Ok, I just found that I have HYPOthyroidism--my levels today are 4.13, but over a year ago it was 3.3 & my doctor told me it was normal back then & she says its still in the normal range now, even though its climbing higher & higher...The doctor didn't even tell me I was hypo (the only way I found out was thru the order for blood work), she didn't explain the disease to me, what it does, Or what problems it causes for your body, NOTHING...I've been looking up info online...:rolleyes:

She says I don't need to be put on ANY medicine at all, just monitor it through blood tests or I could try to take a pill for it...So, that's what I decided, she put me on one pill of Synthroid 25 MCG. I noticed after a day or 2 that I was getting a headache everyday, but I thought it was just my allergies...But, I checked my blood pressure & instead of being normal like it usually runs, it was sky high up to 136/111!!!

~So, I monitored my bp on the pill & it was still high AND then I stopped taking it Thursday morning...I noticed that headaches and high bp and pulse rate are a side effect of the pill. I think it's too strong for me. Now my bp, has been lowering each day the pill is out of my system.

***I called my doctor and she said, just quit taking the pills, 4.13 is a good thyroid # & it's not that high anyway, we'll just monitor it thru blood work & see if it climbs higher, don't worry about taking anything for it!!!

But, the thing is, I have been constantly complaining to this woman about my weight gain (in the last 8 years I have gained almost 100 pounds!) AND didn't know why, every doctor I go to blames it on me...No matter how I exercise or eat, even walking up to 2 miles a day or starving myself I can only lose about 10 or 15 lbs no matter the effort...I've been tired all the time, feeling worn out, constipated, cold hands & feet, lots of allergy problems and more. When I complain about these things, all she does it write me a new pill OR say when you first start exercising your fat cells are built up high, that's why you can't lose the weight (HELL, I haven't just started exercising, I've been doing it for years!!!) I almost sweat so much it has become unbearable, it's lead to me getting heat rashes on my body, irritation, I used to wake up with my hair soaking wet every morning from sweat w/ the air turned all the way up!!! My face, hair, clothes, & body would be soaking wet walking to class, even if it was only 10 or 15 minutes away AND freezing cold outside...Now, that's not normal in any way, shape, or form...

Other doctors told me it was ok, some people just sweat a lot, it's only nerves...But, I've never been a heavy sweater, until the last couple of years. She put me on "sweating pills" but they only help a little, says she doesn't know what's causing the sweating, the pill should take care of nervous sweating, BUT it only helps a little!!! My mom for years kept telling me that I wasn't healthy, that something was really wrong w/ me, BUT this woman told me just 1 month ago, that I was healthy even with all these problems! She mentions I also have metabolic syndrome now...

~Everytime I think about the woman, my blood pressure goes up!!! I have a family history of thyroid problems & I filled that out on the application when I go there...My grandfather almost died from thyroids (he had hyper), my mother almost died from it (hypo), my aunts have it, my cousin has thyroid problems now AND still she says it's OK AND continues to blame me for my weight problem...

~I think I am going to change doctors for my health's sake b/c she doesn't care about me...I don't want my health to end up the way my mother's is!!! I wonder if the pill could be interacting with other medicine I'm on or if it's just too strong for me--I'm thinking about cutting the 25 MCG in half & monitoring my bp w that & if it's still too high cutting it into 1/4 to see...High bp scares b/c I also have a family history of that, my dad died w/ a massive heart attack @ the age of 51.

~Does anyone think cutting the pills in half is a good idea? I really want to lose the weight & get back to my normal weight & get my thyroids under control, without bad side effects! Does anyone here have any experiences w/ thyroid issues (hypo), what were your experiences, did you take Synthroid (is there anything better?), any bad side effects, how long did it take to lower your levels, etc?

***Sorry for ranting like this, I just needed to get it out, I'm sooo upset!!! :(

Thanks for reading

I also too have thyriod disease and I was first dignosed when I was 16. So they gave me this pill that supposedly killed the thing I forget what it's called but it stops my body from functioning the right way but it's replace by one a day pill I take everyday and ive been taking it ever since I was 16 and Im now 27. You have to take blood test every now and then to check to make sure everything's okay otherwise you''ll experience all the symtoms you've been exeperiencing. With me, I under reactive which means I tend to lose weight easily instead of gaining weight and trust me, that's not fun either. I used to get tired all the time, I was grumpy, etc. So now Im currently taking 200 mg. It doesn't sound like your doctor is helpful at all. You need to find yourself a doctor that specializes with thyriod diseases beacuse it can be serious if it's not taken care off and sometime it can potentially affect being able to get preganant, not to alarm you but thats something you need to keep in mind. The pill I take helps my body function the right way and it really does affect how you live and they way you feel. So I hope you're able to find the right doctor that answers all your questions and your needs.
Good Luck!

My mom has thyroid cancer and have had nodules removed surgically. It's been a long process to get the right dosage for her. She basically gone thru everything you just mentioned. My only advice it to have your doctor refer you to an endocrinologist. They specialize in this type of disease. Since my mom only goes to her endocrinologist for her thyroid problems she's been doing a lot better with her meds.

Honestly, I don't know anything about thyroid problems, but I read your post and just wanted to say I think you should definitely change doctors! This lady sounds like she's not doing the best she can for you, and at this point, you need someone who's giving you 100%. I think going to a specialist is the best idea, since they will probably better know how to treat you.

I agree with Erica. Your doctor doesn't seem like she's going the extra mile (or more like the mile she's supposed to be going, never mind extra!) for you at all. I would find a new one.

Stay away from tap water, Flouride damages your thyroid and tap water is full of it as well as Dasani bottled water. Other bottled water is fine. Too much Soy can also damage your thyroid so stay away from soy supllements. They are terrible for you. Raw brocolli also damages it, it needs to be cooked. Also Iodine is very good for your thyroid if your body doesn't get enough Iodine that's how the Thyroid disease starts. I have a few co-workers with it and they can't lose weight for anything. It's really sad. I would switch doctor's as well. Try and find a good multi vitamin with Iodine or use Iodized salt in your food.

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2000/2011.asp?index=8541

I found a site that might be helpful to you

http://www.4woman.gov/faq/thyroid.htm

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/soy.htm this site talks about how Soy is terrible

Thanks sooo much for the advice, ladies :) I have decided to go to another doctor, I've heard that he's good & he really takes his time & listens to his patients...I'll see how that works out...If he doesn't do his job, I will leave & look for someone better.

I don't want my health problems to escalate like my mom's...She did everything she knew how to do for her health & it still failed her...She had hypothyrodism & took medicine for it, then her doctor told her, it was ok, she no longer needed to take the pills or worry about it. My mom didn't know that thyroid problems were lifelong & her doctor didn't tell her...She thought that once they were normalized she had nothing to worry about...Even though, she was having blood tests run all the time, no one was checking her thyroid levels or monitoring them. Today, she is on dialysis & was told by the nurse that if it had not been for her thyroid condition, she might not be on dialysis today!

Thanks for the links, Sweetie...The information on soy is really interesting, b/c everyone is always talking about how healthy it is for you & it's not...It's good we have the internet now, it's a very good resource!

Soy is good for you but not in the processed way that is being served in snacks, baked goods etc... In moderation, it is fine but not the overdosing that some people do. I think also the typical western diet is not used to the amount that a Eastern diet has so it can be toxic if you overload on it. Its also GMO so I dont know what the long term effects are in eating that much of it.

Also fermented soy is better for the Westerner cos its easier to digest. Tastes gross though.

You're welcome Marilyn! I know! Everyone is always talking about Soy and it's just not good for you at all. When this happened to Oprah she was still drinking tons of soy milk and I was just like ugh I wish she knew :(