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Hypothyroidism

I have used Synthroid and Levoxyl for hypthroidism.  They have been making me sick to my stomach and I refuse to take it.  It also causes extreme weight gain.  My twin still takes it.  

Is there anything else available to help with hypothyroidism?  I try to battle all of the symptoms with natural herbs.  My doctor tells me there is nothing else.....I believe there is...there had to be other things before synthetic medicine.  I also have two small tumors on my thyroid that have been biopsed and are being monitered.  I used to be a normal 145 lbs.  I am still as active but am at 171 lbs.  My doctor says and I quote "I work too damn hard."
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Avatar universal
hi, I too had a thyroidectomy about4 years ago .The surgeon accidentally removed the parathyroids I believe .I take synthroid 112mg and I believe it makes me gain weight .I never weight as much as now .well now on top of it I have started to have pain in my shoulder joints couple of years ago and a couple of month ago I had pain in my arms and legs and couldnt sleepm and my rheumatologist says its osteoarthritis ,well I just couldnt believe it .I insisted on more tests and now I have a vitamin D deficiency which is connected to the pararhyroid removal .Doctors usually just do ordinary checks .Why is this ? Ps before I went to 3 different doctors i had diagnosed myself !!!!wonder if i just should have left my thyroids where they are ...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Naplis,
Have your Dr. check your B-12 level...it can often fall low after you've had small bowel surgery. Many of the symptoms you have mentioned can be caused by low B-12. It can easily be tested with a blood sample.
God Bless, Jean
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Avatar universal
I have no history of thyroid problems. I just got the results from a FNA test on a 2cm nodule on my thyroid - benign. The nodule was found by a doctor I see for unrelated issues. He recommended I see an Endocrinologist. My labs for TSH are: TSH-3rd Gen - 1.364; Free T4 - 1.0.   The endo I saw was non-communicative and condescending. When the nodule was found to be benign, she recommended no treatment or further investigation into my numerous life altering symptoms. I am bewildered by this treatment by a doctor. I rarely seek out doctors for treatment when I don't feel good. I have a healthy lifestyle w/ regard to diet and exercise but the fatigue and body aches are making me unable to run and I am gaining weight and getting depressed. I have learned from reading that I have almost every single listed symptom of hypothyroidism. Constipation was the one that I was absolutely positive was NOT a lifestyle, age or mental manifesation (as she would have me believe). I had my colon removed in 1980. A portion of the small intestine was used to build a "colon-replacing" pouch. I remember the doc mentioning  that the colon's functions were storage and the absorbtion of salt. Could the iodine-thyroid link be affected by my lack of this organ? Could it have anything to do with my thyroid nodule and hypothyroid symptoms? (I was seeing my orginal colon doc because I was alarmed by suddenly being constipated...with NO colon!) Has anyone heard of a link between not having a colon and thyroid problems? How do I find a doctor that will address my symptoms with the lab results I got? Insight, advice, suggestions anyone...please!?
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Avatar universal
Armour is not a DRUG at all. Armour is desiccated pig thyroid, with binders and fillers to hold it in tablet form. It contains all the hormones that a human thyroid produces. It is a naturally occurring substance, so it cannot be patented by the pharmaceutical industry, which means that they can make no profit when Armour is prescribed.

Armour has been shown to be protective of the heart. The "danger" comes when doctors, either through ignorance or intention, do not prescribe Armour correctly. The prescribing information tells doctors to start with a low dose and slowly increase, every two weeks until symptoms are relieved. However doctors start patients at high doses, and then use any difficulties to prove their claims that Armour is unstable.

Did you know that doctors are encouraged to prescribe synthetics and are rewarded for doing so by the pharmaceutical industry?

Yes, Armour IS old fashioned, but are modern drugs really better? Listen to the ads on television, paying attention to the possible side effects from the heart drug or statin or pain pill. Do you really want to take them? And look at the way drug companies push their drugs through FDA approval, and then they have to be pulled after they have killed too many people with their side-effects.

I allowed my overactive thyroid to be irradiated, through my blind trust of the medical community. After becoming hypothyroid from that barbaric treatment, I developed many symptoms that I had NEVER had before, including a 50lb weight gain in a three month period, when I had been underweight for my entire life. I took Synthroid .125 mg for 3 years with no relief of any symptoms. My endocrinologist, in addition to his condescending and dismissive manner, refused to treat my symptoms, and told me that they could not be thyroid-related, because my labs were in the range he thought they should be. Who cared that I didn't FEEL well?

I cared! So I began to research thyroid treatments. I found out about Armour, found an alternative doctor who not only prescribes it, but also treats by symptoms. I now take 4-3/4 grains daily (295 mg). I am losing the weight I gained, I am able to stay awake all day at work and actually produce an acceptable volume of work. My knees and other joints no longer ache. In short, I am healing, with the help of Armour. And all this in just over 1 year of Armour. I no longer take ANY synthetic drugs. The Prempro and the Fosamax went in the trash long ago.

And I no longer trust traditional doctors or their practice of medicine! Had I listened to them, I would have been miserable for the rest of my life.

am
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
chemical toxicity is what caused my contsant mucus in my throat.
I was exposed to a mineral supplement that contained lithium and arsenic iodine and other trace minerals or colloidal metal mixture, its toxic stuff, at least it was to me.

I had developed thyroiditis too as a result, both the mucus and thryoid problem happened around the same time.

im only 25 and have been dealing with this for 2 years now.

I get thick sticky mucus, or Post nasal drip after eating drinking, exercising, putting on makeup or perfumes, anthing that stimulates my body. The mucus isnt so much a problem as is the pain that goes along with it.

If I dont hack up the phlegm I get facial swelling and pain in my face, jaw and cheeks and sometimes hands feet and eyes.

The headaches come on about 20 min after I eat and my jaw really hurts and cracks and the mucus starts flowing.

Its depressing and makes me feel less attractive.

I have tried many diets and pills and sprays and supplements.
I think that avoiding gluten and dairy helps a little bit.

Im still trying to find relief for myself, maybe there are some sort of emzymes I can take or somthing....

DOes anyone else have JAW pain or facial swelling, headaches with their mucus? Id really like to know.

I have already been evaluted for TMJ, hasnt helped.
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Avatar universal
This difference of opinion shows how difficult it is to treat hypothyroidism.  If you read the research on Armour, which contains T4 T3 T2 and T1, Not just T3 they will say anyone beginning the use of this product should adjust their dose gradually.  Nothing at all about induced heart problems.  These forums are interesting and a good place to hear other peoples opinions but you really need to do your own research.  Armour has been on the market for 100 years and has NEVER been the cause of anyones death.  Synthroid and its partners are very new to the game.  I was diagnosed Before the TSH or any of the other labs were invented and I am still here at 70+ years.  Take care and don`t put off getting better.
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Avatar universal
Yes. I know exactly what your talking about...I had all those symptoms too. After I had radiation treatment on my thyroid gland (treatment for high thyroid) my TSH skyrocketed & I could hardly move. I felt like someone picked me up & poured me out & all there was left was a shell. ABSOLUTELY no energy, I felt like my strength drained out of me with the slightest movement, frequent muscle cramps, horse voice,short of breath, no energy to even talk. I was irritable& moody ...crying easily.  My eyes swelled up. Onset of graves eye disease!!! Which I still have.
I have never felt so lifeless as I did then.
I am recovering slowly with thyroid replacement but it was no quick fix. That's for sure!!! I still haven't regained all my strength. But my 5 years of untreated Graves disease really affected that too. My thyroid labs are back in the normal range now & have been for about 4 months. But I'm very deconditioned & remain easily fatigued.
I also have another health problem causing fatigue & some of the same symptoms.
Just be easy on yourself, if you can. You've had 3 big surgeries in a short period of time & your metabolism (every cell in your body) is in the slow crawl mode.Your body is working overtime trying to recover from the insult of those surgeries but with your hypothyroidism it's like trying to run an engine without any power.
It will take time for you to recover from all of this. You also  need to get copies of all of your labs for your own reference. That way you can track your levels.
Do you have 7 childern at home?  I'm 54 & my kids are grown & gone. I've got 7 grandchildern.:-)
I don't know how your doing it with kids at home. When I felt like that I could barely take care of myself. I hope your getting lots of family support.
Don't expect miracles of yourself. Take care...there's only one you...
God Bless & make you well, Jean
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes. I know exactly what your talking about...I had all those symptoms too. After I had radiation treatment on my thyroid gland (treatment for high thyroid) my TSH skyrocketed & I could hardly move. I felt like someone picked me up & poured me out & all there was left was a shell. ABSOLUTELY no energy, I felt like my strength drained out of me with the slightest movement, frequent muscle cramps, horse voice,short of breath, no energy to even talk.I was irritable...crying easily.  My eyes swelled up. Onset of graves eye disease!!! Which I still have.
I have never felt so lifeless as I did then.
I am recovering slowly with thyroid replacement but it was no quick fix. That's for sure!!! I still haven't regained all my strength. But my Graves disease really affected that too.
I also have another health problem causing fatigue & some of the same symptoms.
Just be easy on yourself, if you can. You've had 3 big surgeries in a short period of time & your metabolism (every cell in your body) is in the slow mode. It will take time for you to recover from all of this.
Do you have 7 childern at home?  I'm 54 & my kids are grown & gone. I don't know how your doing it with kids at home. When I felt like that I could barely take care of myself. I hope your getting lots of family support.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Before trying or going on Armour (or T-3) have doctor check out your heart in all aspects, which most don't do. If you have any type of heart issues then Armour (or T-3) is not for you. In fact it would be very wise to have a full check up first.

Armour (or T-3) is not a miracle drug and some people can not tolerate it. Armour contains T-3 which you might not need and over loading your system with it can be dangerous to your health and life. You might become med. induced and dangerously hyperthyroid, among other health issues.  I have read some horror stories. I aslo read where some have gained weight as well, some don't. We are not all alike, what may be good for one might not be good for another.  Armour is old fashioned and can be dangerous,  that is why we have modern drugs today.  

I have heard  Armour (and T-3) referred to as the cocaine of thyroid meds. so please be careful,  go to a very good doctor and don't ignore other possible health issues. I am not trying to discourage you but rather to inform you and if it works for you then that will be great. We all have our different opinions and I am not trying to undermind anyone, I'm just saying please be careful - be aware!


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had hyperthyroidism, and a lump was found on the left side of my thyroid, I had surgery and they took out the left side, results came back "cancer" so they did surgery again and took out the rest of the thyroid, I was put on a low iodine diet and not given any medication for about 3 weeks, I gained 15 pounds within that time (while dieting), had a PET Scan and a CAT Scan and they said I needed to have a lymph node removed, another surgery, this time everything came back cancer free.  I still have to have a radiation treatment but I can't have that until August.  The weight gain has leveled off at 17 pounds but I cannot get it off.  I have these huge bags around my eyes, muscle soreness, extreme tiredness, emotional, irritable.  I am 50 years old, have always worked 2 jobs, I have 7 kids that even though they are now all adults still keep me busy and I feel lucky if I can get out of bed in the mornings.  I was put on 25 mcg of Synthroid, I am now on 75 mcg and tomorrow I go to 125 mcg with the promise from my doctor that I will feel better within 2 weeks.  Has anyone else experienced the symptoms I have mentioned.  Within the past few days my knees hurt so badly I can hardly make it up steps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
One useful site is 'stopthethyroidmadness.com', it may convince you to try Armour.  I have been on Armour for years, and my levels went high (which happens sometimes to people), so my doc convinced me to switch to Syn. After 15 days I could barely walk up my stairs.  Switched back to Armour, and I'm not kidding, w/in 15 minutes could take a 3 mile hike.  My weight has always been fine on Armour, but I read constant horror stories about weight gain on syn alone.  Some people just do not convert the T4 to T3 well, and must add it to thier meds.  Heres another site about adding T3:
http://www.altsupportthyroid.org/t3/t3exp3pr.php
Getting levels checked is part of thyroid life, and there will be ups and downs.  But it should NEVER be consistantly down, fight for your quality of life, it is attainable.
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Avatar universal
Oh yes there was something before the synthetics.  Does the name Armour thyroid sound familiar?  I began taking it in 1965 and it was always good to me.  The only problem I had was when an all knowing doctor switched me to Synthroid - I took it for 2 years and gained 35+ pounds.  It boggles the mind why the doctors are so resistant to at least giving it a trial run if you have problems. Thyroid treatment is very complex. You really need to do some research for yourself.  The doctors love to look at lab tests and are not interested in symptoms.  I was diagnosed originally clinically and did just fine.  Time is money and clinical diagnosis takes a lot more time.  Even now different things can affect my dosage and you have to keep on top of it all the time. Good Luck. Dee
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Avatar universal
I have taken levoxyl for 9 years and I haven't gained weight from it.  Over eating the wrong foods makes me gain weight.

Change brands.  Some people can not tolerate certain fillers and each  mfg.uses different fillers. Or it might not be the meds. and something else is going on. Perhpas the turmors are making you sick or over working.

Natural herbs are not thyroid hormone which your thyroid needs to function properly so your body can function properly, and to maintain proper weight once at the level right for you. You are probably doing your body more harm than good with herbs. If worse come to worse  they can inject the hormone directly into your blood stream, but I don't think you are that bad. I have read by putting the meds right under the tongue it will  dissolve into your blood stream bypassing the stomach.

You should take your meds. for you can go dangerouly to life threatening hypo.

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97953 tn?1440865392
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Synthroid & Levoxyl are the most common treatments.  Dessicated pig thyroid (armour) is another option.  Depends on the severity of hypothyroidism - maybe you can be watched without treatment....The weight gain is likely not the thyroid unless you are severely hypo & untreated.
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