Ellen Day member for 1 year 4 weeks

Thyroid disease is very complex. Over the past 25 years, I have struggled with chronic hypothyroid problems. I had surgery on my thyroid gland 17 years ago, so I have to rely on thyroid medication.

First, I was mis-diagnosed, and I finally found a doctor that is willing to work with me. That is one of the key elements in treating thyroid disease or condition... finding a caring doctor that is WILLING TO LISTEN TO YOU AND WORK WITH YOU. It is so disheartening to sit there in the doctors office and have him/her tell you the reason why you are overweight (or put other totally demeaning and heartbreaking labels on you and call you "a very nice, obese lady") is all because "you're eating too many calories" or "you're not exercising enough", "you should join Weight Watchers, Seattle Sutton or Jenny Craig".

Folks, if you are on a certain, widely prescribed thyroid hormone tablet, you will find it VERY HARD TO LOSE WEIGHT... matter of fact, you will be GAINING MORE WEIGHT!

Q. WHAT IS THE THYROID GLAND?

A. It is a small, butterfly shaped gland that is located just below your Adam's Apple. It sits in the front of your windpipe. This little gland plays a very crucial part in regulating your body's metabolism. The thyroid gland secretes the hormone thyroxine, which keeps all body functions occurring at the correct rate. Your skin, bowel activity, muscle, heart rate, reproductive system and other organs are all regulated by thyroxine.

Too much thyroxine will result in a fast heart rate, increased sweating and other physical problems. Too little thyroxine will slow your body cells down, resulting in a wide range of symptoms including: fatigue, lack of concentration, memory problems, depression, muscle aches, high cholesterol, impairment of fertility, heavy menses, and significant weight gain.

Q. WHAT CAUSES AGE-RELATED THYROID PROBLEMS?

A. As we get older, the thyroid gland often functions less well, producing less thyroxine than we need. Thyroid deficiency - commonly referred to as "hypothyroidism" most often affects women over the age of 40. Teenagers, men and women in their 20s and 30s and children may suffer from it, especially if there is a family history of thyroid illness and disease. By age 50, ten percent of women have signs of thyroid failure and would benefit from either thyroid supplements or being placed on the correct thyroid hormone medication. By age 60, the rate rises to 17 per cent in women and six percent in men.

One of the most common causes of thyroid gland failure is an undetected, ongoing inflammation of the thyroid gland, which is called lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, named after the Japanese physician who discovered it. This is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune defenses turn on the thyroid gland, causing a major inflammatory process that eventually destroys it. Autoimmune reactions are often associated with aging, which is a major reason why thyroid function commonly declines as we get older. However, Hashimoto's disease is not just an "older persons illness", it happens to women during during pregnancy and child-bearing age and teenagers.

Q. WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM?

A. Thyroid deficiency can cause anything from hair loss to fibromyalgia, a common painful muscle condition. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

Fatigue
Dry, puffy skin & face
Chilliness
Vanishing eyebrows and eyelashes
Constipation
Forgetfulness
Muscle cramps and aches
Dry, coarse hair that breaks off and falls out
Depression
Sleep disorders
Cold hands and feet, intolerance to cold
Significant and unexplained weight gain
Heavy menstrual periods
Infertility
Loss of libido and interest in sex
Dry, ridged & cracked fingernails

Obviously, most of these symptoms have other causes, such as Adrenal Gland problems. Only a blood test will tell you if you are suffering from hypothyroidism. When you get tested for thyroid function, BE SURE TO ASK FOR A COMPLETE THYROID PANEL, NOT JUST A TSH TEST! Folks, I can't tell you how important it is to ASK or DEMAND A FULL THYROID PANEL, including a PTH profile. A PTH is a Parathyroid Panel Function test.

When your thyroid gland begins to malfunction and fail, your body begins to produce increased amounts of TSH in an effort to stimulate your thyroid into working normally. If your thyroid gland is damaged, it is unable to increase its activity and your blood level of TSH remains high. By testing the level of TSH in your blood, your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism has been dubbed "the under-diagnosed epidemic". It is also very difficult to treat and get under control. That is why it is so important that you find a doctor that is willing to listen and work with you.

Q. HOW IS HYPOTHYROIDISM TREATED?

A. Treatment of an under active thyroid condition is very tricky. Steps need to be taken to avoid placing too much strain on the heart and circulation system. Attempting to correct the slow-down of bodily activity too rapidly can cause irregular heart beats or even chest pain.

If your body is producing too little thyroid hormone, you will be prescribed the missing thyroxine in a tablet form, usually with 25-50 mcg per day, increasing the dosage at 2 to 3 week intervals. This, however, does not apply to patients that have been prescribed levothyroxine, commonly called Synthroid, a T-4 only thyroid hormone replacement.

Q. SHOULD I TAKE NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC HORMONES?

A. Thyroid hormone replacement come in two forms: natural and synthetic. Synthetic versions usually only contain one of the thyroid hormones (T-4 or T-3) whereas natural thyroid hormone replacements contain a full range of thyroid hormones (including T-1, T-2, T-3 and T-4). Because thyroid function changes with age, it is worth monitoring your TSH and PTH levels periodically.

If you are on thyroid medication and are still exhibiting or suffering from low thyroid symptoms, it is crucial that your doctor or health care professional listens to you and adjusts your dose so you are feeling better.

The drug companies play a very big role in managing your thyroid issues. Way back, Knoll, which compounded and manufactured Synthroid, when on a huge, mass media marketing campaign with the medical community about the wonders of Synthroid and how it is the "gold standard". They launched into a media tirade about how Armour Thyroid (one of the oldest thyroid hormone replacement drugs) was "unstable" and "patients were not getting the proper dose". Cytomel, a T-3 only thyroid hormone replacement medication was practically run out of town. The sad part is that many people really benefited from taking Cytomel.

If you are currently taking Synthroid or any of the T-4 only medications and are still suffering from hypothyroid issues, you need to talk to your doctor about switching you to another thyroid hormone replacement medication. If your doctor digs his or her heels in and refuses to work with you by taking another thyroid medication, it's time to sack that doctor and find one that is willing to work with you. Don't sit by and suffer like I did for years, I found someone that that listens, cares and is willing to work with me on my journey to wellness, recovery and overall good health.