General Chat

Louisa, If you ever feel you can't say how you feel on here you may PM me. Again that goes to anyone else with these problems. LL

thanks LL, sorry I didn't reply sooner but i had gone to bed for some buch needed rest lol, LOuisa

Scandalous the way this illness is not diagnosed properly. I still think that is my trouble but have had numerous tests and the doc still says no. The fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome ruin my quality of life. Little or no treatment for that only painkillers, and/ antidepressants which don't make a scrap of difference and so I have stopped taking them for a month now. Wish I could wave a magic wand and we could all feel good again. Off to bed now, night. Liz

Thought I would up date this thread - with my update (if that makes sense)? 4 weeks ago - blood test - for my diabetes 6 month review, 6 weeks ago - blood tests - because I had not had a period for 17 weeks - and it was not down to being pregnant. Got a call from Doctors - asking me to make appointment - not urgent. Of course - I started to worry!! Find out that I had thyroid problems, too many antibodies attacking the thyroid. Been put on thyroxine - low dose for just over 2 weeks now. Back to the doctors next week - to have check. Also found out that I'm pre menopausal (?spelling) When I went for Diabetes check - the nurse was great - she said that the name for the antibodies attacking the thyroid - is Hashimotos disease -...(which according to info I've read) is a auto immune disease. The antibodies kill of the thyroid cells and eventually you will become hypothyroid. Hashimotos what a great name!! So looking forward to a great time with the hot flushes and tiredness, that come with the above!! 2 websites to look at www.thyroiduk.org/ www.btf-thyroid.org Liz

Ken I wish your daughter well and hope that she gets the help she needs now. Other symptoms I discused with a friend, who also has an underactive thyroid, last night were: Loss of eyebrows Loss of eyelashes Loss of bodily hair( no need to de fuzz !!!!!!!!!!) Dry itchy skin And this is a lady who is still slim and doesn't have weight issues. Oh well back to the Dr on Thursday and see what he offers this time. Knows I am at slimming classes again and I've managed to loose 1 and half POUNDS in 11 weeks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So far I think the next offer is appetite suppressants well I'll do my best, but they diddn't work last time. He has said if they don't work then I might be advised to see an endocrinologist ( a Dr who deals with the glands ) Why can't I see him asap. Time is wasting. I was checked for diabetes, menopause, pitruitary gland and the thyroid remains the same !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot shift the weight no matter how hard I try. I'll update on how I get on Linda :o(

I also have Hashimotos disease, (produce the antibodies to attack my own thyroid gland). I've been diagnosed just about 4years now and I'm on 100mcg of thyroxine. Mum was feeling rough a couple of years ago and so I suggested she gets her blood test done and she's come back with the same condition. Plus mum has a relative that died of a very aggressive thyroid cancer (mum was adopted so we only found it out this year on researching her birth family). So now we are aware of this we will have to keep an eye on things which is a bit worrying. Mum and I have also had IBS and both had our gall-bladders out due to gallstones. I'm now on a wheat-free, fat free, dairy free and yeast free diet due to allergies and suffering from Spinchter Oddi Dysfunction, to do with my gall-bladder operation. SO now I'm having to watch what I eat very carefully but had no idea that foods could affect the thyroid function, so I'll have to look at the book 'The Thyroid Diet' that was mentioned in Feb'06 on this thread. Before I was diagnosed I was shattered, leaning on the school fence at 3pm and trying to sleep almost and wondering why the other mum's weren't so tired. I had Post-natal depression twice for a short while, which can be linked in to the presence of the thyroid anti-bodies being present. I put on about 1.5 to 2stones and my hair keeps falling out but it is so thick it does not show but it is in the bath and I know it is not as thick. I'm more scatty than usual and do forget things now. Apart from the hair keep falling out I think I'm on the right level, I try and get a blood test at least once a year now but if I feel rough I go back and ask for one. re. Viv - I'd ask to see another doctor - I would not wait for the thyroxine to be prescribed - I'd challenge my doctor's reasoning. Never realised so many people on here have the condition. Claire

Thanks for your words Ken, somehow somebody understanding makes you feel a little better, that your not alone. It is a fight, but I'll let you know how I get on on Thursday. Best wishes to your daughter too. Ps I was diagnosed over 17 years ago Linda :o)

I found the support on the TPA-UK (Thyroid Patients' Advocacy - UK ) absolutely brilliant. It should be towards the top of the list if you google it. Definitely try them if you have a thyroid problem or have symptoms which make you suspect you have. They have a moderated message board for members to share experiences and advice relating to thyroid issues. Thanks to their support I'm much closer to finally getting a proper diagnosis after 8 years of being told my symptoms were in my head, even though my blood tests results indicated my thyroid is indeed struggling! Other posts in this thread tell stories so similar to my own, it is worrying to think just how many folk are soldiering on without help. Good luck to all of you!

Hi everyone, I hadn't even heard of Hasimoto's until last week, I thought that my thyroid levels had finally gone to pot. But had appointment with nurse for diabetes check and she explained what was what, Doctor just said thyroid was bit off! Good thing is that the nurse also has Hasimoto's, so thats a good start. Weight gain - know too well bout that -seem to have lost a small amount - but levelled out for while now. Ken hope all goes well. Liz

Hi Ken and all recent contributors I saw my Dr this afternoon, well.................... progress of a sort. I thought I was coming away with a prescription for apetite supressants, but he listened to me. I told him of the continuing stuggle with weight, the loss of hair and my feeling so low. Well after the weekend he is phoning an endocrinologist with all I have told him and hopes to ring me Tuesday. If I don't hear from him I'm to ring and talk to him on Thursday. So here's hoping. Regards Linda

Hi Linda Hope that you get that call, and you do not have to wait too long for news Liz

Hi Elizabeth and Ken Thank you both for your good wishes I will let you know how I get on and hopefully the Dr will advise over the phone or say I should see him at his clinic. I have heard of the metformin before, I know of at least 3 ladies who have been prescribed it for pc. My diabetes levels are just within normal at present, so I might ask about that again. It really is hard to fight all the time though. Have a good weekend one and all Linda :o)

Hi Ken and Linda, and everyone else Ken is right - hold your head hight for the test - personally, once the results are in, make appointment to go and see your Doctor, and talk face to face, and make notes , or ask nd ask again until you understand things, (sometimes I know I forget what I've beentold!!) or take someone with you. Maybe - if nothing is or appears to be done - ask for a second opinion (depending on how good your doctor is). I'm already on metformin for diabetes - that has helped a little. Was put on metformin as soon as I was diagnosed with diabetes last year. Due a review for them in new year. Good luck and hope that things are resolved. Please let me know how you get on Linda, and pm me anytime. Regards Liz

Believe it or not Dr phoned yesterday and appologised for not getting back sooner !!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately the endocrynologist suggested lowering the thyroxine dosage to hopefully stimulate the piturity gland into working better on its own. And help the alopecia associated presently. Worried about gaining more weight, but will make an appointment to see him again in 2 weeks at least he is listening to me. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes on. Thanks for the support Linda :o)

Update: Lowered my dosage, feeling more tired(in my mind ?? ), hair so dry. No weight loss now for about 15 weeks. Saw Dr tonight he is making an appointment for me to see the consultant at the hospital. I feel he at least is listening to me. A fasting blood test in the new year, already booked to check the levels again. Oh how I hate those needles !!!!!!!!!!!! I'll let you know when I get an appointment. Feeling rather low at the moment seem to be pedalling backwards against the flow. Take care anyone reading this Linda

Hi Googled and found this info, I too have an underactive thyroide and have never got back to my previous weight!! Hypothyroidism - Underactive Thyroid Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is 10 times more common in women than men. Hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroxine) affects 2 in every 100 women in the UK and is most common in women aged 40 to 50, although you can develop it at any age. The risk increases with age, family history and if you've just had a baby. The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include relatively fast weight gain, or inability to lose weight, dry skin and hair, fatigue, depression and a puffy face. Also migraine, loss of libido, infertility and poor memory. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are varied and usually appear over a period of time. They are often put down to a busy lifestyle, needing a holiday, getting older and middle-aged spread. Fortunately, hypothyroidism is perfectly treatable, so if you are having unusual problems with your weight, ask your doctor to test your thyroid. Betty

Hi Linda - know what you mean about back pedalling and the dry hair, also getting dry skin round cheeks now. Weight - mm no comment there.Still so very tired. Am still on low dose thyroxine - have to get blood test after new year - the first one since i've been on thyroxine. A lot of the symptoms - could, I suppose, be generalised, to overwork, lack of sleep etc. But it does not help when you feel your get up and go has pemanantley(sp?) got up and gone - and you can not seem to find it or get it back Wish sometimes that doctors would listen to how people feel, without the fobbing off Liz

Hi Liz Hopefully once your thyroid levels have been checked again after your next blood test it will be decided if you need to increase the amount of thyroxine you take. This is usually done slowly initially as too much can have side effects like palpitations........... not very pleasant. I was diagnosed over 17 years ago. But have not had a change in dosage for many years, until now and the lowering of dosage, which my doctor was actually as surprised as me about !!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you pick up a bit once the Christmas prearations are complete and above all try to enjoy yourself. Yes we do tend to think everything is down to..............age, weather and other factors. Regards Linda

I have had thryroid problems for eight years, I have been looking through all the threads but can't find anyone saying they have had thryroid eye. I have this and it is a particularly nasty one. First i was given Carbamazola it didn't work, then given Radio Active Iodine went under active. Then I started with double vision and eyeballs felt they were being pushed out of my head, too much pressure my anti immune system was attacking my eye sight. Put in to hospital and given what they called industrial size fusion of Steroids for four days, then Radio therapy sessions for 6 days, then had my right eye lense replaced because my right eye had started to cloud over, I now have a prism in my right spectacle lense to stop me having double vision, but at least I still have my eye sight. DONT get me wrong I am not WHINGING. But if you do think you have something wrong with your eye's see a consultant, I am just grateful they saved my sight, THRYROIDISM is not to be taken lightly.

Hi Raymond Sorry to hear of your problems with your eye. No I had never heard of it before I know that people with an overactive thyroid have protruding eyes, Marty Feldman the actor was a sufferer And I do know that treatment for overactive thyroid often results in an underactive thyroid I feel that not enough is known about our glandular system and some treatments are very hit and miss. Drs don't always listen to what we say either Keep adding folks it will become reference for others Linda :o)