Goiter symptoms and conditions

Hi, my name is Eva and I am 27 years old.
I am a mother of 2 and had Mirena IUD inserted a few months after my 2nd daughter was born. This was 3 1/2 years ago.
Since then I have developed Eczema on my hands (which is the least of my concerns). More importantly I was diagnosed with Graves' Disease (hyperactive thyroid function) last year.
I had developed a goiter on my neck (enlarged Thyroid) , my hair was very brittle & my eyes were always dry and itchy.
Since then I have undergone Radioactive iodine treatment to destroy my thyroid. Reading all of your posts seriously made me angry and I teared up because I definitely think that there is a link between Mirena and thyroid problems. It makes sense that your body would try and fight off any foreign object in your body and maybe that send the thyroid into a out of whack mode ?
I am currently researching if there are any clinical studies out there on this possible connection. If anyone would like to join me - pls. contact me at ******
I have an appointment to have my Mirena removed in a few days, I sincerely hope that it will make a difference in my health.
Best regards,
E.

edrogers, sorry to hear about all your difficulties. Hair loss is a hallmark of Synthroid and any doc that tells you it isn't, is simply incompetent! I too am 110 and can't gain weight. After years of having tests, incl thyroid (I figured I had Graves), tests always came back normal. A year ago I had a large goiter that turned out to be non-cancerous but I had to have half my thyroid removed. I ended up on 50 mcg and now 75 mcg of Synthroid. Since the dosage increased 2 mos ago, I have had SEVERE leg and foot cramps that wake me up several times during the night. Plus when I wake up, I feel an aching in my legs and wonder if that is not "restless leg syndrome". I am not sure if that syndrome is related to thyroid disease or Synthroid. I have not read about that one anywhere so far. I hate the idea of being on this med from what I have read and am considering Armour.

Two things I have learned though are: 1. If you have thyroid disease, you MUST have your adrenal levels checked. Even the drug info states this must be done before any thyroid treatment and 2. if your doc doesn't listen to you, find a new one. The best article I have read for thyroid disease is Gail's Thyroid Tips. it is a real eye opener.

Wow! Let me tell you my story: I was first diagnosed with HBP (170/140) during a high school sports physical in the beginning of 8th grade (I was about 14 years old). I was in top shape and a very healthy eater. I had probably (from what I remember) every test done to see what was the cause of this hypertension - and the only thing found was that my kidney's produce too much rennin (the hormone that increases BP). I was then put on Lisinopril 10mg. Everything continued well for about 6 years - I also stayed in shape and ate healthy. However, throughout those 6 years, I did notice my curly hair turning straight and my incredibly (can't do nothing with) thick hair started to thin and become style able. Now...I do know this is my fault, but in the past 2 years my healthy eating habits have slipped, I've gained weight and started smoking - plus have a sit down, don't move kind of job. However, about 1 year ago, I had a slight spike in my pressure and my doctor added a diuretic (HCTZ 12.5mg) to my lisinopril. Ok, that brought the pressure down and all seemed well. Then..... In December 2008, not long ago, I started not feeling well. Thinking I was sick, I went to the doctor's to find my blood pressure to be 190/140. Immediately, my does was increased to 30-12.5mg. That brought a quick drop in my BP down to 110/66 - I was so darn dizzy I could barely function. I was also but on short-term disability because all this caused me to be off work for so long. Unfortunately, when my dose was adjusted to 20-12.5mg and the dizziness stopped I went back to work. Now, I can't go back on S.T.D. for many, many weeks. And....... The past month has been complete HELL!! My hands (mainly fingers) and toes are almost always cold, I've been dieting for over a month and am struggling to lose weight, my hands and feet go numb more often than usual - I never used to find myself waking up in the middle of the night because of pins/needles feeling, my hair is thinner than ever and stick straight - I'm afraid I'm not going to have any left, I have UNBEARABLE headaches (sometimes all I want to do is sleep and sometimes, like tonight -it's 4:12am- I can't sleep), I have acne like a teenager - mind you, I never had more than 1 to 2 pimples at a time growing up, and that was rare (I was lucky)... Thank god for FMLA or I would have lost my job since I've spent so much time home since I thought all was good and went back to work. Only wish I could make a dollar again. Now to top it off...I was referred to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) who after seeing me only once for about 30min and reviewing blood work from the end of January (I had a high calcium level as well as some others that deal with the kidneys) wants to take away the diuretic (HCTZ) part of my medication (hopefully to reduce the calcium level) BUT DOUBLE MY MG OF LISINOPRIL. HE WANTS ME TO TAKE 20MG TWO TIMES A DAY. I was starting to think all these new symptoms that came on so quick were a result from the increase of lisinopril - now I think I'm sure. I'm not changing my medications until I can talk this over with my PCP - I'm going to ask we try a medication change. Does anyone have any suggestions? Or any suggestions why a 20-year-old has blood pressure as high as 190/140 with no family history of HBP or really any health problems? Any suggestions why the kidneys are producing too much rennin? Any meds that drop the pressure and we don't get headaches - I can live with cold limbs and numbness - it's the headaches that are rendering this 24-year-old helpless :(

I was prescribed this drug in hopes of keeping thyroid nodules and goiter from growing larger. My TSH levels have always been in the normal range throughout my life, so the theory that "normal TSH' means a working, normal thyroid is absolutely untrue. I am a prime example of a person who's numbers have always remained normal and yet their thyroid does not work properly. I have decided to discontinue this drug after 3 months of use. The weight is packing on faster than I can diet and exercise it off. My face is puffy, my stomach bloated and looking pregnant, and now retaining water. Anyone who does not believe that Synthroid causes weight gain, I welcome you to try this drug. It does the exact thing it claims it is combating. I am not hypo with levels of 1.07 and yet something odd is occurring within my body with this synthroid. I'm praying that if I stop the drug I might return to some form of normalcy soon.

I have been on Levoxyl for years. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's when I was 13 years old. I'm 35 now. I have been on every medication made and this is the only one that didn't make me want to sleep all the time. I have suffered from Depression my whole life, but that started before the thyroid too. My mom was one of the first people to be treated with Iodine when she was a kid and it worked for years then her thyroid acted up again in her 50's. When she was younger it was Hyper and now it went Hypo. She takes Levoxyl now too and it's been great. I think part of my problem has always been a lack of exercise. A lot of the symptoms everyone has mentioned went away for me when I started hiking and walking regularly. After being inactive for so long due to the depression and exhaustion because of the poor diagnosis of my thyroid medications for so long, my blood pressure was too low, my circulation was poor and my depression got worse . Now with a combination of meds for my depression and my Levoxyl, I don't feel like there is a giant weight on me when I wake up in the morning. So many of the meds described have similar side affects I've stopped judging by side affects and rather my energy level, my weight, goiter size and sleep pattern.
Just my experience. Good luck to everyone

I didn't have a good experience with it. I was taking it to get my period started because it suddenly stopped. And then I got a really strange discoloration on my thigh that came after my calf hurt. I have had an ultra sound done to test for blood clots and have found none. I have been to up to 4 different doctors. ALL have said they 'don't know what it is'. Besides that, some have said it's hormones. Others have said its a skin problem. One said it's circulation problems. My OBGYN didn't really say anything. When I stopped the medicine, I was able to have my own periods, but then at that same time I developed multi-nodular goiter. And then my periods stopped again. My OBGYN told me to start on the pills again but I am scared because I don't know what's going to happen and my OBGYN just told me to start it again like everything was okay. I'm thinking of going to a different OBGYN. I just wanted to share my experience..

Just switched to synthroid 88 mcg after 8 yrs on Armour. My doctors found an ugly mass on my right thyroid and rushed me to surgery, certain it was Cancer: it was just an ugly goiter..now I have to take thyroid meds the rest of my life. :(

It took a year to get me regulated on Armour and I gained 30 #. 20:20 hindsite. I thought it was good and natural too... for 8 years

BUT here is an FYI: NOBODY TESTS THE PIGS. THERE IS NO QUALITY CONTROL TO SEE HOW MUCH THYROID WE ARE 'REALLY' GETTING.ANIMALS CAN BE HYPO AND HYPERTHYROID TOO.

Sooo... 7 weeks into a 90 day supply of my Armour and my pharmacy recalls it. I mention it to my doc who promply makes the connection and draws my labs, VOILA I am suddenly hyperthyroid AND now I can understand some of my crappy symptoms of late..

Lesson learned. Hoping to be feeling better soon. Hope you all find what works for you but these are all drugs and be aware.

I have been on Levoxyl for about 9 years and have felt awful. I have had weight loss, dry hair, thinning hair,dry skin, muscle aches, migraines and the list goes on. I just got out of the hospital Monday after 4 days of testing of my heart and lungs. I was admitted for racing heart. The doctor's conclusion was anxiety! They said that Levoxyl has nothing to do with my rapid heart rate. The endocrinologist prescribed taking levoxyl .050 on day and .075 the next also a beta blocker, Xanax and Zoloft. I can not take any of these meds b/c they make it almost worse. I KNOW it is not Anxiety and it from the Levoxyl but what do I do?? I am a mess right now can not be in this condition with four young kids and a husband. None of the doctors would say it was the Levoxyl and instead prescribed more and told me to check up with blood work in 6 weeks. I took the .050 yesterday around noon and by 7:30pm my heart rate picked up again and continued until 4:30 this morning. I can not sleep more then 2 hours at a time and wakeup feeling like I am crawling out of my skin. PLEASE let me know of any solutions.

Re: Dosage Confusion- Synthroid

This simple of communicating dosage became confusioning. To prevent confusion synthroid is always discussed in terms of (mcg). That is, micrograms (mcg) vs. milligram (mg).

This is of tremendous value The conversion factor is 1000, for example a dose of Synthroid represented as 0.025mg, would be converted as
.025mg x 1000=25mcg. To fully understand this blogger’s statement feel comfortable to talk with your pharmacist or physician.

This was my first time taking birth control pills. In the beginning everything was fine. I have been on the pill for about 5mths now. Just recently I started bleeding for no reason at all. (not to mention it is 8 days before my wedding) I am nowhere near the time I am supposed to start. Plus I am gaining weight, I am bloated, and I am eating like a pig. I’ve had to have alterations 2x in the last 4 months. I have been emotional, sensitive, depressed, and impatient and everyone was saying it’s because of the wedding but I knew something was wrong when I started having trouble breathing. I didn’t know any better because this was my first time on birth control pills. I went to my long term doctor today and she suggested that I keep taking the pill even though I now have what appears to be a goiter. Hypothyroidism (An enlarged thyroid (goiter) I have an ultrasound scheduled but I’ve learned today that Estrogen increases the body's production of a blood protein that binds thyroid hormone to it, making it inactive. This may have lead to weight gain and my irregular cycle. I am stressed and I do not know what to do. The only good thing is that I do not bleed heavy but there is slot of cramping now and stomach pains like you wouldn’t believe. I now have high blood pressure, shortness of breath from my thyroid, back and stomach pains from the cramps, bloating, and I’ve been bleeding for 5days. It starts then stops, then starts, and then stops. Sadly my doctor will not give me any medicine and I don’t know when it’s going to end. Those little devil pills have really put me in a terrible situation for my wedding and honeymoon. I’m now seeking a new physician and I don’t know if I will ever take birth control pills again. For all of this, I could have just continue to purchase a few extra pads a month.:(

I have been on synthroid for about 6 months now. Some of the side effects I have been experiencing are numerous.I have hair loss, sometimes I get so ill that no one can stand to be around me, my weight has gone up about 30 pounds, my cholesterol levels went sky high so now I'm taking Crestor, I'm bloated most times, I have episodes where my face flushes and gets so red that it feels like its on fire, and now I've just started experiencing burning and aching of the legs, I'm tired a lot too! My doctor said I would lose the weight but every time I go for check ups and get on the scale it just keeps going up. I would like to know if anyone else out there is experiencing the burning and achy legs because I have been tested for everything and they can't find out what is going on. They of course say it's not the medication.It seems to never be. Does anyone feel me??

I have read a lot of these blogs and I am seeing that many other people have the same side effects. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was in 6th or 7th grade I think and I am now a high school senior so about 5 years taking Synthroid. the doctors said that my antibodies had completely destroyed my thyroid gland so I wasn't getting any of the hormones I needed which became very noticeable when I started gaining weight and loosing energy in 5th grade. I haven't really seen any weight gain in a while but I still look like I am overweight. I am 5'6 and 130 lbs so I am about average. Side effects that are also occurring are rapid mood changes, one minute I am happy and something sad happens or I think about something and ill be tearing up. I feel depressed a lot. I am currently on 150 mcg. also during 9th and 10th grade I was put on this drug to stop my puberty so that I could grow more while on the Synthroid I guess it helped a little with height but I still look like a freshman. I don't know if I should stop taking it or keep taking it because I stopped for about a month once and started getting really sick, I would get really bad nose bleeds at random, had constant migraines and felt sick to my stomach. I started taking the Synthroid again and felt fine. I really don't know what to do.

I have been taking Synthroid for about 10 years. I have had different issues; but it was not because of the hormone itself. There were times, when I was just in denial and would stop taking it all together and I felt great, too! But, then, eventually I would feel bad again. Here are some things that I have learned throughout the years:

Your levels need to be checked on a regular basis because your levels are constantly changing.

Sometimes the dosage of Synthroid is correct for you, but the dye (whatever color that dosage pill comes in) could be causing certain symptoms. Example: headaches, stomach aches.

You must take your pill at the same exact time everyday! I usually take mine 45 minutes before I get up for the day. Put a bottle of water and your pills by your bed and roll over and take one each morning 30-45 minutes before you actually get up and start your day.

Never use generic!!!!! The chemicals are the same, but the recipe is not.

As always, eat right and exercise.

It is important to know that some people will never stop losing their hair; Some people's goiter will never go down; and some days you will be more tired than others. That is the nature of the disease.

Last but not least, change doctors if you feel that your current doctor is not trust worthy. I have had 3 different endocinologists and they each had different philosophies. Using your OBGYN or Main Doctor is okay for your initial test, but only a specialist can help you maintain this disease. The specialist also test on more levels, unlike your OBGYN.

Hope this helps!!!!

I was born without a thyroid gland so I can't compare the way I feel now to the way I would've felt with a thyroid. I've been on Synthroid my entire life (22 years), and I'm up to 112 mcg now. I am very skinny (5'5", 104 lbs) and feel constantly fatigued no matter how many hours I sleep, what I eat, and how much exercise I get. I periodically get pain in my hip joints, heart palpitations, and intense mood swings. My thoughts race but I have very little physical energy. I feel restless and gloomy almost all the time for absolutely no good reason. My doctor tells me I'm depressed but I honestly have no reason to be depressed and I wish she would see it as a symptom instead of a diagnosis. I graduated from a good college, I've got a job I like, I have friends, I enjoy life and my hobbies, yet I feel overwhelmingly sad. This does not seem like depression to me.

I find that after I do aerobics I get a tightness in my chest, which makes me worry about my heart, but again my doctor doesn't seem to think this is cause for concern. I have been irritable/fatigued for YEARS and I suspect I'll feel this way for the rest of my life. The worst of it started when I hit 16 years old and started the 112 mcg. My tests are always normal and it frustrates me that my doctor disregards my symptoms. I've tried other doctors, but they always send me away with my 'normal' test results. Can anybody help?

I HAVE BEEN ON SYNTHROID FOR A FEW YEARS NOW. MY HAIR CONTINUES TO FALL OUT AND ALWAYS CLOGGING THE DRAIN UP. MY HANDS STAY NUMB AND I AM GETTING FATTER THAN I WOULD EVER EXPECTED TO BE. I HAVE GAINED OVER 100+POUNDS. I WANT TO GET THE GOITER REMOVED BUT THE DOCTOR SAYS NOT NOW. MY DOCTOR SAYS I AM GOING TO BE ON THIS MEDICATION FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. WHY?

SICK OF THE MEDICATION, ANGIE FORM GEORGIA

After surgery for a goiter with numerous nodules, I was started on 100 levothyroxine and felt fine. Due to too high TSH level (10+), dosage was increased to 150 and I went to the other end of the scale (.45). and the dosage was lowered to 137. Now my GP has reduced to 125 due to fatigue and depression. Have been at that level for 2 weeks and still have some depression and insomnia. Should I seek advice from my endo?? or keep waiting to see if these symptoms subside. It obviously is not easy to wait but don't want to compound the issue.

I love this site. I have been on Levoxyl for five years and it seems to be like a two edged sword. I had enlarged thyroid that now is practically gone, so are my heart flutterings which is a good thing....however, they have been replaced by joint pain, depression, huge appitite, and anxiety. I tried to switch to Synthriod but for me it had a Jeckle and Hyde effect and I was filled with a rage that would sweep over me. In fighting the rage I started having stomache cramps that seemed to be ulcer-like and I could find no food that didn't have me on the couch praying to God to just go ahead and take me..Switched back to Levoxyl simply because I had to have some quality of life and needed medical help...I have tried the health food route and my goiter returned. I appreciate everyone's stories because for the first time in years I see I am not alone,but I agree with those who say to keep trying and take responcibility for your own care, some doctors really do care and have every intent on our wellfare, however it has been my experience that most GP's lack the information on the diease to understand that this type of medication can do harm so they "ho, hum," us while they just keep writing out our prescriptions.

I have been between 110 - 115 lbs most of my adult life. I tried everything to gain weight, but it didn't work. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease when I was pregnant with my son. I took PTU for the duration of the pregnancy. I was symptom free for about 4 years. About two years ago, I started to experience symptoms related to Graves Disease. I saw an Endo doctor who told me that I have a non-cancerous goiter that needed to be removed. I have thyroid surgery 8 months ago. I started taking Synthroid shortly thereafter. I have been trying to explain my symptoms of Hair Lost, Dry skin and nails, Insomnia, weight lost, lost of appetite, and leg cramps to someone for 6 months. Nobody listens. They just discount my symptoms. Today I decided to do some research to find out if I was alone. I AM NOT ALONE. I've been taking Synthroid for 8 months. My hair is so thin that you can see my scalp. Combing my hair makes me upset because I have chunks of hair in the comb. I too called my doctor and he replied,"I can't believe that your symptoms are related to your synthroid use." Reading these articles helped to prepare me for his responses. I insisted that I didn't want to take Synthroid anymore. He ordered blood work and advised that I have to continue taking this medication. I don't want to feel this way for the rest of my life. I have a 6 years old son who is full of life. I don't have the energy to keep up sometimes. I felt better before my Thyroid Surgery. (34 years old Woman, post Thyroid Surgery for an Enlarged Goiter and Hyperthyroidism). Where is the support????

51 year old female. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

I just started Levothyroxine 75 micrograms last thursday. Immediately my constipation issues improved, my libido increased and I was more alert after taking it on an empty stomach in the morning. I have not experienced any joint pain or depression yet. Previous to diagnosis I had difficulty losing weight, dry skin, cold-natured, lethargy, experienced three major depressive episodes, two which were almost suicidal. My thyroid hormone levels were within normal range even though I presented with these symptoms of low thyroid function. My pregnancies were difficult (3 births but pregnant six times), with the third and last pregnancy resulting in three false labor trips to the hospital and a post partum depression that would not go away for 13 years. Accupuncture took care of the depression since i tired of the many years of antidepressant side-effects.

I finally went to an endocronologist because of the growing goiter on my neck and all the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

I'll post any negative side effects as time goes on. For now, I am happy with Levothyroxine since I have begun to lose weight slowly and do not have the terrible constipation. Previous to starting this drug, no amount of Weight Watcher meetings or exercise regimens would allow consistant weight loss. Only in the years before my enlarged thyroid could I achieve my weight goal. In 2000 I lost a lot of weight by running 5 miles a day and attending Weight Watcher meetings, extreme measures by any standard. Even then, my weight loss was much slower than the other attending members.

I have been taking Welchol for about two years, I have not
attributed some of these side effects to Welchol untill I now
but I have irregular heart beats, severe gas, pain in my left
hip, trouble sleeping and recently hyperthyodism with a
goiter. I believe I will stop taking Welchol, my cholesterol is
not that bad it was only about 230 when my doctor put me
on Welchol because of a stroke in my optial nerve in my eye.

I just starting taking synthroid today .125mcg. I have an elarged goiter. We are hoping this will shrink it. Any thoughts.

Well. it is now one week after third shot. I do believe the hot flashes are letting up some. I have horrible stomach and pelvic pains. along with lower back pain. I am losing strenght all over. I have way too much energy and although my memory is going, my reasoning has become better. The awkward thing is it is apparent that my already existing goiter is now for the first time in 12 years increasing in size. What gives... does this shot interfere with thyroid and hypothyroidism? If anyone knows let me know