Computers and Hypothyroidism

[mitchell1204]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in Oct 07. My doctor said I had it awhile since my symptoms were bad and TSH levels over 150. I don't know the initial count. That was one month after 25mcg levothyroxin. I'm getting closer to taget, yet none of my symptoms have got better. I actually feel worse. The weight gain has put me borderline diabetic and I have now been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease stage III.

I look back, I can remember my symptoms starting in 2005. My family has no hypo history, only hyperthyroidism.

In 2005 I bought a new computer with a 17" CRT monitor. I use a computer alot. I noticed my eyes getting burnt. They would swell and the surrounding skin would be beet red and dry wrinkled. Similar to being overexposed in a tanning bed or in the sun. I used many computers and none has burnt my eyes like this.

I figured this was from the radiation from the monitor and tuffed it out for two years. Always dealing with burnt eyes when I used the computer alot. 2007 I moved and bought a laptop. I never hooked that computer back up. My eyes got better.

Last month, I hooked the same computer back up and started using it. Again my eyes got burnt.

Now that I put two and two together.... monitor... radiation...burnt eyes
They used radiation to kill thyroids in hyperthyroid patients.
I now believe this computer monitor killed my thyroid gland!!

Has anyone else experienced burnt eyes and are now hypothyroid??

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Ekkka]

I tried all that stuff when I was desperate, the fabrics and special EMF devices which produce Earth-like waves etc, etc. Those are outer factors anyway they can't protect you, cause the inner system is gone wrong. Dentists are certainly happy to help anyone who needs it and those who don't because it's their money, I see many examples.
Have you tried just to change your computer? For instance, I get immediate sunburn from some CRTs and all i-Macs, but I'm fine with MacBookPros. I've been able to work, after a period when I thought I was dying. Electrosensitivity is about bad immunity I guess. I tried many ways to improve it, the only thing that really works is sticking with circadian rhythms and knowlege of food. Ayurveda gives it all. I've also done a lot of shiatsu and meditation and yoga. I've even done liver cleansing. Anyway I've learned a whole lot, if you need any advice, I'd love to help. I thought I'd make a site for people like me, but I'm just such untechnical person.

[Brucergoldberg]

When all my stuff started, i thought it was from my orthodics in my shoes because right when this started was right when my orthodics changed out.  Then i thought it was from my cavities being filled with mercury. Then I thought it was from gluten, then this, then that.  Bottom line is that there are a number of things that could of caused this,  or it could of been absolutely nothing.  Some school on thought is that we are all born with the antibodies to certain diseases such as cancer, or hashimotos, but it takes something traumatic in our lives to set it off.  Or it could be generic.  Who really knows.   Mine didnt start until i lost my job, my wife lost our child, and i ran into deep financial stress all at the same time.  Others it is a car accident. Others it is giving birth to a baby.   If we all lived our lives based on this, we would be living in boxes, naked, drinking bottled water and raising our own chickens.

[Kotoronita]

You are right Bruce, its weird that anyone has to find some info because many doctors don't know how to deal with it. Well, at least crowdinfo help us to open eyes a bit. Def I will start a new thread about this.
Thanks.

[Kotoronita]

Hi Ekkka,
not at all, I've found even fabrics that avoid it (producers says that), but I can't find them here in Peru.
As someone point out above, thyroid issues is related to many factors. I started an orthodontic treatment 10 months ago and my energy became lower again, I didn't notice this until some months after. I had some X rays also :(
Now I making this natural treatment, not taking pills, eating a lot of vegetables, fruits extracts and seeds (pumpkin and brazilian nuts). I feel better, but sitting in front of this pc is still beating me. I trully feel better when I'm not working here, walking or doing whatever outside.
I hope my levels of thyroid hormones got better and i could live without the bad sypmtoms. Maybe it's time to make another change in my life, beacuse I feel my body is yelling at me.
K

[gimel]

TSH is a pituitary hormone that is totally inadequate as a diagnostic by which to medicate a hypo patient.  At best TSH is an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.    Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.

Many hypo patients taking large doses of T4 meds find that their body does not adequately convert all that T4 to T3, resulting in Free T3 levels that are too low in the range and hypo symptoms.  I had that very problem for well over 25 years before finding this Forum and learning about the importance of Free T3.  Got mine tested and confirmed as low in its range.  Doctor agreed to switch me to an NDT type of med to add a source of T3.  Now after some tweaking, my Free T3 is 4.0 (range of 2.3 - 4.2) and Free T4 is 1.14 (range of .60 - 1.50), and I feel best ever.  

If you haven't been tested for Free T3 and Reverse T3, along with Free T4, then I highly recommend that be done.  Also if you haven't been tested for Vitamin A, D, B12, and ferritin, I also recommend those as well.  If you can get those done and post results and reference ranges members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.

[mitchell1204]

It's been awhile since I posted this. I see there are still replies. I hope all is well! :)

Since then I have bought a new computer with a 22' flat panel monitor. No eye problems what-so-ever after the new purchase.

The old CRT monitor was not tired eyes. They were literally burnt with the eye lids and surrounding area's similar to having major sunburn or welding burn for you welders out there that ever done a weld without protection. I looked like a raccoon except with reddish pink color around them. There was something definitely wrong with that monitor. It was radiation burn. I don't care what anyone says. If it had built in shut down protection it wasn't doing it's job. Things get broke or not adjusted properly. HP is not going to admit any guilt or anything to attract liability. I still have that old monitor. I wish I could of found someone to test it.

Since then I have leveled out at 175 mcg dosage that keeps my TSH around 0.9 to about 1.2. My eyebrows still miss hair in the corners. My skin is still sensitive. The medicine does wonders but things are still are not the same.

Since then I've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, diabetes, a ruptured L5 disc in my back and coronary artery disease. Last year my RCA was 99% blocked and had a stent put in.The diabetes is hard to deal with. It messes with my nerves (neuropathy). I feel horrible many days. Getting old is definitely not the golden years. :)

I'm dealing with it and doing the best I can. Medical bills the past two years have wiped out my 401K as I lost my job/ health insurance due to my health in the beginning of 2011. Yesterday I finally got my disability approved.

[Ekkka]

Hey, how're you doing now? Have you found a solution to your electrosensitivity?

[Ekkka]

Hi, I had a lot of problems with CRT monitors and in the end I developed electrosensitivity (including to phones, wi-fi, etc.). Electrosensitivity is something only Sweden acknowledges in the entire world. All the rest of the doctors will most likely say you are insane. I managed to get out of the horrible state thanks to keeping away from offices, public places, and doctors and changing my diet in accordance with ayurveda. The recovery took a couple of years, I'm still electrosensitive but not so horribly as in the bad times. Get well soon and don't let anyone discourage you by saying you're crazy about the monitors or things like that.

[Brucergoldberg]

This post is almost 2 years old.   most of the people that originally posted this thread probably are not even around anymore.   Kotoronita, you might find more responses to your thread if you start a new post with all your symptoms as well as your most current labs.  There are so many theories on what could cause hashimotos.  From wearing certain types of orthodics in tennis shoes, to silver fillings in the teeth.   The more you read into this stuff, you will be living in a box, naked under a tree.  

[AJWS6]

It's natural for eyes to feel fatigued/burnt after excessive use.  Depends on how close a person sits in front of a monitor.  I wear sunglasses to protect my eyes.  What about tv viewers?  This topic may be a possibility, considered rare if it were true, cause millions of people use computers/tv on a dailiy basis.      

[Kotoronita]

Hello Mitchell,
I've been diagnosed with Hashimoto Thiroiditys, but, like you my problems started the day i sat in front of the computer. I've searched a lot in internet about some of my symptoms. I found the relationship between EMF (artificial electro magnetic frecuency) sorrounding us, in my case computers. I'm a graphic designer and I've felt lost of weird symptoms that doctors describe as only 'psychological' ones including herart, nervous system, stomach, guts, hearing... and thyroids). I have tried both mac and pc, with same results. I started to feel ill using a Wacom tablet for drawing, I could feel the radiation over my guts, like if something strechted that part. I searched for the technology: it was magnetic resonance. I discard the tablet and my body felt good again. Now, I avoid Bluetooth because of the same symptoms. I know EMF disrupt badly my own magnetic field. I'm doing a natural treatment to fix my thyroid. I have think about to quit my design job, but I do love to design. Nobody speak about this, this development system can't stop because of fews, but we few value a lot.
There will be some method to help against this evil silent?

[Ekkka]

Since my previous message things have developed pretty much, I started feeling more than just CRTs - cell and radio phones, even just wires. This acute stage began pretty much after moving to our new office packed with equipment. First thyroid lump just stopped disappearing over night, then I got face skin burns, then chest skin burns, then my hair would fall out, then I had this pain in the back of my head, every time I was exposed.  

I had to stop my activities and just stay at home. I get better when I'm not exposed to any of the EMFs, I guess the body can slowly recover and after months I can pop in to offices and places, but just for a while.

It's an EMF problem I think and maybe  my message can help somebody who has this thyroid reaction because of what's called Electrosensitivity. There are sites and information about it online. I felt relieved when I found I'm not alone. In Sweden the government helps electrosensitive people - providing money for the person to move to the countryside.

[Noddy381]

I will say this..in the spring of 2009 i had this feeling like something was stuck  in my throat...over the months i chose to ignore it...well in Oct of 2009 i felt a lump in my throat! I waited and in November it got bigger, by December it was golf ball size....I went into my doctor who set me up for an ultrasound and blood work. I have to go back in for another Ultrasound guided biopsy to test the cluster of nodules. I had a job at a company that required me to use 2 computer montiors for my work so every day Mon to friday 8-5 i was in front of the computer....i found that when i was at work it bothered me the most. Out of stress i quit my job but when i was at home my throat felt fine but as soon as i sat in front of the computer....my  Noddy as i will call it would get irritated, i have to sit in front of the computer with a shirt over my thraot and sometimes it still does not help. The lump is the size of a plum now and is causing problems..I am not sure what it is exactly yet but i am still in testing stages. What i do know is the one thing that bugs my Noddy the most...is being in front of my computer. I mentioned this to my doctor on my last visit and he asked if i was ever exposed to radiation..As i sit here writing this is is irritated. My lump is in front and to the right of my throat! Dont know of this helps but i agree 100%!

[Ekkka]

Thank you for your answer. You're right about the motto, I'll have to use that one too.)

I would like to just add to my post that I do not have a diagnosis or an illness with my thyroid happily. I only have this strange reaction to CRT's. When I don't deal with them neither my thyroid nor my mastopathy bother me at all.

So this may be just a strange unique sort of allergic reaction. But there must be a reason why my thyroid reacts so much to CRTs. I'm trying to find out what that might be? Is it electromagnetic waves, ionization, no grounding, or any other type of emission or misuse.

[Smilerdeb]

I've been a computer tech by trade for 25 years and I was diagnosed HYPER in 2007 though believe I have had it for years as I was always on the 'go...never gained weight then whamm!!
Was diagnosed with Graves Disease, Hyperthyroidism, Thyca.

I didnt get mine from being involved in Electronics........mine is Hereditary.
My Sister has Graves and my Father is Irish descent and if you google it...you will find that a lot of thyroid problems (Hyperthyroidism ) is from having Irish descent.

Luck of the Irish I guess lol ...NOT.

I dont think there is one specific reason for thyroid problems...I honestly believe that a lot of things can contribute to it.
There are chemicals in what we eat...even fresh fruit and vegetables (from the soil they are grown in).
I was surprised to find out there was Iodine in soil....most dont know that either.
Mobile phones, Tv's , Microwaves, Powerlines....they all let off some form of radiation.

I gave up trying to find a reason for my Hyperthyroidism and Graves and decided the best avenue was to deal with it....and get back on track.
Theres no point in...What if's? ...in my opinion.
Take each day as it comes and make it better than the last one...thats my motto :)

[Ekkka]

I'm not American, nor British, nor is my native language English. Your comment has nothing to do to this problem. But thanks for "understanding". I guess you're someone who never has a red face.))

Anyway, I think the problem is not that frequent and not all people are so sensitive to monitors. But the problem does exist.

[wyoming1]

Swallen is not a WORD!  Why don't you try a dictionary for crying out loud! Maybe if you could spell you would not have a red face!

[sharni07]

This is interesting stuff!! I spend upto 12hrs a day on my pc, certainly makes you wonder!

[Ekkka]

Hello, mitchell1204,

The reason I found your thread is because I have this strange problem: whenever I am at or near CRT monitors - I immediately (within minutes) get a swallen thyroid.

I had that before, but then I changed to working with a laptop and never had that problem again until we moved to a new office last week. It's a place packed with CRT's. And I must say - it's been a real hell for me. I got my swallen thyroid - feeling like a lump in my throat. More than that - I got my skin burning. First on my face. Then some days later my chest started burning too, until I was so hot - I couldn't sleep, I might have had a fever too. More than that a week after this... "exposure" I got acute mastopathy.

I'm not going to the office for two days now, my face is cooling down and I don't have the slump. Mastopathy still there, but I hope it will calm down too.

I know for sure - I get this terrible state from being in a room with CRT monitors. And as I said - it's not the first time I notice this reaction with me.

But the problem is - I seem to be a UNIQUE person. Because everybody says modern monitors are protected they can't do harm. Well, what is wrong with me? Why can I feel that harm within minutes and then have the effect for days after?

Because everybody is so sure monitors are safe - I can't explain to the people I work with what happens to me - they just can't believe it.

I wonder if anyone can explain what is happening.((

But answering your question as a supersensitive CRT person I will tell you - keep away from those CRT-monsters. No kidding.

Katya

[quilterflower]

Katya,  You're not alone.  I'm like that too!  I've been telling the doctors, but they say they have no idea of why and want to give me anxiety medicines!  My thyroid swells whenever I sit in front of any computer (laptop & desktop) and any ipad- type.  And if I stand near a microwave that's running, I get an immediate headache.  I also, get sunburns on my cheeks when I sit too long (40 minutes or more) in front of any computer devices and cell phones.  And I'm thinking it's the radiation.  But, I don't know how to explain it and no doctor understands.

[Christy1950]

Mitchell, You know the problem with the government and big business they only tell you what they want you to know and they think they are not answerable to anyone. That is why here in Australia I took on Dupont when they tried to move here to the west with their petrochemical plant. Their environmental record was the worst I had ever seen and they had polluted huge lakes and lands surrounding their chemical factory in America and I guess they though we were a third world country they could come and pollute. When finally kicked out of America they thought they could just come over here with the same directors and nothing new to offer in the way of environmental safety. I made sure that i was vocal on all media outlets to let them know what they were bringing here. We stopped them in their tracks. I would pass on what information you have to the media and just keep hounding them until they get the story out and investigated regarding the tests on the mentally retarded patients. That is the most horrendous thing someone can do. Those people have as much right as we have if not more as we are their keepers. If you need any help I can assist.
I am waiting to see if the large pharacuetical companies are made to clean up their products out of your drinking water and out of the lakes in America. These are the dirty companies that you don't want to be operating if not for you but your childrens health. We also need responsible medical professionals that do not hand out medication that has a double life ie in you and in your environment.

[mitchell1204]

I forgot to mention, the HP service rep has hypothyroidism. She is balanced out on her meds and feeling great. We talked for awhile on the subject. I enjoy hearing that. It gives you hope.

[mitchell1204]

In my search, I run across one article where the University of Berkley was secretly doing radiation test on mentally retarded patients in a mental hospital without their knowledge. The results were never revealed.

How low can you get?

[Christy1950]

Hi Michell just found the newsletter and posted an extract. Good morning this came on my email today. No wonder everyone is having funny side effects most americans could be receiving such a chemical cocktail from their drinking water.
Quote...Yesterday, an article published by the Associated Press (AP) exploited the presence of several drugs in drinking water around the country.

The residue of several drugs including sex hormones, antibiotics, antidepressants, and other drugs have been found in the water at several water facilities across the country.
  
According to the AP, they tested a sampling of different waters that supply over 41 million Americans much of which had drug residue.  If the water supplies millions of people, this means it also supplies millions of pets.


Does this water pose a risk to cats?
Unquote....my questions is does it pose a risk to humans especially those on other medications or the old and frail....

[Christy1950]

the major of electrical and in fact all other clothing and household goods are made in China and even though we have standards here they are not the same at the manufacturing or growing end. You might have read where all kinds of poisons and banded substances are being brought into our countries that are never picked up because the authorities don't have the time and resources to check everything that comes from a third world country that does not have the same monitoring or standards that we have here. It is only when a child becomes sick(lead in childrens toys) or by chance it is picked up that we find out what has happened.
You might have read my posting of the enormous water contamination right throughout america with all kinds of pharacutical medication getting into your water supply in levels far exceeding the allowable limits.
Then you also have mercury now all over the world and well and truely entrenched in our oceans and thus our fish. We have fluride in our water and numerous products that you could well accumulate an intolerable level plus all kinds of chemicals inside our houses that combined could make you very sick.
What you are not told is that one alone does not make an epidemic but billions of people are now contributing their safe level into a melting pot that is now coming back to us in levels so high that it has become very dangers.
I do not doubt for one moment that most of us if we had a toxicoliogical test it would knock our cotton socks off (made in China of course).
I would love to hear the test results and please keep up the good work. Never be afraid to ask the questions because I can see a large flock of very sick sheep out there just swollowing everything they are fed by the manufacturers and the authorities.