Confused & Desperate

[livinginhope]

Hi everyone. I've just joined this forum and I have to say it is very informative. However, I will give you my story and hopefully someone will be able to give me some advice. I am 42 & married with 3 children. I had a hysterectomy 3 or so years ago for heavy & prolonged periods but still have my ovaries. At the time I thought that this was going to solve all my problems.

I got diagnosed with Hashimoto's in Oct 2010 but of course have had symptoms for probably 7 years but as the TSH kept coming back within normal range I kept getting told that my thyroid was fine and I wasn't actually trying hard enough to lose weight, and as for all the other symptoms well it was just all a bit in my mind!! The only reason it got discovered now is because my Naturopath ordered an antibody blood test because of my never-ending fatigue which showed it up.

So when I showed it to my medical doctor, he put me on Thyroxine 5mg. At the time I naively thought that this was going to fix everything and I would start feeling better and actually be able to lose some weight. However, I've been on it now for 4+ months and nothing has changed. Every day is a struggle.

My symptoms are:
Extreme fatigue and general feeling of unwellness and some nausea. I could sleep half the day and still sleep a full 8 hours at night.
Severe lack of stamina for exercise
Headaches
Unable to shed weight & still gaining despite doing all the right things
Sensitivity to cold
High blood pressure
Excessive sweating even when it's not that hot
Swollen ankles & aching body
Cholesterol climbing up
Loss of libido
Depression

I used to be able to get up at 5am and go walking/jogging but now it's all I can do just to get out of bed at all. The mornings are the worst for me and the evenings are the best, but I can't tolerate late nights now, I pay for it the next day.

Here are my blood results:
TSH 2.47 (Range: 0.35-5.50)
Free T4 10.9 (Range: 9.0-25.0)
Free T3 3.6 (Range 3.5-6.5)

Throid Autoantibodies - 339 (< 60)

These are the Salivary Hormone Tests done through a lab:
Oestrone 3 (Range: 2-9)
Oestradiol 3 (Range: 2-8)
Progesterone 904 (Range: 1000-1500)
Testosterone 172 (Range: 10-90)
Cortisol 16 (Range: 5.3-61.8)

Ultrasound report: Patchy changes in echo texture are seen thoughtout the thyroid gland on both sides. No nodules were seen apart from a 5mm cystic lesion in the right lobe. Normal vascularity and normal looking lymph nodes were seen in the region.

I am suffering from bad depression at the moment and I feel like I've fallen down a slippery slope and into a black hole. I have never suffered from depression like this before. I am seeing a psychologist next week and doctor said I may have to consider anti-depressants which I'm not keen on. My weight issues are a big problem for me, I just can't accept being overweight when I do everything I can not to be, and I just can't stop crying and feel so helpless.

When I look around the forum it seems like there is nothing that really helps all the Hashi symptoms, buy maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I will have to look into natural treatments more.

Is there anyone with Hashi's who has been able to lose weight and how did you do it? I try to stay low carb as I know that I am very carb sensitive and I also try to avoid gluten products most of the time although I am not celiac but last time I had a colonoscopy/gastroscopy the doctor told me I had internal physical signs of gluten intolerance.

I am sorry that this is so long-winded but I am losing the fight to stay positive. Any thoughts or help of what to do next would be appreciated. I am considering asking for a referral to an endocrinologist but I'm worried that my doctor will think that I haven't got faith in him (he is also my boss).

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Lisa. xx

[jm1910]

Hi Lisa

Your story is very similar to mine. Had a hysterectomy 6.5 years ago and 3 kids. I was very ill following my 3rd and dropped to 49kg at the time my doctor put it down to delayed stress from losing a twin and Abbie being ill and in ICU. Only difference is i'm not medicated at the moment i have more tests next week to check TSH and free T3 to see what they are doinG. Although all the results are pointing to Hashi's.

I am like you very depressed at the thought of putting on wieght, i have never been heavy always sitting around the 56kg Mark, until last year where i was up and down like a yoyo. Last Oct i weighed 60kg, over the next 10 weeks i put a kg on a week despite eating helathy and exercising 7 days a week. I have decided after speaking with a dietician, which my doctor put me in contact with to go Gluten free and low carb. However this is not easy. I make myself get out of bed in the morning to go training and my training partner calls me if i don't show up. I am maintaining my weight at the mo and feel great now i am gluten free. Only thing is i have three kids and hubble that insist on biscuits, white bread and HOT CROSS BUNS. I eat most meals alone as they always comment on the Oh Salad again Mum.


Jane

[livinginhope]

Hi Jane, thanks for your comments. It really is very frustrating. I've been taken off thyroid meds to see if they are actually contributing to my symptoms. I also try to go low carb & gluten free, but it is as you say, quite hard. I am also going to start early morning training again and see how I go.

Hope you get some answers soon and good luck with your weight loss.