Hey Dr O

My Momma had T issues.  Had her para Thyroid removed.  Does Thyroid issues always run in families?

xox

Hi Dr. Drew,

    I have PCOS. I am also insulin resistant. There have been a couple times in the last 10-15 years that I have been told my tyroid is low. It always seems to work it's self out and I have not had to be on medication. Is there any connection between my thyroid and my PCOS/insulin resistant?

Thanks for your time!

PaulineNM

you're right, most people don't even know what the thyroid does.  I was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid about 30 years ago at age 23.  Before surgery they weren't sure what it was.  They removed all but about a 1/4 of it which is non functioning.  I take .2 mg daily of synthroid and I've been lucky as sometimes it is hard to get the meds right and I have been on the same dosage since the beginning.  I get checked once a year (TSH levels).  My mother had Hashimoto's disease when she was in her thirties.

v/r,

Jeannie B. K.

I just turned 50 about a year 1 1/2 years ago a goiter was found in my thyroid.  A biopsy was done it was undetermided.  I opted to wait 6 monthes and repeat the biopsy.  I was found good at that time.  I was told to come back in 2 years.  That seems like a long time.  I do feel like it is a little harder to swallow now and when i yell my throat get soar.. ( I know dont yell ).  I also have have a salvery gland issue.  My cheeks will swell and saliva will squirt out from under my tonge. My whole neck is very ichy.  Are these probs related or not. Should i go back sooner than 2 years?

I just turned 50 about a year 1 1/2 years ago a goiter was found in my thyroid.  A biopsy was done it was undetermided.  I opted to wait 6 monthes and repeat the biopsy.  I was found good at that time.  I was told to come back in 2 years.  That seems like a long time.  I do feel like it is a little harder to swallow now and when i yell my throat get soar.. ( I know dont yell ).  I also have have a salvery gland issue.  My cheeks will swell and saliva will squirt out from under my tonge. My whole neck is very ichy.  Are these probs related or not. Should i go back sooner than 2 years?

Thyroidism runs in my family - my sister and niece have Hashimotos disease.  My mom and aunt have some type of thyroid disorder.  I have some symptoms - hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, fatigue, pain on the right side of my throat when I drink anything cold.  I have been to my doctor and he says he doesn't feel anything when he checks my neck and my blood work says I'm normal.  Could these symptoms be from something else or should I look for a second opinion?  My sister and I talk about my symptoms and she says they are exactly like hers yet I'm told my thyroid is fine.  Guess I'm a little bit confused.

Thyroidism runs in my family - my sister and niece have Hashimotos disease.  My mom and aunt have some type of thyroid disorder.  I have some symptoms - hoarse voice, trouble swallowing, fatigue, pain on the right side of my throat when I drink anything cold.  I have been to my doctor and he says he doesn't feel anything when he checks my neck and my blood work says I'm normal.  Could these symptoms be from something else or should I look for a second opinion?  My sister and I talk about my symptoms and she says they are exactly like hers yet I'm told my thyroid is fine.  Guess I'm a little bit confused.

I have most of the same symptoms as my sister who has Hashimotos disease but yet my doctor says my thyroid is normal and my bloodwork says I'm normal.  Guess I'm confussed - should I get a second opinion?

Hypothyroidism runs in my family so I went to get mine checked.  My results came back good but my doctor felt something on the right side of my neck. He sent me to get a sonogram of my neck which showed multiple nodules on my thyroid. My doctor referred me to a specialist but they won't see me for another few months.  I have recently started having pain on the right side of my neck.  I am really not sure what to do now.

Hypothyroidism runs in my family so I went to get mine checked.  My results came back good but my doctor felt something on the right side of my neck. He sent me to get a sonogram of my neck which showed multiple nodules on my thyroid. My doctor referred me to a specialist but they won't see me for another few months.  I have recently started having pain on the right side of my neck.  I am really not sure what to do now.

Dr. O,

I have been on synthroid for 6 years now. I lost 130 pounds three years ago, and I have had trouble stabilizing my meds, especially over the past year.  Each time my TSH is tested, we have to up the dosage.  I am currently taking 175 MCG Synthroid.

I recently visited my doctor for what I thought was seasonal allergies, ie hoarse voice, chronic cough. He felt my throat and sent me for a sonogram of the neck.  His office called this week to say I have Hoshimoto's and scheduled an appointment for me on the 29th with an endocrinologist. After doing some research on the internet, I realized that I have a few of the other symptoms that I had written off as just getting "older" (I'm 38.)....chronic pain in low back, heavy menstrual cylcle, periods of fatigue.  I exercise several times per week and feel some releif of the symptoms. I am wondering if you might suggest some questions that I should ask the specialist at my appoinment next week.

Hi to everyone today.  I just wanted to add a small comment about the TSH test people talk about.  If your doctor performs one and tells you it came back normal but you are still suffering from the symptoms of either hypo or hyperthyroidism then you should insist on the additional testing that is available.  I say this because it is possible to have thyroid disease even though all your TSH levels come back normal.  It has taken me years to finally find a doctor to take me seriously because my TSH levels were always normal and lo and behold after additional testing we've found no detectable iodine in my system, problems with my T3 and T4 levels etc. etc.  This even with normal TSH levels.  So please, please, if you think you might be suffering from thyroid disease but your doctor doesn't believe you keep looking until you find a doctor who does.  Remember, they work for you and you have a right to demand they fulfill their obligations to you as such.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2005, and have been on levothyroxine ever since.  I was told that my TSH level was at 10, when it should have been under 4.  Since then, I have had serious problems with my medication level constantly needing to be changed.  It seems like my medication dose is always needing to be raised, but then it gets raised too much and I start dropping weight like crazy so they lower it again.  It's driving me nuts.  Anyway, I have done lots of other research about thyroid issues, and found that soy is a natural antithryoid and it made sense because I tend to get extremely dizzy and just feel cruddy after I eat Chinese food.  You say that there are no dietary requirements other than iodine, but I wonder just how many people aren't aware of how much soy we consume and what it does to someone with a thyroid condition.  Soy is in just about every store bought food, as I have found by looking at labels.  It's very hard to find soy free.  A few weeks ago, I started having severe vertigo again, and was told that I now have anemia caused by hypothyroidism, which is causing vertigo and is causing my hair to fall out in clumps in the shower.  They are now increasing my medication again and putting me on supplements to help with the anemia.  Does this mean that I should have additional tests run to check for thyroid cancer?  I'm worried because the symptoms keep worsening even when the medication level is okay, and I at this point I can't drive because of the vertigo.

Dear Dr. Ordon:

I am 55 years old and have been diagnosed with Graves Disease with nodules.  I have hyperthyroidism.  My doctor has advised the radioactive iodine pill to kill my thyroid and thus making me have hypothyroidism.  I feel I don't have a choice, but don't look forward to the outcome...no energy, tired, and weight gain.  Any advice on what I should do?  I am on thyroid medication now and beta blockers until I can make a decision.

As of November 2008 I am in remission from Graves disease for the second time in four years. Is it possible

for Thyroid issues to resolve themselves and just "go away", can the body heal itself in reference to

Thyroid disease?

Miss Terri:

Were you on any meds? What caused you to gointo remission?  My dr. said only a small percentage of  people go into remission. 

Very frusturated 24 yr old Female with Thyroid issues. I have a Goiter on my left side...didnt realize what is was exactly until my doc noticed it while getting my sinuses checked. Since then (roughly 5 months ago) I have had 1 ultra sound, biopsy (benign) and numerous blood tests. I had to wait almost 3 months to even get in to the thyroid specialist. She is telling me now that I have to have a Radioactive Iodine uptake and scan, and will put me on medicine to regulate. She also told me that I am Hyper.  Im unclear on the Hyper, because, i weigh over 200 pounds, dizzy ALOT, hot/cold, sleep 10-12 hrs a night. Everything I read indicates that this should be Hypo. I guess thats why they are doing the uptake and scan.

I would appreciate any feed back in this matter.
 

Thanks,

GG

Hi,

I have just recently been diagnosed withe graves disease and just wondering if anyone is familiar with it or had any experiences to share.  were in the middle of discussing my treatment and my doc is recommending iodine radiation treatment it kills out the thyroid.  Would appreciate anyones comments on this Im hoping it just sounds worse than what it is

Thanks Sammy

I had been scheduled for the radio-active iodine treatment to "kill" my thyroid but opted out because

I felt it wasn't the right decision.  I went on the meds to slow my thyroid down and they caused me

a lot of joint and muscle pain.  I took myself off the meds and paid the price with a thyroid storm.

I have no idea why or how I went into remission but I do know that at the time I had made some life altering

decisions at that time and started living a happier life.

Even though I am in remission I read everything I can get my hands on about thyroid disease. I

am taking the proactive route and want to educate myself about "my" thyroid disease.

Hi ev eryone,

My thyroid went out of wack in my early twenties, I am now 45. I have learned alot about the functions of the thyroid. I was curious if anyone is taking ARMOUR as a med instead of synthroid/levothyroxine. Do you like it, is there a comparision that you could possibly share?

thanks you

Good morning, Dr. Ordon:

A former ENT, you say? Can thyroid conditions cause vertigo?

:)

I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer 2 1/2 years ago. I had my thyroid and a couple of parathyroid glands removed. My left vocal cord was damaged during surgery so now my voice is very soft. My question is do I still have to worry about cancer? My Dr told me NO, that removing the thyroid would take care of all cancer cells. And are there any procedures to fix my vocal cords.

I missed the show yesterday....is there a way for me to view it online?

Thank you, Michele

Dr drew , I just wrote to Dr Lisa , I didnt see this before , you can ask her to read it ok? I dont want to post it .thanks !!!

I have hypothyroidism.  I was diagnose after having my first child. Which is 14 years ago.  I take 112mcg of levothyroxine.  Since the beginning of 2009, I have been having more problems with sinus, hoarness, throat always sore.  Then I watched your show on Monday, April 20th about thyroid diease.  I feel alot of my symptoms could be related to my thyroid.  About 3 weeks ago I had my TSH levels checked.  The doctor said they were good.  When I saw the part on the show about thyroid diease and that lady's symptoms, I could related to her.  I read alot of the viewers blogs  and could related to some of their conditions, like vertigo which I have now it started about 3 years ago. I have not gone to a specialist about my thyroid. I just go to my prime care doctor.  Should I see a specialist? could I have more info on Hoshimoto's. I always have lower back pain, heavy cycle, and fatigue, just blamed it on work and age. (46)  How  do you determine what your TSH levels should be?? Do different factors that place, like weight, height and age??

I have hypothyroidism.  I was diagnose after having my first child. Which is 14 years ago.  I take 112mcg of levothyroxine.  Since the beginning of 2009, I have been having more problems with sinus, hoarness, throat always sore.  Then I watched your show on Monday, April 20th about thyroid diease.  I feel alot of my symptoms could be related to my thyroid.  About 3 weeks ago I had my TSH levels checked.  The doctor said they were good.  When I saw the part on the show about thyroid diease and that lady's symptoms, I could related to her.  I read alot of the viewers blogs  and could related to some of their conditions, like vertigo which I have now it started about 3 years ago. I have not gone to a specialist about my thyroid. I just go to my prime care doctor.  Should I see a specialist? could I have more info on Hoshimoto's. I always have lower back pain, heavy cycle, and fatigue, just blamed it on work and age. (46)  How  do you determine what your TSH levels should be?? Do different factors that place, like weight, height and age??

thyroid is not a master gland. it is the pituitary gland.

Hello Dr. Drew,

I am just curious about the thyroid problem of my neighbors. Her older sister is high in iodine and the younger one is low in iodine, what does it mean.

thanks

I am 46 yrs. old and I am on thyroid meds. My hair is thining.I have been told this happens. But what can I do it just seems to be getting thinner in the front. :(

I am 46 yrs. old and I am on thyroid meds. My hair is thining.I have been told this happens. But what can I do it just seems to be getting thinner in the front. :(

Hello Dr. Ordon,

I too have Graves Disease. My Endrocrinologist has recommended that either I take medication or do Radioactive Iodine.  I am 51 , I am in a surgical menopause. I already take hormone medication and don't want to also take Thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of my life. I also fear gaining weight and having hypothyroidism. Are there anyother alternatives? I have to make a decision soon and was wondering if there are any holistic treatment I can undergo instead. This is a tough decision and would welcome your help.

Appreciate your help

Flaca

I had thyroid cancer.  It was all incasplied. So when they took my thyroid out they got all the caner. I live with meds everyday. Weight is an issue. But you have to find the right doctor. 

I had a large knot on my neck and had a hard time swollening. A needle biospy showed sign of caner so out it went. No one in my family has every had this. just low thyroid levels. I do worry about everything now. I have high blood pressure I'm pain all the time lower back shoulder. I just chalk it up to getting old.

I have done a little reading on meds for the thyroid. I'm on levoxyl 137mg daily. levels are ok. but I'm tried all the time. Has anyone tried the armor thyroid drug? I heard it works well but my doctor will not let me try it he does not believe in it.

Ok here is what is going on in Denver.  I take is a compounded mixture of 10 mcg. of T3  and 100 mcg. of T4. I suggested trying Armour but PCP said the ratios were different.  I refuse to take synthetic (synthroid).  I hear good things about Armour.  Anyway, I called a new doc and I am going in for a Hashimotos blood test thing.  If my issue is autoimmune I guess there is more to be done than just meds.  I was told the autoimmune thyroid problem does run in the family.  So eveyone lets go get tested and see if our regular docs are missing something else!  Yes Dr. Drew please bring Hashimotos to the show, we need to know !!! - njk

Oh yeah, I take Glucophage for PCOS and I am also insulin resistant.  The new doc said your blood levels of thyroid can be fine and you might still be suffering from the auto immune "Hashimotos"

Hello I am just wondering I was recently placed on L Thyroxine for having a hyper active thyroid however I am really hateing the fact that I am on medication for this I also have turners syndrome are there natural ways that I can handle this without needing medications or other ways to take care of this?

I do have a question? Why is Graves such a crazy disease?  One year I go in and am tested, they say I have overactive thyroid.  They do this test to compare my leg and neck to see what is really going on, and low and behold I am told I actually have Graves. I am told my antibodies(sp) are off the chart.  I was supposed to take the radioactive pill to kill the thyroid but I waited.  The next year during my annual physical I am tested and it comes back normal. Same thing happened last year normal thyroid function but the antibodies are still skewed.  What up with that?  How is is normal and not normal at the same beeping time?

I do have a question? Why is Graves such a crazy disease?  One year I go in and am tested, they say I have overactive thyroid.  They do this test to compare my leg and neck to see what is really going on, and low and behold I am told I actually have Graves. I am told my antibodies(sp) are off the chart.  I was supposed to take the radioactive pill to kill the thyroid but I waited.  The next year during my annual physical I am tested and it comes back normal. Same thing happened last year normal thyroid function but the antibodies are still skewed.  What up with that?  How is is normal and not normal at the same beeping time?

I do have a question? One year I go in and am tested, they say I have overactive thyroid.  They do this test to compare my leg and neck to see what is really going on, and low and behold I am told I actually have Graves. I am told my antibodies(sp) are off the chart.  I was supposed to take the radioactive pill to kill the thyroid but I waited.  The next year during my annual physical I am tested and it comes back normal. Same thing happened last year normal thyroid function but the antibodies are still skewed.  What up with that?  

Hi I posted a topic and about my touble losing wieght I am eating right and ecersising reguarly but I still can't loose the wiehgt. I way 245lbs I am 16 years old and im trying to reach my goal wieght of 135-145 lbs  can you give me any advise am I doing anything wrong? -Rachel-Anne

Hi Dr. Drew,

Please explain parathyroid disease.  What % of tumors are found to be cancerous?  Do patients have weight  issues if it's only parathroid?  During surgery, do they remove any of the regular thyroid?  My calcium is high in my blood, going to an endocrinologist but want all options and info of any new procedures.  What tests need to be taken for sure?  I am tired also.  My weight is perfect though.  Familly history of hypo/goiters on father's side and all women on mother's side have hyperthyroidism.  All lived in coal regions in Wilkes-barre PA.  Must have been the water!  Please advise me as I am scared if during surgery something else may be found and removed before I have a chance to be informed.  Thank you for all you do!

i,m a 35yr old female a mother of 6 and i have hyperactive thyroid ,but my syntoms are like hypo thyroid i,m gaining like 10lbs like every 6 weeks my neck just started hurting like around my collar bone.its stiff and and sometimes haRD TO MOVE what do i do my insurance limits what places that will take me no what its scary i,m always weak what now.

THANK YOU DR. ORDON I READ ABOUT YOUR COMMENT ON THYROID DISEASE AND YES THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE DOCTOR HAS HAD ME ON LEVOTHYROXINE 100MCG. AND SHE INCREASED TO 112MCG.ONE DAILY,WHEN THEY DID BLOOD WORK ON ME MONDAY MORNING THE BLOOD TEST CAME BY WITH MY CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES AND THYROID MEDS SHE HAD ME ON WASN'T WORK AS WELL AS SHE WOULD LIKE SO SHE INCREASED IT TO 112MCG.I'LL START TAKING IT IN THE MORNING AND SEE DO YOU THINK THIS IS ALL I NEED TO DO FOR MY THYROID I SURE DO HATE HOW I FEEL SOMETIMES,AND I DON'T WANT THE BUG EYES I HAVE SEEN THAT IT IS SO PITIFUL LOOKING AND MY SISTER HAD TO HAVE SURGERY AND REMOVE HER'S AND SHE IS ON MEDICINE TO FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE AM I DOING WHAT I NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR CAN YOU SUGGEST MORE,THANK YOU DR.ORDON I THANK YOU 4 DOCTOR'S ARE GREAT AND I LOVE TO WATCH YOUR SHOW I MAKE IT MY TIME TO SIT DOWN AND WATCH EVERYDAY LOVE YA ALL,PATSY L. BURNETT

I had my thyroid removed in February.  Ive been up and down ever since!  I went from 125mcg Levothyroxing, to 100mcg, and started 88mcg this past Tuesday (July 14th).  I some times experience tingling sensations in different parts of my body that come and go.....and as of the past couple of weeks have gotten worse....I feel the cold/heat more, my body gets hot sometimes but dont have fever, spotting in between periods, some hairloss, muscle weakness with some aches.   I chew antacids (calcium) for it but it hasnt seemed to help much lately.  Does anyone on here ever get the tingling??  Im really curious becuz Ive had some heart rate issues lately as well and my doc has recommended I see a cardiologist and have an EKG done.  I was curious about my blood pressure and checked it yesterday morning.  It was normal, but my pulse was 45........which is strange cuz mine usually runs 80's to low 90's per minute.  Most of my heart rate issues occur when I lay down or recline back in the recliner.  Sometimes its feels as if my heart is barely beating though.  Any help would be greatly appreciated! 

Does anyone here ever get tingling sensations in different parts of their bodies?  I have had it off and on since I had my thryoid removed in February. 

hey d0c dRew,

my mother has been operated last three years ago regarding that there were masses found within her thyroid... so, after such diagnose the doctors decided to removed all the massess blocks the way. it was a successful operation but why is it now that she is feeling irretable and has mood swings? is there connection with her thyroid thing?

NOT KNOWING MUCH ABOUT THE THRYOID WHEN ONE OF MY BLOOD TEST CAME BACK.  I WAS TOLD I HAD TO SEE A SPECIALIST.  THEY PUT ME ON GROWTH HORMONES FOR AWHILE AND THEN THEY GAVE ME SYNTHYROID OF .175MG A DAY AND I WAS ON IT FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS OR MORE.  I ALSO HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND I GET SO HOT.  I WOULD GET PHYSICALLY SICK WHEN I GET OVERHEATED WHEN EVERYONE ELSE DOES NOT EVEN FEEL THE HEAT.  I HAVE THE AIR CONDITION ON CONSTANTLY AND 2 FANS.  WHEN I GO TO WORK I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY KEEP THE AIR CONDITION ON BUT PEOPLE ARE IN SWEAT SHIRTS AND BLANKETS ON THEIR LEGS'.  I HAVE A FAN THAT GOES AROUND MY NECK AND THEN ANOTHER FAN THAT SITS ON MY DESK, AND I STILL AM HOT.  WELL THEY DID ANOTHER BLOOD TEST AND IT SHOWED THAT MY THYROID WAS BEING OVERWORKED. THAT THE DOSE OF THE MEDICINE APPARENTLY WAS ENOUGH FOR A 400 POUND MAN.  I AM NOW ON .125MG A DAY.  I STILL GET NAUSIATED, HEADACHES, SORE THROATS THEN WHEN I COOL DOWN I FEEL FINE.  I WAS TOLD THAT MY PITURATORY GLAD DOES NOT WORK HAVE NO OVARIES AND AM ALLERIGIC TO THE ARTIFICAL HORMONES.  I AM NOW SEEING A NEW THYROID DOCTOR

SINCERELY,

ROBIN FIDELIBUS

fidelibusr@hotmail.com

NOT KNOWING MUCH ABOUT THE THRYOID WHEN ONE OF MY BLOOD TEST CAME BACK.  I WAS TOLD I HAD TO SEE A SPECIALIST.  THEY PUT ME ON GROWTH HORMONES FOR AWHILE AND THEN THEY GAVE ME SYNTHYROID OF .175MG A DAY AND I WAS ON IT FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS OR MORE.  I ALSO HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND I GET SO HOT.  I WOULD GET PHYSICALLY SICK WHEN I GET OVERHEATED WHEN EVERYONE ELSE DOES NOT EVEN FEEL THE HEAT.  I HAVE THE AIR CONDITION ON CONSTANTLY AND 2 FANS.  WHEN I GO TO WORK I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY KEEP THE AIR CONDITION ON BUT PEOPLE ARE IN SWEAT SHIRTS AND BLANKETS ON THEIR LEGS'.  I HAVE A FAN THAT GOES AROUND MY NECK AND THEN ANOTHER FAN THAT SITS ON MY DESK, AND I STILL AM HOT.  WELL THEY DID ANOTHER BLOOD TEST AND IT SHOWED THAT MY THYROID WAS BEING OVERWORKED. THAT THE DOSE OF THE MEDICINE APPARENTLY WAS ENOUGH FOR A 400 POUND MAN.  I AM NOW ON .125MG A DAY.  I STILL GET NAUSIATED, HEADACHES, SORE THROATS THEN WHEN I COOL DOWN I FEEL FINE.  I WAS TOLD THAT MY PITURATORY GLAD DOES NOT WORK HAVE NO OVARIES AND AM ALLERIGIC TO THE ARTIFICAL HORMONES.  I AM NOW SEEING A NEW THYROID DOCTOR

SINCERELY,

ROBIN FIDELIBUS

fidelibusr@hotmail.com

hi dr drew,

i seem to have all the symptoms u stated and yet my doctor says that all my tests are normal,including liver enzymes , but my neck and throat area seems swollen and it makes me look fat also my waiegh keeps getting up so wht is gin on with me?

I was diagnosed with hypo thyroid at the age of six, what a hassal! At the age of 8 i was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and hashimotos disease, at the time it was extremely rare for my age. They removed my entire thyroid and all my lymphnodes surrounding my neck, over 100! After surgery and treatments, I have been in remission. I still wish to this day I did not have a thyroid issue, because it really does affect so much, and people do not understand! I am constantly going up and down in weight and any more it seems to just keep going up since they cannot keep my tsh levels where they need them, i am always hypo! Being hypo is the worst feeling, i am constantly tired, and i am soooo mean to everyone, i try my hardest not to but i cannot control it. Then my wreght no matter how i eat what i eat I gain weight! I work out everyday and still gain weight. Finally when they got me within normal limits I lost a few pounds, but when you have a hypo thyroid issue the weight is easier to put on then usual and harder to get off than usual! It is definitley a struggle, i wish I never had to enconter.

If your thyroid has been removed can you still take iodine? I am gaining weight like crazy on synthoid and have a headache,muscle aches, ill and My period has only been 1 day

I had Hasimoto disease and thyroid cancer. I had a complete thyroidectomy and I also had the Radioactive Iodine treatment and am still waiting to do my final scan to make sure it's all gone, I work in the ER and I am expose to radiation all the time, I was told one of the major contributers to my cancer is radiation exposure but the hospital says that's not true.What do you think?

Thanks

Beth Main

I had the right part of my thyroid taken out because they thought I had thyroid cancer. Since then I have been Hypothyroid. The doctors put me on Cetmel and now I'm Hyperthyroid. I'm not sure what Hypothyroid means or Hyperthyroid means. Can you explain it.

Emily

My father has been diagnosed with this problem and suffers some of the syptoms you mentioned weight losss, insomnia and the eyes "bug out". At this time he is taking medication and the doctor says that the problem will be solved with radiation and some kind of operation to burn or eradicate the thiroid and give him hormone replasement pill for life is this the best option.

I have had my thyroid checked several times, but it always comes back normal.  But, I know that something is not right because I have all the symptoms of a low thyroid.  What can I do?  My mother has had thyroid problems for years, starting when she was my age.

I have graves disease and just saw another dr because I didnt feel like I was getting any better even though i was being told that I should be feeling better. I took all of my labs to the new doctor and he was floored to discover that I was not responding to the drug therapy. I now have to see a kidney specialist which he said I should have been sent to one when my first lab work had been done. I had been feeling pain in the left side of my back right where my kidney is but I thought it was just muscle. My new dr wants to remove my thyroid glad....the entire thing. Has anyone else with graves disease had the surgery and what was your out-come? I am having the surgery 1-14-09 and I am terrified. =(

Hi Dr. Ordon...........Thanks for touching base on thyroid health.  I blamed the fatigue and weight gain on hormones and thought I was just going through the "change of life", as they call it.  Had soar throat now and then, but thought it was due to my allergies.  And all of those sleepless nights, well I had thought it was too much caffine.  Turned out to be papilary carcinoma.  My doctor found a goiter while doing a routine exam.  I had 3 nodules and all tested positive. So I had a total thyroidectomy from a very skilled surgeon followed by I-131 and now on 150 mc of synthroid. I'm now starting to feel better after 4 yrs. of pure hell.  I just had no idea on how horrible your thyroid can make you feel, especially when you no longer have one. This little butterfly looking gland  made me feel  just awful for 99% of the time.  Now it's getting better, but why did it take so long for my meds to adjust? It was over 4 yrs.  before things started to level off.  I actually thought I was having so kind of mental break down, that's just how terrible you feel! But just think, had  I never seen my doctor for my yearly exam, I just might not be here to talk about it.  Now I have 3 doctors looking after me and labs every 6 months. Labs use to be every 3 mos, so I guess things are getting better.

i have a low and high thyroid ; what does that mean. my doctor  does not listen to me , my sister went with me and he would not listen to any of our family history. can you please explain to me what it means.

My Daughter has a hypo Thyroid we only found out when she was 11years old. I kept telling our Doctor something was wrong. He said it's baby fat nothing to worry about, she'll grow out of it.. NOT!!  She's was 11years and over 150pds I was getting very angry and worried he finally did testing on her to find what I thought to be true its her thyroid. Now  she is 17years old and she is 268pounds she is working hard to lose her weight but not having much luck She has gone and is going thru so much. I'm wish there was a loose weight cure for her.  She wants to have the Band or the Gastro bypass operation. OHIP doesn't  cover the band and I think the bypass is too dangerous.  Any help would be wonderful!!  

Dear Dr. O,

     I do feel as if my thyroid problems cause both depressions and anxiety. I have Graves Diesease and I am on a multitude of medications for everything. Lyrica for body aches, Lexapro for depression, Xanax for anxiety and panic attacks, Depakote as a mood stabilizer, Adderall for my ADD foggy like state of mind, Trazodone to help me sleep, not to mention the Methimazole to lower my thyroid functions. I feel like my symptoms are never ending.....my pocket book rattles when I walk. Most of the time all this medication makes me sick and don't know whether I am coming or going, so I take Zofran for nausea and vomiting. None of my doctors want to take my thyroid out for some reason. I feel hopeless! What should I do or ask of my endocrinologist?

I'm hypothyroid and after being told I had to take a little pill everyday for the rest of my life, that was critical to have a good life, ... I invented the Didit to help me keep track of that very important dose. The Didit was on the show today. It's a little device, simple and inexpensive, that you attach to the pill bottle to track if you took your med or not. If you go to this page, you can see www.thedidit.com . I post this only because sometimes having a thyroid problem can have a silver lining :) ... and the Didit helps me, it might help you too. Good luck!

I never had any symptons & my thyriod cancer was found quite by accident.  My guaridan angel was the tech who was doing my scan Nov. 2009.  I was there for another issue, but someone was watching over me...... she asked me if I wanted to continue & do a whole body scan, just another 15 minutes.  That was the only way I knew about my thyroid cancer.  The surgeon had to remove the whole thing a month later. 

Living on pills the rest of your life is not the same as having your thyroid, I can attest to that.  I had no idea your thyroid regulated so many parts of your body.  I miss mine to be honest.

August 2009 I had MRI on my cervical spine/neck to rule out why my fibromyalgia is so chronic and get better details of arthritis I have; results show I have 2cm + size lump in my left lobe thyroid, bloodwork only shows I am borderline hyperthyroid, 13 months later doctor still isn't putting me on treatment to correct my thyroid, I am only being monitored, what scares me is what if this turns to cancer, why are health professionals in my hometown in Ontario not doing anything about this? I barage my doctor everytime I see him I want this lump dissolved or removed then doc says 'its not cancerous so it doesn't need to be removed', since when did doctors have the power of choice over my health, shouldn't this be my choice for treatment and get better?  I have a host of other health issues celiac disease--still have villi damage despite following strict gluten free diet, iron deficiency anaemia, reocurrent candida albicans problem, arthritis, fibromyalgia; I am so tired all the time, I have missed alot of time from work, my facial skin especially around eyes is scaly looking, dry eyes hardly any tearing when I cry, shaky tremors, nervousness and anxious feeling in my body all the time, I wear a size 6 I used to be size 12, my fingers loses a ring size this past year and more thin-skinned in hands already, feet are more boney looking, hair is thinning out and has lost its lustre, I am falling apart; if I had the money to cross into USA for treatment I would do it in a heartbeat; in Ontario healthcare is free paid by Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan unfortunately that free healthcare is taking away my choice of treatment, Ontarians don't have a choice anymore, funding is constantly cut from hospitals/clinics etc.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism Oct 2010. When I went to the doctor for a physical, it had been since my 2yr old's sons birth that I had seen a doctor. I went in complaining of depressed feelings, feeling tired alot, and being an overwhelmed stay at home mother. My doctor gave me a card for a counselor and then said when bloodwork comes back will go from there. Well I had also asked to have a thyroid test....long story short my bloodwork came back and I have hypothroidism, low iron, and low vitamin D. I am now on Levothyroxine 50mcg, take 325mg of iron, and 5000ius of vitamin D daily. This battle is still so new and overwhelming, thyroid issues DO run in my family, both my aunts have thyroid problems. I am feeling more myself again but still struggle with depressed feeling. Is there any informative places to find better info on how to concere this throughout life....since my aunts explained ill be on meds FOREVER lol....ANY information is much appreciated!!!!

Good morning DR Ordon, I have been diagnosed with Low thyroid and I am on Synthroid0.125mg 1 tab daily. I am now losing weight with the 17DD however it took me two runs of Cycle one to lose 14.6 lbs. I am so happy. Could my thyroid be why I am not losing weight any faster. It discourages me when the scale does not move and i have been good on this plan? Thanks for you time Have a blessed day. tifa  ♥♥♥