I was diagnosed at 19 and very very ill and was told I was very close to them not being able to help me, my thyroid was that low to the point of not working and they believe it started at around the age of 14.
My days as a teenage I have no memory of, My hair was falling out like crazy my skin was dry with a rash over it and I would sleep for 20 hours out of the day and often fall asleep at college, my weight went up and I would eat nothing,my mum would be lucky to get 2 meals a week down me. The day I went to the doctors I woke up and I could hardly see anything it was all a blur and I could not put on foot in front of the other without falling over, but somehow got on a bus and went to the doctors. He took one look at me and said you have a major thyroid problem. He even phoned my Dad to come out of work and get me and told him to I was very ill and he would be in touch. My bloods came back that week and my thyroid condition was confirmed. 16 years later and I am only just feeling back to my old happy self. It has been a hard struggle but I am finally getting there.
If you have any symptoms get them checked out people don't realise how serious a thyroid problem can be untreated, the one symptom I had really bad that gave it away to my doctor straight away was i couldn't keep my hands still they would constantly shake and I could not stop them.
Well thats my thyroid history for you all.

I'm no expert, but with those symptoms it's surely worth asking the doc to be tested?

Hence why thyroid sufferers get free scripts in the UK!

Same difference. Just a pity Oz don't play the same game ...

Hi midjetjan, I can relate to every thing you say.
Considering your symptom that you describe it would probably be best to go back to the doctor and mention that thyroid problems run in the family as it could be hereditary thyroiditis.
It took two years for the doctors to find mine as mine was hereditary and started when i had my first born and so it was harder to find.
I am on 120 micrograms and i vary rarely wake feeling full of life.
Hair loss is a feature of under active thyroid and can change from falling out to staying in on the way your body feels, i have been told stress is a good part of that.
I do hope that you feel better soon.

Thank you

Jan

Yes. Yey, if you're taking that much, then you need it. Your doc knows what she's doing. You may be taking a lot to reverse a rT3 problem. I think if you split that dose between morning and say, 3pm, you might find it a bit better... then the energy is split rather than all through the day. Splitting the dose also helps you lose weight sometimes ... Ask the doc.

Looking back, as a child, I slept long hours (and was called dormouse by my family), had dry skin down my shins (because you sit so close to the fire, said my mum), sat really close to the fire to stay warm, got a very red face when exercising (sign of thyroid issues), always had a 'dodgy back' because it 'ran in the family'...
I was probably around 8 when this happened.
Lots of young children can suffer from T problems, so this is why I keep such a close eye on my kids. Middle daughter was showing symptoms during the winter, so I supplemented her diet with Vit C and B, plus Selenium. After a few weeks, symtoms gone, though summer is here... so ....
If it happens again, I'll get her tested.

Yam is high in female hormone I think, from memory.

Jan, go and find a good doctor in Perth. You are not healthy. You just see your symptoms as something you just 'have' but they're because you're not well. You obviously have a family history and you need treating. Back ache, etc is not healthy, and it's not normal.

Your sister sounds like she's hyper with the bulging eyes. Find out why she had her thyroid out... Was it thyroid nodules or cancer? It's an extreme op ... Perhaps you all have Graves disease? You need a test!


A sure sign that your adrenal system is out of whack.

Where are you ? Perth?

Let me look for a recommendation for you. This needs treating. Your mother being borderline is poor... if she's got symptoms then they need treating, not the numbers. Tell her to find a new doctor who will give her a 'trial of thyroxine'.

Left untreated you can risk 'thyroid damage' to your body... your organs.... The longer you all leave it, the more damage and the longer it takes to heal...

Go see a doc.

Here's someone in Perth...

Dr Salim Ismail (Desana Health) in Wembley.
He seems to be the only one worth seeing.

Dr. Salim Ismail, Holistic/complementary/alternative MD, Desana Whole health, 343 Cambridge Street, Wembley, Western Australia, Australia, 6014, (08)93839997 FAX08)93839164.

"I've suffered years of depression which doctors have only been able to keep under control with high doses of antidepressants. I had my thyroid tested many times by other doctors because of symptoms I displayed but the tests came back negative and nothing was ever done. This is the first that has to me, he said "Jenni, I treat patient symptom not blood test results." What a guy! I now take thyroid medication for hypothyroidism and cortisol supplements and I have reduced my Effexor medication from 475 mg/day to 75 mg/day in 2 months and I feel fantastic!" (Added Dec. 04)

Another recommendation:
A reader writes: "I have been suffering with fatigue for at least 2 years and have seen many doctors and naturopaths without any success, until I saw Dr. Ismail who immediately recognized my condition and has been able to get me back on track." (June 2006)

A fan:
"Still highly recommend him. Specializes in natural hormone therapy via compounding pharmacist Armour thyroid and T3 also DHEA, testosterone progesterone. Also has female doctor Jocelyn Cullingford working in same practice dealing with womens issues, depression fatigue PMS menopause both very thorough doctors and most importantly willing to listen and let you have some in put on your health." (August 2007)

Another reader writes:
"I have been going to Dr. Ismail for a couple of years now. I started going after having been to 6 other GPs and two endocrinologists... and feeling worse than ever. He is willing to listen and treats one with respect and interest. He adjusts treatment to fit each patient and their current state. Most importantly, he does not simply go on blood test results! He is willing to try something different to see if it will help, but does not force any specific treatment on anyone. Dr. Ismail stays abreast with the latest developments in the field. Highly recommended!" (May 2008)




Don't delay it Jan. Give him a call.

I was thinking about doing that, I am seeing Dr B a week on Monday so I will ask her. I also take DHEA mid morning and only just remember to take that, I will have to set my phone to remind me everyday if I split the dose.

I used to set an alarm for 3pm. So it was 2 hours after lunch and my stomach was empty, and way before I ate dinner.

In winter, I do still split my dose... so I get continuous dosing throughout the day. In summer, my dose goes down.

Funny, innit!

My goodness! i never realised how bad it can affect you! i am only glad that i never got to that stage and i thought the time i am going through is bad! Im so sorry to hear about how terrible its affected you but its definatly good that your getting back on track now.

I was diagnosed when i was 12. My hair was falling out trmendously and it still isnt the same. The amount of times ive cut it short to get it all to try and grow at one length is too many to mention!xxx

Wild Yam is a natural menopause treatment, like Black Cohosh and Red Clover.

Just be careful with any of these as some are now thought to be heptatoxic, and you really don't want to add liver problems to thyroid problems.

That's all I'd need. - It does stop the symptoms of PMS though.

I can't believe I'm sitting here wanting to sleep and its only 5.15pm. I can't believe how much I've gone down hill since coming to Oz. Even my eyesight is failing.......

This old age doesn't come itself, as my Mum always says....

I'm turning into my Mum

By the way, thanks for the helpful posts xx

I do hate it when I spot a typo too late to edit. Hepatatoxic. It's taken me several attempts to type that, too.

Many years ago when I was on the Pill I used to take Evening Primrose Oil for sore boobs. Great for dry skin, too.

Do any of you folks have extreme sensitivity in your hands to cold and heat? I don't have Reynauds, I know I have a low temperature and I've had bad circulation for as long as I can remember but increasingly I'm getting pain when I get something out of the fridge, and can't hold a cup of hot coffee. It's more than "ouch, hot", it's really painful.

I do, but i have Raynauds.

Just an update on things.

Have actually managed to get some results on the feeling poorly status.
Spent last Monday and Tuesday at the hospital who referred me to the T,I,A clinic after having blood tests and ECGs and had the appointment this morning who thinks i have had recurrences of mini strokes and also found that i have a goiter for the thyroid.
So i have got to wait for a scan for the neck (goiter) and another to see if it shows up if i have had mini strokes.
They say the mini strokes are due to my other conditions.
I have been put on a daily dose of aspirin to thin the blood, cant remember offhand what the dosage is but will let you know.
So i have finally found out why my weight has been dropping and feeling so s-h-t.
As soon as the goiter was spotted by the doctor it was suck a relief to have it found as for a long time i have not been able to touch any area round the front of my neck and it could explain why i have problems getting the food down too.
I dont quite know what it means by the goiter (some thing else to find out about) and what they will have to do about it. But it has started to make me worry, as i dont know where i will go from here. Any ideas or help?
Hope every one is OK.
ausi.