<<<Please ignore the grammer errors as I am a hypothyroid male>>>
Hi I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year ago and all I do is take medications (Hormonal)..
(I am a 22 years old male by the way) I use to be a very avtive smart atheletic young guy, but since about three-four years ago things have taken a bad turn. Hypothyroidism has put a U-turn in my life, I am no longer smart but am dum compared to the average people around me, my memory (wait i have no more memory,lol)has decreased significantly and I am sluggish in speech, and life is getting worse it seems as depression seems to be setting in from timt to time.
I wanted to know if there was something else that I could do
Like eat some certain foods that are good for the thyroid gland
or exercise the thyroid through yoga maybe?
Meditate, be one with God,..pray?
Can you please share with me anything other than eating the medications that you do for you HYPOthyroidism???
thanks appreciate any replies.. take it wasy it willbe ok If you're experiencing all of these issues, and attributing them solely to the hypothyroidism, you need to return to your doctor and verify that you are on the correct amount of medication. It can take up to 18 months for the doctor's to figure out how much medicine you need, based on blood tests and how you feel.
Good luck to you. See an Endocrinologist ASAP. Maybe you have to up your medication, I'm borderline just now but get checked out once a year, it seems to me that your medication is not working as it should be , go back to the docs I too was diagnosed at 22. But that was now 10 years ago. I am on my way to graduating college. It is true thyroid medicines Synthroid Levothyroxine, Levoxil, and others do become a daily necessity, but do not discontinue them. My tips are take first thing every morning 30 minutes before eating with one glass of water. Don't change up the time you take it. These meds are a shot of hormones, don't take them long enough it does affect your attitude, how you feel, everything you do your thyroid affects. I call it the thermostat of the human because it does "control" everything. Stick with the recommended by doctor routine. I know it is frustrating, but if you don't take it it can be worse. Hang in there... Snoopy's on the right track. Dosage is critical...the symptoms you describe are all thyroid related type symptoms. My doctor required me to have blood work done every six weeks for the first 2 years!! Also, discuss with your doctor the benefits of using name brand Synthroid over generics. The dosage is so minimal that generics can vary greatly in active amount from pill to pill. It is imperative that you receive the precise correct dosage!!! you shouldn't be experiencing this go back and see your specialist this isn't normal .....if your on the hormone it means your under and may need to increase your dosage of thyroxine ...please go and see your doc it just takes a blood sample to sort it out ..... don't know of any other solution but know lots who have same condition and their fine so go see your doc Like you, I also have hypothyroidism, but you make it sound like a death sentence. Get a grip, buddy, you could be doing a lot worse health wise.
You mention medication, but still feel sluggish. Perhaps you need a higher dose of synthroid. Physical activity such as working out will increase your stamina over time as you become more aerobically fit. Since we have a tendency to put on weight due to a slower metabolism, exercise is a good thing.
As far as diet, eat foods that are rich in B vitamins. They will give you energy. Although soy is very healthy for most people, hypothyroid people need to avoid it. Soy can prevent your body from absorbing synthroid.
When we are diagnosed with a disease, we can either control it, or let it control us. The choice is yours and is as simple as changing your perspective. First of all, stop labeling yourself with negatives (I am a hypothyroid male, I am dumb, etc.)--you anchor that belief in deeper each time.
Secondly, the doctors in this country are WAY behind the current research and treatments for thyroid issues. There are many natural remedies for correcting a sluggish thyroid.
I have worked with many weight loss clients over the years with thyroid isses to point them to things to help them. Iodine and a thyroid glandular formula are a couple of things that help. I would suggest going to the bookstore and reading through/purchasing some of the following books that are either all about or have sections with good info. about the thyroid:
Thyroid Power, Shames & Shames
The Thyroid Solution, Ridha
Alternative Medicine Guide to Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia & Environmental Illness, Goldberg (contains a chapter detailing how 26 doctors have been able to reverse thyroid conditions clinically with proven alternative therapies)
The Diet Cure, Moss (a couple of chapters that deal with the thyroid)
Also examine your diet--alcohol, sugar, hydrogenated fats. Other factors could be use of aspirin, fluoride in your tap water and toothpaste (fluoride is a big factor in knocking out the thyroid), even the mercury fillings in your teeth.
You might also consider going to a naturopathic doctor to help you implement some of these treatments. I have hypothyroidism also. I used to be very active...didn't gain weight very easily (a little fluctuation here and there)...was a happier and yes, smarter, person.
After having my second child, I was exhausted, weight gain, not sleeping, couldn't remember things as easily as before. I attributed it all to having a baby and a toddler.
After I was diagnosed, it did take quite a while to get me to the right dosage in my meds (Levoxyl 125 mcg) and while I do feel a LOT better than I did before I started taking meds, I still am not even close to being the same person I was.
You do have to be monitored and blood -tested on a regular basis....your meds will have to be adjusted as needed. Exercise is also key to feeling better (so I'm told - I'll let you know when I actually get around to doing it on a regular schedule with my girls always running around:) ).
Make sure you find a good doctor that you feel comfortable with and be careful what over-the-counter meds you take. Many cough, headache and sinus medicines will tell you not to take them if you have thyroid disease...it will mess with your thyroid levels.
Good luck and be well. The symptoms you have - also the depression like feelings and not memorizing things so well, are symptoms among many others that are related to being hypo. My sister in law has Hashimoto (hypo with autoimmune disease) and she also says that she is not the same anymore. But you can do a lot of things:
Avoid:
Halogen elements, such as fluorine, chlorine, fluoride (even in toothpaste), and bromine (in bread).
Processed/refined foods, trans fats, and dairy products
Raw cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, and turnips, soy, and soy products (they prevent your thyroid from properly using the iodine in your body, same as fluoride and bromine)
Add:
Selenium
B Complex
Coconut oil, to replace your other cooking oils
Omega3 rich food
Raw fruits and vegetables
Increase fiber intake
Then to the hormone substitution part, some people have had good results in using Armour, a natural thyroid hormone mix. There is a good article about it, stating that it exactly helps with your symptoms like memory etc. (even though this article it is more about women, men use the Armour too):
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/wome...
This internet site is very good for all kind of information concerning hypothyroidism.
Talk to your doctor about this if you think this might be right for you. Anyway get your hormone levels regularly checked, so you always know if the actual med dosis is still right for you. Did he check for antibodies for Hashimoto disease, that is an autoimmune disorder and it affects the thyroid. If you have that you should avoid iodine in your food, since this worsens the condition (though few doctors will tell you that). Hi Mate
Im so sorry to hear your going through all this and your so young.
Hypothroidism puts the breaks on all your bodily functions including your mental activity and often medication does not totally do the job does it.
How do you feel about being a hypothroid person, do you see yourself as a person with an illness or you as an individual??
Often, young people who are diagnosed with chronic illnesses find it quite a shock - why me? im so young and fit!!
I really admire you that you you are looking for ways to feel better so lets see if we can get you sorted out - yeah.
First, im afraid, you must go back to your Doctor and have some blood tests done - make sure you ask for T4, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), a Full Blood Count (FBC) and a Hormone Profile (testosterone/GSH) and blood Glucose.
I know thats a lot to take in so write it down.
We need to make sure everything is going well with your insides before we look at other options - thats to be safe and sure - OK.
If that's all OK try to have a usual healthy diet - nothing special - just a well balanced diet with fruit and veg, meat and dairy and plenty of exercise - yep, I know exercise is so hard when your hypothyroid but find an exercise you enjoy.
If after a few months you still feel very low, we made need to look at the possibility that you are suffering from depression - dont worry, thats easy to control if need be.
Contact me if I can help you further.
Simon Sounds like you either aren't on the right medication or are not on enough. Quite often symptoms remain because the person isn't converting enough T4 to T3. Changing to a T4/T3 medication may help. The number 1 T4/T4 medication is a natural thyroid med that's been around for 100+ years. It is called Armour.
I know you didn't want a medication reply, but Armour really works and is one of the best treatments. It helps with these symptoms; brain fog, depression, hairloss, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches |
