Hypothyroidism??

I've been diagnosed with this but am a bit confused about it. I know that with Hypo people tend to gain weight and vice-versa with Hyper....so why do I have Hypo, but yet never weighed more than 135 lbs (I am 5'7") in my life? And what do you think would happen if I doubled my dose of meds the Dr. prescribed? Would I then become Hyperthyroid?

First and foremost, do not double or less your dosage without consulting your Dr because the consequences can be detrimental.

The issue of weight gain or lost due to hypo or hyper are not as simple what you think and I have listed below some of the symptoms of Hypothyroidism.

Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism i.e Graves' disease or toxic nodular goiter and I was prescribed with anti thyroid medications for 3 years.My metabolism was awry and I lost weight and was constantly tired. I have now stopped using the medications after my system have stabilized itself however to protect myself from a relapse, I now take an immune system booster to help my body defend itself - Transfer Factor Advanced Tri Factor which help to regulate my overactive immune system.

As for hypothyroidism, please see the excerpt from:

Excerpt: http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html :

" Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to "run the body's metabolism", it is understandable that people with this condition will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism.

There are two fairly common causes of hypothyroidism. The first is a result of previous (or currently ongoing) inflammation of the thyroid gland which leaves a large percentage of the cells of the thyroid damaged (or dead) and incapable of producing sufficient hormone.

The most common cause of thyroid gland failure is called autoimmune thyroids (also called Hashimoto's thyroids), a form of thyroid inflammation caused by the patient's own immune system.

The second major cause is the broad category of "medical treatments"...warrants surgical removal of a portion or all of the thyroid gland.

There are several other rare causes of hypothyroidism, one of them being a completely "normal" thyroid gland which is not making enough hormone because of a problem in the pituitary gland. If the pituitary does not produce enough Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) then the thyroid simply does not have the "signal" to make hormone, so it doesn't.

Hypothyroidism is completely treatable in many patients simply by taking a small pill once a day! Once again, however, we have made a simplified statement and its not always so easy. There are several types of thyroid hormone preparations and one type of medicine will not be the best therapy for all patients. Many factors will go into the treatment of hypothyroidism and it is different for everybody. "

So I would say continue the dosage of what your Dr have prescribed. As an alternative, you may want to check out the Transfer Factor Advanced Tri Factor immune system booster of which some of my friends who have hypothyroidism are currently taking and their situation have improved tremendously.

I also suggest you click on the link below to learn more about your illness and TF Advanced Tri Factor.

All the best to you.

Thanks, I hope that has helped you and do let me know how you have progress. Report It

Not ALL people gain weight when they have hypothyroidism.

Doubling the dose can be dangerous you can actually cause a "thyroid Storm" which can be deadly. I DO NOT recommend doubling on doses on ANY MEDICATION without consulting your MD FIRST or under the direction of your MD!

No, do not double your dosage.
http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html

Although they usually do tie weight to thyroid activity, this is not always the case, and, it can work in reverse. Hormones are not predictable at all, and even an endocrinologist will tell you that what he does is more art than science.

Really bad things would happen if you double your dose. You'd probably not be able to sleep, would be hyperactive, nervouse, etc. Don't do it. Besides, it takes weeks before the medicine actually accumulates and the doctor can get a good reading from your blood samples.

A person does not necessarily become obese due to hypothyroidism.
Do not ever decrease or increase thyroid meds without the knowledge of the doctor. Too much and you could indeed die from a thyroid storm. No, you would not become hyperthyroid, just near death, in an ICU, hooked up to IVs and a respirator.
Whatever would give you the idea to play around with prescription medications? Never ever, unless you are suicidal! No wonder every box of pills I see carries the warning "take only as directed" and if you are suicidal, go get some help.