Question:
Are you now or have you been hypothyroid?
How do you handle it? Hypothyroidism, how long does it last? If there are any other endocrinologists in the house or anyone that knows anything about this, please let me know. What is the usual starting dose? What is it based on? I'm told I have most of the classic symptoms, only they also resemble diabetes. Thirst, going to the bathroom a lot at night (at least 2-3 times, dry, hair (split ends) hair falling out, brittle fingernails despite my 1500mg of Calcium Citrate/day w/Vitamin D; swollen/puffy face, especially my eyes, insomnia...wanna hear more?? — yourdivaness (posted on October 26, 2005)
October 26, 2005
Hi. I have hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed about 4 or 5 years ago with
it. I haven't had my WLS as of yet. Still waiting. I am being treated
with a drug called Synthroid. I take a pill everyday for it. It all
depends on your blood work as to what RX amt they give you. I am currently
on 125mcg. & have been on that amt for over a year now. My TSH level
isn't moving anywhere. In a way that's good but in a way it's bad. The
level needs to come down & it's not. The way I deal with it is just
ACCEPT it. I wish you the best!!!! It is treatable so relax & just do
what the doc says.
— mcksprtgirl38
October 26, 2005
Yes, I was diagnosed with hyper (overactive) in 1992. Had radioactive
oblation and dropped to hypo (underactive) I have been on synthroid since
that time. I've heard over and over that weight does not affect this but my
dosages over the year have varied from as high as 2.0 to current .50 so not
sure what causes that. It can be diagnosed with a blood test. Insist on one
and know the ranges! It is often diagnosed as depression and many, many
doctors are not very well educated on the thyroid diseases. Insomnia
wasn't a symptom for me. The reverse was true though. I could have slept
forever until the medication levels were correct for me. How long does it
last? Forever! As far as I know there is no cure for hypothyroidism but it
is very easy to control. Usual starting dose of medication is based on you
blood levels, not an arbitrary number. I am two years post op and knew
from the way I felt that I was getting too much thyroid hormone so called
my doctor and asked him to do a check and my dosage did need to be
adjusted. But, with all that said, you should see your doctor and be sure
you are tested for both diabetes and thyroid function.
— scbabe
October 26, 2005
I have hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed 20 years ago. To handle it, I take
synthroid once a day. I get lab work drawn periodically to check my
levels. At least once a year. You should go to your doc about your
symptoms though.
— mom2jtx3
October 26, 2005
I have hypothyroidism. I have had it for about 11 years now. To my
knowledge, this is a lifetime disease. Its not like diabetes, though the
symptoms may be simular. I gained about a hundred pounds before I was even
diagnosed. I have been taking Synthroid to treat it. I don't remember the
earlier mg I took but I am currently taking 88 mg once a day. I don't know
what more to tell you.
— Belinda W.
October 27, 2005
I was diagnosed 7 years ago with hypothyroid and was taking Synthroid. I
was told that my weight had nothing to do with it and that I would be on
medication for the rest of my life. I had Lap-Band in December 2004. Then,
in January 2005, I lost my medical ins so I had to stop taking the
Synthroid. I recently got new ins and had bloodwork done and my thyroid
was normal!!! I don't know if this is a rare occurence or if my weight loss
attributed to my thyroid becoming normal again, but my doctors were wrong.
No more medication for me!!!
— Nicole S.
October 27, 2005
I have had hypothyrodism for 10 years or more. I take levothyroxene for
it. It is a life long disease and there is no cure but the medication
everyday. It has to be regulated carefully. I am also diabetic so I give
the endocrinologist a run for her money.
— vickicarson
October 30, 2005
Hi, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism at 20 and the form I have was
diagnosed as Hoshimoto's disease. Which means that parts of my thyroid
gland are inactive and in those areas nodgules form. I was initially
diagnosed by my PCP and was sent to an endrocrynologist who diagnosed the
specific kinda of thyroidism I have. They did an ultra sound to come up
with the diagnosis. I get regular TSH blood tests done through my doctor
and/or endocrynologist (depending waht you have) and they make sure my
levels are normal. My mom also has hypothyroidism and my brother has the
opposite of us...Hyperthyroidism - Grave's Disease. His has been controlled
and he takes no meds. However my mother and I both take meds. My mom takes
synthroid and I take levathroid (depends on what ur doctor suggests). Our
levels are both different. So just go to ur doctor make sure he/she is
knowledable and you should be good. If you wanna ask me anything else feel
free to email me. =) [email protected]
— Leah S.
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