ask: hypothyroid woes

Betha, Thanks for your question. Dr. Lawrence Wood, one of the country’s top specialists in thyroid and founder of the Thyroid Foundation of America, responded to your question about hypothyroidism.

Wood says because of your condition, it’s true that your thyroid has been affected and for your to stop taking medication would be unwise. The good news, Wood says, is thyroid patients don’t tend to live short lives, they tend to live long happy lives. The other good news is that you don’t have to take Synthroid as there are many medicines out there for thyroid.

But if you’re not feeling good, Wood says you need to find out why. Something else may be going on besides your thyroid issue and you need to find out what that is. Here’s what he recommends:

Be sure the doctors have checked your thyroid with a very sensitive TSH test. The TSH will tell you whether you’re on the right dosage for your thyroid.

You’ll also want to have a physical from a general internist because he or she will want to look at some other things, and may be will check for diabetes or other conditions and check out your kidneys or heart. Don’t get hooked on the idea that how you’re feeling may be related to your thyroid.

Wood also recommends daily exercise and suggests reading this article from the American Thyroid Association about hypothyroidism which may give you clues to your condition.

Hope you find that helpful and good luck.

Also, what did the naturopath recommend to you in terms of treatment?

I really like the advice not to get hooked on the idea that Betha's thyroid problems are the cause of ALL her problems. That is something I would probably do - connect the problem I know about to anything else that's wrong with me!

It definitely may be your thyroid but also may be something else - I would also have a full physical.

Good luck and keep us updated!