From the article: Top 10 Signs That You May Have a Thyroid Problem
Most of the typical lists of signs and symptoms of a thyroid problem focus on weight changes, fatigue, depression, and neck/throat symptoms. But what were the signs and symptoms that you personally experienced...the ones that made you suspect something was wrong? What signs and symptoms did you go through that pointed to your thyroid being involved? Share you story now about your own top signs that you had a thyroid problem. Share Your Experiences
It's Easier to List Ones I DO NOT Have
- I was diagnosed Hashimoto's a year ago. I was not able to get further treatment. I tried to forget about it in hopes it would go away - oh no! I am now learning how much of this misery is attributed to the disease. It helps to know I am not being hypochondriac! I realize that I am playing with fire leaving this untreated. I will find a way to get help. Those who believe, please pray! Thanks! God bless you.
- —2blest2Bstrest
Switching Back to Synthroid
- I posted not long ago that switching to the generic was fine with me. Boy was I wrong. It took two weeks for all my original complaints to come back. My feet started hurting again, and I started gaining weight! I waited 2 weeks and even picked up the new levothyroxine prescription. I called my endocrinologist, and he said your new prescription will say "Brand Necessary." It has only been a week, but I can already feel my feet are better. I have lost a few pounds again. The Synthroid does make me a little sick to my stomach, but that is temporary. I sure hope this medicine works for me. I am not having any rash issues anymore. I am also doing the thyroid diet and eating a low carbydrate diet. I feel better on that one.
- —Guest greeneyes49
I Thought I Was Losing It!
- Since the beginning of 2009, I have been experiencing the following symptoms: periodic muscle aching, lump in throat near my thyroid, a croaky deep voice on occasion, breathlessness, unable to breath lying down, higher than normal temperatures, dry thick tongue, brain fog, transposing words, no memory for decision I made or things I agreed to do 5 minutes earlier. I have always suffered from constipation, depression, and occasional night sweats. My doctor condescendingly wrote an order for a thyroid test after being tested for celiac disease, administering anti-depressants, and I am taking the test tomorrow. After reading the above experiences I am heartened to know that I am not alone, and I am not crazy. Something is up and I plan to find out what.
- —hewmat45
Fed up
- It's making me angry that so many people are suffering. I'm at the waiting stage and feeling angry, depressed, tired, eyesight is shocking, bones hurt, can't sleep, hair is like crispy paper. I have just been told I have nail problems, swollen feet, sweating on and off. My husband is going mad at the heating bill, as I'm freezing. I have a choking feeling today and the swollen neck/tight feeling.
- —Guest Fed up
Not a Sneak Eater!
- Even though it was on my chart that my mother is hypothyroid, my doctor never asked for this test when doing blood work to figure out why I was gaining 5 lbs. a week after having my second child. I went from 110 to 170 in a few months eating dry salads and water. My doctor stared me in the eye and asked "is it chips or cookies?" I had to demand the thyroid bloodwork and I was admonished for trying to "play doctor" by diagnosing myself. My eyes, like my mothers, will swell up when not medicated. My doctor told me it has nothing to do with hypothyroidism. Years later 3 of my sisters have developed the same problem and I suspect my 21 year old daughter will be next. I have nightmarish insomnia, dry skin, constipation and mild headaches. Worst of all, most doctors seem clueless about it. I actually have to tell them things that I think they should know. Good news is I lost my weight but it took triple the effort.
- —Guest Susan M.
Worried About Thryoid Nodule
- I have a thyroid nodule which has caused me anxiety and recently I can't even lie flat down or I feel like I will choke to death and cant breathe. I have to be propped up so I won't choke on my own saliva. I get hot flashes, I feel ill and I have had the whole workup more than once finally they found a nodule.
- —Guest Poetikk
5 years of high / low Thyroid hormones
- I'm 65 years old. For years my blood work showed a slight imbalance in T4 & TSH levels then suddenly within 2 months of having bloodwork done, I was highly hyperactive and diagnosed with Graves' disease. RAI was done. With becoming hypothyroid my worst chronic symptom became severe hot flashes & cold sweats many times a day; I'd always be uncomfortably cold when others were okay winter and summer, then within a flash I'd be flinging my clothes off due to heat stress. Other symptoms: brain fog, anxiety, agitation, indecision, inability to keep focused, dry skin, dry eyes, brittle flaking nails, poor balance, insomnia. These all continued as bad as they were right from the start even after 5 years of being on Synthroid. But 4 months ago I started on natural thyroid and within 2 months of starting it, the worst of these symptoms are gone. I feel my old normal self and also now am having no trouble controlling "comfort eating" - which was not really a problem in my life until post RAI.
- —Guest Elaine Peers
still struggling
- Seven years ago while temporarily hyperthyroid, I had boundless energy, lost 38 pounds quickly & easily but thought it was the Weight Watcher program. Three months later I had muscle cramps in my legs. My doctor tested for thyroid, and sent me to an endocrinologist who diagnosed Hashimoto's. I did well on Synthroid, with my dose adjusted as needed. My mail order pharmacy suggested a generic to save money. Since then I've gained 40 pounds. Two years ago, at 60, I started having heart palpitations, went to a cardiologist, had a stress test, echocardiogram and carotid doplar -- all fine. was good. Last winter I crashed with total exhaustion, weight gain, depression, NO libido, dry skin and feeling cold constantly. Still, no connection due to brain fog! Finally in April the doctor ordered free T3, free T4 & TSH. TSH was 5.10, up from 1.49 6 months earlier. Increasing thyroid to 100 mcg has helped but recently read the "Thyroid Diet" by Mary Shomon, a true blessing.
- —seabupa
A Nightmare
- I had thyroid removed because of Graves', and now I feel horrible. My head feels drugged and dazed, my insides feel sick, pain in feet, hands, arms, neck and shoulders. I have no libido at all, they even put me on testosterone patches for three months and nothing. I'm tired all the time, I gained weight and can't stop, I have depression and don't want to leave my house. I'm short tempered, though I try not to be. I felt better before they ripped my neck open. My doctor won't give me an answer.
- —Guest kim
Symptoms not Typical
- I had the usual weight gain, lethargy, etc. But I really didn't know anything was wrong. Then one night while I was watching a movie, I got up from the sofa and could not function. I had the shakes or very severe trembling. I couldn't speak. Speech was beyond stuttering. I had my husband take me to the E.R. There they told me I was having a panic attack and sent me home with Xanax. I did not take the meds they gave me, thank God. Could have put me in a coma, another doc later told me. I followed up 3 days later with family doc. He felt it was neurological and ran a full battery of tests. I was in so much stress, I kept passing out. Eventually a blood test revealed Hashimoto's and my first dose of Synthroid helped me feel better, but I never felt quite right until I found a doctor who would prescribe Armour. Not an easy task. Armour made all the difference. I feel normal again. I was also told I did not present with the usual symptoms. That I am lucky my doc checked for everything.
- —LisaNRaper
Worst Symptoms
- I was recently told I have Hashimoto's. I was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid three years ago. I was having trouble swallowing and if I laid on my back I could feel the blood in my neck veins get bigger. So much so others could see it! After a fine needle biopsy that came back fine, I was told to just to watch it. I have always and I mean always like since I was a kid been cold all the time. I carried a sweater with me everywhere. Just thought it was me. I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue, depression, high cholesterol, all in my early twenties. I now believe it has been the Hashimoto's all along. Too bad it took so long to finally realize I am not mental. But I am in the normal range for my TSH and T3 and T4 so my doctor will not put me on medication. Antibodies are through the roof though, and still waiting on a new fine needle biopsy. I am going to get my girls checked out if I can find a doctor that will do it.
- —Guest just another one.
Men Get It Too
- An MRI for another problem exposed a nodule in mid December. Every provider said I did not have thyroid cancer. Every step took one to three weeks. Two FNAs were inconclusive. Finally at end of April, surgery removed half my thyroid and I was told it was benign. Three days later the diagnosis was reversed, followed by 2nd surgery and RAI 131. Clean since. That's the good. Unfortunately, there isn't info to tell me what the process may look like. All medical professionals poo-pooed the possibility I had cancer. My gut said - get it out. Lean on your providers, don't let them put you off.
- —Guest co840
My Complaint
- I was given drugs to "change" my symptoms - I had been given Xanax, Clonadine [for high blood pressure which contained a sedative], Trazadone; a generic Paxil, and gemfibrozil because of high triglycerides and cholesterol.This has gone on since I was in my early 30s, with extreme PMS and other physical anomalies - but I was only diagnosed hypothyroid [TSH: 39.66] in 1997. I knew that I felt horrible and had experienced many more symptoms over the years due to being undertreated that made me withdraw from people. Fast Forward: At 50 I had a daily temp of 94.0 to 96. My TSH had jumped up to 119.120, my TPO Ab was 3489, Antithyroglobulin Ab was 2974 I was allowed to take Armour but the PA-C who prescribed it in June of 08, now says that the FDA will not allow me to have more than 180 mgs. and that I am at my limit. So I refilled all of the refills I had coming to me, and am now rationing my meds.
- —Guest MFK
Fibromyalgia, Headaches, Chronic Fatigue
- 10 years ago I had fibromyalgia, headaches (3 years straight), chronic fatigue, cold, hyper-pigmentation, vertigo, hair loss, weight gain, burning feet, brain fog, blurred vision, etc. I was on Synthroid with tests all saying normal. I was bed/chair ridden for 2 years and on many drugs like Neurontin, Vioxx, Celebrex (about 5 or 6 drugs). Switched to Armour Thyroid and all 20+ symptoms were gone!!!! In 10 days!(I also had my adrenals treated). I'm not on any other drugs. I also went on and earned my black belt (4th degree now) and I'm 55 years old! Life is GOOD. DON'T TAKE AWAY MY NATURAL THYROID MEDS!
- —Guest Helen of Tennessee
Re: My worse thyroid-related symptoms
- My thyroid-related symptoms consist of worsening Premenstrual Syndrome; hair changes; i.e., texture, hair loss; nail changes; fatigue; muscle and joint pain; fatigue; irritability; anxiety; puffiness in the face; weight gain, etc.
- —Guest Jessica
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