Seeking Other Moms That Have Problems with Their Thyroid

A lot of women over twenty-five have thyroid problems. Either Hyper-overworked or Hypo-doesnt work. I have Hypothyroidism. My symptoms were, being tired all the time, crying spells even when I wasnt sad, some depression, and then it started makeing me have chest pains, and digestion problems, plus weight gain. My friend had Hyperthyroidism and she was just the opposite, she didnt hardly sleep, going all the time, ate like a horse and never gained an ounce.\
Just because the levels came back normal doesn't mean anything, have him run a full thyroid panel including a t-cell count. A simple blood test doesnt always show.
Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

I went through the exact same thing as you. I was also on WW & losing & then started gaining even though I was doing everything I was supposed to do. I also had symptoms of hypothyroidism. My doctor thought she felt some nodules and sent me for a biopsy. It came back normal & my levels were also normal. However, I kept experiencing symptoms. My doctor referred me to an endocrinologist. In the meantime, I began researching thyroid disorders. There is a form of hypothyroidism that frequently does not reflect any changes with your T4 or TSH. It is called Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Out of the 16 symptoms possible, I had 14. There is a test specific for Hashimoto's that will show the disease even if your thyroid panel is normal. Look up Hashimoto's, see if it sounds like you and go see an endocrinologist to request the blood test. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, I do have a thyroid disorder and some of my symptoms are fatigue, weight gain, I evenmoved the pace of a turtle before I ever went to the Doctor!! To tell you the truth the nurses thought that I might be a little challengd due to how slow I moved!! It was all do to a hypothyroid. Now that I am on medication I ran 3 to 5 miles whenever I want ( weather permitting) with not much effort. I will say the medicine makes a world of difference for me. If I were you I would go and get a second opnion, but that's just me. Let's just say life is much better for me now and I have been on medication for 9 years.

I have had a diagnosed thyroid problem for 10 years now and it's a constant source of irritation for me. Before they found the goiter I was thin and could eat anything. Within three months of starting on Synthroid I was getting the, "Congratulations! When's the baby due?" speech, when I was NOT pregnant. Before I found I had an underactive thyroid I worked in a big nursery outfit, mowing and weeding lawns, digging holes, trimming trees and whatnot for 8-10 hours a day in 100+ degree heat. I was lean and trim. A year later I did the same job and was 20 pounds heavier. The only thing I could attribute it to was the medicine. Ten years later I barely eat and yet I'm the heaviest I've ever been. The literature all says I shouldn't be gaining weight but I know what my body is doing and it ISN'T losing!

Sorry this isn't encouraging at all but I've been where you are.

I had symptoms for 15 years before I was diagnosed. The criterion have changed according the my endocrinologist. Unfortunately, most gp's or fp's, as well as labs don't use the newer standards. The thing is there are several tests,(including ultrasounds) not just one marker to diagnose thyroid problems. Try to see either an endocrinologist or (the lesser known specialtis) a thyroidologist. The important thing is to be persistant. Good luck!

I've had symptoms of low thyroid for years and was told my "labs were normal" so I was fine. Well, I wasn't!! I have a strong family history of thyroid problems and finally found a doctor who listened to my symptoms and placed me on armour thyroid about one month ago and I'm beginning to feel like "myself". Unfortunately, this doc is in Jackson, Ms. Another diagnostic measure used years ago before the TSH was developed was basal temperature. Search the internet for Dr. Barnes basal temperature and you will find more info. My temp was 96 in the am and never got higher than 97 during the day. I have felt bad for years and have lost a lot of quality time. Hang in there until you find a doc who will listen. I've done a lot of internet research in this area. I believe there is a doctor in Harrison, AR who may be helpful. Good Luck T.

Hi K.,
I've taken thyroid pills for years and have to take a small pill every morning. Yes, it's more difficult to lose weight, but it can definitely be done! I lost over 30 pounds before I got pregnant, and I plan to lose it again with the right diet and exercise.
Just continue to have it checked because your levels can and will vary, and dosages have to be changed sometimes. The 1st doc I went to in fact told me I didn't have an underactive thyroid problem. Every doctor since then has acknowledged that I have an underactive thyroid, so don't take one doctor's word for it. It's not the end of the world and can be managed, so don't worry!

Blessings,
L.
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Like others have suggested, please have your levels checked again. And make sure the doctor is using the new official recommendation from the America Association of Endocrinologists for TSH levels. As of 2003 the normal range for TSH levels is .3-3.0. You can find this on the internet. Some doctors are still using the previous range, which, unfortunately, does not properly diagnose hypothyroidism. I had to go to the doctor three times before they finally uncovered my thyroid problem - I was working out, yet gaining weight, felt super tired, always cold and very achy in all my joints. I feel much better now. And it's so easy to treat.

When my son was 5 months old I gained about 50 lbs really quick. (I only gained 12 during my pregnancy.) So I went to the doctor and he tested and found my thyroid was out of wack!!!! He put me on meds and I have struggled to get it off but have managed to get back down to almost prepregnacy weight but it has taken a while. I would get tested soon. I felt so much better and had so much more energy than I did then. hope this helps....

I had a friend go through the same thing and she found and endocrinologist who didn't need a referal and she got on medication and is fine now. There are also some great natural remidies go to a health food store and ask him Natures sunshine is a good brand and the one i take is "Solaray thyroid caps" Good luck

Hi, I will get you the name of a book that you will want to look at. (My neighbor has it and I need to get it back anyway!) The doctors that wrote the book tell us that what the medical community calls "normal" is not necessarily everybody's "normal". There is a range they deem normal and if you fall in it then you are considered normal. However, I am finding that every woman on BOTH sides of my family either has low thyroid or has the symptoms of having low thyroid. So I am trying to convince my doctor that it runs in my family and that MY normal is just not the USUAL normal. My aunts have both begun taking thyroid even though their levels were considered normal. They both say they feel like new women, that they haven't felt this great in years. My email address is ____@____.com so send me an email if you are interested and I will get you the name/author of the book I read.

Q: Why did your parents need their thyroids removed? Make sure your doctor knows your family history and thoroughly examines your thyroid. Not to scare you, but my best friend found a lump in her throat area when she was 35 and it was thyroid cancer. (She is fine, it is a highly treatable cancer.)

L.

Family history has alot to do with thyroid disease. My mom had thryroid disease, and after trying almost 1 year to get pregnant with my first child, my OB diagnosed me with Hypothyriodism. Luckily, after being put on the thyroid medication, I was able to get pregnant. All you have to do is have a simple blood test done to diagnose thyroid disease. It is very important to get it taken care of. Thyroid problems can cause many things from hair falling out, being tired, weight gain or it can even cause you to stop ovulating. Good luck!

I am also a mother with a Thyroid problem. I am on thyroid meds at the moment but still struggling with my weight.

Hi K. M,
I also have a thyroid problem and my oldest daughter's thyroid was irradiated 20 years ago. We follow the advice (online) of Mary Shoman. She has a book as well as lots of free info online. I have lost 65 lbs in the last two years by having the right tests at my doctors and by eating lots of fresh vegies, fruits and little or no processed foods. I drink only water or tea. Have switcehd to stevia to sweeten foods. So many of the presevatives that they add to processed food and fast food really affects your metabolism. Try to avoid them! You will feel amazing....I do! Harrison does have a good thyroid doctor. But read what Mary Shoman says about finding one and getting tested. Good luck! K. A.

what are your symptoms that make you think it's your thyroid?

I was diagnosed with thyroid problems just a few months ago. My doc gave this little pill to take. I have to admit that I don't really notice anything that different, except that I dont feel quite so tired. But, now here's the kicker, I was also diagnozed with high blood pressure and diabetes, soon afterwards. The thyroid a major factor in how all the other organs in my body function. My doc described it as being the 'leader of the band', if the thyroid is not functioning correctly it effects all the systems and organs of the body. Be careful and keep up with your health. I am overweight too and have struggled my whole adult life. I am 46, 2 children ages 25 and 19 and married for 13 years. I know how disheartening it can be to diet and not feel successful. I have even undergone surgery to have my stomach stapled, years ago. I lost weight, became a beautiful, self-confident woman and gained all the weight back. Believe me, I know how "heartbreaking" it can be. Just be healthy!

It takes a simple blood test to answer your question about whether you have it or not. I went through three pregnancies and breastfed all before I found out that my thyroid was "dead".
My first pregnancy ran long (42 weeks) but was good...the girl was l5 months old before cutting teeth!
My second pregnancy was 40 weeks and a few days...but the girl was born with congenital cataracts!
The third pregnancy was a few weeks early because of a leaky bag, and they were concerned about "dry" birth. They put me on pitosin to start labor and nothing much happened. They kept turning it up and up to the max allowed. Finally, several hours after, the labor started good and strong and a healthy baby girl was born.
My point is...I wonder what might have gone better or easier had I known about my condition and done something earlier. I had midwife care, and had refused a lot of the testing, because I felt "fine"....just "tired"...and who isn't when chasing kids about! G.

i know what you mean. i used to be real small then all of a sudden i started to put on a lot of weight. i am now 50 lbs overweight. i went to an herb store and they told me i have an underactive thyroid. i got meds from them. that way i know its nothing to hurt me. it was all natural.maybe you should try that.

I am a mom to be that has hypothyroidism. I have had it for the last 2 years. If you are having the symptoms get tested again. Over the course of a few years i was tested 5 times before they found the problem. When you tested your thyroid my have been acting normally. If you keep having problems and your doctor will not listen I would say find a new one. If you feel there is something wrong more then likely there is.