About seven years ago, a few months after my youngest was born, I started to notice my hair was getting thinner, my hands and feet were constantly ice cold – even on hot days, I was anxious, tired, could not sleep, I had really weird heart palpitations and I was gaining weight. I was also so, terribly depressed.
One doctor told me to go on Xanax. Another made some reference to the fact I had just had a baby and sent me on my way. It was a dark time, especially since I had four kids under 7 years old, my husband was on the road for work constantly, and I had never felt so lost emotionally or physically.
Finally I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed. Hashimoto’s is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S. (and it hits us middle aged women the hardest.)
I went on Synthroid and, well, that was that.
My baby is about to turn 8 and I’m still freezing most of the time, my hair’s a mess and the scale continues to head in the wrong direction. I’m not depressed any more and I rarely have heart palpitations, but I still don’t feel “great!”
I’m also confused by it all. Do I have to be on Synthroid forever? Am I supposed to take supplements or not? And do the foods I eat really matter (like I keep hearing we hypothyroid ladies need to avoid “goitrogens”?)
Oprah said she found out she was hypothyroid, went on vacation and rested for a month, and not too long later she was off meds? Huh?
I need answers and my guess, if you are dealing with being hypothyroid, you do too.
I’m reading The Hypothyroid Diet by Dr. Kevin Dobrzynski right now and I’m hoping I can intereview him for this blog. His wife was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and he put together a diet for her that he says works. Stay tuned.
I suspect a Live Talk here in The Motherhood on this subject is in order, too.
Are you dealing with hypothyroidism? Do you have insight or ideas on ways to successfully manage the disease? Do you have questions like I do and want to know where to begin? I’m eager to hear from you.
Feels like this could mean taking a step in the right direction, finally.
Click here for Update #1 to this post!
Oh I am soooo glad you brought up this topic!!!! I have been hypothyroid since ’06 (but I went un- or mis- diagnosed for a decade before this…) then weirdly tested positive for antibodies in ’08 (Hashimotos). I never felt better while on Synthroid….fatigue, brain fog, depression, anxiety, achy joints, stiffness, wired at night but unable to get up in the morning….I finally quit going to an endocrinologist and found a regular family doc that was conventional but also was board certified in holistic. She agreed to switch me to Armour Thyroid (which is desiccated pig thyroid and contains both T3 and T4). Synthroid is synthetic hormone and only contains T4. I have felt soo much better on Armour!!! Unfortunately, most docs will not prescribe it because they claim it’s too unstable…I think it’s from big Pharma pushing Synthroid…. I also have been exploring a gluten-free diet. I have been working with a nutritionist (and also there is a growing body of research out there) that says there are connections between autoimmune thyroid (such as Hashi’s) with gluten. Gluten is known to cause inflammation in the body….even if you don’t have Celiac Disease. I am still on my journey to feel better and lose weight!! Hope this helps in some way. You are not alone!!
I typed this long paragraph but it didn’t show up!!!
I too am Hypothyroid due to Hashimotos….I found a lot of relief switching from T4 only drugs (Synthroid) to Armour Thyroid (contains T3 and T4; more holistic). Most docs will not write a prescription for Armour so search for a doc who is willing to treat you according to your symptoms and not solely by your bloodwork numbers!!! Also, I am exploring a gluten-free diet. I am working with a nutritionist that said it is vital that anyone with an autoimmune disease should go gluten-free. The body of research is out there. I would love to chat with you more about this. Leahthefoodie@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing this topic!!!!!!
Cooper, I’m so glad you wrote about this. Thyroid issues are widespread in my family and I’m forwarding this link to everyone. There is not nearly enough conversation and information sharing on this!
In my immediate family, my brother was born without a thyroid and has been on the synthetic version his whole life, and, as weird as this sounds, I was born with half a thyroid, so I’ve spent my life getting tested and expecting problems to show up. One of these days, they probably will. Perhaps it goes without saying that I would love to be a part of a chat too.
Leah, THANK YOU!!!!! This is awesome info. Mostly it helps to know you’ve been there, done that and have some answers. THANK YOU!
Oh, how frustrating, Cooper. I’m so sorry. One of my closest friends recently had to have her thyroid removed, and my husband had a thyroid cancer scare three years ago – so I’ve been hyper-aware of thyroid issues and just how much that one tiny gland can affect your well being.
I actually had hyperthyroidism and a goiter. They removed both in surgery in 2006 and I then got hypothyroidism. I started taking meds for it and never noticed a difference so I stopped taking them. For the life of me, I don’t know what happened but one day…it was gone. My doctor had checked me in 2008 and I have never had a problem since. I knew my hyperthyroidism was caused by my pregnancy but I never knew (and still don’t know) what caused my hypothyroidism to go away. I can tell you though, the medicine never helped me either. I am a pharmacy tech and I have seen a lot of people on Synthroid and is what I was on. I do believe Armour Thyroid is better but it usually was hard to keep in stock in my pharmacy. I agree with Leah. Find a doctor that is going to treat your symptoms and not just the TSH count.
Hi Cooper!
5 years ago I was diagnosed with severe Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism after my son. Using food and body, mind, spirit balancing I reversed my Hashimoto’s and eventually my hypothyroidism. I am holistic nutritionist and wellness coach teaching women around North America how to do the same. Each of us is so unique that the root cause of the problem is a little different for each of us. I help women feel great again. This isn’t a platform for me to sell myself but to get excited to tell you that I’ve been here. My thyroid problems were rooted in weak blood, sugar cravings and adrenal/stress. As my anxiety/stress settled so did my thyroid symptoms. Food plays about 80% factor in thyroid health. It’s huge. I hope to chat more soon!!
I’ve had thyroid issues ever since I had my 6 year old. It started with me losing weight, feeling anxiety, hair falling, heart palpitations, my skin was extremely dry and my hands would tremble. I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. And for some strange reason, in the winter months, my thyroid levels would sky rocket. For the past year, I’ve been hypo due to my levels being extremely low. With that, I’ve gained about 25 pounds. I’m at my heaviest and it’s not easy. I actually did some blood work today to see how my levels are. I would love to know a diet I can follow to stop methemezole. Good luck and keep us posted with your result!
How much do I LOVE this community!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I think we need a Live Talk with experts. Sara, will you be a part? The gluten-free diet sounds like it may be a way to go. Do any of you get itchy – especially on your scalp – when you eat things like bread? I do, often. Maybe it’s a “gluten-free” message from my body to me? And the Synthroid question. And TSH. So much to figure out. I am SO happy to hear from all of you.
Sorry to hear you have had to deal with this and I hope that you get answers to your questions and if getting off the meds is your goal then I hope you do!
There are so many ideas and experts on this subject. I would love to lead a part of this. Gluten plays a part but there is sooo much more. I’m really excited about this topic and how we can make a real change in women’s lives!!
Cooper, I’m so glad you posted this. There are a lot of women out there who are experiencing the same thing. I don’t know if I have thyroid issues but the past year had been a struggle — menopause isn’t fun. Sadly, there seems to be various opinions – medical or otherwise.
This is a great community of women so I believe you can get plenty of feedback and/or solutions.
So good of you for wanting to help yourself that is such an important step in the healing process! Dr. Sandra Olic blogs a bit about this and offers some resources. http://www.drolic.com and she’s also posted on http://www.thedailylove.com
Best wishes.
Hello, I’m so happy I came across this site. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism approx 20 years ago.I was 25 and worked out regularly, but my energy level was still very low. I was prescribed synthroid 150, then abt a yr ago it was decreased to 125, now I’m back to 150. I can’t honestly say that I’ve noticed a difference in my symptoms. I am still very tired and just don’t have desire to do much of anything. In addition to that, I was diagnosed with MS approx 6 hrs ago. I was prescribed provigil to help with the fatigue, but it really isn’t much help. I’ve heard a lot about gluten free diets, but I don’t even know how to begin that process. I too crave sweets, I’d much rather have pastries than a meal. Veggies? Rarely eaten. I look forward to learning more about how to change my diet so I can hopefully start to feel better and start participating in my life. Thanks again!
You all are so AMAZING! Thank you so much for your comments and ideas! Sheila, I’m so glad you are here. We can take these steps together! Yay!
I’m really glad I stumbled upon Cooper’s blog on hypothyroidism and to read all the feedback from others on diet and Armour Thyroid. When I started gaining weight I thought it had to do with entering menopause and going through a divorce. My primary physician said my thyroid count was a “bit off” but nothing to worry about. She eventually sent me to an endocrinologist who put me on a very low dose of Synthroid after hearing that my mom has hypothyroidism and my sister has hyperthyroidism. It did nothing and when I went back he upped the dose by 25 milligrams, told me to exercise (I already do at least 4 x a week, but he didn’t hear that) and sent me over to the nutritionist who never once mentioned gluten issues and instead said I should snack on 100 calorie packs. She didn’t ask about my cravings (sugar, chocolate, to name a few). My symptoms are not severe, but something seems off. My endocrinologist never mentioned Armour. How does one find a reputable holistic doctor who will take insurance? I’m going to check out The Hypothyroid Diet by Kevin Dobrzynski before my metabolism slows down to a dead halt. I’ll be checking this blog regularly. Thanks!
V2br, I’ll tell you – eliminating gluten the last 10 days or so has made a difference. I have an update here: http://themotherhood.com/blog/?p=4586 and will update again this week! I am glad you are here!