Miserable all the time

[hyundaisantefe]

Was hyperthyroid till I had my thyroidectomy in 2014. One month later gained 10 lb. 3 years later I have gained approximately 35 lb total. Can't seem to lose anything. Tired all the time and sometimes feel depressed. Cannot tolerate cold or heat. I have exasperated osteoarthritis on top of it. I take 75 mg of Synthroid at this moment but I seem to think I should be taking more but my endocrinologist will not increase my medication. I take B12 everyday but it doesn't seem to help boost my energy. Any ideas on what I can do to help get me to motivate more with more energy?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

hyundaisantefe

It sounds like you could be undermedicated. Can you post your latest test results, with reference ranges, to include TSH, Free FT4 and Free T3.

Did you test B12 and are supplementing at the right level? When taking B12, we also need a good B Complex to balance all the B vitamins.

Have you also tested folate, ferritin and Vit D?

[hyundaisantefe in reply to SeasideSusie]

My T4-1.06

TSH-.994

I have not been tested on the three that you mentioned but I will say something to my physician on my next appointment about getting tested for those three. Thank you for letting me know. Never thought of getting tested for those

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to hyundaisantefe]

There's no reference ranges so not possible to see if you are undermedicated.

[shaws Administrator]

Forget this Endocrinogist. They are supposed to be educated sufficiently so that they can improve patients' health but, on this forum, the opposite happens. People remain unwell because doctors are unknowledgeable about anything to do with the thyroid gland,

Your dose is probably be too low. I am not medically qualified but my own personal point of view is that people who have had their thyroid gland removed should be on a combination dose of T4/T3 at the very least,

If you didn't have osteo before your diagnosis, too low a dose could probably be the cause,

I think your Endocrinologist is cruel not to have prescribed a combination of T4/T3 or NDT (natural dessicated thyroid hormones) which contain all of the hormones a healthy gland would do). I think they are in awe of Big Pharma who insist that T4 - levothyroxine - is sufficient. It isn't for many on this forum.

This is a link to a doctor who was also an adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk before his untimely death and you can read all of his topics which will enlighten you. He wouldn't prescribe levothyroxine at all, only NDT or T3 (liothyronine) only for Thyroid Resistant Patients. He was from the USA.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

Some links within may not work as the website is now archived.

The best blood tests to have are TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. All tests have to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours from your last dose of hormones and the test and take afterwards. Also get B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate at the same time.

Get a print-out of your results with the ranges and post on a new question for comments, You can get well but you might have to do it on your own, with advice/help from members, most of whom have had to Do It Themselves.

[jaxie28 in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws I was glad to read your post as I am about to have my thyroid removed and am very concerned about how I am going to be afterwards. I am going to take the vitamins you suggest. How can you get Ferritin and Folate from please? Thank you for your help x

[shaws Administrator in reply to jaxie28]

I am sorry that you will be worried about having your thyroid gland removed. What I would do is copy and paste the above onto a new page as this one is 5 months old and those who've had it removed will respond.

Before you take vitamins/minerals you should have a proper blood test as you may not need to supplement some as you may have adequate in your blood.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[jaxie28 in reply to shaws]

Thank you Shaws. I will do as you suggest. Should I have a blood test after my thyroidectomy and if so how soon would you suggest? Thanks again x