Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with hypothyroidism

My brain is broken.

relucent — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:25:52 -0800

I think I may have a thyroid disorder. What now? Details inside. 25-year-old healthy white male. No medical history to speak of.

For the past five months, I have gradually lost my ability to concentrate or focus on anything for more than a few minutes at a time. (I have always been prone to distraction, but not like this.) My ability to process information has decreased, and I am constantly in a state of what can only be described as "brain fog".

I used to be quick-witted, but now I often will forget what I'm saying in the middle of a sentence. My conversational skills have tanked. I write a lot, but I go back and read the things I've written recently and they lack the clarity and cohesiveness that I used to have. I also fidget constantly. If I'm sitting at my desk, my leg is shaking almost 100% of the time. I am frustrated to no end with all of this.

The start of it coincided with a stressful project at work over the summer which lasted about 2 months. We also moved to a new city in October for my wife to take a job, and I am now working from home after being in an office environment for the past three years. So there were the factors of stress and and a big lifestyle change that could have contributed. It may be worth pointing out that I probably do not get as much exercise as I should, but I have recently started running a few times a week and it hasn't helped a bit. I also quit drinking coffee, but no help there either.

Most of these symptoms are indicative of a thyroid disorder of some sort (probably hypothyroidism). Both of my parents have had a history of minor thyroid problems so this would not be unprecedented, though they were both over 40 when they had their issues, so 25 is awfully young.

So I think I have a problem and I think I may know what it is. I'm scheduling my yearly physical in the next couple of days, and will see if I can get some tests done. (I am terrified that they won't find anything. The worst thing I could hear is that I don't have a problem.) But is there anything else I can do in the mean time? Any other steps I should be taking?

I know self-diagnosis is a dangerous thing, and I know hypothyroidism is an easy scapegoat for life failures. But I don't have anything to blame on it... I'm not overweight and I haven't really failed at anything. My work performance has actually been excellent despite all of this. I just can't think.

An ADD-like condition helped me screw up at work big time. How can I protect myself?

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:41:50 -0800

Serious mistakes made months ago at work have been uncovered. Facing possible discipline (even termination), I'm wondering how (or if) I should disclose mental health issues that likely contributed. I work as a consultant to a government agency. My work performance has been exemplary from the beginning, and in the 2.5 years I've had the job, I've never earned anything less than an "excellent" rating on every performance evaluation from the client. No one questions my skills or the quality of my work.

But inconsistencies in my time reporting have come to light, and in a time when corruption within government agencies is under intense scrutiny, even the appearance that one has falsified one's time-keeping could realistically be grounds for termination.

The basic problem: half the time I forgot to clock in, or out--or both--on the electronic time-clock, so my written time-sheets (which are used to bill the client) don't match my electronic ones. I am now required to address the inconsistencies and provide documentation that I was working when I said I was, going back more than six months.

While I'm confident that I worked the hours I claimed (and billed for), I'm having difficulty proving it. Because of inbox quotas, I don't have any e-mail messages prior to late July, so I can't retrace my steps that way. I do have some solid documentation, but an awful lot is left to a "best guess" scenario about when I was where, and what I was doing there. I don't dispute that I made mistakes or that I should perhaps be disciplined for them, and I realize my case doesn't look good.

Here's where it gets messy. I suffer from hypothyroidism, with attendant mental health issues: fatigue, "brain fog," difficulty focusing and maintaining concentration, difficulty with detail-oriented work, forgetfulness/absent-mindedness. The symptoms are very much like ADD, and frankly, I think it's a miracle that I've been able to perform as well as I have on the job--know one knows about my problem.

A month ago, my doctor--acting on my complaints of the above issues--decided to try an ADD medication on me. The drug has been nothing short of a revelation--I can't believe the difference in my daily work life. I haven't forgotten to clock in ONCE since I started, and my record keeping is superb. I have no trouble maintaining focus and concentration on detail-oriented assignments for long periods of time. I can read long documents without falling asleep, and don't seem to drift off when studying spreadsheets and data. I feel like I've turned my mental clock back 10 years--it's been a breathtaking change.

I now have no doubt that my previous mental state contributed to my forgetfulness and poor record-keeping at work. But I've never disclosed this information to my employer or the client, for obvious reasons.

Now that my mistakes have been revealed, I'm concerned about practical things like protecting my right to claim unemployment benefits should I be dismissed over the errors.

I'm not trying to escape discipline--I know I should have told my boss what was going on, and perhaps should have addressed the problems sooner. But I also don't think I should have my career and future ruined because of a problem that I have don't seem have anymore.

I am loathe to reveal this information to my employer on the chance that this situation does NOT lead to my dismissal. Why bring the baggage of mental health into a situation where it won't matter because the problem is solved?

But what if I am dismissed? I'm interested in suggestions on how best to protect myself, my unemployment benefits, and my future. For what it's worth, I live and work in the state of Illinois. Throwaway e-mail: hypothyroid.at.work@gmail.com

Hypothyroidism - general questions

sailoreagle — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:45:40 -0800

I'm in the usual boat (at least from what I've seen sifting through the relevant tags on here): a hell of a lot of hypothyroidism symptoms, and a doctor insisting I don't have it. History and actual questions inside. (I know you're not my doctor, but I have honestly no idea who to ask or where.)

Preamble: my mom has hypothyroidism, which she only found out about somewhat recently.

Her sister went to an endocrinologist, had tests done, the endocrinologist diagnosed hypothyroidism and recommended immediate family members test for it too.

My mother, displaying a lot of the symptoms, tested and brought the test results to her normal doctor, who pretty much immediately put her on Levothyroxine. Her symptoms went away, and she's been happy ever since.

I'm displaying a fair amount of the symptoms myself:

- Issues losing weight (I can't seem to shed the extra weight I've gained, no matter how much I exercise, how much I diet, and so on)
- Constantly feeling tired and weak
- Constantly feeling depressed, moody and very easily irritated (I'll snap for no reason)
- Feeling cold all the time (winters are hell)
- Muscle / joint pain for no discernible reason
- Issues remembering things and focusing (I feel fuzzy-headed pretty much all the time)
- My hair feels drier and more brittle than it used to be
- I can't seem to feel rested no matter how much I sleep
- My skin is dry and brittle and keeps cracking in spots (especially my heels)

I had two blood tests done by the doctor I had in my home country.

#1 had TSH at 4.80.
#2 had TSH at 5.22 and T4 at 1.1 (within the norm).

Doctor then said I ought to start taking Levothyroxine like my mother.
Then - before I could start - I moved to a different country (UK) and had to get a new doctor. Who took a look at those tests, said "let's just get another done to be sure" - and the result for test #3 promptly came back "normal", though I haven't got the faintest idea what that means since I never got to see the numbers. Had another test done to doublecheck, which also came back "normal", don't have the numbers for that either.
At which point I was promptly informed that it's not hypothyroidism, it's not anemia (tested for that too), it's just stress / lifestyle, I need to get over it on my own. Which I've tried, but nothing seems to be helping - if anything, it's getting worse.

My questions are the following:

- What do I do now? I'll be moving and therefore getting a new GP soon enough (two months and a couple of weeks), should I just tough it out until then and see what the new GP says?

- Or should I track down an endocrinologist on my own and go over my GP's head? If so, how do I track one down? Can't seem to have any luck on the internet and I'm not very well-versed in health matters. Would hospitals have one? All hospitals?

- I found a leaflet in a magazine advertising this thing. I am very skeptical, especially as I've found nothing on the internet either supporting or disputing their claim of "this does help". I'd be wasting my money if I were to get this thing, wouldn't I?

I'm just sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I'm 27 and feel like an old person :(

How reliable is the thyroid test?

The Dutchman — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:58:44 -0800

My thyroid test came back normal, but I have a bunch of symptoms that seem like hypothyroidism. How reliable is the test? Symptoms that make me question the results:
- many years: dysthymia (anxious, down, irritable)
- many years: low heart rate (resting pulse at doctor's office: 48)
- recent: elevated blood pressure
- past year or so: can't seem to lose weight despite reducing calories and exercising.

Is there something wrong with me? Or am I just lazy?

thegmann — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:39:56 -0800

I exhibit many, if not all, of the symptoms of ADHD-I AKA "ADHD predominantly inattentive". After further research I also exhibit many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Should I see an endocrinologist, a general practitioner, a psychiatrist? Or all of the above? Long explanation follows. I have always been a skeptic when it comes to ADHD as well as most medications for mental or mood disorders. The epiphany came the other day when it was pointed out to me by a close friend that over the past few years I have begun and only half finished dozens of projects. I had straight A grades and very high test scores throughout elementary and middle school, in high school though I failed most every class, occasionally ditched school entirely, but still managed a 1540 on the SAT and managed to graduate (just barely). I ran a small IT business and a few money making web projects while in high school and I still run the IT business. Looking back now I have had related ADHD tendencies for years... I went to CC straight out of high school and I would go to class, excited for a new beginning. The conversations were great, and the classes interesting. Eventually though, in every course, I would manage to get behind on homework and eventually just give up on trying to catch up. I watched my girlfriend of the time (who I met at CC) manage the same average party lifestyle while succeeding in class, and I would fall behind because I would get so anxious about catching up. I wouldn't show up to class in order to make up work which I would procrastinate on and it just piled up. I took a year off and worked, partied, and had another girlfriend. When I came back I remained motivated for a longer period of time due to discovering Ayn Rand's writings but eventually I fell into the same cycle again. I took another semester off, came back, and after a few weeks I realized it was going to be the same cycle again in a matter of days and dropped all of my classes before I could damage my record further.

I have moved around quite a bit in an attempt to get myself motivated, to no avail. I have begun a ton of other ideas I've had but I always lose my motivation half way through. The most frustrating part is that I remember a time when I was so passionate and excited to take all of my plans through to completion, and now it's like all that drives me is that memory of having passion for the ideas I have.

I am now 21, have sold all of my worldly possessions, moved to Vegas with a friend, and saved up a good amount of cash while my businesses continue to run on autopilot (IMO the 4 hour workweek was made for ADHD people). This is very recent, so I don't have a doctor, and I haven't even seen one in probably 4 years, except a dermatologist for hair loss who prescribed me propecia.

I have early onset male pattern baldness.
I have a small amount of grey hair on the side of my head.
When I workout it takes me eons of consistency to see results.
I gain weight quickly, and even though I've been eating 1000x healthier for more than a year I haven't lost much fat.
I took two rounds of high dosage accutane in my teens, which I believe is when my hair loss began.
I tend to lose focus on people when they talk, I "feel bored" with conversations very quickly, though I don't find myself to be anti-social, I can sometimes feel anxious in social situations, which is the complete OPPOSITE of how I was in high school, in high school I talked to anyone and everyone.

Due to my business and the things I have managed to keep moving my life has not been affected much. If I were in a more "average" situation of a 21 year old I would be completely screwed with the way I've treated my education and career path. Regardless, I KNOW that I have lost a ton of energy, drive, and focus. I have found myself considering myself depressed recently but I can't really call it depression as much as lethargy, I have fun on my own it just requires more stimuli than it used to. My sex drive also has fallen considerably, though it still definitely exists.

I would like to gain my energy, drive, and focus back. I would like to stop or reverse my hair loss (no one in my family has as much area hair loss as I do, all grandparents included). I want to follow through with the things I begin. I want to stop the occasional feelings of being "flustered" and "foggy". I plan on seeing a doctor regardless, just because I should get a checkup one way or the other, but mefi, do you think I am a candidate for anything? Or am I just being a Wikipedia hypochondriac with an asshole friend?

Keep in mind that while I've managed to keep my businesses alive through good business sense, I have done very little to continue to grow them. Around the same time I remember losing my motivation and drive I also stopped growing them. I'd say I was around 17 at the time.

Thanks MeFiers!

What is wrong with me?

i_love_squirrels — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:14:53 -0800

I have been to 3 GP's and 3 specialists over the last three years and no one can tell me what is wrong with me. My main complaint is shortness of breath, fatigue, very itchy skin with no rash and congestion/ringing in the ears. I'm at the end of my rope. Can anyone help figure out what is wrong with me? In 2005, I began to have extreme fatigue and shortness of breath and occasional ringing in my ears plus very, very itchy skin all the time (no rash though). Then the ringing gradually became more frequent and in March 2008, it became constant and so has ear congestion. I don't get sick too often but when I do it always leads to bronchitis and a sinus infection.

I also get chills frequently and sometimes have a mild fever. Anyone who comes in my office tells my how hot it is and I think it's strange because I'm wearing a sweater and feel fine. My hair has always been dry and grown slowly but in the last couple of months I've begun losing more hair than usual. My formerly oily face is very dry, my throat is hoarse and it is hard to swallow and my nails grow slow and my cuticles have shriveled up and are cracking. I used to have rapidly growing nails and such beautiful hands that strangers told me so and people accused me of wearing fake nails. I also suddenly put on 10 pounds in March and cannot fit into any of my pants and only half my skirts. I'm not overweight and the weight gain doesn't look bad but it is strange to me how I just suddenly put on weight.

Anyhow, this is what I have tried/ruled out in the past three years:
- gave up smoking in November 2005.

- Summer 2006: gave up being a vegetarian because I thought the fatigue and slow nail and hair growth was due to lack of nutrients however, eating red meat didn't improve these symptoms.

- Summer 2006: two GP's in a row suggested I was stressed and anxious. I had just started a new job in a new city and my fiance moved in with me. I thought it was plausible so I tried anti-anxiety pills but they didn't do anything but make me more tired which was no good. Tried a second anti-anxiety pill and had a severe adverse reaction which led to insomnia, pounding heart, and very dialated pupils. The ER doctor and my doctor had the nerve to tell me I was having an anxiety attack until the hours of vomiting started then they realized I was not making it up. I swore off trying anti-anxiety medication. A second GP did a full bloodwork and said nothing was abnormal.

- August 2006: tested for Lyme's disease in 2006, bloodwork showed nothing. I gave up trying for awhile thinking maybe I was stressed out.

-November 2006: My fiance and I thought living near a concrete plant and having roaches was the cause of my symptoms. We moved. Our new apartment had worse roaches than before. Continued to think it was the roaches. My new GP prescribed Astelin and Flonase. She did a full blood work up and didn't find anything abnormal.

- in January and February 2007 I had a horrible chest cold that lasted more than 8 weeks. GP tried a Z-pack and Albuterol and inhaled corticosteroids. I eventually got over the cold but no improvement on the shortness of breath or fatigue. She became concerned and referred me to a pulmonologist.

- saw a pulmonologist in February and March 2007. X-rays and MRI returned no abnormal results. Was diagnosed with possible asthma.

- in April 2007 my GP told me since the pulmonologist didn't find anything and I didn't respond to Albuterol or inhaled steroids that I likely had mild asthma aggravated by a cockroach allergy. I thought this was reasonable because our apartment did have roaches.

- November 2007, we moved back to Washington D.C. and have lived in a roach-free home for ten months now.

-December 2007, had a particularly bad bout of ear congestion upon waking and very loud ringing in the ears. Took antihistamines and the ringing stopped after 36 hours. Developed an ear infection, took a Z-pack.

-February 2008, two particularly bad bouts of congestion upon waking and ear ringing. Again ended after 36 hours. Each episode was about 2 weeks apart. Mild external ear infections followed.

-late March 2008. mild but constant ear ringing and congestion always worst upon waking. Thought it was due to all of the tree pollen. Waited for pollen season to end while enduring the symptoms. Took benadryl for a couple of weeks and then Claritin for six weeks. Took Flonase this entire period too, twice a day.

-Visited an ENT who said I had no sign of ear congestion though he barely looked at me. Had a hearing test done, that was fine.

-June 2008, mild outer ear infections, constant ear congestion and mild but persistent ringing or roaring, then a terrible sinus infection that lasted nearly six weeks. I saw and allergist and tested positive for allergies to penicillin and dust mites. I told him all of the medications I tried and about the inhalers and such. He said he couldn't think of anything new to give me. He gave me some RhinoCort Aqua. I take the bottle until it is empty but it doesn't help. I get a neti pot and use it 2-4 times a day. After almost two weeks, it cleared up my sinus infection. I still use it but it hasn't helped my other symptoms. Stopped drinking coffee, sodas or alcohol. Eliminated cheese and milk and ice cream. Began getting very dry eyes that wake me up in the middle of the night. I get up rinse them with saline and go back to bed. This has become a nightly ritual. I also often wake up with a tickly cough.

-July 2008, We bought a new natural latex and organic wool bed and pillows and put high quality, fully-zipped up allergy covers on them. I began sleeping with a HEPA air purifier next to my side of the bed and a sheet over me and the air purifier so I get clean air all night. The bed and air purifier are nice but it doesn't cure the shortness of breath or fatigue. Also began taking sublingual B-vitamins and high quality multivitamins three times a day. Started getting irritating tics near my right eye. The shortness of breath has worsened a little and I frequently have this light dry cough. There's is no phlegm, my throat just feels irritated and "fluttery."

-Late July, I began to walk 45 minutes to work and home for the exercise. I figured it would lift my mood, energize me and help me get back into my pants. Instead, after I get to work, I get so unbelievably tired and feel like I have to push myself out of the chair. I'm too tired to finish a sentence and sometimes, I just don't. I get home and I’m exhausted. I just sit listlessly on the couch for an hour or so. I began oversleeping and not hearing the alarm. My husband has to try three times to get me up some days.

I recently talked to my Mom who is hypothyroid reminded me that I used to be treated for hypothyroidism and urged me to go to an endocrinologist. I researched hypothyroidism and was very surprised to see it fit all of my symptoms including the obnoxious ear ringing and disappearing cuticles.

I saw an endocrinologist today and he shrugged his shoulders and said he doubted I had hypothyroidism. He asked if I was depressed, I said no, I have a pretty happy life, I have a job I love, I'm married to a great guy, have great friends, I've started my own design business on the side and have no real money problems. I've got a pretty good life but sometimes I feel sad because I just feel awful. He said I needed to go to a psychiatrist because I felt sad about feeling tired all of the time. I told him not to insult me and he begrudgingly wrote a script for a thyroid test and a sonogram. I won't know my results for two or three days. In the meantime, I'm left wondering, if this isn't it, what the heck is it? I'm running out of ideas and I'm scared I won't figure out what it is until it's too late.

Personal Medical history: I have never had surgery or been hospitalized. I am allergic to penicillin. I don't take any medications other than the ones described above. I never take aspirin and I take an ibuprofen maybe 3 times a year. In high school, I was diagnosed with mild hypothyroidism despite being very underweight and not having an abnormal blood test. My symptoms were sleeping 15-20 hours, being cold and tired and my hair fell out. I took Synthroid for about 9 years and then my tests were always normal and perhaps being a stupid college kid and moving across the country I just stopped taking the meds. I thought I was fine. That was in 2000. I felt more or less fine until 2005.

Only other medical history: When I was in 7th grade I slipped on a plastic bag and broke a tiny chip off my elbow. I wore a cast for a few weeks. In high school, I had a back-injury due to slipping on a wet linoleum floor which led to a few months of physical therapy. In college, my knee was dislocated in a freak dancing accident. That's pretty much it.

Family Medical History: My mother has hypothyroidism and she had a goiter which went away upon treatment with Synthroid. She has also had fibromyalgia, acute appendicitis and Hodgkin's disease, which is now in remission of going on 3 years. My grandmother had an allergy to mold, her gall bladder removed and died of emphysema because she smoked for 60 years. My half sister has endometriosis.

Fluctuating TSH / thyroid - normal or weird?

Anonymous — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:39:29 -0800

[Thyroid/CFS-Filter] Do TSH and thyroid levels typically fluctuate within a period of weeks? If so, how much fluctuation is normal? I've looked at previous thyroid questions before but couldn't find any that answered my specific questions... and I know, YANMD. I'll be seeing a doctor next week - but then, I've also seen about 3 doctors this year, with varying results.

I was diagnosed with CFS at the beginning of this year. As a teenager, I went through a period of subclinical hypothyroidism for about a year or so. During the past two years (I'm in my early twenties now), I started experiencing some symptoms of hypothyroidism, the more persistent symptoms being coldness and numbness in extremities, fatigue, dry skin, low blood pressure, hair loss, cold intolerance, constipation, increased sleepiness, inability to concentrate/focus and depression. About 3 months ago, I got my TSH and free T4 tested - which turned out to be 5.082 mIU/L and 14.48 pmol/L respectively. Six and a half weeks after that test, I had another thyroid test done: my TSH was 2.21 mIU/L, free T4 was 18.65 pmol/L and T3 (which hadn't been tested previously) was 1.32 nmol/L.

I had no treatment between the tests (the tests were administered by different doctors), and to my memory, did not make any changes to my diet or the supplements (vitamins and minerals) I was taking. For each test, the doctor administering the test pronounced me healthy and said I had no thyroid problems.

Up until now, I've figured my symptoms were/are just part of the CFS. But I was just looking at the test results again and wondering why my TSH and free T4 seem to fluctuate quite a bit (?) within 6.5 weeks when I didn't really make any changes to my diet or lifestyle, let alone take any hormone supplements. Is this normal? Am I overthinking this?

I'm not fat and lazy, it's metabolic?

LunaticFringe — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:28:26 -0800

MedicalSymptomsFilter: Hypothyroidism or something else? Phew, so here's the deal: I've been gaining weight rapidly over the last 6 months, to the tune of just under 30 lbs so far, with no changes in diet or excerise regime (if anything I'm eating better than I was and moving more). My starting weight was 120 so that's a significant increase. I booked an appointment with the Student Health clinic at my school, which can be described as lackluster at best, in which the doctor asked a few questions about fatigue and my ability to tolerate cold and based on my answers, coupled with a reflex tests of my arms, wrists and kness, informed me I'm likely developing hypothyroidism. He ordered bloodwork, told me to wait for the call and sent me on my way. No call. So I called them and was informed by a nurse that all my levels were "normal". I was a bit confused by this and went to the Mayo Clinic's website to do a little more research about hypothyroidism. Of the 12 symptoms listed on this page, I have 11. I don't know about my blood cholesterol level, it's never been checked ASAIK.

I've already made another appointment to see the same doctor, I have no family doctor and none in my area are accepting new patients so I don't know where to go for a second opinion, but I just wanted to the ask the MeFites if there's something else that can cause those symptoms? Is it possible to have hypothyroidism with "normal" bloodwork? I do plan on asking the doctor to go over my results with me, and to make sure they're mine (results get mixed up quite a bit in this clinic, at least that's the rumour) but is there something else I can/should ask him about? In the meantime, I'm going crazy thinking about this, I hate when stuff is "broken", especially when it means that my pants don't fit :/

Hypothyroidism: What can I expect?

Anonymous — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:05:01 -0800

TSH level of 4.67 = diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Seeing a specialist in 30 days, trying to hold onto my sanity until then. What can I expect? My mom, two aunts and my first cousin all have hypothyroidism. I have been feeling "off" for about 8 months (I work out and don't sweat, I get tired easily, have gained almost 20 pounds, am freezing cold ALL the time, very depressed and my libido's down as well). I went two weeks ago to my GP and was tested. My TSH level is 4.67. I got a recommendation to see an endocrinologist and will be going 30 days from now (that's the soonest anyone can see me). I've had my thyroid tested every year for 6 years and this is the first time I've had anything but a normal result. My worst fear is that I am turning into my mother: she weighs close to 250 lbs. and falls asleep so frequently it looks like narcolepsy to those who don't know her.

My real question is this: How long will it take after they prescribe me medication before I feel normal again? They WILL put me on meds, right? What side effects should I watch out for? I'm extremely anxious to get on meds as I've felt bad for almost a year now and just want my life to get back to normal. I have run the gamut of starving myself, working out for hours (1.5 to 3 hours per day until I get black bruises on my knees), crying like crazy and avoiding people because of this.

I've battled eating disorders in the past and if I can't get my weight and my depression under control soon, the urge to do bad things is rising (related to my past ED behavior). My boyfriend loves me dearly and has, in desperation, hidden my scale and measuring tape in an effort to stop me from torturing myself now that we both know I have a medical condition that's causing the weight gain. I'm having vivid dreams about cutting pieces of myself off with knives and other times I dream about eating food I won't let myself eat any more all night long. My biggest fear is that I'll finally get on medication and still not be able to lose the weight again. Should I mention this to my specialist? My self esteem is cripplingly low right now and last night I slept for 12 hours and woke up still exhausted. I'm a writer and my thinking feels "muddy" at work. I have trouble concentrating and can't remember things. Are these all symptoms that will go away with medication? Any insight from those of you that have hypothyroidism is appreciated.

The rational part of my brain knows that I am making this worse with my obsessive behavior. I just need some kind of lifeline to help me get through the next 30 days; offsite responses can be sent to thyroidgirl@gmail.com. Thanks in advance for lighting a candle in my darkness.

Running on two cylinders

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Feb 2006 11:41:23 -0800

Chronic health challenges and relationships. I live with "invisible" chronic health issues - multiple endocrine deficiencies including hypothyroidism and associated depression. The deficiencies are treated and I function well enough to maintain a full time job, but don't seem to have enough - energy, well-being - left over to establish and maintain a long-term relationship. I am probably functioning as well as possible at present. My friends are understanding, but previous partners have gotten frustrated that I am often tired when I get home, that I cry easily, that I can be withdrawn even when I am making the effort to be high functioning and "normal" as possible. What can I do differently? How can I explain this to another person who isn't similarly challenged? How do I ever find someone to love who has the patience to stick this out with me? Assume my issues are close to what is called chronic fatigue. Companionship matters not least because it keeps me moving and helps me stay well.

No Thyroid, Synthroid and Soy?

Shane — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 13:36:50 -0800

No Thyroid, Synthroid and Soy? My Mom is hypothyroid, actually "NO-thyroid," taking Synthroid due to her lack of any remaining thyroid gland. Hypothyroid patients are often told soy may exacerbate hypothyroidism, but if one already has no thyroid left and is completely dependant on a replacement drug, is there any reason to avoid soy?

Treatment options for hypothyroidism?

vacapinta — Tue, 11 May 2004 12:09:00 -0800

I am researching different options for treating hypo-thyroidism. I personally have been taking Synthroid for a long time and would like to know what other routes, if any, are available. [More inside] First, let me say, I am not asking for medical advice. I have already consulted with doctors and, unfortunately, have been given different opinions. I'd like to a bit more research on my own and would welcome opinions and personal experiences of others in order to provide me with different avenues of investigation. I know this is a common problem, or Synthroid would not be one of the top 5 most prescribed drugs in the US. But I have reasons to doubt that consumers are being told the whole story.