Momof3Maidens Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Hi everyone, I really don't post much, just when I have a dilemma about something and then I get up the nerve to ask. I do enjoy reading the posts though and I appreciate any advice in advance. I'm thinking I may have a low thyroid level. Some reasons I think I may have one: * always fatigued even after a good night's rest * seem to always be in a brain fog * struggle with heavy discouragement daily even though I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters * not so great libido For those of you with a low thryoid, do these symptoms sound familiar? I'm willing to go to a doctor to have it checked but just don't want it to be in my head since I have no medical insurance. Thanks for any insight you can offer and please tell me.....will the heavy discouragement go away with medication? That's the one that's becoming unbearable for me. Enough for me to want to go have it checked out because I'm not one to go a doctor unless I absolutely have to. Blessings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 :grouphug: Well, it *could* be low thyroid, but it also sounds like sleep apnea. Sadly, to know that for sure you have to have a sleep study, which is pretty darn pricey if you don't have insurance. Do you know if you snore? If so, that would be a big indicator that it's a sleep issue, not thyroid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) Other symptoms were that she was always cold, she was constipated a lot, and she was constantly shedding hair. I'm curious-- how old are you? Some premenopausal women (especially those in their 40s) report symptoms similar to yours. I'm also dealing with a lot of discouragement right now, and I have "brain fog" too. I don't sleep well most nights, but instead of feeling fatigued, I feel anxious much of the time. I also have low libido. My oldest went away to college this year, and I have had a much harder time adjusting to that than I expected, so I'm thinking that there's something else going on too. I'm not positive it's totally hormone-related, I suspect that at least some of it is. Edited January 4, 2009 by ereks mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Even when my medication needed adjusting, my digestion was the first clue. It runs very.very.very. slow when my thyroid is low. I had several issues, so it's hard for me to differentiate. I also had low progesterone. But, honestly...I haven't been taking those meds the last couple of months and I am feeling great. I think the low thyroid was throwing everything off kilter. I need to go in for follow-up testing, but that's my self-diagnosis.:D Now that I am feeling good, the changes I have noticed: 1. I am sleeping better. 2. Anxiety issues are gone (I was having minor anxiety attacks before) 3. I think I had some minor depression issues. Those are fixed. 4. My hair has also grown back in. I didn't even notice that I had been losing hair, until I was diagnosed. Then, I had a whole batch of baby hair that grew in at once. 5. Digestion is normal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3Maidens Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thank you, Ladies for your input. My age is 39 ( an important piece of information I forgot to mention ) but I'm not sure it's related to premenopause. I've had these symptoms for at least 10 years now that I think about it but am just now figuring out that it's not just in my head but something physically wrong. My husband says that I don't snore so I think that may rule out sleep apnea. I do stay cold alot ( again, in my husband's own words, I go to bed fully clothed), constipated very often, and when I brush my hair out any time of the day I always have a lot of hair that comes out. I've always heard that you lose close to 100 hairs a day so I've never suspected anything with that but it could be due to low thyroid. I don't have any digestion problems as of this point. My mother has also had these symptoms for years and I'm now thinking this could be the culprit. Her sister was diagnosed with low thyroid several years ago, I'm assuming it could be genetic. I think I'll bite the bullet and go to the doctor and have it checked out. Thank you again for all of your help. By the way, Erek's mom, my heart goes out to you. I sit and think of the day when my oldest ( who is now only 13 ) will go away to college. Many hugs to you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy2BaMom Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 ...and it affects everyone somewhat differently. Me, I've been on steady medication for almost 15 years, and my main symptom (and usually my only one) when my thyroid/meds were/are out of whack is that I almost completely lose my ability to sleep (this is a LOW thyroid problem I remind you). My doctor says that the thyroid affects almost everything in the body, including brain function, which is why it is so hard to diagnose unless it is with a blood test. Yes, there are common symptoms, but I never had any common symptoms. When I was first tested my TSH was 9 x the level of normal. (Your TSH is the thyroid stimulating hormone - it's the hormone that goes into overdrive trying to get your thyroid to produce normally for your body when you have a low thyroid. When you get a blood test done, ensure they test TSH & at least T3 if not T4, because you can have a normal T3/T4 even if your TSH is in overdrive.) If you do have a low thyroid, you will need to be tested regularly, every 6-12 months, depending on your doctor. My meds have varied widely over the years - for awhile I even had to take T3 & T4 separately - 3 pills a day - now I'm back to just one. Finally, yes, there is a genetic link. My grandmother, both great aunts, my mother, two aunts, cousin & sister are all low thyroid. (my poor daughter...she's doomed, I fear) There is a wonderful book out there you might want to consider. It's "The Thyroid Solution:..." by Arem Ridha. Your local library may have it. Sorry to write a book myself but this is one subject where I have a lot of experience and I have so much empathy for people who suffer or may suffer from it. The few times in my life where my throid was off-kilter (& I wasn't appropriately medicated) were unbelievable, unmitigated h**l. Best of luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWSJ Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 A couple of posters have mentioned a hereditary link with thyroid problems. Does this link extend to male as well as female members of the family? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanga Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Since you don't have insurance try to go to a doctor who will not blow you off and actually knows something about low thyroid. A lot of endocrynologists will not see you unless you have been referred, so ask your friends for references to a good GP. Then tell him/her your symptoms and request blood work. Make sure the doctor tests TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 (really this is important). Research on the internet, so that you know what the normal levels are. Often times a nurse from the office will call and just tell you your tests were normal, but they leave out that the TSH is high normal and T3and T4 are low normal...and that you should probably be retested in 6 months. Jumping off my soap box now! -Ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) Muscle aches and cramps are a big indicator for me, in addition to the symptoms you mentioned. Anything and everything you need to know is at www.Drrind.com. You can chart your temperature for a very accurate diagnosis and can figure dosing from your temp after an initial test. If you cannot get a doc to work with you, but you know you have a low thyroid (the blood tests are very inaccurate) then I also know where to legally buy thyroid hormone on the internet, and I know of very effective natural remedies. So feel free to PM me any time. Edited January 4, 2009 by Lovedtodeath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3Maidens Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Thanks so much for that additional info. I will definitely have them check my TSH and T3 & T4. At this moment, I'm not sure what those are but I'm going to go out to that website and find out so I can be informed when I go to be tested. So, can a regular family doctor check for this or will I need to be referred? Blessings to everyone, off to church! And yes, this hasn't been a pleasant experience. I'm just relieved to know this is possibly a medical condition and can be fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3Maidens Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 Also, the question about it being transferred genetically to males as well as females - I'm not sure on that one but it's a good question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 There is lots of good info here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 have you ever checked into candida? I cured mine by diet and herbal supplements. It was HARD WORK but I felt so absolutely wonderful afterwards! Only issue is that you have to keep your diet in check or it CAN come back. I think mine has, but I also just found paperwork from TWO YEARS ago which my doctor sent me, asking me to come in to have my blood rechecked because my throid levels were low. I had a head injury 2 years ago and COMPLETELY forgot about it. :glare: I found the paper when I emptied out the computer cabinet to turn it into an entertainment center. I haven't been back to the doctor since I got that paperwork! I *really* need to get this taken care of and plan to make my appt. soon. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Get a full blood panel--as long as you're paying for it, you might as well check as many things as possible. Your symptoms could also be anemia. Get BOTH a hemoglobin AND a ferritin test. It's easier to just do it all at once and far less expensive than getting multiple tests on multiple occasions. Often the ferritin levels get low before the hemoglobin is affected, but a lot of doctors only do the hemoglobin test because the ferritin test is newer (and therefore not what they have "normally" done in the past). Also have your vitamin D levels checked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 ...and it affects everyone somewhat differently. Me, I've been on steady medication for almost 15 years, and my main symptom (and usually my only one) when my thyroid/meds were/are out of whack is that I almost completely lose my ability to sleep (this is a LOW thyroid problem I remind you). You know, that is my main symptom, as well (ok, there's the weight gain, but it's the inability to sleep that I consider the *main* symptom). BUNNY TRAIL ALERT: Do you see your regular MD, or a specialist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snickelfritz Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 But, she is very well versed on female hormone issues. She talks to me about how I'm feeling and will adjust medication if I feel off. That's important, because you could be on the edge of "normal" and not feeling well and many doctors won't acknowledge that it's not normal for YOU. She's also willing to think outside the box (she has me also taking kelp), mess with dosages, try compounded formulas, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 But, she is very well versed on female hormone issues. She talks to me about how I'm feeling and will adjust medication if I feel off. That's important, because you could be on the edge of "normal" and not feeling well and many doctors won't acknowledge that it's not normal for YOU. She's also willing to think outside the box (she has me also taking kelp), mess with dosages, try compounded formulas, etc... See, that's what my doctor doesn't believe, that "normal" might be different for *me.* I'll have to go in next month, and I'm going to ask for more comprehensive testing. If that doesn't fly, I'll be looking for a new doctor. :-/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) I think there may be a listing of good doctors at From Fatigued to Fantastic Website. I'll check... http://www.endfatigue.com/resources/practitioners.html yep. Lots of good info here and in the book of the same name too. With me Potassium was also an issue, as well as low B-12 (which I got by giving myself shots). Edited January 4, 2009 by Lovedtodeath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) I wasted my time for 6 years with Rheumatoid Docs, family Docs, Neurologists. More and more Rx drugs.... I got tons better with the doc who followed From Fatigued to Fantastic. Edited January 5, 2009 by Lovedtodeath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 A couple of posters have mentioned a hereditary link with thyroid problems. Does this link extend to male as well as female members of the family? I have Hashimoto's disorder...low thyroid which is a genetic syndrome. My oldest dd tested positive to the antibody, but has no symptoms. I had symptoms going back to my teens but was diagnosed at 29. (I was adopted with no family hx so the doctor never bothered to check. DD # 2 has Hashimotos and she was diagnosed at 18 after a bout with Mono. I thought she had Lyme, so i had her tested and asked them to check her thyroid just because of my history. Lyme was neg, Momo pos. Hashimoto's pos. Ds was checked at 17....My pediatrician said it was not gender specific and all my kiddoes should have their thyroid checked at 17 or 18...or if they have a major illness which can kick on the immune system and kick out the thyroid. My oldest son does not have the antibodies for hashimotos, but I will definitely have all my kids checked at about 16 from now on. A simple bloodtest can waylay an awful lot of suffering. I hope you feel better soon. ~~Faithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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