Hi there, I am new to this forum and have been on Levothyroxine for about 27 years. According to my mother, I was diagnosed with a thyroid “problem” when I was just under 2 years of age. There was no testing but I’m guessing I had some obvious signs, the most obvious, was a lack of proper hair growth. She was told the problem would resolve itself.
When I was about 27, I was diagnosed with a hyperactive thyroid. This diagnosis followed several years of my complaining to my GP about rapid heart beat, intolerance to heat and a host of other “strange” symptoms. I could barely keep my eyes open driving to work each morning and often wondered how I made the 25 mile journey because I really “lost time” between home and work! A scary thought.
I was treated at first with a drug I developed a rash to. The rash was on the underside of both arms, elbow to wrist, and I was advised to immediately get off the medication and to see the endocrinologist again. He told me I had 2 options left: 1) Radioactive Iodine or 2) Surgery to remove all/part of the thyroid. I chose RI and within 2 months went totally hypo wherein I began the Levothyroxine.
It is my understanding that thyroid problems are auto-immune related. My mother has celiac disease and both my brothers have asthma (I believe all are auto-immune related). Is there a connection between these auto-immune diseases all within the same family?
On the whole, I have felt quite well over the years but recently have felt run down with little energy and have had some dizzy spells. At times my heart pounds hard and I’m winded. My TSH levels were checked in September and I was told they were fine. So now what? It took me years to convince the medical “experts” there was something wrong with me in my twenties. Now I fear the same thing is happening. I don’t feel “right” but the experts tell me I’m fine.
I guess I haven’t quite given up as I found myself here at this site looking for answers and/or support!
