Hypothyroidism

[SvenHock]

Has anyone heard of this? My wife has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and the drugs she has been taking have caused her to lose some hair, gained weight and now they are saying she should have any metal fillings removed from her teeth?!

I told her today that she should get a second opinion and from an endocrinologist. She went to her primary doctor and this is what he diagnosed her with and prescribed drugs for. My questions are, has any had any experience with this and if so, what was/is being done about it and should she seek a second opinion?

[RobertMiller]

I'm not an endocrinologist, but the symptoms you are describing of losing hair and gaining weight are usually associated directly with hypothyroidism, not the "drugs" used to treat it. If it is simply hypothyroidism, which is an underactive thyroid, the treatment is Synthroid or some other generic form of thyroid hormone to make up for what the gland is not producing. However, there are many disease processes that can lead to hypothyroidism, so it requires a logical work up that most internists can handle. In more complex cases, an endocrinologist may be necessary. So you are not out of bounds to request an endocrinology consult.

Hope that helps. And I'm not up to date on the "metal fillings" part of the deal. Maybe one of our other board docs can chime in.

[Tuberoast]

How TH tests has she had since the diagnosis and has she discussed the hair loss with the doctor? I too would recommend an endocrinologist. Always get a second opinion from a specialist. A second opinion for me was somewhat different (and more informative) from the first.
I was hyperthyroid until they had it zapped (radioactive pill) and it went to hypo.
I experienced weight gain until I started a continuous exercise regimen which increases metabolism. Also, diet is important; a cutback on the carb amount.
Essentially what I found out was the pill/dosage amount won't help completely.
Weight gain, like too many beers , can be offset with a little exercise.

[Suproman77]

First, losing hair and gaining weight are symptoms of hypothyroidism as are many other symptoms including depression, fatigue, dry skin and so on. The medications to treat the illness cannot be blamed for that...in fact, they are working to correct these issues.

Second, I am definitely not a believer in removing mercury fillings and I would also avoid any doctor who would request such a procedure. There is no substantial evidence to suggest that the minute levels of mercury contained in the amalgam are harmful.

Third, DEFINITELY see an endocronologist about this issue and you'll get the facts about the illness and probably the optimal level of care.

[Tonekat]

I have hypothyroidism. It sucks. Definitely something for an endocrinologist to treat, as most current lab tests may yield results considered "normal" even while a deficiency of the thyroid hormone is occurring. Also, the amount of drugs to take to make a difference can be hard to determine. Likely an endo will prescribe levoxyl or synthroid, although there is a small group of doctors who prescribe T3 to increase metabolism, which most doctors won't do because it can cause heart palpitations.

[SvenHock]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the help and will pass this on to my wife. I thought the drugs caused her symptoms but am wrong, sorry.

[PolyMorf]

Just to chime in, my wife has it and takes Synthroid. No weight gain or loss of hair issues with her and she has been taking it for years.

[snorkey]

I'm on synthroid also, been on it for at least 10yrs. now, I have hypothyroidism I just go every 6 months for a blood test to see it the dosage is good.

[Aaron Cheney]

About a dozen years ago I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. I had my thyroid removed, and underwent radiation therapy to zap anything that was left. I'm am now about as hypothyroid as one can get. I've been on Synthroid ever since, and will be dependent on one of those little pills every day for the rest of my life.

It does take some time to get the dosage right. Your wife will most likely have to have it monitored for a year or more before she/the doctors finally settle on a dosage that works to make her feel her best.

I've never had much of a problem with hair loss or weight gain, but I've had side effects of my own: heat intolerance, sleep loss/insomnia, and most interestingly, bad dreams. There was a period of weeks right after my surgery that my dosage was way too low. Every night I had the most vivid nightmares I've ever experienced, and in every single one there was something wrong with someone's body...boils, scars, missing parts, etc. This happened every single night, without fail. It got to the point that I did not want to go to sleep. Unlike other dreams, I have never forgotten any of them.

ac

[Dickie Fredericks]

I went to the doctor last year because I was sweating for no reason. He told me I have exactly what your wife has. Told me I needed to go to the endocronologist and have my thyroid killed and then be on meds the rest of my lfe.

I didnt take his advice. I got off my ass and started going to the gym. Havent had a problem since.

[rgsss14]

How did the primary care physician make the diagnosis? Was it based on clinical symptoms or serum levels of thyroid hormones and TSH?

Next, did he ever order a follow-up TSH level? The symptoms you describe are those of hypothyroidism, but should improve over a 3 month period after starting the medication.

Endocrinology consultation is highly recommended.

[Aaron Cheney]

I got off my ass and started going to the gym. Havent had a problem since.

The most effective cure for many things. :AOK

Oh...and eating right.

ac

[wire 247]

I had my thyroid removed 5 years ago because of cancer and have to take meds everyday. Removing her mercury amalgam fillings is correct info. Mercury causes thyroid c ancer and endocrine system nightmares. Endocronologists (most anyway) have their heads up their asses. They use the same treatments for every single paitent and only use synthroid or levoxyl which is only t4. I would recomend she take armour or naturthroid, it is a combination of t4, t3, t2 and t1. It makes you feel a whole lot better than the synthroid but the pharmacuetical companies have the endos in their back pockets. Please have your wife check out www.stopthethyroidmadness.com for info and I can recommen d other sights also. PM me if needed..... I have been to hell and back with this stuff.....

[Rumblefish]

Another very important issue is to have your adrenals checked.Quite often thyroid problems are due to adrenal exhaustion.Until the adrenals are up to
normal function,the thyroid therapy will be counterproductive.
This is according to a fantastic doctor I know.It solved my energy problem
once and for all.

[snarkle]

Interesting info here...I'm going to check it out once the work day is over. I almost died from untreated hypothyroidism (several different doctors failed to diagnose the problem) and am now on synthetic thyroid hormones...I've dropped over 100 pounds and (understandably) feel much, much, much better.

In my case the hair loss seems irreversible, but male-pattern baldness runs in my family so there may be some hope for your wife in that regard...

Family physicians tend to under-prescribe for this condition, I've noticed...getting a second opinion is always good. And sports-medicine practitioners might be more up on energetic and adrenal issues than your GP.

[2 Loud 4 You]

I'm hyper. Years ago I had a lump in my throat that persisted for a week. Had blood work and ultrasound. It was determined my thyroid was enlarged and over producing. Was put on levoxyl and everything's been fine since. Recently after 7 or 8 yrs on 50mcg went up to 75mcg but it seems to doing it's job.

[Suproman77]

I'm hyper. Years ago I had a lump in my throat that persisted for a week. Had blood work and ultrasound. It was determined my thyroid was enlarged and over producing. Was put on levoxyl and everything's been fine since. Recently after 7 or 8 yrs on 50mcg went up to 75mcg but it seems to doing it's job.

Did you have surgery to remove or undergo radioactive iodine treatment? If you were put on levoxyl, you must have hypothyroidism. If you had or still have hyperthyroidism, the problem would be made worse as you're adding in even more T4 (thyroid hormone).

[bluesdoc]

T4 will suppress TSH, lowering the drive to enlarge.

It can be a very complex realm. Simple when it's simple, and very complex when it's not (ie, clinical hypothyroid with nl T4 and TSH). Endos fall on their faces on that one, but T3 makes it better, despite their collective resistance (guideline medicine) to its use. Very challenging, complex realm with potential overlap into other endocrine abn and chronic infections.

jon

[Suproman77]

T4 will suppress TSH, lowering the drive to enlarge.


Ah, I see. I haven't ever heard of that before...makes sense though. I'd imagine the symptoms would get worse temporarily before the thyroid begins to shrink, no?

[KazJY]

I have hypothyroidism. I went from a quick run-around job to sitting on my ass for 9 hours every day at a desk. I always felt that that's what did it. I went to the doctor after I was REAL tired every day. I once fell asleep with a soda can in my hand watching TV at 6pm. Weight gain and some hair loss followed.

Other symptoms that no one mentioned are mood swings, depression and body aches. I suffer from these moreso lately (I get cranky as opposed to having mood swings). I am on a very small dose of synthroid, but should exercise more, for sure.

Dickie had the right idea - I had the chance to beat this, as per the doc's recommendations (exercise, etc to increase my energy level) but I didn't get off my ass to do it.

[2 Loud 4 You]

Ah, I see. I haven't ever heard of that before...makes sense though. I'd imagine the symptoms would get worse temporarily before the thyroid begins to shrink, no?

Actually yes, well not really worse BUT the "lump" feeling didn't go away for about a month. I realize part of that is getting the meds in my system but it was quite annoying when trying to swallow.

[Tonekat]

Interesting to see the remarks here. I already had Addison's (adrenal insufficiency - they just don't work anymore) and 25% of Addison't patients develop hypothyroidism. Lucky me. The worst for me is the way it can destroy ambition due to fatigue, I was having to fight that all the time.
I have two endocrinologists, and neither will go for anything but treating with T4, although, since boosting me to 75mg daily, it's better than it was.

[moozak]

i had Graves Disease... i had to have a radiation treatment to destroy my thyroid... so i no longer have one and, like others here, i'm on synthroid for the rest of my life. it was quite a long struggle... but i feel pretty decent most of the time now.

but during that whole experience... i had both extremes... WAY to much thyroid hormones and eventually... NO thyroid hormones.

when i had too much thyroid hormones i thought i was going crazy! awful things were going on in my head... to the point of driving down the road and suddenly not knowing who i was... why i was in a car... or where i was going. eventually, it affected my heart and i went in to tachychardia... which put me in the hospital and allowed them to find out i had a thyroid problem.

it was a LONG ride after that... but finally i had the radiation treatment to destroy my thyroid.

so then, my levels fell drastically... to the point where i literally could not get up out of bed. i could hear my wife telling me to get up... but couldn't make sense of why i wasn't doing anything... or why i wasn't understanding her.

all that time i went from 225 lbs... drastically down to 165 in just weeks! (now i'm back around 200)

incorrect thyroid hormone levels can do weird things to your body!... i know that for sure! i'm on top of it now though... and have it checked regularly.

it seems strange to go through all of that... and then the fix for it in the end is one tiny little pink pill every day... but that's my life from now on. in fact, since i don't have a thyroid i wouldn't last long without that pill. but, to feel like i do now... it's fine with me... i'll take it every day as long as i can get it!