can and take control of your own destiny. A lot of Dr.’s will not listen to you, if they don’t then dump them. There are a lot of different types of thyroid hormone replacement, don’t let the Dr’s tell you that you HAVE to take Synthroid. You need to find out what is best for YOUR body. I take Unithroid after many trials and errors. Please check out Mary Shomon’s wesite on about.com below and take hold of your disease. Good luck.

Q: Yaz has caused weight gain and thyroid problems – advice?
So I’ve been on Yaz for a little over a year now and gained about 25 lbs (only weighing about 110 before, this has added like 1/5 to my weight!). I had a high temp (99.5-100) for about 3 months straight and had difficulty walking up a single flight of stairs. (I do have asthma, but this had NEVER been a problem before.) After some time I visited my regular doctor and they did some tests to determine that I have some small nodules in my thyroid but it’s nothing that they want to do anything about yet. When saw my GYN the other day, he was very concerned about these symptoms. He has proceeded to do more blood tests and I guess we’ll go from there. Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar and if so, if they have any advice or can just tell me what they’ve done. I had awful cramps before and Yaz has practically done away with them, so I really don’t know what I’d do without it or something similar, but I’d also like to weigh less and be healthy.

A: I would change my BC

Q: When you have a thyroid problem does that make you gain weight?
Well I feel like I have gain just recently because I have some kind of health problem. So I went to the doctor and he said that my thyroid was not normal so he took some blood.

A: If you have an underactive thyroid, it is normal for weight gain…Your metabolism isn’t as active….If this is the case you can take a prescription called synthroid to bring your level back to normal…

Q: I have been diagnosis with Thyroid problem since starting on pills I am gaining weight – in my back and arms.?
Do you always gain weight with thyroid problems?

A: The thyroid medication should stop the weight gain once you are at the right levels. Until this happens you may gain weight. The goal is for your morning TSH to be around 1.0. Once you reach the 1.0, any weight you gained can be lost through exercise and cutting back a little on calories. Your thyroid levels are the most important thing in weight loss.
don’t listen to the other poster. If you are hypothyroid you need your thyroid pills. Failure rto take them will result in a host of symptoms, Not taking them can even cause heart problems.

Q: Any way to gain weight when you have thyroid problems?
I have a friend who has thyroid problem and she can’t really gain weight and that affects her confidence. I was just wondering..is there a way to gain weight when you have that?

A: If she really has an overactive thyroid it would be very difficult for her to gain weight. The thyroid problem would have to be sorted out first. That is what she needs to be concerned about first, not the weight. Best of luck.

Q: Whats the easiest way to lose 4 stone baby weight gain by May with an under active thyroid problem?
I’m a new mam with a 4 month old baby, so I don’t get much time to myself. I’m going to a wedding in May and I would like to either or and lose my baby weight and tone up by then. I’ve got no confidence to go to the gym by myself. I have a few pieces of exercise equipment but no motivation. I have also recently been diagnosed with an serverly under active thyroid. Any tips, ideas anything to do with anything mentioned above would be a great help.

A: You should be getting treatment for your underactive thyroid…if not go and see the doctor and ask why not!
Look at the GI Diet by Rick Gallop. Its easy to use and will be easy to fit into your routine as a busy mum. You will lose well with it (I have lost 5 stone in 6 months) but 4 stone by May is a bit of a high expectation. I do walking for my exercise, I havnt yet joined a gym and I dont have any exercise equipment at home. Be strict with yourself, choose a time of day when things are quieter and do as much as you can. start low and work up sensibly otherwise you will ache and not continue with it.
Motivation is difficult, it will vary for each person. Mine is clothes. Being very overweight I have never had a good selection of clothes. My friend works in a clothes shop and gets a big discount and has got me new clothes as I have lost weight. When I get into the clothes she gets me a new lot and will get one “special” outfit which she knows I will really like. That one outfit is my motivation to get down to that size. I am presently working towards a beautiful faux suede soft green skirt suit
I also have the motivation to keep my blood sugar under control (being diabetic).
Good luck, I hope what I have said will help you in some small way;

Q: i have very irregular periods and massive weight gain could it b a thyroid problem?
i shed alot and i can not explain my sudden weight gain and i am very moody and agitated easily i am overweight as is and i want to figure out why i have gained 50 pounds in the last 6 months

A: alright well first. if you do have a thyroid problem (ie. hypothyroidism), if your eating right and exercising on a reuglar basis, you wouldn’t gain so much weight in that amount of time. Second, a massive weight gain of 50 pounds could be to blame for your irregular periods. These could be serious problems, but you cant be too sure, its best to see your doctor for this issue

Q: how to reduce weight gained due to thyroid problem?
apart from taking pills…I currently use thyronorm any other capsule which cud actually help me reduce my weight?

A: why don’t u try the Cereal Diet.Just replace 2 of your daily meals with Cereal with skim milk and you will be able to loose 3+ pounds a week.It reduces your calorie intake by more than 650 calories each day.

Q: Do you have to gain weight to have a thyroid problem?
or lose it whichever

A: You can sometime have a hard time losing weight when you are hypOthyroid, sometimes people lose weight when they are hypERthyroid.

Q: How to lose weight with thyroid problem??
I have a hyper-thyroid but it is makeing me gain weight or at least the meds are. I have tried everything to lose the weight and nothing. My doctors don’t even know what to tell me. Any advice?

A: Sorry you’re in tough situation. Are you seeing a good endocrinologist? If not, do consider seeing one. They specialize in such diseases. There’s a great book for anyone with any kind of thyroid issue, “The Thyroid Diet.” You can find info about the book on http://www.goodmetabolism.com/

You can also find great info at http://www.thyroid-info.com

Good luck. Hope this helps.

Q: Loosing weight gained through thyroid problem?
I was diagnosed as having an under active thyroid, but not before my weight shot up. The doc said that once my thyroid levels had settled down with the medication I should start to lose the weight again.

Well he was wrong, it is still not shifting. I do watch what I eat, get plenty exercise.

Anyone else had this problem and got their weight back down again?
I have been on thyroxin for about 2 years now.

As far as exercise goes, I walk between 3 – 6 miles a day, 5 days a week. Not all flat easy walks as the countryside I live in is hilly to say the least (Perthshire in Scotland) I have also started a daily work out at home of about 3/4 of an hour of aerobic type exercise.
Diet is varied, but a lot of fresh fruit and salad, fish, mainly white meat, but I do like a steak every now and again (about once a month) Also rice and pasta. If I have potato, it is baked.We do not fry anything, either shallow or deep. I do have a glass of wine with a meal about twice a week, other than that I drink water at mealtimes. Desserts are kept for special occasions. (birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas)

I cannot stand crisps and stuff like that so do not snack at all. Or eat chocolate biscuits. TeaI drink with neither milk or sugar, Coffee with only a little half-fat milk.
Doc has me on 75mg of thyroxin.
And I was NOT obese before my thyroid gland went screwy, am 5 ft 8ins tall and was always between a size 12 – 14 UK

A: Unfortunately, this is very common. The weight loss will rarely just come off. because your metabolism has slowed down so much from the thyroid problems, it will take a long time to function efficiently so you should look at your diet and consider what you can change to make it even more low fat and low calorie. You should also try doing at least 3/4 sessions of exercise a week. This will get you back to your old size but the truth is that it will be harder than with other people who don’t have a thyroid problem (even when your TSH numbers go back to normal).

Don’t be down about it though because there are many success stories if you follow a good health plan.

Q: How do I get my horse to gain weight if he has a thyroid disease?
My horse has a thyroid disease. It is the kind that makes him loose. If if were to up his food, not by much, but still up it, would it hurt his thyroid problem. He is on Strategy right now and I dont know if I should add a weight gain supplement or not.

A: That’s hypothyroidism. You should call your vet and ask what you should do because the endocrine system is a delicate thing to mess with and the thyroid gland is a very large part of it.

Q: My 3 months old baby is 18 lbs, does he have thyroid problem, where he gains weight ?
If thyroid problem is there, is there a treatment where baby becomes normal ? What is child obesity , how does it affect baby’s growth ?

A: their are 2 typs of thyroid problems. if he had a thyroid problem the new born test would of picked it up. talk to the dr if ur worried

Q: I keep gaining weight do I have a thyroid problem?
I didnt gain weight for years and years, ever since my pregnancy 1 year ago I keep gaining.
I’ve gained 60 pounds throughout pregnancy, after labor I lost 40 pounds in 2 weeks, and ever since (4 months ago) Ive been gradually gaining non stop.
I live quite a sedentary lifestyle, mostly couch potato I must say but I do go for walks once or twice a week. But the thing is, Ive ALWAYS been sedentary.
Now I keep gaining weight and soon Ill be at the same weight I was at 9 months pregnant but without a baby!!!! Its so weird cause all my clothes still fit.
What should I do? Could it be thyroid? I breastfed for 2 months not anymore sadly I couldnt so thats out of the question.

I really dont know what is wrong with me.

A: Such a significant weight gain does not indicate a thyroid problem, but best to get it checked out to be sure. If all clear – see a nutrtionist.

Q: Unnatural weight gain problem-Just can’t seem to keep the pounds off!?
I’ve tried several different exercise programs- long duration low intensity cardio and even high intensity 5 minute long hellish cardio, (even the tabata protocol), weight lifting and calisthenics, I lose weight initially but I seem to gain it back just a while later! The thing thats confusing me is that I don’t seem to “cycle”, meaning I don’t gain any extra weight, I seem to get back the exact amount of weight back, despite watching my calorie intake, do I have a thyroid problem or something like that? This is really driving me nuts
I’m 5′5 and 176 pounds(I’m short so even a little weight makes me look bad) 18 years old.
even if I lose 10 pounds I seem to go back to 176 just a short while later

A: Short bursts of very heavy exercise mostly remove WATER from you body by making you sweat. You very quickly drink this back again.
IF you keep going back to same weight that might be your normal natural weight? you don’t say what it is
Also with weight lifting you are building muscle: a cubis inch of muscle is hevier thana cubic iinch of fat, because it is more dense.So you measurements might go down but your weight stays the same.
Try eating like the other answer says and drink only water.

Q: Has anyone had a problem with weight gain “after” getting off the depo shot??
I do have a thyroid problem but it has been monitored by my doctor for the past 3 years. In the last year I have gained 30 lbs and all I can think is that I got off the depo shot about a year ago. Soon after the weight started coming on. All the weight has gone to my stomache and below!

A: No thankfully. I’m slowly losing the weight I gained while on depo.