For the new members - Please introduce yourselves so we can get to know you. :)

[Mo]

Hi Janine,

I can tell you are overwhelmed.... it seems to go hand in hand with Hashimotos. I'm sorry. I can tell you you're not alone.

What I would say is take a DEEP breath, relax a bit, and try to process a little different way at looking at the issue.

I will have to be brief but feel free to post again on the new topic area and we can talk more.

I am a bit confused on your first sentence. You said the doctors originally gave you T4 but now you are Synthroid, which is also T4. Maybe you can tell us what meds by name you've been on prior to Synthroid and at the beginning of your diagnoses.

Diet - I am finally understanding that although diet is important, the way our body processes food is MORE important. That is what you are aiming for. To address your whole system. That way your metabolism will allow you to eat things others can AND digest them well.

Take a look at my blog (you can get to it by clicking "home") under "traditionally prepared foods" and perhaps it will give you hope.

I'll have to save more for later. Thank you for posting and being here. I hope you will post more soon.

Hang in there!

Mo

[Thea1989]

Hey my name is Thea I just got diagnosed with Hashi thyroiditis a few weeks ago. I've felt that i have had it for some time though because of many symptoms and the fact that my mother has it. My regular doctor never believed me on having a thyroid problem. Finally my mom and I decided to go to a naturopath and now  I'm currently waiting for a food allergy test to come in first before I start anything, since I already have epilepsy from my fathers side of the family.

I'm extremely relieved that this new doctor believes me on having a problem. I felt crazy for awhile there, but knew that something just wasn't right especially since i'm only 21 years old. I'm overweight so once I start feeling better I really want to start working on losing weight. I grew up doing tae kwon do and really want to get back into it, but need to feel better first. I just signed up for this site hoping to get some advice from other people with Hashi.

Thanks,
Thea

[Mo]

HI Thea and welcome to our forum. Glad you found us.

I'm sure you have a lot of thoughts and questions. I welcome you to post them as "new topics" so the other members can learn from them too. This thread may not be seen my many.

If you are unsure how to post a new topic, I have a post on the topic about the 3rd post down.

Give yourself some time to absorb all the new information that will be coming at you and don't hesitate to share on this forum.

Hang in there!

Mo

[TinaBinaBoBina]

Hello my name is Tina, I am a 32 year old mother of 2.  In April 2010 I had some very strange symptoms in my arms and legs, numbness, loss of sensation, hot patches, tingling, anxiety, fatigue and just a feeling of BLAH.  My Dr. ran some labs and said I was Hyperthyroid.  A few weeks later I had a thyroid ultrasound done, that found multiple nodules and an enlarged thyroid.  I made an appointment with a Endo, who ran more labs and also requested I get a Nuclear Thyroid Scan done.  I was given a Iodine tablet and a scan was performed  at the 6 hour mark and another at the 24 hour mark.  The scan determined that the nodules were hot, therefore a biopsy was not required and from my understanding it meant that the nodules were very unlikely to be cancerous.   On my 32nd birthday my Dr. diagnosed me with a Hashi-Toxicosis....... which i think means that I can fluctuate between levels of low and high and perhaps something to do with the T3.  I am normally a type of person that can research something to death until I have a perfect understanding of it, but I just can't wrap my brain around this stuff for some reason.  Maybe it's the brain fog  .  The Endo started me out on the lowest dose of Levothyroxine (50mg).  I really didn't notice much a change.  A month later I had labs done again, at that point she increased my med to (75mg).  I have gained about 20 pounds since May  .  I don't blame it entirely on the Hashi, as I went from having an active lifestyle of Cardio 4 days a week to 0 days a week since May..... I just feel tired and lazy, all I want to do is get through the day.  I have always been a go getter, so this has been very difficult to deal with.  Looking forward to reading posts!

[Mo]

Hi and welcome to the board!

Although you feel you can't blame it all on the Hashi's, it sounds like your weight gain is directly related to your inability to have energy to exercise so it is, in fact, related. Hope that makes you feel a bit better.

I strongly recommend going straight to the most recent research to cut to the chase - I KNOW how difficult it is to research with brain fog. It is EXHAUSTING.

So, please check out my post on the top of the forum on the book I am recommending and there is also a two segment audio of a doctor speaking of the newest findings. You won't find this information at your common doctor's office though and it might take leaving the "system" and finding a doctor who will think outside the box. I am currently going to make an appt. with one such doctor. I will let others know how it goes.

I do encourage you to look into treating the whole body, instead of just the thyroid. It has really been the road that I have been lead down. I believe it is the ultimate answer and we are not far from identifying the root issues of this disease.

Take care,
Mo

[Belle103]

Hello, my name is Tiffany I am a 24 year old mom to a VERY energetic toddler.

I was diagnosed with Hashi today, but was diagnosed with Hypo three years ago. 

I am currently on 75mcg of Synthroid.

I was fine with the progress before I got pregnant, but now I don't feel I have the energy to be the kind of mom I want to be for my son.

No real diets other than cutting back on my calorie and fat intake.  I was able to lose about 20 pounds and 3 dress sizes in the last year, but it has been a struggle.

I currently live in Charleston, South Carolina but I am a native Californian.  My husband is a pilot in the Air Force which makes living with this disease even more challenging.  In the 3 years we have been married, we have lived in 4 different states...which means 4 different doctors.  In addition to the moving around, there is the fact that he is gone for 2/3 of the year...leaving me a 24 hour stay-at-home single mom.  I am more exhausted than ever with no way to do anything about it.  I do find some relief from mom duties and my symptoms in my Karate class, which I thoroughly enjoy...except for the occasional panic attack.  All in all this disease effects EVERY aspect of my life and I want a way to take some of the control back!

[Mo]

Hi Tiffany,

You are actually fortunate these days because this year has been the first to reveal ground breaking info on Hashimoto's and many will benefit from it.

I recommend you look at the first post on my board (the book I recommend) and listen to the podcast. Also, you might do well to find a doctor that uses the protocol discussed. If you cannot get to one, I can recommend a doctor that will work remotely with you for a reasonable fee after discussing whatever tests will be needed to establish your treatment needs.

Here's the website:

http://www.drboydston.com/thyroid.html  (tell him www.myhashimotosthyroiditis.com sent you)

Hope this helps. I wish I had this information 15 years ago when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's.

Good luck and come back and tell us how you are doing!

Mo

[paulazsepulveda]

1. How long have you had Hashimotos?
......April2009


2. What are you doing for treatment?
............tsh,ft3,ft4  every month, and levothyroxine.

3. Are you satisfied with the progress or do you feel you need to find a better combination of treatment?
..............nope. im still feeling weak.

4. Have you tried any successful diets (whether for losing weight or controlling symptoms)
...........nope. i like eating.

5. Tell us anything else about yourself - age, location, etc. that you would like to share.

[Mo]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

It sounds like your current treatment is not helping you too well based on your answers. Take some time and look at my blog and especially my latest post. I think you will find it may hold some answers to why your treatment might not be working for you.

Mo

[Ang31]

Hi, my name is Ang and I am a 38 year old with a history of asthma, excema, hayfever and the odd allergy, who has been on constant cortisone use since the age of 2.  I did stop this around 2 years ago though and seem to be free from asthma since.  It seems they had me on it way longer than was needed.  Sad   My underactive thyroid was picked up a couple of months after having my second son, in 2007.  After testing my TSH at 11, my antibodies were tested a few months later to read antithyroglobulin – 180 and antithyroid peroxidise – 15500.  My doctor had been talking about post partum thyroiditis and so decided to just monitor me every few months to see what happened.  A little after this my eldest son broke his leg and suffered some life and limb threatening complications, so my mind was completely taken away from my own health for the next twelve plus months.

After things settled down a little I turned my eye back to my own health.  I did have the odd blood test through this time and it seemed my thyroid was compensating reasonably well with the doctors telling me I had ‘normal thyroid function’.  I did some reading of Sandra Cabots Thyroid book, and I had my mercury fillings removed.  I then found a naturopath who really explained to me what’s going on and that it was my immune system that needed attention.  He put me on Iodine and L-Tyrosine and Rehmannia Complex, and then later some liquid which consisted of albezia and a few other things (I can look this up).  My blood tests a few months later, in hindsight did look a lot better and my antibodies were down to 3800.  I then began to get some stomach issues and stopped all supplements in an effort to get to the cause.

To cut a long story short, recently I went on a binge for a few months.  I was sick of worrying about my health all the time and started eating and drinking whatever I wanted.  Cream donuts, cake, Coke, whatever the hell I wanted.  I was over it.  About three months later I started to feel totally lousy, like a hit by a truck feeling, and my thyroid (which previously was mildly swollen on one side) began to expand to the point that I could really feel and see it.  Another ultrasound showed no nodules but huge blood flow and probably hashis.  My blood test results were TSH 6, FT4 10, FT3 4.2.  Antithyroglobulin 240 and antithyroidperoxidase 13000.  I expected the rise in antibodies but not that much.  Because I was feeling so lousy and have two children to look after I accepted this time to take Oroxine, but it was time for action.

I felt like the knowledge of what to do was in me, and it was time to start being serious about putting it into action.  I had gone gluten free 2 days before the blood test results came back because I knew what was coming.  I started taking zinc, vitamin c, selenium and oils again.  I am working on going dairy free, but honestly just needed some sanity while I adjusted to this whole thing.  I have had to accept that I have this thing and that I can’t ignore it.
I have been on Oroxine for 4 weeks now and feel better than I did, but I have doubts about being on it being the right move.  I am going to make an appointment for my naturopath again, but he takes months and months to get into.   For the last few days I have had a very heavy chest and seem to have a chest infection brewing, then yesterday after singing in the car the front of my throat started hurting (middle of the thyroid area, really felt like it was my thyroid that hurt).  So I’m not sure if that is a bug, or if I should be worried the Oroxine is having negative effects.

I have known about your site and have looked at it a few times, but it wasn’t time for me to really get into this.  I’m so glad you are here though and look forward to being more in touch.  I have is Sandra Cabots Thyroid book and it was her that introduced me to the concept of gluten free and dairy free, bowel detoxing etc.  I'm currently considering what I will do next. I just received Dr Datis' book and am about halfway through so looking forward to finishing that.  I am looking for another dr but it isn't easy finding someone with the right knowledge and attitude toward the autoimmune issue which is why I've kind of been figuring it out on my own with the help of books and websites.  At the moment I feel the oroxine is making me feel better, but am not convinced it will last, so I really need to find my 'next step.

[Mo]

Hello Ang,

Wow! It sounds like you would be a perfect match to check into my doctor which will work with you over the phone if necessary! You are pretty much right in the position he is used to.... ready to move forward, have begun reading Dr. K's books and are already gluten free! I think you would find him much more convenient than your natural doctor who takes months to get you in!

Here's my doctor's website: (call and make an appt. for a consultation) His fees are more than reasonable too!

http://www.drboydston.com/thyroid.html

Please let me know (and all of us) how you are doing. And  when you come back, please start with a new topic so all can see.

Take care and hope you find this information useful.

Mo

[Ang31]

Thanks Mo.  Unfortunately I'm all the way over here in Australia so still looking for a practitioner over here to help me.  Not easy.    

[Mo]

Well, you never know.. this doctor might take people from other countries! I believe he said he has some from other places in the world. You might want to inquire!

Mo

[deb]

Hi, my name is Deb, and I have Hashimoto's. ("Hello, Deb."  ) Just got the diagnosis yesterday, but probably had it for a few years now given how long I've been on Levothroid (6 years, while PG with my second child, when the hypothyroid was first noticed).

Treatment: Levothroid 125mg daily. Have also found some relief with supplements and amino acids in Julia Ross's books The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure.

I'd probably be more satisfied with this course of treatment if I didn't also have what increasingly looks like migraines in addition to the thyroid symptoms. These have led to some blood pressure spikes and spacy feelings that have left my PCP wondering about TIA's and I was on a beta blocker for a while but have stopped taking it because it put me to sleep, frankly, and my BP has been fine since (about 2 weeks off it now). But the BP spike means the endo is reluctant to up my T3, which is borderline low, as in .01 above the low number in the "normal" range for T3.

Diet: Actually, my research says I'm doing OK diet-wise. I cook a lot with Nourishing Traditions although I need to get back to that more. I should probably do a gluten-free trial, and I know I need to kick my caffeine addiction, but I've been able to most get off Diet Coke (my last and worst poison) - while I was PG, it was the ONLY thing that helped me keep my food down, and I ended up addicted to it again after having successfully ditched it, but haven't had one for a few days and am down to 2-4 small ones a week instead of the 44-ounce Big Gulp (or two!  ) every day, so progress there. I probably enjoy beer too much as well, but if I try gluten-free, that'll obviously have to go. (Just hope I don't have to stop drinking mead - that is GOOD stuff and I have a number of friends who make their own, as does my hubby. )

I live outside Washington DC and have been a SAHM for nearly 9 years now. Now that I have two kids in school and I'm ready to go back to work, I'm finding that the economy isn't really ready to be hiring more music teachers, but that leaves me more free time to undergo the barrage of medical tests and treatments to sort through this. I posted a separate post with more details of my symptoms, trying to connect the dots between the thyroid and the possibility of migraines.

I will be at a bookstore this morning looking for that book you recommended. The more I learn about conventional medicine and diet advice, the angrier I get at The System, and the more links I post on Facebook and the stranger my friends must think I am! LOL

[mcruari]

Hi, I'm Sinéad. I'm of Irish origin, born in the UK and living in Turin, Italy. I'm 39yrs old and am a working mum to two kiddiwinks.
I discovered I had thyroid probs about 16 mths after my first child was born, so about 6yrs ago. I had ALL the symptoms and basically self-diagnosed and my bloodwork confirmed it. Then my Dr tested for autoimmune and it came back positive Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
My TSH levels peaked to a whopping >145   (off the scale) when I was finally diagnosed. It took a good while for that to come down to near normal as my Dr decided I should start off with 25mg for a couple of months, then test and then gradually go up 25mg every time.
So I am now on 100mg (but should probably be on 110/115mg (but of course that dose does not exist). Since being diagnosed I have also had a bout of depression due to the fact that it took so long to get myself back up to where I should have been. I have also had another child without any major difficulties (took a bit longer than expected to concieve but I suppose 10mths is not really that long).
My biggest problems which have never gone back to normal are the lethargy, weight gain (but that could be too many pizzas and ice-cream  ) and feeling the cold.
Almost forgot to mention that my mum also has thyroiditis and is on thyroxin and my sis had a cist on her thyroid and had to have a partial thryoidectomy. So it obviously runs in the Levi's!!
That's all for now folks!
P.S. Deb (previous poster) sent me in this direction, so blame her