Tried and don't know if I can fight any more.

[Jamjaf]

Since being pregnant in 1996 I have become increasly tried, depressed and put on so much weight even through I ran daily,swam, and went to the gym. I've been on a diet since 1996. 2004 I was told I had hasi and I was so glad to have a name to what was going on in my body. I was glad that things would finally be sorted. At times I was good but for the last few years I feel so tried, my doctor was helpful to start with after I paid for a consultant to advise her. However more recently my Gp has been focused on my tsh result and started focusing on my bone health, rather than my health.the Gp sent me for bone scans without speaking to me! Which it turns out that my bone density is fine.The Gp dropped my meds in the summer, I began to put on weight weekly and lose my hair and have foggy brain again, I had to drop my masters course cos I couldn't work full time because I needed to sleep. I'm on 125 t4 and 20 t3 however i have swallow hands, face and am so tried,band my weight increases week on week. The thing that frustrates me the most is that I just want to be well, so that I can care for my family and work, but I am now finding it difficult . i have always had the strenght to fight but im so tried of fighting.

[shaws Administrator]

Hi

Can you get a copy of your latest thyroid gland blood test results complete with the ranges and post here, as that will make it easier for people to comment.

It does sound as you are quite hypo. GP have no reason at all to reduce your meds due to your TSH result. They just do not know how to treat thyroid patients. You are most likely to get osteoporosis through lack of thyroid hormones or even other diseases.

Weight gain is a common complaint, but it shouldn't happen if you are on optimum dose for you to feel well again. Sometimes it means something other than levothyroxine.

This is a link and there are other topics at the top of the page although some works within these topics may not work.

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

[Hidden]

Hello Jamjaf,

It probably is of no consolation to you but we hear this same story again and again. The difference is that we believe you because we either have been there ourselves or have a family member who has.

The scaremongering about bone density is a scandal. Have a look here:

web.archive.org/web/2010122...

....and see also these quotes from eminent doctors who have successfully treated hypothyroid patients.

"Some women are told to be wary of taking thyroid medication because it can leach the calcium from bones. This assumption is now outdated. The research on people taking extremely high doses of thyroid hormone is mixed, but it is now known that thyroid pills in appropriate doses are good for your bones. Moreover, it has recently become apparent that the fairly common situation of undetected and untreated low thyroid is the cause of bone calcium depletion. Dr. Richard and Sharilee Shames

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In the 1970’s and 1980’s, many faulty studies were published that led to the erroneous conclusion that TSH-suppressive dosages of thyroid hormone decrease bone mineral density in most patients. Some conventional endocrinologists wrongly extrapolated from these studies that TSH-suppressive dosages lead to osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fracture. Among our patients who have used TSH-suppressive dosages of T3-containing preparations from 1-10 years, bone densitometry has shown that their density is HIGHER than other men and women for the same age.

The finding of higher bone density among patients taking higher-end dosages of thyroid hormone suggests that under-treatment with thyroid hormone can contribute to lower bone density. The lower bone density is likely to result from patients being unable to engage in weight bearing exercise due to low motor drive and decreased metabolic capacity. Hypothyroid patients using T4 replacement dosages commonly lack the drive to engage in weight bearing exercise, indicating that replacement dosages are often tantamount to gross under-treatment. Dr. John Lowe, Boulder Colorado (119)

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Optimising the serum dialysis free T4 and T3 levels in all my patients has not contributed to osteoporosis at all (on the contrary, serial DECCA scans have usually shown dramatic increases in bone density despite my never prescribing any drugs for osteoporosis but using nutritional and metabolic corrective approaches instead); and cardiac arrhythmias are taken care of by making sure there is no functional deficiency of the pertinent minerals in the appropriate fluid spaces (RBC/packed cell levels in the case of magnesium and potassium). Not doing these things, and assuming that a “normal” TSH always means normal – even optimal – thyroid hormone function, is causing vast under-diagnosis and under-treatment in millions of patients in the US and around the world. Surveys of patient satisfaction with treatment, and websites devoted to this topic, invariably show deep distrust of the adequacy of their treatment, Dr John Dommisse, Tucson, Arizona"

Can you please let us know which tests you have had done and the results with their reference ranges. If you are still not well, the probability is that you need treatment with more thyroid replacement or a different kind and/or some other supplements, but first let us know which tests you have had done - B12, D, folates, ferritin andmagnesium too if these have been done.

Jane x

[PinkNinja]

Sorry you are feeling so bad at the moment but I do understand and I have been there. I am getting better now. I'm even working again (although have the day off today because of my vomity children) which I didn't think I'd ever be able to do.

Please read and take on board what Jane and Shaws have said. They know what they are talking about

Take care

Carolyn x

[fennel]

I also became hypo when pregnant and it took 20 years to get a diagnosis, despite going to the GP with no end of symptoms they never managed to see beyond each individual symptom and make a diagnosis. I think you would do well to try and change your GP to someone more knowledgeable if at all possible. Get the book by Dr Peatfield, Your thyroid and how to keep it healthy', and if at all possible try and see him in person. He visits various places throughout the country, look up Dr Peatfield's Clinic, in my opinion he is the very best and will get you well.

[Shon]

I am so sorry to hear you are feeling so bad. I have been there to, as have many on this blog. The only thing I can say to maybe help. put up your last blood results here. there are some very smart people on here. also and I have found this very important is you must educate your self about your condition. and then start telling your doctor what he should be doing for you. The only progress I have made in the last two years was because. I took control of my meds, I am still not right yet but loads better than last year. become an expert in your condition, take back the power from your GP, I hope you feel better soon.

Sean

[jetgj]

Try not to feel guilty, being tired all the time is an illness. I used to have a rest of 20 minutes every hour, something simple like reading a magazine, or lying on the floor. Now i try to block time into managable 20 minute intervals ie. i do something for 20 mins then stop and if i feel ok will do something else, or not. Please don't give up, this is a great site I hope you will get lots of help, best wishes, jude

[Jamjaf]

Many thanks for your kind words, and advice. Last results TSH 3.87, T3 3.83, T4 10.56.

[Maddie in reply to Jamjaf]

It is easier to comment on these results when the reference ranges are included, please can you get these from your GP. The ranges vary depending on the lab used so they are not always the same.

Also, see if you have any blood results for;

serum ferritin

serum iron

folate

B12

vitamin D

If you have not been tested then ask your gp to test for these. Again you will need both the result and the reference range. Don't accept the term 'normal results' from your GP.

Being low in any of the above will affect how you are feeling and how well your body utilises thyroid hormones. This link will tell you about The Role of Vitamins in Thyroid Deficiency.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Have you been tested for thyroid antibodies? If not then again, ask your GP to carry out this test - Maddie

[Jamjaf]

Results and reference ranges TSH 3.87 (0.35-4.94 MIU/L) T4 10.56 (9.01-19.05 Poml/L) T3 3.83 (2.63-5.7 Poml/L)

[Byrne]

Hi!

I have been hypothyroid for 12 years and have gained weight from 9.6 to 14.13. My doctor said synthetic thyroxine doesn' work the same as natural hormones, and that is why I can't lose weight. My two sisters, living in US, are hypothyroid but one is still slim. She won't go on synthetic medication but buys raw thyroid. Has anyone tried raw thyroid? I am seriously thinking of changing.