Underactive Thyroid - Long Valley,NJ

I haven't had a thyroid issue but my mom, sister and brother all do and take the generic thyroid replacement medication every day. It's very cheap and effective - none of them have ever had any issues. They get a blood test each year to see if there's any change in their hormone levels and their medication might be adjusted. My mom is 81 and has been taking this medication for more than 60 years - her dosage has been adjusted maybe 3 times ever in her life. My sister who is 57 and brother who's 46 have very similar stories. If you have to have a medical disorder that's the least serious and most easily treated. Good luck!

Something I just read from Dr. John Lee's book, "What Your Doctor Did NOT Tell You About Premenopause" is that the body makes the thyroid hormone from Progesterone, so if you use some bio identical progesterone cream you will probably be able to get your thyroid in better condition. My friend is actually seeing an MD now and she's got really bad thyroid issues and is now doing both thyroid and BI Progesterone and changing her diet. I would highly suggest reading the book...it's great!

I was diagnosed hypothyroid 18 years ago.
At first I was on Synthroid which kept my TSH on the higher edge of the normal range but I still had some symptoms which would not go away.
After 6 years of this, I switched to Armour Thyroid (I don't convert T4 to T3 well and Synthroid only contains T4 and I stay away from generics when it comes to thyroid) and found a doctor who would work with me to find my optimal dosage (where I felt best at).
It turns out in my particular case my symptoms are finally gone and I feel best when I'm kept right on the edge of almost being hyperthyroid.
It's hard to find a doctor who's willing to work with you.
When I moved and had to find a new doctor I had to interview several before I found one who was willing to prescribe Armor Thyroid but Synthroid just didn't work well for me and I was not willing to be forced back into using a drug which made the doctor feel comfortable but did squat for me.

yep have this issue...On Armour and they just increased my dosage :(

I can tell when I have a problem because I gain weight like you wouldn't believe and then struggle to lose a pound.

I am on Synthroid.
I have to be on it or I get "stupid". As my hubby calls them, my stupid pills.
I forget things, I gain huge amounts of weight, I am "foggy".
If I am not on the medication my numbers will shoot up very high within a month.
I cannot take the generic, but some can.

It also keeps me regular, off the meds I get constipated.
My periods are all over the place and I will have two a month without meds. I fall asleep during weird times and am always tired. My hair falls out in clumps. My skin cracks and peels. I run into things, like walls. I have driven all the way to the store with a list, forgotten why I was there and turned around in the parking lot, gotten home and turned around becaue I remembered what I needed.

Some people swear by exercise and that it will cure hypothyroid. Even with walking 2 miles day I can maintain my weight but not be able to cut down on the Synthroid.

On the meds I am pretty normal or so I think. :o)

I'm hypothyroid and I can't take the generic meds. I started out on them (levothyroxine) and every time I would get a refill it felt like I was starting over. Don't know how to really explain it other than every time I got a refill my body had to readjust to the medication and I would have no energy and just be extremely tired until right before it was time to get my meds refilled - only to start all over again. My doctor switched me to Synthroid and I have been so much better. It may not be an issue for everyone but it did affect me noticably. Synthroid is a little expensive so I'm thinking about asking my doctor about Unithroid when my refills run out.

i just heard from someone, not a certified dr, that the Thyroid doesn't actually make hormones so no hormone replacement therapy should ever be needed. NO idea what they thought would help. maybe ask your dr for a pamphlet about this issue. or do some research into alernatives.
That wasn't your quesiton though, My MIL takes something and seems to do well on it, her weight hasn't changed at all though. and she excersises everyday.

I found out I am hypothyroid almost 4 years ago. For me, synthroid did not work. My levels were all normal, but I was not feeling normal. I switched to a homeopathic dr and after more blood work, my T3 was way off. I'm now on nature throid, and the difference is amazing! I feel somewhat human again!! But, since finding out, I have gained 15-20 pounds. It's not too bad. I'm 143 and I'm 5'4, so I'm not super over weight, but I would like to loose that 20 pounds and it just seems impossible no matter how much I work out.