[AmyM]

in reply to: Thyroid/menopause symptoms–UGH #1184952

Thank you Kimberly! I love hearing others’ advice. I think I am pretty much doing all the things you’ve said. I eat protein at every meal and the only carbs i’m getting are fruits/beans/sweet potato/quinoa/GF oats. I’m eating healthy fats- olive/coconut/MCT oil, nuts, avacados….I swear if I didn’t have the stupid thyroid issues I would be slim and looking hot! lol

Yes, I outline things every time to my doc and we keep adjusting the meds accordingly. It just seems that every time we change one thing, something else goes wonky and we keep having to readjust and/or add or subtract things.

So frustrating. I just want to see all my struggling and hard work start to pay off. So not fair.

[AmyM]

in reply to: 3 years post RAI still feel like I’m losing my mind!!!! #1184345

Hi, there! Wow, we have some similarities! I’m also from Indiana, DX w/Graves in Nov. 2011, beginning treatment in early 2012. I felt AWFUL on methimazol and propranolol initially, although it DID alleviate my symptoms pretty quickly. Unfortunately I started gaining weight and developed an awful facial rash, along with losing a TON of hair. It was pure hell.

I got RAI in 2013 when my levels weren’t stabilizing. After going up and down w/my levels, being put on various hormone bioidentical creams, etc etc..I finally ditched my Endo and started seeing an integrative medicine doctor on the advice of a friend who saw her for Hashimotos.

OMG. I so wish I’d gone there earlier. She did extensive bloodwork, saliva and stool samples–found I had a parasite (not uncommon) along w/so many other things. I stopped all the creams and she put me on Armour- a combination of T3/T4. My levels immediately started coming down and I started getting my life back. I’ve been seeing her for almost a year now and at my last checkup a couple weeks ago ALL my levels are nearly NORMAL. Can’t believe it. I have learned so much. Only thing i’m struggling with now is weight gain, especially around my middle in thighs. I’ve NEVER had this ugly muffin top and i’m struggling hard with it. I also discovered in bloodwork that I have a sensitivity to gluten–UGH–so now i’m almost completely gluten free. Despite working out and eating mostly Paleo, I can’t lose this nasty fat. I’m constantly online looking for help and will probably meet w/the dietician at my new doc’s office soon for some help.

There is help. Feel free to comment back w/any questions you may have. I feel like an expert now, unfortunately!

[AmyM]

in reply to: feeling miserable–hypo after RAI #1183366

Hello! I just saw your post and sure hope you come back. Your story was EERILY similar to mine….the dates and everything! I was in your exact same boat a few months ago, when a friend of mine convinced me to see an Integrative medicine doctor.

Along w/various doses of a T3/T4 compound I was also on a bioidentical progesterone and estrogen cream. When my endo who had been treating me for 3 years said I needed to also add testosterone and another drug of some sort to my already very expensive regimine, that was the last straw. I headed to the other doctor.

She ordered stool samples, a comprehensive blood draw and saliva test. My hormone levels came back so high they were off the charts! I tested positive to casein (milk allergy) and was sensitive to gluten. I was low in B9…and a few other things. I immediately stopped the compound and started Armour. I was educated on “leaky gut” syndrome. VERY enlightening. Google it as it relates to thyroids! All along, I had felt as if I were putting a bandaid on my problem, and wanted to figure out why and how it started and treat it at the source. Learning about leaky gut, I felt like I had finally been set on the right path. It was recommended I get off dairy, corn, soy, wheat, sugar and gluten.

I have been doing the Paleo diet since January and have lost about 8 lbs., which isn’t much, but, for me…it’s HUGE. I had gained about 25 lbs. during the course of my thyroid madness and NOTHING I was doing was helping.

This doctor recommended interval workouts. Read Mark’s Daily Apple blog–this guy’s got it goin on!

Anyway, I feel SO much better. My hair is getting thicker, my skin has cleared up, and my belly bloat is down. I’m just hoping all this will last! With this stupid thyroid, you never know….

Just wanted to give you something to think about. I hope some of this info helps. Good luck to you–and to ALL of us sufferers!!

–AmyM

[AmyM]

in reply to: Compound T4/T3 #1182329

Thanks for the reply!

This is so frustrating. Not to mention, expensive w/the compound I’m now on. I just want my old self back, as does everyone, I’m sure.

I really don’t fee “bad”. I just don’t feel completely “normal” yet. And now I’m studying foods I should and shouldn’t be eating. But it just seems that you can’t do one thing until something else levels out.

Lord, I’ll be 50 by the time this gets straightened out! And in the middle of menopause, probably! ha

Take care..

[AmyM]

in reply to: First time poster here…need advice and help, please! #1181912

Thanks, Kim. I actually only am eating the “good” carbs now. Plenty of fruit and legumes/beans. The first few days I had a splitting headache weaning off my morning coffee, but like a miracle, on day 4 it all got better. I feel SO good.

Can’t wait to see how adding in some T3 will help w/my other lingering symptoms.

Gosh, what a rollercoaster!

[AmyM]

in reply to: First time poster here…need advice and help, please! #1181910

Hi, there, fellow sufferer! Thanks so much for the reply. Actually, today, after about 6 or 7 weeks on 100 mcg of Levo, I am starting to feel better! I went off on my nurse practitioner at my last appointment a few days back (when I was still feeling crappy) and demanded they test my Free T3 levels. She ASSURED me SHE was the expert and they definitely WERE testing those all along.

Well, lo and behold, today I get a call that they are ”switching my meds”. I’m still waiting on my labs in the mail, but apparently they are still indicating hypo. So they are putting me on a compounded T4/T3 which I will start tomorrow. I want so bad to call her up and say, “SEE!! I told ya things weren’t right!!”

I also started the Haylie Pomroy diet which excludes all things soy, wheat, dairy, fruit juice, sweets, carbs from your diet. I don’t know if I’ve finally started adapting to the meds, or the diet has helped, but my facial rash thing has completely disappeared and my hair is starting to feel better. I’m helping that adding the T3 will help more with the belly bulge and tired feelings I get more often than not.

I guess all I can say is RESEARCH RESEARCH and track and follow your lab numbers. Demand answers and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Stay in touch
–Amy

[AmyM]

in reply to: First time poster here…need advice and help, please! #1181907

Thank you! Your support and kind words mean so much. I wanted to add that my mom went on meds for a short time, swallowed the RAI pill, and went on a 100 mcg Synthroid pill that has not changed dosage in over 25 years! And she’s never had a problem and is doing great.

Ugh. Why can’t that be everyone’s story.

[Author]

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