THYROID DISEASE - HYPOTHYROIDISM - HASHIMOTOS THYROIDITIS

Hypothyroid & Turning into an Old Git

2011-08-24T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hypothyroid & Turning into an Old Git

Yep, realised yesterday as I was nagging the kids to do their homework that I really am turning into my mother...I used her favourite phrase when I was little & was whining that I couldn't find things that I'd left at my own backside...oooh where is my ???? whatever.....Mum would say "hanging from my bottom lip!"...and there I was just about to utter the immortal phrase to my youngest son's "Mum, where is my school tie?", but I managed to bite it back just in time!
Turning into my Mum in more ways than one as she's got Hashimotos too - the curious thing is that assuming it's an autoimmune, body destroys the organ itself, disease I wondered why, being a lot younger, I'm on a much higher dose of medication? Ideas, anyone?
Mum also had a curious reaction to her medication about 2/3 years ago - she suddenly developed quite serious allergies to lots of different foods - antihistamines & steroids became her main staple food group along with white rice & not a lot else! Interestingly, eventually she worked out herself that her doctor had changed her thyroid medication from the brand name (Eltroxin, here in the UK) to a generic one...usual NHS money saving I guess. Anyway, turns out she was allergic to the filler in the generic levothyroxine & this also manifested itself in allergic reaction to all sorts of foods. She's back on Eltroxin, and no more allergies! Made me wonder if there are any more "allergy" sufferers out there who are actually allergic to their tablets, not what they're eating!
I also seem to have developed hay fever symptoms this year (sooooo annoying), having never been bothered before & assuming it's an allergic reaction to pollen, I wonder what are the links between allergies generally & hypothyroidism? I mean let's face it, hypothyroidism is like being allergic to yourself so there must be some links there.
What does anyone else think? Experiences?

Thyroid Disease, Diet, Going Mad and Cottages in Scotland!

2011-03-10T08:07:00.000-08:00

THYROID DISEASE, DIET, GOING MAD AND COTTAGES IN SCOTLAND

Hashimotos Thyroiditis Thyroid Disease Hypothroidism

Well, I had kind of forgotten about my thyroid blog - have been renovating an old cottage in the North of Scotland for the last couple of years
( it's finished, hurray! If I ever get a website set up for it I'll post the link on here) so hypothroidism had gone on the back burner.
So....update!
By mid 2010 I was feeling pretty unwell - had convinced myself that I had some sort of early onset dementia as my brain wasn't working in the slightest; was forgetting everything, struggling at work to write anything coherent - it was awful thinking back in retrospect. I honestly thought I was going mad, which struck me as rather ironic as I work at a mental health day service!!
Plus I'd become a right moody so-and-so (my poor husband & kids putting up with me). Eventually after yet another temper fit I agreed it would be a good idea to go and see the doc. Asked her to test my bloods, even though I wasn't due a test. Lo & behold, severely hypothyroid, increased from 175mg to 225mg.
Felt like I was getting my brain back - but, alas, was at my utter fattest ever (not counting when I was pregnant, but was almost as heavy!!) which was really depressing :( as I'd put on weight because the levothyroxine doseage wasn't high enough. What most folk don't realise though is that when your drugs are increased all that does is put you back on an even keel so to speak, you don't actually lose any weight, you just don't put any more on!
It was good to get my head back together though & I think everyone around me appreciated the new, improved me without the terrible mood swings!
Well, at this point I was already going to the gym 3 times a week around work & everything else. How could I do more exercise? I also didn't really want to diet as I'm absolutely hopeless at it & just end up in a real grump & usually manage to last until Wednesday afternoon when I'll then scoff a packet of biscuits because I've been denying myself everything all week! I never manage to lose any weight on diets & I also honestly believe that when you're hypothyroid it's soooo much harder than for the normal person in the street.
I'd been doing a wee bit of running on the treadmill as part of my gym sessions & looking at calorie indicators online I decided that increasing the exercise was the only way I could lose a few pounds.
And do you know what? I went running outside along an old railway track nearby (I am very lucky living in the country) & it was really enjoyable.
I do jog very slowly (I make Eddie Izzard look like a sprinter!) but after a couple of weeks I found I could jog along for miles.
It worked! No change to diet - still drank wine & ate chocolate - and lost about 12 pounds without even trying.
It's really made me rethink the whole dieting weight loss malarkey. I now really think that the secret to weight loss if you're hypothyroid is seriously increasing your exercise, and I don't mean going for a wee walk one a week for half an hour as that'll never help, but really upping your level of exercise; if you can't run, then go for a walk every day, but walk quickly, make yourself work at it.
I'm not running intensively at the moment (it's winter here in Scotland...brrr...) but have maintained running on the treadmill as part of my gym routine so my weight has stayed the same.
I feel mentally much better & happy with the weight loss. I think the exercise helps with your mental wellbeing too - it really helps lift my mood & bizarrely gives me energy.
I am having no heart palpitations now and my sleep pattern is a lot better.
I don't know how much of it is related to exercise & how much is related to my drugs being the right level, but whatever the reason, life is good at the moment....:)
All I need now is this Friday winning Euromillions ticket.......!

THYROID DISEASE, DIET, GOING MAD AND COTTAGES IN SCOTLAND

Hashimotos Thyroiditis Thyroid Disease Hypothroidism

Hypothyroidism & Memory Loss

2009-01-26T05:59:00.000-08:00

THYROID DISEASE HASHIMOTOS THYROIDITIS UNDERACTIVE THYROID

Well, it's now 2009 - so Happy New Year to one & all. It was Burns Night here last night so it was haggis, neeps & tatties all round! (hubbie had the whisky!)

I had my bloods checked 2 weeks ago & alas I am hypothyroid again - I was aware of some hair loss & weight gain - but as usual, you just ignore it & get on with life!
But actually what I have been very aware of in retrospect is a bit of a foggy memory & inability to recall quite simple facts & details which I'm putting down to my low thyroid. Either that or I've suddenly developed very early onset dementia!!

What I've been finding most interesting about the whole low thyroid problem is that I was trundling along quite the thing on 200mg thyroxine a day then doctor reduced it to 150, obviously wasn't enough, they increased it again to 175mg levothyroxine, which is where I've been for a while (have been naughty & not had thyroid levels checked for ages) & lo & behold, my thyroxine has been increased again to, you guessed it, 200mg! I will not be reducing it again unless I'm drastically hyperthyroid. I think I need to be more assertive in requesting all my results rather than just taking the doc or nurse's word for it when they call.

I'm hoping to be back on track a couple of months from now :)

The study I've read recently re thyroid disease & alzheimers unfortunately for me & you appears to point to a link between a thyroid malfunction (regardless of whether low or high) & up to a threefold increased chance of developing alzheimers. Because this has only been an observational study, the scientists have been unable to ascertain what exactly the link between the thyroid & alzheimers is. The fact that the brain tries to maintain thyroid levels at a relatively narrow range may suggest that for it to function optimally, it has to be maintained within this range and going below or above that is not a good thing.

It's not clear, though, how thyroid hormone levels outside this optimal range might trigger Alzheimer's disease. The link was also only observed in hypothyroid women (don't the guys get all the breaks?!!)

Anyway, re memory loss , blueberries & coffee (!!?) are apparently supposed to help. Looks like we'll have to eat & drink up....!!!!

THYROID DISEASE HASHIMOTOS THYROIDITIS UNDERACTIVE THYROID

Hypothyroidism Hair Loss

2008-01-24T07:21:00.001-08:00

That's me (bra strap showing, how elegant!) over a year ago (going to a ball hence the sparkly dress) but what I'm really trying to show is that my hair recovered from the awful stage of hypothyroidism being diagnosed where literally clumps of it were disappearing down the plughole every time I had a shower & no matter how carefully I brushed it it came away in my hands.
I know how depressing hypothyroid related hair loss can be...really, I do. I used to sit in tears as I thought I would end up bald as a coot!
But, you know, your hair WILL grow back, maybe not as lustrous as before if I'm completely honest, but enough so that you don't look like a baldy old wifie!
Take heart - plus maybe some evening primrose oil too. I think it helped me

Hypothyroidism Update

2008-01-14T07:23:00.000-08:00

Even Oprah suffers from a thyroid condition!!

Tis the season to feel cold & I think anyone who's hypothyroid feels the cold much more than the average person. I'm always turning up the heater at work! Plus I definitely suffer from much drier skin in winter too which I put partly down to thyroid disease.
Diet stalled over Christmas but thankfully didn't gain any weight so have lost a total of 5.5kg & down to UK size 12 & 70kg (I'm 5'9") which is great. Had to buy some new trousers as old ones were hanging off my hips (great look if you're a 16 year old skinnimalink but not for a 38 year old mother of 2!)
Another 2-3 kg would be ideal so back on the straight & narrow this week...no more choccies!
Taking 175 or 200mg of Thyroxine at the moment (slightly dependent on how I feel in the mornings)& everything quite stable, thyroid blood test ok.
Keeping it sensible - eating less, making sure I get regular exercise, cuting back on alcohol & sweet things, eating fruit or a diet yoghurt if I need something extra instead of biscuits - keeping my thyroid levels in check too & slowly the weight is coming off & the self confidence boost with being slimmer is just amazing!

THYROID DISEASE
HASHIMOTOS THYROIDITIS
HYPOTHRYOIDISM
HYPOTHYROID

Hypothyroidism & Memory Loss

2007-11-28T08:19:00.000-08:00

Hashimotos Thyroiditis Thyroid Diease Hypothyroidism

Diet ok so far (amazingly!) & have lost 4 kg (about 9lbs), treated myself to some new jeans as the old ones were too big - hurray! Am still managing to keep up the gym regime (2-3 times per week) - think exercise is the only way to do it for thyroid disease sufferers as we have to work a bit harder at the whole weight loss thing, plus it really lifts my mood. I'm aware sometimes of low mood & recognise this as part of hypothyroidism - exercise makes a big difference & is worth dragging yourself out even when you really don't feel like it.
I do feel like my brain's been substituted for a ball of fluff recently & whilst I appreciate a bit of brain fog's also symptomatic of thyroid disease I've been wondering if there's anything I can do about it myself......

Hypothyroidism, Insomnia & Problems Sleeping

2007-10-30T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hypothyroidism

I've been reading up on other less well known symptoms of Hypothyroidism, mainly to see if some of the problems I'm experiencing are linked to thyroid disease itself.
Recently I've been having trouble sleeping, if I wake up in the night there is just no way I can get back to sleep, heart palpitations & what I can only describe as mild anxiety attacks about stupid things (when I'm lying in my bed unable to sleep!).
Now, I was thinking that perhaps I was overdosing on thyroxine & my thyroid was going into overdrive, hence the palpitations, sleeplessness, etc.
However, if you've been reading any of the rest of my thyroid posts you'll see I've been having a desperate battle to try & lose weight.
Surely, if I was indeed overdosing I'd be hyperthyroid & losing weight as a symptom of this????
Interestingly, what I've found out is that in some cases of hypothyroidism sufferers have what is termed a thyroiditis attack, the common symptoms of which are anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations, swelling in the thyroid area, problems swallowing, and frequently, problems sleeping.
Also, thyroiditis attacks classically happen during the night!
The thyroid itself become inflamed & pain can result too.
Suggested treatments are ibuprofen as a pain killer & for its anti-inflammatory properties & calcium/magnesium for sedative effects before going to bed.
I'm going to give this a month's trial & see how my thyroid symptoms go as the no sleep is driving me nuts!!
If anyone else has any information, please feel free to post your comments.

Thyroid Disease - hypothyroidism - hashimotos

p.s. still on the diet, going well, getting to the gym & managing to keep at it!

HYPOTHYROIDISM - THE DIET & WEIGHT LOSS BATTLE SO FAR!

2007-10-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

Thyroid Disease
Hypothyroidism

Aren't diets depressing? :(
On day 4 & doing quite well so far (considering I normally cave in on day 3!) but I have to fit into a ball dress by the start of December - eek - so got to keep going as I can't afford to buy a new dress!
I think my thyroid tabs (levothyroxine) are back at the normal level & I'm feeling a lot better & less tired, the joys of hypothyroidism! - 2 gym sessions so far this week of about an hour each time, going again tomorrow on my day off. If only I could sweat off fat I'd be so thin!
Diet is basically smaller portions, increase fruit/veg intake, cut the carbs, drink lots of liquid & cut the alcohol, chocolate & all the bad things - not rocket science is it I guess!
I'm also getting diet recipes elsewhere off the net & adapting for my own family use. Weightwatchers site is good - I'm never sure how much my thyroid affects my weight, but the one thing I can say is the last time I was this heavy (75kg) I was just about to drop a sprog!!!

Thyroid disease
Hypothyroidism

The continuing battle with hypothyroidism! Me & my underactive thyroid!

2007-10-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

Thyroid disease
Hypothyroidism

Lo & behold I'm back on the original dose of levothyroxine - just 7 kilos heavier into the bargain - arrgghhh!
To add to my woes I also have an ongoing back problem - I dread to think what I'll be like in 20 years time as I'm only 37 at the moment....my theory is ski, etc for as long & as fast as I can! :)
Anyway, sore back has put a bit of a dampener on the exercise regime. I quite like running (slowly!) but don't think it does the vertebrae any favours! Gym routine recommences tomorrow - have looked out the obligatory fat pants as my backside is now wider than a double decker bus. The joys of an underactive thyroid!
I did go cycling with the kids today but cancelled out any good by drinking cider & eating chips at the pub - I have no willpower!
Have been feeling quite tired too recently - I know it's all symptomatic of hypothyroidism - I find that exercising does actually help my energy levels. I also sleep better as sometimes the tabs cause palpitations especially if I've taken them later on in the day rather than first thing.
Anyway back to the gym tomorrow - will update you all on the fight against the flab soon!

Thyroid disease
Hypothyroidism

THYROID DISEASE - FED UP FAT!

2007-09-28T07:34:00.002-07:00

Well, my doc reduced my thyroid meds & I've put on almost 7 kilos - aaarrrrggggghhhhhh!!!

Am due a thyroid blood test so will more than likely end up back again at the original dose - do you ever get the impression that your doc doesn't really have a clue?

I'm happy at the thyroid dose I'm on so my theory now is that I'm going to listen to my body rather than him!

The main problem now is that I'm fatter than a beached whale &, I hate to mention it, but it'll be Christmas before you know it - the season of slinky dresses conversely combined with as much pigging out on calorific food as possible. Thyroid disease sooooo doesn't make this easy!

And I don't know about you, but I end up broke before the end of the year! This month though Ive stumbled upon a great money making idea that...wait for it....actually works!!! I am really earning money from it & am saving the cash up for Christmas & a ski holiday! :)

It is the easiest system & uses a FREE ebook to make you cash - check it out, it's free!

www.income4beginners.com

If we all earn a few dollars then maybe we could all afford a bit of liposuction to deal with the thyroid weight problem, huh? ha ha!

THYROID DISEASE - LOSING WEIGHT & DIETS - EEK!

2007-09-05T02:23:00.000-07:00

THYROID DISEASE - LOSING WEIGHT & DIETS - DOUBLE EEK!

I've been offline for a month or so, so there's been no new posts on my blog.
But....my main issue just now with my hypothyroidism is weight loss, the dreaded chunky thighs, rippling tummy & saggy bum that I desperately want to get rid of!
It's universally accepted that people with hypthyroidism find it harder to lose weight. I've certainly never been fatter than I am now - I would add that I'm also relatively fit at the moment & go to the gym about 3-4 times per week where I run at least 5K, plus other cardiovascular exercises & weights - so what's the answer?
There are lots of thyroid diets & various thyroid supplements & diet pills out there. Supplements? The jury's out as far as I'm concerned. The only thing I'd point out is that anyone can make any claim they like about a product that doesn't have to meet any medical regulations, especially on the internet. If the various diet pills strewn all over the web really worked, think about it people, would we all still be overweight?
My last dabble with dodgy internet products was a psoriasis supposedly wonder cream which I duly slathered on, my skin flared up big time & I had to go back to my doctor cap in hand for some of the usual cream, thanks very much!
I think the usual moral holds....if it looks too good to be true then it probably is!
So, thyroid diets?
The thyroid diets seem to fall into 3 categories for me.
Low carb diet - i.e. Atkins style diets & all their variations - I just can't stomach the endless bacon for breakfast!
Low fat diet - how sick to death are we of all those yuck low fat tasteless yoghurts?
Calorie Counting diet - they come in various guises, with colour coding of foods, or whatever, but they all involve counting up at the end of the day.
I'm interested to hear from you, the real people out there with hypothyroidism, what thyroid diet works for you. I've tried a few & I lose a pound or 2 initially, but it never stays off.
My theory at the moment is to try & fit in a lot more exercise (hence the gym) & try & naturally boost my metabolic rate that way & cut out the obviously bad foods rather than slavishly following some stupid cabbage soup diet or whatever.
Ideas (not involving liposuction, etc please) also gratefully received!

COMMON SIGNS OF A THYROID PROBLEM - HOW TO RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS - MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

2007-05-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

THYROID DISEASE

Thyroid Disease Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is remarkably common & about 4 to 5 times more women than men will suffer from it, particularly in the over 40 age group. I was about 30 however when I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the birth of my second child & put down my tiredness & lethargy to sleepless nights with a baby & a young toddler! I was just lucky that I had a great doctor who was able to put 2 and 2 together & do a blood test & diagnose an underactive thyroid. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in my case!

However, I think it is important to be able to recognise the signs & symptoms of thyroid disease especially if, like me, it runs in your family. Early diagnosis of thyroid disease will help speed your recovery as some people can take up to 2 years to feel well again - I know it took me a long time & there are still "off" days even now several years down the line.

The main symptoms of hypothyroidism to look out for include fatigue & lethargy - I know I was able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat as soon as I sat down & this was the main issue that made me go to my doctor in the first place as it didn't do well to pass out when in charge of 2 small boys! - intolerance to cold (not good when you're a ski buff like me), constipation, unexplained weight gain, excessive menstruation, dry skin & hair plus hair loss (very distressing at the time), loss of libido & a hoarse voice.

Seek advice from your doctor as soon as possible - you will on all likelihood be started on a low level of levothyroxine to replace your body's natural thyroid hormones & this will gradually be increased if necessary.

However, some people still have hypothyroid symptoms even when they are on their optimum dose of thyroxine. This can be due to many things. It can be that they are not on enough thyroxine for their needs. Before blood tests came into play, people were given more than 200mcg, although many doctors now don’t like to give more than 150mcg. Thyroxine should also be given according to weight, so the bigger you are, the more you should have. In reality, this does not happen. Each doctor seems to have his own ideas about the highest level he will allow his patient to be in the range. He then tells the patient that she cannot have any more thyroxine, even though the patient still has symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Another reason many people still feel ill on thyroxine is that they are not converting the thyroxine into T3 (tri-iodothyronine). This conversion takes place outside of the thyroid, mainly in the liver, so if the patient has some kind of problem with the liver or any of the other places where conversion takes place, then deficiency will occur. Certain vitamins, especially those of the B group and some minerals are also necessary to aid conversion, namely: iron, selenium, magnesium and zinc. If you are deficient in any of these then conversion will be less effective. If this is your problem, then you will need to supplement your T4 with T3 (which is what I do as prescriptions for hypothyroidism sufferers are free on the NHS) or take the natural form of thyroid hormone. Armour natural thyroid is an excellent alternative, which has not only T4, but T3, T2 and T1, but you'll have to order & pay for it yourself privately.

I think the main thing I held onto when I felt unwell & down with hypothyroidism was that it had probably taken me a long time to reach feeling this unwell & I should expect it to take the same amount of time for my body to recover & adjust to the drug regime & to feel truly well again so don't despair that you're never going to feel your old self again because I do & you will get back there again too!

These days I exercise at the gym to help keep my weight under control (it's also handy for keeping the mood swings at bay!), my hair's grown back (maybe not as thickly as before if I'm honest, but there's plenty of it) & tiredness these days is usually due to late nights at the weekend rather than anything medical :)

THYROID DISEASE
HYPOTHYROIDISM

Coconut Oil & thyroid Function Disease

2007-05-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

I'm looking for other natural therapies & treatments which may help me feel better.
I have to say at the moment that exercise is my number 1!!
When I don't exercise (& yes, I know it's a real pain to go to the gym at times, especially when you'd rather watch TV & eat chocolate!) I definitely feel more lethargic & experience lower moods.
The one therapy I was thinking of trying is coconut oil & wondered if anyone out there had tried it & with what degree of success?
I have read that coconut oil is not a thyroid cure by itself. However, it allegedly can help people with low thyroid function because it stimulates metabolism and boosts energy. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids which is a different type of fat. Also known as medium chain triglycerides, medium chain fatty acids are known to increase metabolism and promote weight loss. It can raise basal body temperatures while increasing metabolism. Used in combination with other factors, coconut oil has the potential to greatly improve thyroid system function. According to some of the info I've been reading coconut oil has even helped many people end their dependence on thyroid medication (no more tablets - hurray!)
Anything that has the potential to shift the blubber gets my vote!

THYROID DISEASE

2007-05-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

THYROID DISEASE
HYPOTHYROIDISM

Hi there - I suffer from Hashimotos myself (a genetic gift from my Mum!) & my hypothyroidism has been an issue for me since it was first diagnosed after the birth of my 2nd son about 8 years ago. I wanted to write a blog for others like myself who suffer from thyroid disease & offer some help, support & advice for dealing with the symptoms (hey! who's fed up being fat & tired??!) & mutual ideas exchanging!
Thanks for reading!

THYROID DISEASE
HYPOTHYROIDISM