Jane lives in Appalachia and suffers from hypothyroidism. Her thyroid gland is enlarged, her body temperature is low, and her hair and skin look brittle and dry. Blood tests show very low levels of circulating iodine, T3, and T4, but high levels of TSH. What is your diagnosis? Why did this occur? What treatment would you recommend?

Iodine deficiency….
Her Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is good, her thyroid gland is working hard, hence it is enlarged; but it doesn’t have the necessary raw materials.
She lives far from the ocean, so it would be easy to lack iodine in the diet.
Treatment: iodine supplementation.
Once she gets better, iodized salt in the kitchen might be enough to keep her thyroid healthy.

Hypothyroidism is generally treated with Levothyroxine, the synthetic identical to the thyroid hormone thyroxine. There are other drugs on the market like desiccated thyroid hormone (T4 + T3) from a pig’s thyroid (Armour) or synthetic T3 (Cytomel) which can be taken in conjunction with your T4 (Synthroid and the like). I cannot personally comment on T3 or desiccated thyroid hormone, but Synthroid take 6-8 weeks to be fully in your system, but I see/ feel a difference withing 6-10 days. Good luck.

Question:

I’ve been trying extremely hard to lose weight but the scale reads the same number. I have type ONE( not adult on set diabetes you get from poor lifestyle) and hypothyroidism which I think is the problem. I’m so tired of bring in twice the effort as a normal person and not seeing anything change (not a decimal number, nothing) so does anyone out there know of a diet and exercise plan or trick to help a person with my glitches lose weight?

Answers:

A1)

Hey there! I am in the same boat as you. I also have hypothyroidism and type ONE. While weight loss has been excruciatingly hard, I can offer some tips that I have been doing that have helped me slowly but surely get on the fast track to losing some weight.

1. Take a multivitamin: Our bodies are always fighting off so much. If you take a vitamin, you will ensure that your body will be getting the vitamins and minerals it needs to fight off infection and allow your body MORE energy to do other things, such as losing weight. Look for multivitamins that promote a health heart and strong bones, as well as a good immune system.

2. Count your calories: This is hard, but when there is a will, there is a way. Ever look on the nutrition facts of food and note the servings? Follow that! Record your total calories, fat, sodium, etc. Keep a journal and do this. I started out by just recording what I ate in a normal day, evaluating it (weaknesses: eat too big portions, not enough meat, too much bread/sugar, etc) and then seeing what I can do to improve it. Try to keep your calories to about 2,300 per day, and then whittle it down. I’m currently at 2,245 at the most per day, and I’m noting a change in my energy.

3. EXERCISE: Speaking of energy, hypothyroidism simply killes your metabolism with an AK-47. RIght here, you just need a little more willpower. Think of living longer. At least that’s what I do. Don’t use elevators: instead, use the stairs. Walk a little more than you need to. Have Nintendo Wii? Do WiiFit. It works out muscles you never thought you could work out! Walk around your neighborhood every day. Go to a track at a school and walk the curves and jog the straights for thirty minutes to an hour. I totally understand taht your energy will deter you from doing this, but even a little effort should help.

4. Stay happy! SOmething you love to do that doesn’t compromise your health or well being? Indulge in it! I like to draw and sew among other things. If you keep your feelings and personality up, then you can do all i have listed above and more.

5. Go to sleep on time. Yes this is very important. Your sleep helps regulate SO much.

While ALL are important, the integral plan is to choose a method and STICK WITH IT! Watch your portions, and work out every day for at least thirty minutes. Take that vitamin, get some sleep, and remember to do something you enjoy.

From one hypobetes dealer to another, I HAVE FAITH IN YOU!

And a last note: I’ve been doing this very method for the past week and a half, and I lost four pounds. Just keep going, and with a little patience you’ll get there!

A2)

I have hypothyroidism and my doctor said no amount of exercise can change my weight. You need the thyroid pills to return you to a normal metabolism, they are very cheap and cost less than penicillin. I think it was something around 5 dollars for a month of treatment. I have lost all of the weight I gained just by being on the medication without exercise.

You can not RAISE your metabolism when you have hypothyroidism. Even if you do, it still won’t be normal. You need the pills.

The pills are natural because they are the same hormone which your thyroid glands make. They are made from cows I think and are just the same hormone you would make naturally. It is not any harmful drug or anything like that.

There are a lot of unethical creeps selling natural remedy’s to your thyroid, it is an endocrine gland which produces a hormone. You can not fix your glands with vitamins or ANYTHING except the hormones which they make. Drinking plenty of water thought keeps your endocrine system healthy.

Question:

I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism – I’ve been taking Synthroid religiously for a year. It has done nothing for me – I’m gaining weight, I’m still as tired, I walk every day and eat well 99% of the week. My MD has upped the dosage a few times already and says that my level is still too low.
I’m tired of feeling like crap – I want to lose weight – I’m 24 years old and weight nearly 169lbs – and I’m only 5’4 1/2″. I’ve gained nearly 40lbs in the past 2 years – it’s disgusting. I need to lose the weight – but I am having an awful time with it.
Is anyone else having issues with gaining weight on Synthroid? Or does anyone have a weight loss plan that has really worked for them when dealing with Hypothroidism?
I feel myself becoming more & more depressed with this – obviously the Synthroid meds aren’t working for me. I still feel as terrible as I always have.
Anyone with any suggestions/advice/weight loss plans?

Answers:

1)

Stop obsessing about your weight. You don’t need a diet right now. Or do you want to be skinny but die in a myxedema coma anyway?
You have a serious health problem, and a bad doctor. So take control of your health and get a new doctor.
If your levels are still too low, but balanced, you need to up your dose even more. It happens. Some people need high doses. And the required dose changes throughout your life. you have to keep having blood tests, and keep adjusting your dose. For the rest of your life.
If only some of your levels are too low, then maybe synthroid isn’t the drug for you, or maybe you need something else (T3) in addition to the synthroid. Only your doctor who has your blood tests in from of him can tell you what’s going on. So get to a new doctor who will do all of the appropriate tests (Free T3 and Free T4) and help you.

2)

A person does not gain weight on Synthroid (synthetic), Amour thyroid (derived from animal source–have you tried it?) or other thyroid medication (T3).  In fact, I was gaining weight until I found the correct dose. My skin was dry & I was losing hair, also. And I felt depressed.
I’m currently taking 1.25 mg/day. You have to take it first thing in the morning and wait 1/2 hour to eat anything in order for it to properly start absorbing into your circulatory system.
If your doctor did not tell you this, you should tell him he is omitting an important step in treatment with this medication.
If you can find a better doctor, I would do so. If not, have him increase the dose and take it properly in the am.

3)

Avoid eating the following foods raw: cabbage, mustard, spinach, cassava roots, peanuts, soybeans and peaches. They may interfere with thyroid hormone production.
Eat foods with high iodine content such as fish, shellfish, and seaweed.
Take multivitamin and mineral supplements daily. Vitamins A, B2, B3, B6, E, and zinc are needed for normal thyroid hormone production.
Strengthen thyroid function with thyroid preparations sold at local food stores. They are used to treat mild hypothyroidism only. Available products include thyroid extracts, iodine, zinc or tyrosine. Most Americans may not need iodine supplements as the daily requirement can easily be met by eating iodine-rich foods or using iodized salt. On the other hand, consuming more than 600 mcg of iodine per day may result in toxicity.
Herbal remedies to improve thyroid function and relieve thyroid symptoms include Siberian ginseng (for treatment of fatigue), Panax ginseng, and bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), which can be taken in capsule form or as a tea.

Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic treatments may gradually reduce the need for supplemental thyroid hormone in some patients.

Homeopathic remedies for hypothyroidism include homeopathic thyroid as well as others based on the patient’s individualized symptoms.

Exercise
Exercise improves thyroid function by stimulating more production of thyroid hormone and making body tissues more responsive to the effects of thyroid hormone. It also increases the metabolic rate and helps hypothyroid patients lose weight.

Allopathic treatment
Natural or synthetic thyroid hormones are used to restore nrmal (euthyroid) thyroid hormone levels. Synthroid, or synthetic T4, is easy to take and works for about 80% of patients. In addition, some patients need additional T3. Synthetic hormones are more effective than natural substances, but it may take several months to determine the correct dosage. Patients start to feel better within 48 hours, but symptoms will return if they stop taking the medication.

Most doctors prescribe levothyroxine sodium tablets, and most people with hypothyroidism will take the medication for the rest of their lives. Aging, other medications, and changes in weight and general health can affect how much replacement hormone a patient needs, and regular TSH tests are used to monitor hormone levels. Patients should not switch from one brand of thyroid hormone to another without a doctor’s permission.

Possible side effects of too much T4 or T3 include osteoporosis (after long-term use), occasional anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, and occasional episodes of mania.

Regular exercise and a high fiber diet can help maintain thyroid function and prevent constipation.

Expected results
Thyroid hormone replacement therapy generally maintains normal thyroid hormone levels unless treatment is interrupted or discontinued.

Prevention
Primary hypothyroidism can’t be prevented, but routine screening of adults can detect the disease in its early stages and prevent complications.

Key Terms
Cretinism
Severe hypothyroidism that is present at birth.
Endocrine system
The network of glands that produces hormones and releases them into the bloodstream. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system.
Hypothalamus
The part of the brain that controls the endocrine system.

I was just diagnosed with an under active thyroid(hypothyroid). My dr prescribed me Levothyroxine, and I’d like to find out more about it. I’ve read up on side effects and important info, but I’d like to get opinions from anyone who takes it or has ever taken this medication? Does it work? What was your experience? She’s testing me in 2 months to see how it works, but I’d like to know what to more than likely expect. Thanks! =)

my fiancee has been on it for over 5 years yes they work you need to be on them there are no side affects. need to be checked every so often though to make sure strength is correct

I am a 22 year old female with hypothyroidism and am being referred to an endocrinologist. I am not sure what to expect. For a little over a year now I have not changed my diet or exercise and I slowly gained weight. With hypothyroid hormone treatment will it help or make it easier to loose weight? How does that work?

The answer to your question is yes. Hypothyroidism is caused by the thyroid’s inability to produced a hormone. By replacing the hormone with a synthetic one it will speed up the body’s metabolism and thus burn off more calories. This will result in weight loss, although not quickly.
Hope this helps.

I’m on Synthroid for my hypothyroidism and as ridiculous as I know it is, I have the hardest time taking my pill everyday. I have to take it 2-3 hours after eating or 45 minutes before eating…my days are so busy it seems like whenever I remember to take my pill I’m on some kind of break and am also just about to eat or have just eaten. I was wondering if anybody knows of any method of taking synthetic thyroid hormones besides taking a daily pill? The idea came from a talk with my sister about how they have so many different methods of birth control now (patch, implant, ring, etc.) they should make all medications available in various forms for those of us who are bad at taking a pill everyday.
I’m seeing my thyroid doctor this friday so I’m planning on discussing this with him, but I figured having any information I can before I go is a good idea, and I haven’t been able to find any info through doing a search on yahoo.
Thanks for any ideas/comments!

I take mine as soon as I wake up, and by the time I’m dressed and ready and have made breakfast, that deals with the 40 minutes.

I plan to test for it this week. I have all the symptoms yet lack information regarding treatment. I’ve heard about hormone therapy but the steroids concern me. Please help.

I am hypothyroid. I have never in my life heard of taking steroids for it. I take levothyroxine, I take a small pill each morning and get blood work done every 6 weeks to check the levels and that is it. I feel great. If you are hypo and begin taking hte meds at the right level you will feel so much better.

Hi, this is Larry Hobbs @ FatNews.com.

http://fatnews.com/

larryhobbs@fatnews.com

This is from Mark Starr, MD’s book Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic.

My research shows that many chronic illnesses including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, mental illnesses, Alzheimer’s disease, and the explosion of childhood illnesses are largely attributable to Type 2 hypothyroidism.

Type 1 Hypothyroidism is defined as failure of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient amounts of necessary to maintain normal blood levels of those hormones and normal blood levels of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

Type 2 Hypothyroidism is defined as [a] resistance to thyroid hormones at the cellular level.

[In Type 2 hypothyroidism,] Normal amounts of thyroid hormones and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) are detected by the blood tests therefore, blood tests do not detect Type 2 hypothyroidism.
Mark Starr, MD

Quotes about Dr. Starrs book.

I believe everyone needs to review Mark Starrs book.
Dr. Garry Gordon
Co-Founder of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM)

He has a vital message to share about the many people who do not realize they have low thyroid, because standard thyroid tests do not show it.
Dr. Garry Gordon

Mark Starrs dedication to research, and his devoted study with the old masters, have made him an international expert on thyroid and iodine.
Dr. Garry Gordon

This is an astonishing book…
Robban Sica, MD

… revealing the cause and successful treatment for… obesity, heart attacks, depression, diabetes, strokes, headaches, chronic fatigue and many more.
Robban Sica, MD

His in-depth research and discussion of how environmental toxins can interfere with thyroid hormones is groundbreaking and enlightening for us all.
Robban Sica, MD

This is the most significant compilation of medical research ever published in the area of hypothyroidism.
Mark Starr, MD

Over a century of irrefutable scientific evidence is presented in a concise and readable format for laypeople and doctors alike.
Mark Starr, MD

Here is contact information for Dr. Starr.

Mark Starr, MD
21st Century Pain & Sports Medicine
10565 N. Tatum Blvd Suite B-115
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(480) 607-6503
(480) 607-6533 fax

http://21centurymed.com

http://type2hypothyroidism.com

Duration : 0:4:35

Read more »