Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
#46
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Ladies, thanks so much for sharing your experiences
Mine was picked up randomly, and only on reflection did I realise that I was unwell.
I noticed breast milk one Saturday. I already had a smear booked in for the monday, so mentioned it to the nurse. Thankfully nurse was on the ball, checked with doc and took a few bloods while I was there.
My TSH was found to be 136....an endicrinologist later told me that all the women he has seen who have been untreated and ended up in a coma have had a TSH of 50 or 60.
With hindsight, I had all of the usual symptoms...including wanting to have a little nap while waiting for the traffic lights to change colour LOL.
Mine was picked up randomly, and only on reflection did I realise that I was unwell.
I noticed breast milk one Saturday. I already had a smear booked in for the monday, so mentioned it to the nurse. Thankfully nurse was on the ball, checked with doc and took a few bloods while I was there.
My TSH was found to be 136....an endicrinologist later told me that all the women he has seen who have been untreated and ended up in a coma have had a TSH of 50 or 60.
With hindsight, I had all of the usual symptoms...including wanting to have a little nap while waiting for the traffic lights to change colour LOL.
#47
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, ozzidoc. I now look at photos of myself when I was feeling at my worst and, whilst I know I had put on a lot of weight, my neck and eyes don't look normal at all.
Funny, my first MiL-from-hell had serious thyroid problems, ended up having it out, and I can now see that I looked very similar She'd be chuckling in her grave...
(Don't panic, her death wasn't thyroid related.)
Funny, my first MiL-from-hell had serious thyroid problems, ended up having it out, and I can now see that I looked very similar She'd be chuckling in her grave...
(Don't panic, her death wasn't thyroid related.)
#48
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Ladies, thanks so much for sharing your experiences
Mine was picked up randomly, and only on reflection did I realise that I was unwell.
I noticed breast milk one Saturday. I already had a smear booked in for the monday, so mentioned it to the nurse. Thankfully nurse was on the ball, checked with doc and took a few bloods while I was there.
My TSH was found to be 136....an endicrinologist later told me that all the women he has seen who have been untreated and ended up in a coma have had a TSH of 50 or 60.
With hindsight, I had all of the usual symptoms...including wanting to have a little nap while waiting for the traffic lights to change colour LOL.
Mine was picked up randomly, and only on reflection did I realise that I was unwell.
I noticed breast milk one Saturday. I already had a smear booked in for the monday, so mentioned it to the nurse. Thankfully nurse was on the ball, checked with doc and took a few bloods while I was there.
My TSH was found to be 136....an endicrinologist later told me that all the women he has seen who have been untreated and ended up in a coma have had a TSH of 50 or 60.
With hindsight, I had all of the usual symptoms...including wanting to have a little nap while waiting for the traffic lights to change colour LOL.
Jesus you were lucky with your TSH not sending you completely crazy. Glad you're all good now
#49
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Thanks for your good wishes...it does turn out that I was very lucky. I really hope my experience - and hearing about others' here - helps me be a better doctor....and helps me help others be better doctors too
#50
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Hi Ozzidoc!
Love the mooncup link in your signature.... been using one for a couple of years... they are fabulous!
Ali x
Love the mooncup link in your signature.... been using one for a couple of years... they are fabulous!
Ali x
#51
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
I think the main thing (some) doctors need to do it listen to their patients a little more, and try to explain their conditions to them better.
I never knew exactly what hypothyroidism was until I researched it myself. I didn't know there were different types, and that there was more than just a TSH test. All I got told before I went to the doctors here was 'the bad news is you'll have to take a pill every day for the rest of your life, and the good news is they are free on the NHS'
A blood test every year (unless I went in because I felt 'wrong') and a repeat prescription that I didn't even have to see the doctor to get was as much as I ever got.
#53
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Yep...
i had an overactive thyroid diagnosed in oct 2000 and by feb 2001 it had spiralled to off scale underactive
I went through hell for a while but i was lucky to be already seeing a thyroid specialist by the time i spiralled down (which happens amazingly fast!)
I was put on to 125mcg thyroxine which has now been reduced to 100mcg about three years ago.
After three days of taking thyroxine i felt normal for the first time in years. Previously i had been taking meds for ITB and seemed to always be at the doctors for some reason or other.
My thyroid specialist was fantastic, he explained how the illness effects your personality and character and knowing this helped me understand much more about myself and behaviour at the time.
i had an overactive thyroid diagnosed in oct 2000 and by feb 2001 it had spiralled to off scale underactive
I went through hell for a while but i was lucky to be already seeing a thyroid specialist by the time i spiralled down (which happens amazingly fast!)
I was put on to 125mcg thyroxine which has now been reduced to 100mcg about three years ago.
After three days of taking thyroxine i felt normal for the first time in years. Previously i had been taking meds for ITB and seemed to always be at the doctors for some reason or other.
My thyroid specialist was fantastic, he explained how the illness effects your personality and character and knowing this helped me understand much more about myself and behaviour at the time.
#54
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
got my years wrong...not that it matters to you lot!
i was diagnosed in ) Oct 99 and treated in Feb 2000
i was diagnosed in ) Oct 99 and treated in Feb 2000
#55
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Hi Everyone
Am I allowed to join in, I'm a bloke?
Well my OH and I are just starting out on this Oz migration thing, looking to a 175 via OH.
One thing that had bothered me was the medical when we get to that stage, as I have an under active thyroid.
So thanks to everyone for the info about that, it's put my mind at rest.
Reading all this stuff here has made me realise how lucky I was with my diagnosis, and recovery post diagnosis.
I am a runner. In autumn 1996 I was training for a marathon, and obviously feeling tired at times. Anyway I picked up an injury, stopped running due to the injury, but continued to feel just as tired.
I knew this wasn't right, so went to the doctor.
He told me it was probably outside stresses in life, (my wife was about to move out, and I had been made redundant a month earlier), but took some blood for some tests.
I kind of agreed with his initial assumption, but, about two weeks later I got a request to go visit him.
Was given the good news about free prescriptions for the rest of my life, given 100mcg initially, up'd to 150 about a month later, and every annual check up since has said I'm fine.
Must admit I don't know about T3's T4's etc, haven't got a clue what I was tested for.
I'll ask next time I see the doc.
A friend of mine, the only other bloke I know with a thyroid problem, was diagnosed about in 2000.
He must have hit some of the lows like some of you have seen.
Finally managing to drag himself out of bed, putting the kettle on for a cup of tea, then struggling to remember what to do next.
Anyway thanks once again for putting my mind at rest, and I'll go check the web site out mentioned earlier in this thread.
Kind regards
Ian
Am I allowed to join in, I'm a bloke?
Well my OH and I are just starting out on this Oz migration thing, looking to a 175 via OH.
One thing that had bothered me was the medical when we get to that stage, as I have an under active thyroid.
So thanks to everyone for the info about that, it's put my mind at rest.
Reading all this stuff here has made me realise how lucky I was with my diagnosis, and recovery post diagnosis.
I am a runner. In autumn 1996 I was training for a marathon, and obviously feeling tired at times. Anyway I picked up an injury, stopped running due to the injury, but continued to feel just as tired.
I knew this wasn't right, so went to the doctor.
He told me it was probably outside stresses in life, (my wife was about to move out, and I had been made redundant a month earlier), but took some blood for some tests.
I kind of agreed with his initial assumption, but, about two weeks later I got a request to go visit him.
Was given the good news about free prescriptions for the rest of my life, given 100mcg initially, up'd to 150 about a month later, and every annual check up since has said I'm fine.
Must admit I don't know about T3's T4's etc, haven't got a clue what I was tested for.
I'll ask next time I see the doc.
A friend of mine, the only other bloke I know with a thyroid problem, was diagnosed about in 2000.
He must have hit some of the lows like some of you have seen.
Finally managing to drag himself out of bed, putting the kettle on for a cup of tea, then struggling to remember what to do next.
Anyway thanks once again for putting my mind at rest, and I'll go check the web site out mentioned earlier in this thread.
Kind regards
Ian
#56
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Hi Everyone
Am I allowed to join in, I'm a bloke?
Well my OH and I are just starting out on this Oz migration thing, looking to a 175 via OH.
One thing that had bothered me was the medical when we get to that stage, as I have an under active thyroid.
So thanks to everyone for the info about that, it's put my mind at rest.
Reading all this stuff here has made me realise how lucky I was with my diagnosis, and recovery post diagnosis.
I am a runner. In autumn 1996 I was training for a marathon, and obviously feeling tired at times. Anyway I picked up an injury, stopped running due to the injury, but continued to feel just as tired.
I knew this wasn't right, so went to the doctor.
He told me it was probably outside stresses in life, (my wife was about to move out, and I had been made redundant a month earlier), but took some blood for some tests.
I kind of agreed with his initial assumption, but, about two weeks later I got a request to go visit him.
Was given the good news about free prescriptions for the rest of my life, given 100mcg initially, up'd to 150 about a month later, and every annual check up since has said I'm fine.
Must admit I don't know about T3's T4's etc, haven't got a clue what I was tested for.
I'll ask next time I see the doc.
A friend of mine, the only other bloke I know with a thyroid problem, was diagnosed about in 2000.
He must have hit some of the lows like some of you have seen.
Finally managing to drag himself out of bed, putting the kettle on for a cup of tea, then struggling to remember what to do next.
Anyway thanks once again for putting my mind at rest, and I'll go check the web site out mentioned earlier in this thread.
Kind regards
Ian
Am I allowed to join in, I'm a bloke?
Well my OH and I are just starting out on this Oz migration thing, looking to a 175 via OH.
One thing that had bothered me was the medical when we get to that stage, as I have an under active thyroid.
So thanks to everyone for the info about that, it's put my mind at rest.
Reading all this stuff here has made me realise how lucky I was with my diagnosis, and recovery post diagnosis.
I am a runner. In autumn 1996 I was training for a marathon, and obviously feeling tired at times. Anyway I picked up an injury, stopped running due to the injury, but continued to feel just as tired.
I knew this wasn't right, so went to the doctor.
He told me it was probably outside stresses in life, (my wife was about to move out, and I had been made redundant a month earlier), but took some blood for some tests.
I kind of agreed with his initial assumption, but, about two weeks later I got a request to go visit him.
Was given the good news about free prescriptions for the rest of my life, given 100mcg initially, up'd to 150 about a month later, and every annual check up since has said I'm fine.
Must admit I don't know about T3's T4's etc, haven't got a clue what I was tested for.
I'll ask next time I see the doc.
A friend of mine, the only other bloke I know with a thyroid problem, was diagnosed about in 2000.
He must have hit some of the lows like some of you have seen.
Finally managing to drag himself out of bed, putting the kettle on for a cup of tea, then struggling to remember what to do next.
Anyway thanks once again for putting my mind at rest, and I'll go check the web site out mentioned earlier in this thread.
Kind regards
Ian
Welcome and I'm glad yours in under controll.
We're applying for a 175 visa too and just wanted to pre warn you we had our medicals last Friday and the Doctor requested further info on my thyroid problem, my husband has diabetes and we got a medical report from our GP for this but didn't think it would be needed for my thyroid stuff.
So I'd advise anyone to get your GP to write a report on your diagnosis and doseage etc before you go for meds.
He did say it shouldn't be a problem but will let you all know if it is.
Hope his helps
#57
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Hi Ian
Welcome and I'm glad yours in under controll.
We're applying for a 175 visa too and just wanted to pre warn you we had our medicals last Friday and the Doctor requested further info on my thyroid problem, my husband has diabetes and we got a medical report from our GP for this but didn't think it would be needed for my thyroid stuff.
So I'd advise anyone to get your GP to write a report on your diagnosis and doseage etc before you go for meds.
He did say it shouldn't be a problem but will let you all know if it is.
Hope his helps
Welcome and I'm glad yours in under controll.
We're applying for a 175 visa too and just wanted to pre warn you we had our medicals last Friday and the Doctor requested further info on my thyroid problem, my husband has diabetes and we got a medical report from our GP for this but didn't think it would be needed for my thyroid stuff.
So I'd advise anyone to get your GP to write a report on your diagnosis and doseage etc before you go for meds.
He did say it shouldn't be a problem but will let you all know if it is.
Hope his helps
It will be all fine
#59
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Hi!
I'm so glad I found this thread. I was diagnosed with hyper then it went into hypo a couple of years ago. I'm currently taking 75mcg of Thyroxine.
I went for my medical for Oz in February and when I was weighed I made a comment about it being a nice side effect of having an underactive thyroid. She then took my pulse (which was slow) and asked a few more questions and told me to get back to my doc quicksmart!! I thought what I was feeling was down to doing so much (organising the visa stuff, 2 jobs, a voluntary job, doing up the house etc.) My symptoms include extreme tiredness (so bad I'm falling asleep at my desk and on the bus on a daily basis), weight gain that I just cannot lose, dry hair & skin, feeling down. In hindsight I can't believe I didn't see that it was still my thyroid making me ill.
I have an appointment to get blood taken (I'm going to ask for T3 & T4 as well as TSH) on Friday then a docs appointment the next Friday. I hope I can get the help I need and not be fobbed off. I'm very interested in Armour (dessicated pig thyroid) but I don't know if my doc will prescribe this?
On a more vain note - when this is sorted out should I be able to lose weight as though my thyroid was working well on it's own?? I've been trying to lose weight since the new year and I've only lost 5lbs and those were in the first 3-4 weeks. I've been stuck at 10st 11lb since the end of Jan - it's very upsetting as I'm used to being around 9st 7ish....none of my clothes fit me and I refuse to buy a bigger size and therefore wear the same crap every week
Anyway - I've gone off on a tangent - I'm glad I found this thread!! Good luck to everyone in getting better and keeping well!!
Yvonnex
I'm so glad I found this thread. I was diagnosed with hyper then it went into hypo a couple of years ago. I'm currently taking 75mcg of Thyroxine.
I went for my medical for Oz in February and when I was weighed I made a comment about it being a nice side effect of having an underactive thyroid. She then took my pulse (which was slow) and asked a few more questions and told me to get back to my doc quicksmart!! I thought what I was feeling was down to doing so much (organising the visa stuff, 2 jobs, a voluntary job, doing up the house etc.) My symptoms include extreme tiredness (so bad I'm falling asleep at my desk and on the bus on a daily basis), weight gain that I just cannot lose, dry hair & skin, feeling down. In hindsight I can't believe I didn't see that it was still my thyroid making me ill.
I have an appointment to get blood taken (I'm going to ask for T3 & T4 as well as TSH) on Friday then a docs appointment the next Friday. I hope I can get the help I need and not be fobbed off. I'm very interested in Armour (dessicated pig thyroid) but I don't know if my doc will prescribe this?
On a more vain note - when this is sorted out should I be able to lose weight as though my thyroid was working well on it's own?? I've been trying to lose weight since the new year and I've only lost 5lbs and those were in the first 3-4 weeks. I've been stuck at 10st 11lb since the end of Jan - it's very upsetting as I'm used to being around 9st 7ish....none of my clothes fit me and I refuse to buy a bigger size and therefore wear the same crap every week
Anyway - I've gone off on a tangent - I'm glad I found this thread!! Good luck to everyone in getting better and keeping well!!
Yvonnex
#60
Re: Medical? - Gastric Band & Underactive thyroid?
Hi!
I'm so glad I found this thread. I was diagnosed with hyper then it went into hypo a couple of years ago. I'm currently taking 75mcg of Thyroxine.
I went for my medical for Oz in February and when I was weighed I made a comment about it being a nice side effect of having an underactive thyroid. She then took my pulse (which was slow) and asked a few more questions and told me to get back to my doc quicksmart!! I thought what I was feeling was down to doing so much (organising the visa stuff, 2 jobs, a voluntary job, doing up the house etc.) My symptoms include extreme tiredness (so bad I'm falling asleep at my desk and on the bus on a daily basis), weight gain that I just cannot lose, dry hair & skin, feeling down. In hindsight I can't believe I didn't see that it was still my thyroid making me ill.
I have an appointment to get blood taken (I'm going to ask for T3 & T4 as well as TSH) on Friday then a docs appointment the next Friday. I hope I can get the help I need and not be fobbed off. I'm very interested in Armour (dessicated pig thyroid) but I don't know if my doc will prescribe this?
On a more vain note - when this is sorted out should I be able to lose weight as though my thyroid was working well on it's own?? I've been trying to lose weight since the new year and I've only lost 5lbs and those were in the first 3-4 weeks. I've been stuck at 10st 11lb since the end of Jan - it's very upsetting as I'm used to being around 9st 7ish....none of my clothes fit me and I refuse to buy a bigger size and therefore wear the same crap every week
Anyway - I've gone off on a tangent - I'm glad I found this thread!! Good luck to everyone in getting better and keeping well!!
Yvonnex
I'm so glad I found this thread. I was diagnosed with hyper then it went into hypo a couple of years ago. I'm currently taking 75mcg of Thyroxine.
I went for my medical for Oz in February and when I was weighed I made a comment about it being a nice side effect of having an underactive thyroid. She then took my pulse (which was slow) and asked a few more questions and told me to get back to my doc quicksmart!! I thought what I was feeling was down to doing so much (organising the visa stuff, 2 jobs, a voluntary job, doing up the house etc.) My symptoms include extreme tiredness (so bad I'm falling asleep at my desk and on the bus on a daily basis), weight gain that I just cannot lose, dry hair & skin, feeling down. In hindsight I can't believe I didn't see that it was still my thyroid making me ill.
I have an appointment to get blood taken (I'm going to ask for T3 & T4 as well as TSH) on Friday then a docs appointment the next Friday. I hope I can get the help I need and not be fobbed off. I'm very interested in Armour (dessicated pig thyroid) but I don't know if my doc will prescribe this?
On a more vain note - when this is sorted out should I be able to lose weight as though my thyroid was working well on it's own?? I've been trying to lose weight since the new year and I've only lost 5lbs and those were in the first 3-4 weeks. I've been stuck at 10st 11lb since the end of Jan - it's very upsetting as I'm used to being around 9st 7ish....none of my clothes fit me and I refuse to buy a bigger size and therefore wear the same crap every week
Anyway - I've gone off on a tangent - I'm glad I found this thread!! Good luck to everyone in getting better and keeping well!!
Yvonnex
I feel for you I'm in the same boat, lately being more tired and spotty weight gain again ! I spoke to my GP about Amour and he said it has long term side effects and wouldn't recomend it. He also did another blood test checking my anti bodies as well and upped the thyroxin from 150 to 175mcg.
Your GP should listen and treat your symptoms only you know how you feel, hope you feel better soon and good luck.
Beccie