Thyroid Problems
June 12, 2008 - 12:13pm
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7 comments
I had part of my thyroid removed a few years ago due to a tumor (it was noncancerous); my father did, however, have thyroid cancer.
Two years later, after I kept complaining of tiredness and gaining 20 lbs, I was finally placed on synthyroid. I cannot lose weight. I am still very tired despite my blood work coming back "normal." I tried taking some T3 replacement, but it did nothing.
I was diagnosed with mild depression (which just may have been the thyroid problem), so I am taking 5 mg of Lexapro. I am currently weaning myself off of it. I take no other medications and I am 52 years old; I am not in menopause yet.
Can anyone provide some information on how I can get more energy? It really is affecting my daily life.
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Juice, juice and more juice. Carrots, celery, greens......
I’m so sorry that you’re having horrific thyroid issues. There’s nothing worse than not having that barometer working properly. Of course you already know that’s where the fatigue comes in and the weight gain. But guess what? Synthyroid may not work for you. It may not be the drug for you. Each drug is individualized for the patient. I cannot take that medication, it does not work. Did anybody ever suggest that you try another thyroid medication?
Also, can anyone make any recommendations on a good endricronologist?
So we need to find you a great thyroid doc that can really help balance this whole thing. Because thyroid and depression go hand-in-hand. There are many symptoms of hypothyroidism that women don’t know about and depression is one of them. You have to your TSH, FreeT3 and FreeT4 checked. Blood work only. It takes a while to balance your thyroid, but you should start to feel better when you’re on the right meds. You may have to balance it by taking some in the morning and some in the afternoon so you don’t hit highs and low.
And for me I take ARM thyroid, I take a dosage in the morning and then I have to take another dose in the afternoon at 3 p.m. because it’s not long lasting and that’s what keeps me stable. Because there is nothing worse than crashing and burning from having your thyroid not functioning properly. You need to find a really good endricronologist.
You may also want to check out these wonderful interviews with Dr. Theodore Friedman one of the top experts in the country.
http://empowher.com/search/node/theodore+friedman
P.S. Go look up Lexapro. One of the side effects is weight gain.
I think I did find a good endocrinolgist; she came highly recommended; her name is Kristina Rudgear at the Endocrinology, Diabetes and Lovegivity Center of Arizona; she is in Scottsdale. Have you heard of this practice?
I asked about the ARM (is that the Armour?)and they explained why they did not like it. But, I'm going to pursue it again at my next appt.
I'm currently weening myself off of the Lexapro.
Thank you.
Dear eawittman, I just joined the Empowher family and read your posting and wanted to share a great book I read a couple of years ago: The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem, MD. He is a nationally known endocrinologist that has presented the world with a new perspective on Thyroid Disease. I few years ago I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and was prescribed Synthroid. Even on the low dosage I had several side effects. Then I came across Dr. Arem's book and it saved me. I did not even know that my diet was contributing to my slow functioning thyroid. Did you know that too much broccoli can actually affect your thyroid. Sure enough my diet contained tons of it. So, once I made the adjustments to my diet my thyroid got well. In addition to that I was able to learn the difference between slow functioning thyroid and adrenal fatigue. I had both and I did not know it. You may want to consider reading the book. I am sure it is available in any of those online bookstores.
Thank you for your comments. I'm going to get the book. The more knowledge I have, the better.