Curiosity

[jodes86baldwin]

How many men suffer with under active thyroid and what difficulties have you faced

[shaws Administrator]

We have a number of men on our forum and they also have some difficulties with getting proper treatment. Those people (male/female) who do fine on levo will not be on any forums looking for advice.

When the men read your post they will respond.

[jodes86baldwin in reply to shaws]

I was just wondering if it was a mainly female thing as its only ever women that i have spoken too.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jodes86baldwin]

It is mainly female jodes86baldwin.

[jodes86baldwin in reply to shaws]

Thank you, it just baffles me how so many of us suffer and GPS are unwilling to help.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to jodes86baldwin]

There are quite a number of men as well. Me.

But it is far more frequent among women.

[shaws Administrator in reply to jodes86baldwin]

The assumptions between Endocrinologists and doctors is that it is very easy to treat. i.e. take a blood test and if TSH is over 10 (in the UK) - in other countries it is 3 - they diagnose when TSH is just over the top of the range and prescribe levothyroxine.

They then attempt to get the TSH somewhere in the range (which is up to 5) and tell the patient complaining of clinical symptoms that 'your bloods are in range') and send them off home

[jodes86baldwin in reply to shaws]

Think my last bloods were 4

[Marz]

My hubby has Hashimotos - diagnosed in his 70's by ...... me ! Judging by the many visible signs of Hypo there are loads of men out there who are - they are not diagosed due to inadequate testing. Also men are not inclined to talk about the less obvious symptoms ....

[SilverAvocado in reply to Marz]

Good point, there may be a lot more men with Hashis than know about it. Because if doctors consider it rare, they don't test, it stays rare!

[Marz in reply to SilverAvocado]

Prostate is another gland - so could there be a root cause somewhere for men ?

[activelazy]

My brother is, my cousin (a man) is, and I am (a man).

[Kipsy]

I’ve got Hashis and so has my husband. Like Marz, he was diagnosed by me. He’s reduced gluten but isn’t strictly gluten free. He sometimes has to eat sandwiches at working lunches- they don’t know about his Hashis- and drinks beer sometimes on pub nights with mates. He does whatever his GP says (and is undermedicated as a result as his GP goes by his TSH) , and is on statins which I believe has lowered his cortisol too much (as a result of not having enough cholesterol). We end up arguing about his health, particularly the statins, which makes me sad and I wish I had the ability to argue my case convincingly. He’s in a very stressful job, which he enjoys, and works really hard with a long commute. I can see him getting worse as time goes on.

The fact you’re on this forum is fantastic- i wish my husband would join but he thinks I spend too much time reading posts (and trying to learn) as it is. Heh ho....

[jodes86baldwin in reply to Kipsy]

Its frustrating that we are so easily brushed off by doctors when we ourself know our bodies better than anyone else.

I'm also slightly relieved that sadly these men suffer in the same way. I wasnt sure if because i am a woman that they just fob me off. Sadly thats not the case by the looks of it

[Marz in reply to Kipsy]

Kipsy - maybe sell the concept to him as Preventative Medicine regarding his thyroid treatment. So many men think they are indestructible until .... Raised cholesterol - umm - maybe try and find some articles about how in the past before thyroid testing - anyone with raised cholesterol had their thyroids treated. You could also buy him The Cholesterol Con - by Dr Malcolm Kendrick

drmalcolmkendrick.org

[Kipsy in reply to Marz]

Thanks Marz ! I keep leaving The Cholestrol Con in opportune places hoping he might flick through it!!!! I've read bits of it but still can't form a concise coherent argument against statins!!! Where's my brain gone?!?! Thanks again x

[MrWellness94]

Hello Jodes86baldwin,

I am a male, 23 years old and I have hashimotos hypothyroidism. I was recently diagnosed but I have an inkling that I’ve had it since I was a teen. While this disease is primarily seen in the female population there are men who are also affected. My symptoms are similar to the general symptoms of this disease such as dry skin, loss of hair, memory problems, weight gain, inability to gain muscle mass, very low libido, fatigue, and some may even be infertile. While these are overwhelming symptoms, successfully managing the disease consists of a proper diet, a knowledgeable doctor and individualized thyroid replacement medication. There are also other factors that influences how the thyroid works so it’s important to get as much knowledge as possible to have a better chance at managing the disease.

[Treepie]

Me too.Oops .

[TRG1]

Me too! There are times I just don't feel well - fatigued - during those times my facial skin is very dry and I need to constantly moisturise with Dermol 500. In fact when my facial skin because flakey I know there is something not quiet right with my thyroid.

Managing the disease is not a cure. You can only endeavour to do your best and work with what you have got. For me, the most frustrating thing is that, sometimes things , for reasons beyond my understanding, jump out of control. Sometimes you just have to sit it out until it settles back to your normal level otherwise seek medical advice, listen and implement.

[tzracer]

The short version, years of feeling fatigued without diagnosis, at one point my doctor said if she had a pound for everyone who sat in that chair and said they were constantly tired she wouldn't be sat there opposite.

Finally diagnosed, then from what I have learned here, under medicated for years.

Now like a lot of people on here trying to repair the neglect caused by lack of knowledge.

Good luck on your journey

[TSH110 in reply to tzracer]

I very much doubt she’d get 100k patients a year saying it - which is what she earns!

[tzracer]

😀 yeah, I doubt she got through that many patients, she did used to get up and approach the door as your 10 min slot was ending.