Glenda
February 10th, 2011, 08:56 AM
Hi all,
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto hypothyroiditis 10 years ago after several friends convinced me after years to see a doctor. I was 25 at the time but I supposed I had the disease for about 6 years or longer before being diagnosed. see, i had a needle/doctor phobia and avoided the doctor at all costs.
I was always a skinny kid, but between 14 and 17 years I was unusually gawky, and did not go through puberty until very late. I got my period when I was nearly 16! When I was 17 I used to get lots of dizzy spells and almost pass out. In retrospect my doctor tells me that this may have been when the virus entered my system and my thyroid was overcompensating, first causing hyperthyroid symptoms. Anyway, I soon entered college and promptly put on about 40 lbs in less than a year, going from 130 to 170lbs. I slept 9 hours a night, took 3 hour naps during the day, could not concentrate. I remember never really having an appetite but also never being able to tell when I was full after eating. I now have little memory for details from my college years. I went on a diet, exercised as much as I could, lost a little weight, but as the years went by things didn't change much. Finally 2 friends convinced me when I was 25 to overcome my fear and get a blood test and the doctor said I had a pretty serious hypothyroid. In one year on thyroxin, the weight melted away. I am still sad about the years I spent undiagnosed...
Over the years my dose has fluctuated between 100 and 150mcg. Have always taken levothyroxin but am curious to learn if there is a better option.
That's my story!
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto hypothyroiditis 10 years ago after several friends convinced me after years to see a doctor. I was 25 at the time but I supposed I had the disease for about 6 years or longer before being diagnosed. see, i had a needle/doctor phobia and avoided the doctor at all costs.
I was always a skinny kid, but between 14 and 17 years I was unusually gawky, and did not go through puberty until very late. I got my period when I was nearly 16! When I was 17 I used to get lots of dizzy spells and almost pass out. In retrospect my doctor tells me that this may have been when the virus entered my system and my thyroid was overcompensating, first causing hyperthyroid symptoms. Anyway, I soon entered college and promptly put on about 40 lbs in less than a year, going from 130 to 170lbs. I slept 9 hours a night, took 3 hour naps during the day, could not concentrate. I remember never really having an appetite but also never being able to tell when I was full after eating. I now have little memory for details from my college years. I went on a diet, exercised as much as I could, lost a little weight, but as the years went by things didn't change much. Finally 2 friends convinced me when I was 25 to overcome my fear and get a blood test and the doctor said I had a pretty serious hypothyroid. In one year on thyroxin, the weight melted away. I am still sad about the years I spent undiagnosed...
Over the years my dose has fluctuated between 100 and 150mcg. Have always taken levothyroxin but am curious to learn if there is a better option.
That's my story!