Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Thyroid problems

Options
«1

Comments

  • Options
    #2
    sam34
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,073 ✭✭✭sam34


    i'll move this to longterm illness, as you'll get a better response there.


  • Options
    #3
    checkered flag
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭checkered flag


    All righty. :)


  • Options
    #4
    LilMrsDahamsta
    Registered Users Posts: 451 ✭✭LilMrsDahamsta


    Yeah, I've had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (i.e. underactive) since I was 15 or 16; more than half my life. Tbh, since I was put on eltroxin, I've had no symptoms and no problems; it's a total non-issue for me.

    Why the question?


  • Options
    #5
    ziggy23
    Registered Users Posts: 1,919 ✭✭✭ziggy23


    Yes have an underactive thyroid which has gotten way worse since becoming pregnant. It's not a major illness but a pain nonetheless


  • Options
    #6
    CathyMoran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 7,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭CathyMoran


    I have an underactive thyroid and am pregnant too, so I know how you feel.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    ziggy23
    Registered Users Posts: 1,919 ✭✭✭ziggy23


    CathyMoran wrote: »
    I have an underactive thyroid and am pregnant too, so I know how you feel.

    It's a pain alright regarding the tiredness and all. Mine has just stabilised and I'm 37 weeks now. Am taking 200mg eltroxin a day. After I have the baby I'm goin to see a specialist. Can anyone reccommend a good one in Dublin? Cheers


  • Options
    #8
    lynnsback
    Registered Users Posts: 174 ✭✭lynnsback


    I am hypo thyroid with Hashimotos disease. On 240 mg dessicated thyroid.


  • Options
    #9
    CathyMoran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 7,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭CathyMoran


    When I was 4 I had an overactive thyroid - Graves disease.


  • Options
    #10
    shazba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 53 ✭✭shazba


    Hi there, Just thought i would let you know my son has treated Hypothyroidism He was diagnosed at 10 days old in Dublin he was put on thyroxine. He is now nearly 20 and in great health and attending college in Cork. He will be Taking thyroxine all his life ,But its just a way of life now . Hope this is of use to you if you need any more info just ask will help if i can.:)


  • Options
    #11
    glitterbug86
    Registered Users Posts: 133 ✭✭glitterbug86


    I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism just a few weeks back. My symptoms started at the end of May. I have been on 50 mcg eltroxin daily for almost 3 weeks now. Not feeling any better yet but I understand it takes time.. plus I think I may need an increase in the dosage but we'll see..

    (22, female)


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #12
    shazba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 53 ✭✭shazba


    Hi Glitterbug , Dont be too put out by not havi9ng a quick response to Thyroxine it takes a while to work. My sons on 275 mcgs daily but hes fine. T.G so just keep an eye on it and if still no change inform G.P who will test your TSH levels in blood test to see if you need more Thyroxine. Good Luck:)


  • Options
    #13
    Turquoise
    Closed Accounts Posts: 94 ✭✭Turquoise


    I had hyperthyroidism from the age of 13 or so. Eventually it came to having my thyroid removed just before my 18th birthday after the Neomercazole didn't work. I'll be on eltroxin for the rest of my life, but it was the best decision I ever made. Even when my thyroid levels came back in the right levels for a while (while I was on the meds) I just wasn't myself, I was unhappy. It was only after the surgery that I could fully appreciate just how much it affected me.

    If you've any questions feel free to PM me, or obviously post here.


  • Options
    #14
    ChewChew
    Moderators Posts: 24,367 ✭✭✭✭ChewChew


    I also have hypothyroidism and PCOS to throw that into the mix! Am on the max doe of eltroxin and getting no where and a thyroidectomy has been discussed with my consultant but I'm not keen tbh. I'm only 26 so really want to hold out on having major surgery as long as I can! I found the first 3 years of my diagnosis the worst. . . . but have a fantastic consultant so am really able to manage it that bit more!


  • Options
    #15
    $lash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 256 ✭✭$lash


    I'm a 22 year old girl and i had my thyroid removed when i was just 18 due to hyperthyroidism. Physically i am in far better health than i was before hand but mentally I'm not so sure, i think i get down a lot more than i used to, sometimes i have symptoms of being under active but my TFT's have always been normal.

    I've often considered alternative medicine but mentioned it to my doctor and he didn't have a clue....I'm about as clueless as him.

    Has anyone felt like this since getting theirs removed?


  • Options
    #16
    Turquoise
    Closed Accounts Posts: 94 ✭✭Turquoise


    $lash wrote: »
    I'm a 22 year old girl and i had my thyroid removed when i was just 18 due to hyperthyroidism. Physically i am in far better health than i was before hand but mentally I'm not so sure, i think i get down a lot more than i used to, sometimes i have symptoms of being under active but my TFT's have always been normal.

    I've often considered alternative medicine but mentioned it to my doctor and he didn't have a clue....I'm about as clueless as him.

    Has anyone felt like this since getting theirs removed?

    Your story doesn't sound too far from mine. :) Mine was removed at 17, I'm nearly 20 now. I have to say that personally, I feel great. However, I have heard alot of stories similar to yours. I wish I could remember all the details now, but it's been so long since I felt compelled to do any thyroid research.

    I read that for some people, eltroxin isn't enough. It's something along the lines of this (apologies to anyone who actually knows what they're talking about, I can't remember exactly what I read!): Eltroxin contains T4, which the body can then convert to T3. Thyroid levels show up normal, but some peoples body's can't convert the T4 properly to T3. There is some medication available, I *think* it's called Armour, which contains both T3 and T4. I gather it's not as popular here as it is in the States though, I think only certain doctors will prescribe it. Hang on...I read on some website...let me see...

    I'll post again.


  • Options
    #17
    Turquoise
    Closed Accounts Posts: 94 ✭✭Turquoise


    http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/treatment.htm

    That's a link about Armour. Surprisingly, I was actually right about what I was waffling - who'd have guessed?

    This site also has plenty of posts you might find helpful:
    http://www.thyroid-disease.org.uk/smf/index.php

    I did notice something about dessicated thyroid hormones (Armour and some other one) potentially being taken off the market, but I didn't read up on it.

    The important thing to do is push your doctor. Don't rest until you're happy with your treatment. It IS possible to feel great after the surgery - I know I do. Clearly something isn't right. ;)


  • Options
    #18
    Turquoise
    Closed Accounts Posts: 94 ✭✭Turquoise


    I'm sorry, I just re-read your post and realised you're saying your levels are supposedly normal without *any* meds? They took the right amount of thyroid out?! Who'd have thought it!

    How often are you getting your bloods done?


  • Options
    #19
    cyning
    Registered Users Posts: 3,251 ✭✭✭cyning


    Just wondering does anyone have problems on controlling an underactive thyroid? I take 300mg per day and am still underactive with all the symptoms... Just wondering if there is anyone who's on that kind of dose?


  • Options
    #20
    $lash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 256 ✭✭$lash


    Turquoise wrote: »
    I'm sorry, I just re-read your post and realised you're saying your levels are supposedly normal without *any* meds? They took the right amount of thyroid out?! Who'd have thought it!

    How often are you getting your bloods done?

    hey sorry only getting back to this now, no i do take med, im on 150mg of eltroxin a day, i've had my thyroid fully removed, they only left the para thyroid glands which means i dont have to take calcium supplements!

    Thanks for that information, i'm going to go through it now!!


  • Options
    #21
    $lash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 256 ✭✭$lash


    cyning wrote: »
    Just wondering does anyone have problems on controlling an underactive thyroid? I take 300mg per day and am still underactive with all the symptoms... Just wondering if there is anyone who's on that kind of dose?

    that seems very high, i've no thyroid gland and i only take 150mg.
    As far as i know if your pregnant your dose gets quite high but im not sure how high!


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #22
    cyning
    Registered Users Posts: 3,251 ✭✭✭cyning


    I'm not pregnant though: Noone seems to be on such a high dose:and its so strange being on that kind of dose and still underactive!


  • Options
    #23
    tatli_lokma
    Registered Users Posts: 3,332 ✭✭✭tatli_lokma


    saw on TV today that there is also a reflex test which can help diagnose thyroid probs, as thyroid disfunction also affects reflexes.

    anyone know if this test is done/is available in Ireland?

    After yet another "normal" blood test my GP is having A LOT of trouble getting me an appointment for an endocrinologist. Soonest appt I can get is next Feb, and I've been on my hands and knees for months now.

    My doc has said, if I really feel I can't cope he will give me a letter for casualty, in the hope that some form of treatment is given and it might push me further up the waiting list. Its an option, but not one i want to go for too soon, but think I might just have to.

    If this test was available, I might even consider finding the money to pay for that or other tests.


  • Options
    #24
    Turquoise
    Closed Accounts Posts: 94 ✭✭Turquoise


    300mcg seems VERY high. I'm currently on 100mcg a day. I went underactive on this dose last year, so my doc had me taking an extra 100mcg a week (so 800 a week) and I went over - so back down to 100/day.

    $lash - did you have any luck with that information? I was initially to have a partial thyroidectomy, but the tissue apparently looked extremely active, so they removed virtually all of it.


  • Options
    #25
    vajust
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭vajust


    my son was diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyrodism) just over 2 years ago......he stabilised on neo mercazole but then relapsed, so he is now on neo mercazole and el troxin....he also has a history of other illnesses which dont affect his thyroid but he seems fine to me its just hard to get meds perfect....


  • Options
    #26
    CathyMoran
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 7,458 Mod ✭✭✭✭CathyMoran


    vajust wrote: »
    my son was diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyrodism) just over 2 years ago......he stabilised on neo mercazole but then relapsed, so he is now on neo mercazole and el troxin....he also has a history of other illnesses which dont affect his thyroid but he seems fine to me its just hard to get meds perfect....
    I had that officially diagnosed at the age of 4, the treatments have improved a lot since I was young.


  • Options
    #27
    cyning
    Registered Users Posts: 3,251 ✭✭✭cyning


    It really sucks being honest... I'm losing my hair and my skin is appalling. I just can't understand why I'm so uncontrolled!


  • Options
    #28
    vajust
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9 ✭vajust


    cyning wrote: »
    It really sucks being honest... I'm losing my hair and my skin is appalling. I just can't understand why I'm so uncontrolled!
    Funny you mentioned losing your hair! My son has same prob unfortunately there isn't alot they can do as some meds like neo mercazole cause hair loss as does the condition..I did order some shampoo and conditioner from the states that seems to make a difference though, it's called "ovation" and they have a product called cell therapy, if its really getting you down, it no harm giving it a try....


  • Options
    #29
    shazba
    Closed Accounts Posts: 53 ✭✭shazba


    Hi There, Just thought i,d let ye know my 20 year old son who was born without a thyroid and has been on Thyroine since Birth. He is on 275 mcgs daily at present, This level has gone up and down over the years 275 mcgs being top level 25 mcgs the least. it seems to differ through different stages and growth spirts .Hope this helps:)


  • Options
    #30
    fj1200
    Registered Users Posts: 125 ✭✭fj1200


    Was diagnosed with Graves disease about 7 years ago. Really knocked me for six physically and mentally. My eyes were badly affected and ended up having orbital decompression. 10mg a day of neo mercazole keeps it under control now and feeling fine.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #31
    lynnsback
    Registered Users Posts: 174 ✭✭lynnsback


    Cying

    Have you ever asked your doc about thyroid hormone resistance? It is rare enough, but it does happen.

    Or, MORE LIKELY you are not converting your T4 meds to the active T3.

    What does your doctor/endo say?


Advertisement