I have hypothyroidism so I am putting on alot of weight very quickly , Dammit I can't even fit onto my jeans anymore , and my shirts are becoming to snug , I tried to blame it on my dryer , but even the ones that were not 100% cotton and hung dry didn't fit right anymore , does anyone else here have hypothyroidism ? I have had it for about 1 year that I know of , and I am only on 75mg of levothyroid , I think I need a higher dose cuz 75 ain't cuttin it. If you do have hypothyroidism is it easy for you to lose weight if your on the correct dosage? Or are you having trouble like me , I can't seem to lose the damn weight , and that sucks cuz I hate being fat , and having a metabolism problem in my way makes it too hard to lose the weight. : (

My Aunt has hypothyroidism. At one point, she gained a ton of weight and it really got out of control. One day, she just stopped eating except three small meals and starting walking every day. Now she is about 135 lbs to 140 lbs and her hypothyrodism sort of fell under control. She said alot of her ailments stopped when she lost weight. She still deals with it but she walks and eats right and it isn't so much of a problem anymore.

My mom has had hypothyroidism for about 7years. I have become VERY well acquainted with it just through her experiences. First of all if you are gaining weight very fast and your eating habits have not changed, then you DEFINATELY need to get your levels checked..you are not getting enough hormone..my mom's weight has gone up and down for years because of this..(she takes Synthroid by the way) The other symptoms you may be feeling now due to not having enough hormones would be: tired, no energy, dry skin, dry hair, of course weight gain, etc..my mom says she can always tell when her levels are off because she starts to experience these symptoms...
The good news is, you CAN lose weight..the most important thing, and your DR. will tell you, is to lose weight slowly so it doesn't strain your system too much..but you must also remember that after the first 10lbs are lost that is when your levels will need to be checked and pretty regularly every 10lbs after that..
Good Luck to you and Be Healthy!

P.S. I probably don't need to tell you this but , Don't forget to take your medicine every single day, and try not to run out..

Thank you guys so much for your responses , and I do have a problem with remembering to take them and I ran out and was without them for 2 weeks cuz I kept forgetting to go get my prescription refilled , so when I went to the doctor ( I have to see him every three months ! ) he was pissed because my levels were low , so I have to go see him again on the 1st of Feb. and do my blood tests all over again , I hate that part , me and needles don't mesh well. Peace out.

I am going to the open call on Tuesday in Boston. I have read here several times that they won't take anyone with high blood pressure, but I was wondering if they care if you have an underactive thyroid. I take a synthetic thyroid replacement which makes it work as it should and I don't have any problems from it. Anyone know about this?

I dont think the show is not calling people based on if they have HBP or not. I think that was some deal with the Biggest Loser Club...

I would say, it never hurts to try!

I am posting this link to a thyroid support site in response to another post. From that post it appears that many of us share the same problem with regulating our thyroid levels. I must admit my biggest problem is taking the medicine properly. I wish they would develop the medication in the form they have with others like the norplant or a patch that would better regulate it. Anyhow, I came across this site one day and have found some good links on this page. Links for thyroid specialists, alternative treatments, ways to feel better, starting a thyroid support group,etc. I hope those of you who are struggling find some useful information here. I can relate to the poster that felt if they mentioned they had hypothyroidism that they were making excuses, but unless someone actually feels all those symtoms that Pers listed (and I have them all) then they really just cant understand. Not all people respond to treatments the same. Also, I would be happy to hear of any other alternative methods.

There are new developments happening all the time in the world of health, and even in conventional and alternative thyroid disease treatment. These developments are covered here at this site.

http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/aa022500a.htm

Thanks for posting this. The thyroid.about.com site in it's entirety is great. There's also a message board on there and everyone is nice, extremely knowledgeable and willing to help (make sure you have your labs and everything).

The woman who runs the site, Mary Shomon is a patient advocate and has written a few books that are great resources, too.

The only thing I've found to help me take my meds is to leave them on the nightstand and take them the minute I wake up. Now, it's just a natural reaction to roll over and grab them. It's not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works for me. By the time I'm done getting ready, it's been an hour and it's safe for me to eat.

A thyroid patch would be lovely! I'd even get a shot once a month.

I am totally inspired by The Biggest Loser, it's awesome. When someone loses all hope of ever losing weight (which happens when you feel like you have "too" much to lose, so what's the point) then it gets inspiring.

I think The Biggest Loser really focuses on people who overeat, or make wrong choices. BUT and a big but, I know people who eat really good and not too much and don't lose weight. One reason is thyroid problems. I wonder with an endocrinologist on their show, giving them a proper diet (the proper diet for someone with hypothyroidism would be higher on the protein, good fats and veggies, lower on the carbs and not necessarily count calories and avoid soy and other thyroid blockers) and exercise if they could get people with thyroid problems to lose as much weight and accomplish goals.

Thyroid problems have hit our nation big time in the tens of thousands and a lot of people who don't know they have it. Other things that inhibit weightloss: adrenals (stress hormones), etc.

For instance, I have thyroid disease and when I work out 2 hours really hard daily 6X a week and I already eat superbly (as a nutritionist says) I only drop 10 lbs in a month and my meds for thyroid are as good as they're going to get. 10 lbs is as good as it gets for me in a month. I'm sure I'd be a disappointment on the show what is that 2.5 lbs per week?

Maybe it's just slower for us, therefore making it a little bit more "depressing" but maybe that's how someone w/a disability or something would feel.

Since I eat so well, which I have done essentially my whole life, it's "working out" that I need more of. Motivation, I guess I use my thyroid to get me down as someone else out there would use their "eating habits" or "working too much" to get in their way.

Anyway any comments welcome : )

Both Hollie and Nicole have hypo-thyroidism. Jillian's blog mentions it and I don't remember where I saw that about Nicole! That could explain their weight loss numbers for one.

I would like to see one legged midgets on the Biggest Loser. They have trouble losing weight also.

First, losing 10 pounds a month safely is nothing to sneeze at. Some people would kill for that amount of weight loss on a monthly basis. You should be proud of that and not get depressed if you can't lose more. At that rate, you'll lose 120 pounds safely in a year. Why would that get you down?

Regarding the show, you can't assume you would only lose 2.5 pounds per week. The trainers might show you new exercise techniques that would enable you to lose double that amount in a week.

While I agree that I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to lose 2.5 pounds a week CONSISTANTLY, I would also LOVE LOVE LOVE to know how Biggest Loser handles thyroid problem people. It's such a big issue these days, and so frustrating to those of us who have it, that any information is welcome.

When I was younger I could drop pounds and inches easily. When my kids where little and we lived up north, I had 2 wardrobes, size 14 winter, size 8-10 summer. I never even thought it was diet. But summers were spent at the pool and it was really too hot to cook so it was huge HUGE salads almost every night. Winters were cold with mountains of snow and spent inside with board games and chili with fritos.

These days, at 50, I can spend 4 hours a day (2 morning-2 evening) 5x week at the gym, and I am soo excited if I see a pound or two off the scale in a month! I really would love to know what they are doing to get 2+ pounds a week!

So, Biggest Loser People, dish... whatchadoin different?

If your TSH is adequately controlled then it shouldn't effect your weight. I'm hypo too (controlled with levoxyl) and since I have lupus, am also on corticosteroids daily, about 15 mg. Now, seeing a weight loss show with people on corticosteroids would be very interesting! Basically, it increases your appetite and makes you very fat.

I've been working with a trainer for about 2 months and doing 2x week weight workouts. I've lost 15.5. lbs in two months. Which, considering the steroids, makes me happy. I have about 50 more pounds to go. I think I can get there but it will take longer than someone not on steriods.

Also, I meant to say to the OP that it sounds like you are working too hard. And, are you eating enough calories? If you don't eat enough calories then your metabolism can slow.

LOL

I just got the test results from my doctor, and he says I have an underactive thyroid and I have to go on medication. He said the fact that I was able to lose the amount of weight I have so far is amazing.

Any others out there with the same problem? How long after starting the medication did it take you to really start seeing the weight come off? He also said it will help my thinning hair (YEAH)!

All advice welcome!!!

Thanks for all the encouragement from my disappointing weight loss over the past 2 months, hopefully that will soon change!

Thanks for the link, Neenie! I have been struggling for years of still feeling tired, even though my dose of synthroid keeps my thyroid levels within the normal range. I am calling an endocrinologist tomrrow. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I can now say yes I have hypothyroidism but mine was surgically induced about 3 weeks ago after a thyroidectomy for cancer. While I've not gained any weight as of yet,you can see my face is getting puffy and I am eating very oddly. Periods of no hunger,then times of overwhelming hunger. And tiredness like I have never had before. All which my endocrinologist says is normal. I would get the dosages checked of your synthroid and ask your endo to refer to a dietician.

Right now I am not on synthroid and will remain that way until I have radiation thx. Which could be another month...

*ugh*

I have hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed 12 years ago as part of an infertility workup. I went on meds, but I didn't lose much weight at the time. That was mainly because I wasn't eating right or exercising. Meds took away my symptoms - being tired, getting chronic colds, anxiety attacks, thinning hair - but the meds aren't a magic pill to make you lose weight. I started losing weight when I started following an eating plan and an exercise plan. People who are hypothyroid may have a harder time losing weight but once they're on the right level of meds, significant weight loss is absolutely possible. I'm hypothyroid and over 50, so the odds are against me. But then, I've never paid much attention to the odds, and I've lost 126 lbs. so far.

Marilyn

Wow, Marilyn, that's awesome! Thanks for sharing your story.

Hang in there - I have 2 friends who have been through that, and they have been feeling remarkably better after radiation and since they went back on synthroid. So hang in there, and I hope you'll be feeling better soon.

I have struggled with hypothyroidism for years. My thyroid was damaged in my early teenage years by an experimental heart medication that I was put on. If you have an underactive (or overactive, for that matter) thyroid it is imperative that you take your medicine every day at about the same time every day or it will not work. Personally, I set my alarm for 6am every morning and when it goes off I take my medicine, whether I am up or not. It is very frustrating when they adjust your medication because the weight will start to pile on if you are not on the correct dosage. I just had a baby, so all of my levels are out of whack and I am in the middle of the adjustment period. I weigh more now than I did in my second trimester, which really stinks. After they get my levels balanced, though, I should start to shed the pounds as long as I keep eating healthy and exercising.

On a side note, the symptoms listed above are great indicators that your levels are off. Also look for your hair falling out. I always know when my levels are off because my eyebrows will start falling out. Weird, huh? I know then that it's time to call the doctor. Just call them and ask them to test you. They're not going to refuse. And you have, have, have to take your medicine consistently if you want to feel better and get your thyroid (and weight) under control.

Good luck!

You mean you must take your pill 1 hour before you eat? I have on meds for years and did not know that
who told you that ?

I take Synthroid and my doctor told me, and the prescription bottle says, to take it at least 1 hour before eating or 2 to 3 hours after eating. Studies show that less of the hormone is absorbed by the body if it is taken while there is still food in the stomach or small intestine.

I, like many of you have struggled with a thyroid problem for about 9 years, since a horseback riding neck injury damaged my thyroid. While medication helps, it definitely is not going to bring your metabolism back to pre-hypothyroid condition. But, weight loss can and does happen (I can personally attest to losing 74 lbs since the end of March this past year) if you are committed.

Taking your meds at the same time every day is CRITICAL to keeping your hormone levels stable. And your doc will most likely confirm that you take the pill (if you're on Synthroid for example) at the same time each morning, as soon as you wake up, on an empty stomach and do not eat right after.

You should also not take your multivitamin or any sort of calcium supplement within a few hours of taking your meds. I take my vitamin at night before I go to sleep. I take a combination of two meds, a low dose of Synthroid in conjunction with a time-released T3 which has to be taken exactly 12 hours apart in two doses. (I've been diagnosed with Wilson's Syndrome).

For those of you exhibiting symptoms, but who have doctors that say your labs are in the "normal" range, I would suggest doing a couple of things.

1. See what your doc is testing. Many only test your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), then disregard your symptoms if it is "normal". I know that when my TSH goes over 2.0, I feel like crap, my temp drops, etc. So it doesn't work for me to just be "normal" even though the lab works says I am fine.

You should have your T3, Free T4 and thyroid antibodies tested to give a more comprehensive picture of what is going on.

2. Keep in mind that not all labs have updated the parameters for normal thyroid ranges. There have been adjustments in the past few years that have tightened the window.

Anyway, these are my two cents' worth after dealing with a thyroid problem for years and fighting to feel better. Hope it helps a bit.

Yes, you should always take your thyroid medication on an empty stomach, preferably at least 1 hour before eating breakfast.

My sister is a pharmacist, but there is also a sticker stating that on my medication bottle.

Thanks for the support!!! I've been hanging in there and I did get my labs back and I am what my endocrinologist called "golden". In other words my tsh is at the level that I now can begin the process of the scans and treatment for the cancer. I am so very grateful for that. I started with muscle aches this week(at first I thought I had just over done it) and well this is the worst.

I never realized how much my thyroid really did for me and I'm in healthcare.

I do know I have read you should take your synthroid alone on an empty stomach and not with your calcium due to absorption issues. Of course I suppose when my time is right I will be asking my doc about this..

Again thanks for the support and this thread. I actually found you all to be so much more helpful and upbeat about things then this support group I tried to join online.

Thanks again
W~

I went to the dr for a lymph node check (i have hodkins lymphoma almost in remission) and some blood work. evidentally the radition gave me a thyroid problem. I have gained a lot of weight and have just been put on my medication. in 2 weeks I have lost 8lbs. I was at the dr yesterday for my allergies and he said it looks like I need a higer dosage. I am not sure exactly what I have been diagnosed with but I do know that I am actually sleeping at night and I was not able to before....I am a little tired during the day, but I am sort of use to that. I am glad that someone gave me this link, its cool to know others sort of have the same problem.

My mother had thyroid cancer, she just took her radiation pill and had to be away from everyone for a few days, but all her scans and blood work came back great....now we are waiting for my tests. I am having an ultra sound done and then I will know more. I hope everything works out for you. God Bless

I have dealt with hypo for over 20 years. Along with my synthroid medicine I also have to be on a DR. prescribed daily diaretic pill to flush the water out of my system. Water retention is a big problem no matter how much you work out. I have found over the years that I do have to eat a very small amount of food and exercise alot to keep weight off. My little wife is amazed at how little I eat(less then her) and that I still have weight problems. Iguess the thing is, no matter if you have thyroid problems or not, you just need to eat healthy and work out.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 8 years ago and was put on Levoxyl. It helped a bit in the beginning but then stopped. I've had problems with getting the weight off but am working really hard at it. I started last September and have lost 21 pounds. My last checkup with the doctor revealed my thyroid to be normal, although on the low end of normal. They have since taken my pills away and won't prescribe anymore even though I have all the other symptoms of hypothyroidism. It doesn't help having P.C.O.S.

That is why I'm here. I managed to go from size 10 to size 22 in one, yes, ONE year! I'm so mad at my doc. After 60 pounds added with no changes on my part I went to my doc, he said quit eating. I was barely eating at all and putting on so fast.

Now I'm on thyroid meds, but I have a non active lifestyle, eating habits that are just terrible and had a severe illness in November that kept me bed ridden for nearly 2 months trying to recoup. So I have lost ALL muscle mass, stamina, everything.

I'm 35-years-old, 5'6" and 260lbs! I HATE MY SELF. I have not had TV in years, but I saw myself on a home video only 7 years ago and I was cute. Realy, I was a different person. I want that person back.

I'll type my story on a newbie hi.

Thanks
Idahi

I haven't updated here in awhile. I did have my radiation(?sp) and started on synthroid. I had a 20 lb weight loss right after. I also had my synthroid dosage dropped and my labs are doing good. I am still having some issues with heart racing and i believe my meds need to be adjusted again and i go back next week with my doc.

Foods..still cant eat certain foods but it wasnt exactly healthy food to begin with so its not missed.

w

Been there, doing that! Fast weight gain from 160 to 240. Taking meds everyday!! This sucks!
I've applied twice to be on BL. Haven't heard back from them this time. I feel all the frustration of being heavy but I'm not going to quit trying to lose.

I'd love it if BL would make a show for people, especially women, with thyroid disorder, because it would be one heck of a show. Most of us "cant" lose, once we're on medication even on a proper caloric intake.

Talk about an Education for the public!! More people don't know about this and assume we are fat because we over indulge. That is not the case!

Need more information out there to the world about US!!

Here are 2 more sites for information.

http://www.realthyroidhelp.com/
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

If you have thyroid issues it might be a good idea to watch your soy intake. I have read some studies regarding soy and thyroid and that it is not a good combination. Unfortunately I did not book mark those studies.

I cut out soy not to the point of eating products with soy added although I will check another product and the one with no soy wins, but no more soy milk, nuts and others.

tqo

In the begining of being diagnosed as hypothryoid I never gave much thought to how I took my pills. Had I know then what I know now I might have saved myself some grief.

I wanted to share this quote it came from "You the Owners Manual, Updated and Expanded Edition"
Page 332

"How you take hormone medication can have a major effect on how your body reacts to it (for example, for those requiring thyroid hormone, consuming iron, calcium, or soy less than four hours before taking the thyroid medication can mean the thyroid medication won't be absorbed). That's why it's important to review a few things about hormone-related medications."

EMPOWER YOURSELF with KNOWLEDGE!
tqo

Hey all, so I have finally been diagnosed as hypothyroid. Most of you know know why "finally" is in that sentence, but let me just say I had to fight tooth and nail to get that diagnosis, and find a doctor who would look at things besides just my TSH. If you have the signs and symptoms of thyroid disease, but your doctor says your blood tests are "normal", you need to A) Do some research to give to your doctor, and If your doctor refuses to help, you need to find a new, more open-minded doctor.

Some others have given some great resources (the About page, stopthethyroidmadness.com, and realthyroidhelp.com). I would highly recommend checking these sites out. I also want to recommend a book I am currently reading. It is called: The Thyroid Paradox: How to Get the Best Care for Hypothyroidism by James K. Rone M.D. Here is an Amazon link for it: http://www.amazon.com/Thyroid-Paradox-Best...m/dp/1591202043

I checked this book out from the library myself, and am finding it very interesting. Some things to know:

1) James K. Rone is a mainstream doctor, an endocrinologist, and a sufferer of hypothyroid (who was told he couldn't be hypothyroid because his numbers were normal).
2) He uses a lot of very interesting studies to support his beliefs
3) His views lie somewhere between the Mainstream closed minded doctors and the "traditional medicine sucks" reformist doctors.
4) He believes that hypothyroid sufferers burn about 15% fewer calories in a day than someone with a normally functional thyroid
5) He believes that a "Normal" TSH level should be below 2 mU/L...traditional medicine will tell you you are not hypothyroid if it is at 4.5 mU/L or lower.
6) He believes that anyone whose TSH is above 2 mU/L should be considered for treatment, especially if they have clinical symptoms of hypothyroid
7) He gives factual evidence as to why someone could have completely "normal" blood tests and still be hypothyroid and gives ways that a person could find out if they are one of these people.

For those of you on here that say you are on thyroid meds, but don't feel normalized, you need to see if your TSH is less than 2 mU/L. Most doctors will stop raising your dose once you fall below 4.5 mU/L, but scientific evidence has shown that people with a TSH of less than 2 mU/L are less likely to have symptoms of hypothyroid, and are less likely to develop the sometimes deadly conditions that can occur in those who are hypothyroid for a long time. It is important you know your numbers and fight to get them to the optimal levels...not just the so called "normal" levels (which have been called into question by many medical societies. Unfortunately medical changes work in years, not weeks or days, so the information is available now, but won't be put into practice for who knows how long. You must be your own advocate in getting healthy.

I am on Armour thyroid now (the natural stuff), and have been taking it for a few days. I am hopeful that it will not only help me feel better, but that I can lose some of the weight I have put on over the past two years as well.

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinology released new guidelines for thyroid treatment several years ago - unfortunately, most doctors are not up to speed. The new TSH standards says 0.3 to 3.0 is normal and anything over 2.0 is suspect with symptoms or a family history of thyroid disease. The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry wants that standard lowered to 2.0 for the high end, as studies have shown that normal, euthyroid individuals have TSH below 1.5.

One important thing: to feel "well" your free T3 and free T4 should be in the upper 1/3 of the reference range.

I had gained a bunch of weight - in the midst of training for my first marathon - and couldn't lose it at all until I was put on Armour thyroid. Synthroid did nothing for me and my free T3 was always too low. It's been a couple of years now, since I started Armour, I'm in a size 6 again and feel great.

I started feeling really badly about 2-1/2 to 3 years ago. So, I went to the doctor but he couldn't find anything wrong. Last year, I went again because I felt bad, had a rash on my legs, was constantly tired, and could not lose weight no matter how hard I tried. In fact, I was gaining when I shouldn't have because I wasn't overeating and I was walking more than ever.

So, he ran some more tests. These came back with elevated liver enzymes, elevated lymphocytes, and anemia. What I didn't realize is that my thyroid was not being tested, hadn't been tested in over 5 years. When I finally got diagnosed, just a couple of months ago, it was 5 times what it should have been, and I swear I felt like I was on deaths door.

I went on Levothyroxine, a synthetic T4 replacement. My TSH levels went back into the normal range.... but still I felt terrible and I was still gaining weight. I'd also lost nearly all my eyebrows and the hair on my arms too. My doctor wasn't very responsive, and I got the impression I was being a bother, or that these things are normal when aging. So I took myself to an endocrinologist for a second opinion on my treatment options. He has prescribed a lower dose of the Levo, plus a T3 replacement twice a day.

Boy howdy, what a difference. I still cannot say that I feel great, but I am doing better. I've been able to lose about 1-1/2 pounds per week since going on the new meds. My daily headaches have disappeared, and my skin problems have cleared up.

If your doctor is not helping, and if you still feel badly even with "normal" TSH; then go see another doctor. Do not settle for less. For more than two years I've had a compromised quality of life, and it didn't need to be that way.

Absolutely! There is no reason to settle for feeling like crap. If your doctor tells you that it isn't your thyroid, but the symptoms say that it is, and they don't offer any other suggestions on what it is, then fire them and find another doctor. My doctor just told me I was depressed...but depression is a SYMPTOM of hypothyroid. And since I had the weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, brittle nails, hair falling out, acne, headaches, low body temperature, infertility, and a few other symptoms, it was ridiculous for my doctor to tell me that it was just depression. Demand better care for yourself!! You can find good doctors out there, but it might take some work on your part.

Just an FYI, Armour Thyroid is the desiccated natural thyroid product made from the glands of pigs. Synthroid and Levothyroxine are synthetic compounds.

Veebs, whenever someone calls it gross, I just say it is my bacon. Haha! I don't like the idea of it, but if it helps!

It's harder to find a doctor to prescribe the "natural" thyroid product. I've read that it may be more "complete" but it's harder to zone in on the proper dosage. The synthetic replacements, are more precise and regulated, but you have to take multiple Rx's to get closer to a complete fix.

Even at best, thyroid replacement therapy doesn't replace all the hormones that are malfunctioning, so none of them are truly complete. That's what I've heard. Also, I've heard that regular testing is crucial and dosages may need to be changed periodically.

You are right Lisa...it can be more difficult to find a doctor to prescribe "natural" thyroid like Armour. You can find doctors in your area online though if you want to. I did want to correct one thing that you have heard. It is no more difficult to get the proper dosage in natural thyroid than it is in synthetic. That is what the synthetic manufacturers tell the doctor, but if it were true, the FDA would not ok the natural stuff. In order to be FDA approved, a drug has to be able to be manufactured and shelved in a way that consistent amounts of hormones are in each pill. Armour is an FDA regulated drug and has consistent levels of T4s, T3s, etc. from pill to pill. It is also what they have been using since they started treating thyroid disease back in the 1800s. Prior to pill form, they did things in a much more gruesome fashion, but I won't put that up here.

I just wanted to put that up because it is a common misconception. I have a pharmacist friend who says that it is "yucky" because it is made out of real thyroid. And I've heard of doctors who say all number of bad things about the drug, but when you do some research, the original synthetic drugs didn't do as well in FDA testing as Armour and it was revealed that they started a rumor about the pig thyroid that caused enough scandal that doctors stopped prescribing it even though the evidence at that time showed that the synthetic didn't work as well for their patients. So it is important to do the research for yourself and make a decision from all the options and don't just let the doctor tell you what you have to put in your body. There are options. And I've read personal accounts from hundreds of women (and men) who have been on synthetic thyroid and felt awful, and when switched to Armour, their symptoms clear up soon after. *shrug* Synthroid, etc. seem to work for some people though, so it is just important to know the options.

I've been on both, but neither one of them made me feel any better.

Oh no Veebs....that sucks! Have you found something that does yet?

Nope, and it's been years - different forms, different dosages, different doctors. It sucks.

Veebs, if you want me to butt out, I totally will. But I just thought I would make a suggestion. That completely sucks that you have had to go through all this, with no relief especially. You might check out the Hypothyroidism book by Dr. James K. Rone that I recommended way back. The only reason I say so is because he talks about several "rare" forms of hypothyroidism and how some doctors aren't able to tell one type of hypothyroid from another, etc. I haven't gotten to his "treatment" guidelines yet, so I can't say that he will talk about different treatments for different types of thyroid problems, but based on what I am reading, it looks like he will go there. Maybe there would be a suggestion in there that seems to fit your specific case. Maybe not. Personally, I am just excited to finally be getting some help. I have had one really good day, the rest I've still been pretty tired and nauseous. But I can tell that things are evening out some. And I have lost 5 pounds over the course of a week, which is pretty cool considering that I only lost 10 while dieting and exercising for months before my wedding (sans the hypothyroid diagnosis). It makes me wonder how long I have had it, and what I could have done had I been diagnosed early on...not to dwell on the past. But I was diagnosed as depressed (dysthymic) from about age 11...which means that I have been depressed for 19 years....19 years. Holy cow! That's over half my life. What if I was really just hypothyroid all along?

Anyway, I just wanted to bring the book to your attention because it has been helping me.

No, I am always open to suggestions. Information = power.