Anyone have experience with hypothyroidism?

[Cuda]

Any and all information is welcome. I have had throat discomfort on and off my whole life and thought it was OSA once diagnosed. I am showing most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism including low pressure and low heart rate. Getting checked out this week.

[cindjo717]

Mine runs low, but not low enough for meds... I just get checked every 3 months.. overdue need to go for blood test.

[Mr Bill]

I am hypothyroid, here were my symptoms... If it happens gradually, you do not realize you are in it till you are in deep. I was a graduate student at the time.
severe would include:
edema (hands, feet, face, beneath eyes)
loss of night vision
unexplained numb places especially on extremities (I had numb areas on my hands, this is not the same as tingling numbess, you could stick a pin in me)
hard of hearing
slow talking (some friends thought that was funny)
impaired memory (forgetfulness as soon as you stop concentrating, or look away from what you are doing)
confusion of thought (this was why I went to the doctor)
waking up mornings with both hands both legs numb (my med school friends said I was getting old)
tunnel vision when driving forgetting everything whenever you look away
balance and coordination problems
loss of muscle, connective tissue tone, and strength
muscle cramps in legs and arms (body is trying to save the core at expense of limbs)
heart beat under 60 (mine was around 55)
reflexes present but very slow and sluggish
elevated triglycerides, chloresterol, can't recall if blood pressure was affected, I think it might have been high.

Blood work is the key and is considered the gold standard for knowing...
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) > 4.5 (mine was 700)
T4 < normal range of 4.5-12.5 (mine was 1.2)

[BlackSpinner]

My daughter has it. But she often tested under the border line.
Most of her symptoms were depression, fatigue and memory issues. The depression showed up first and was treated with antidepressants. When the fatigue and mental fog showed up and she finally went over the line she was given medication. Now she is of the antidepressants and functioning fine. She keeps a close eye on her mental state since she needs to be treated for her symptoms not for her blood tests.

[mars]

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Hi Everybody

Jamiswolf has pointed out that the article below DOES NOT refer to hypothyroidism but to hyperthyroidism.

Thanks to Jamis, and I apologise for the mistake. Sorry Cuda.

http://www.rejuvinstitute.com/files/Han ... dism-2.pdf

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_star ... mptoms.htm

Mars

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Hi Cuda

You look too young to have been in Vietnam during the war, but the effects of Agent Orange last a long time.

This is what Medscape had to say last year -

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/720864

or you can read this -

Risk for Graves' Disease Nearly Tripled in Vietnam Vets Exposed to Agent Orange

by Katherine Kahn, DVM

April 27, 2010 (Boston, Massachusetts) — Vietnam veterans who report being exposed to Agent Orange have a markedly increased prevalence of Graves' disease, compared with those with no exposure, a new study finds. Lead investigator Ajay Varanasi, MD, a fellow at the State University of New York, Buffalo, presented results of this research here at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 19th Annual Meeting.

The study was 1 of 6 abstracts chosen for the Fellows-in-Training and Residents Oral Abstracts Competition, based on scientific merit and interest.

"Environmental factors are believed to contribute to the increased prevalence of some autoimmune diseases," Dr. Varanasi told attendees. "During the Vietnam war, nearly 20% of the surface of Vietnam was sprayed with Agent Orange between 1962 and 1971, mainly for deforestation and crop destruction," Dr. Varanasi explained.

"Much of the concern over the widespread use of Agent Orange stems from the dioxin 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin, or TCDD, which is a contaminant in the Agent Orange production process," Dr. Varanasi told meeting attendees. "It lasts in the soil for decades and remains in the body for many years. TCDD has similar properties to triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)."

"TCDD can interfere with thyroid function and metabolism, [and can bind] to thyroid transport proteins and [induce] thyroid metabolizing enzymes," he noted.

Dr. Varanasi and colleagues assessed the prevalence of major thyroid diagnoses in the Veterans Administration (VA) electronic medical record database for upstate New York veterans born between 1925 and 1963. They compared the frequency of diagnoses of thyroid cancer, nodules, hypothyroidism, and Graves' disease in veterans who identified themselves as being exposed to Agent Orange (n = 23,939) or not exposed to Agent Orange (n =200,109).

In both groups, the average age of veterans was approximately 62 years. Nearly all veterans in both groups were male (~90%) and had a history of smoking (~93%). Approximately 22% of both groups were African American. In the group exposed to Agent Orange, 24% had diabetes, whereas in the nonexposed group, nearly 14% did (P = .01). The VA acknowledges type 2 diabetes as a presumptive disease associated with exposure to herbicides, including Agent Orange.

Analyzing data on thyroid conditions, researchers found no difference in the prevalence of thyroid nodules or cancers between the exposed and nonexposed groups. Graves' disease, however, was 3 times more prevalent in the exposed group (odds ratio [OR], 3.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.17 - 4.5; P < .001). Interestingly, hypothyroidism was less common in the exposed group (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79 - 0.92; P > .001), Dr. Varanasi reported.

In a multivariate analysis, smoking, diabetes, and race were not independently associated with a risk of developing Graves' disease. However, exposure to Agent Orange was independently associated, with an OR of 2.76 (95% CI, 2.22 - 3.81; P < .001). "When you look at the multivariate analysis — including smoking, which has been reported to cause a higher incidence of thyroiditis — we didn't find any of these confounding factors to be associated with Graves' disease," Dr. Varanasi told Medscape Diabetes & Endocrinology.

When conducting a retrospective review of the literature, investigators found evidence of a possible mechanism by which TCDD exposure leads to Graves' disease, he said. Previous research has shown that TCDD binds tightly to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which plays a role in normal immune pathways. In particular, T helper 17 (Th17) cells express high levels of AhR. TCDD, along with endogenous AhR, has been shown to promote Th17 cell growth.

High levels of Th17 cells have been linked to autoimmune disorders, including Graves' disease, Dr. Varanasi explained. "Most studies on TCDD and thyroid function, however, have provided little and inconsistent evidence of long-term TCDD effects on the human thyroid," he said.

K.M. Mohamed Shakir, MD, AACE chair of the Abstract Review Subcommittee, spoke with Medscape Diabetes & Endocrinology about the study. "It would have been interesting to know which of these patients had lymphoma, but the study didn't look at that. Otherwise, this is something new," Dr. Shakir said. "If a patient comes with a thyroid issue, of course Graves' disease should be considered, especially in the VA setting. We should be asking that question."

"We have some limitations [because of it] being a cross-sectional study, but looking at the immune-modulating effects of Agent Orange — specifically the contaminant TCDD, by binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptors and leading to autoimmune phenomena — it needs further investigation," Dr. Varanasi told Medscape Diabetes & Endocrinology.

The study was independently funded. Drs. Varanasi and Shakir have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 19th Annual Meeting: Abstract 1046. Presented April 23, 2010.

Medscape Medical News © 2010 Medscape, LLC

and more about Grave's Disease -

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001398/

Good luck

Mars

[Rjaye]

Hi!

I was diagnosed with severe hypothyroidism when I was 26. The fatigue was crushing, I was exhausted, and when I walked, it felt like my legs were made of clay, and it took everything I had to move. My skin was rough, and the tissue wasn't springy like it's supposed to be. There was depression, and headaches, and oh, my gosh-my hair fell out in masses. I would go to sleep and wake up a few hours later to a pillow covered in hair. Washing my hair was something else. I also gained weight and was irritable, and I never felt rested. And like others have said, sensation in the skin was altered-numb in places, and not very sharp in general.

My doc had me tested, and she was shocked at the numbers. Going on levothyroxine was amazing. It took a few months to recover from such low numbers, but so worth it, and hypothyroidism so easy to deal with. I do have to have blood tests every three months to monitor my levels, but it's a quick trip to the lab, and if needed, a call from my doc to adjust my meds.

I don't recall having a sore throat, but everyone is different. Good luck at the doc and I hope you discover that your situation is easy to fix.

Metta, Robin

[Mr Bill]

I relate to the fatigue and legs of clay. But for me doing my field geology, it was more that I had to hike pretty far before I warmed up enough to be able to move. Good thing I was working in the summer in southwestern desert heat.

I should add that if you are hypothyroid there are two causes that I know of. The first is Hashimoto's thyroiditis which is where your bodies immune system attacks your thyroid. There is an antibody test. The second is idiopathic (They have no idea). Hashimoto's can spontaneously revert. Idiopathic typically never does. I was 33 when I became hypothyroid in 1989 and I have Hashimoto's. Dr said antibodies showed it had started about a year previously.

A third way to be hypothyroid is to get Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) and they have to kill so much of your thyroid that you are hypothyroid from that time onward.

My first dose of levothyroxine was like an epiphany.

[Riorican]

In January 2011 an astute doc did all the tests and diagnosed very low vitamin D, hypothyroid, and sleep apnea. Immediate supplementation with vitamin D and armour thyroid made an immediate and significant difference in my functioning. As I work to get the sleep therapy optimal, I know it can only get better. I'm back to a regular exercise routine, which had been non-existent for the last six years, and the weight is coming off. So much for the diagnosis of depression. If low thyroid is diagnosed, you'll feel great with the right med. Good luck.

[bayourest]

yes I agree with riorican. I recently had my thyroid meds adjusted and in about a week I felt more energetic and less depressed etc. You may also need to have an ultrasound of your thyroid and if there are nodules you MAY need to get them biopsied. i assure you, this sounds much worse than it is. (some local anesthetic and a couple of needle aspirations, quick and virtually painless). so if your workup includes this, dont be too worried about it. Getting thyroid help if you need it will help everything.

[Suetois]

One symptom I had was difficulty swallowing if I tipped my head back (like drinking from a soda can). It felt like I had a lump in my throat. Synthroid (levothyroxine) corrected that, although it took a few months to find the right dosage.

[jimnsc]

I have known that I was hypothyroid for about 20 years now and cannot add too much to the info already provided you. I did want to recommend an excellent book written by the "Authority" (Broda Barnes) of the ailment. Easy read - full of factual information through research. Modern doctors don't go far enough as they are guided only by your TSH readings. This link will allow you to peruse info about the book and its author.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... oda+Barnes

Good luck to you. I have not found the condition to be debilitating once you are titrated on the medicine you need.

[SleepingUgly]

One symptom I had was difficulty swallowing if I tipped my head back (like drinking from a soda can). It felt like I had a lump in my throat.

That's interesting...I have that too. I do have Hashimoto's, but I am euthyroid (so far). So maybe it's possible to have that swallowing issue without a goiter.

[BlackSpinner]

I have known that I was hypothyroid for about 20 years now and cannot add too much to the info already provided you. I did want to recommend an excellent book written by the "Authority" (Broda Barnes) of the ailment. Easy read - full of factual information through research. Modern doctors don't go far enough as they are guided only by your TSH readings. .

Yes that is very important! My daughter flew under the radar for years. She still tests wrong and has to go by her symptoms not her levels.

[Cuda]

I am hypothyroid, here were my symptoms... If it happens gradually, you do not realize you are in it till you are in deep. I was a graduate student at the time.
severe would include:
edema (hands, feet, face, beneath eyes)
loss of night vision
unexplained numb places especially on extremities (I had numb areas on my hands, this is not the same as tingling numbess, you could stick a pin in me)
hard of hearing
slow talking (some friends thought that was funny)
impaired memory (forgetfulness as soon as you stop concentrating, or look away from what you are doing)
confusion of thought (this was why I went to the doctor)
waking up mornings with both hands both legs numb (my med school friends said I was getting old)
tunnel vision when driving forgetting everything whenever you look away
balance and coordination problems
loss of muscle, connective tissue tone, and strength
muscle cramps in legs and arms (body is trying to save the core at expense of limbs)
heart beat under 60 (mine was around 55)
reflexes present but very slow and sluggish
elevated triglycerides, chloresterol, can't recall if blood pressure was affected, I think it might have been high.

Blood work is the key and is considered the gold standard for knowing...
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) > 4.5 (mine was 700)
T4 < normal range of 4.5-12.5 (mine was 1.2)

Getting the blood work next week. I have low pulse and rate, scary low. Heart always checks out good.

[Riorican]

Modern doctors don't go far enough as they are guided only by your TSH readings.

jimnsc, I think our docs who go beyond using only TSH are the modern ones!!!!