I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in April of this year (2007) ...

I read your posting of being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I suffer from most of the same symptoms that you've described. Having a low thyroid can make you feel as if you're going totally crazy, through depression, lack of self esteem and many other areas as our thyroid is almost as if it's our thermostat of our bodies. Continue to take the medication, although you may want to try synthroid, not the generic brand. I notice a significant difference when I've taken the brand name and the generic. I also take an anti depressant to help with the feelings that may go along with having hypothroidism. Taking both have helped me gain back my self esteem, along with having the ambition to exercise. Therefor, I've lost the weight I've gained, not all of it, as it is a daily struggle. But keep your head held high and try to have a positive attitude, you can beat this or learn to cope with it in a more positive way....Good Luck..

I had to reply when I read your post today because I went through almost the exact thing you are going through and am now finally well with the proper medication for hypothyroidism. I would be glad to fill in any details that will help you because since suffering so with all that myself, it is my mission in life to help others recover! I would undoubtedly say 100% that your problem is the Synthroid! It made me worse, also, as you mentioned. Please see www.drlowe.com and learn about T3. I can all but guarantee you that, just like me, just being put on T4 makes you worse. You are probably a poor converter, as I am. I switched to Armour Thyroid and Cytomel. I take 60mg of Armour and 30 mcg of Cytomel TWICE daily. Also, I exercise to tolerance, take the basic vitamin supplements (Vita Strip pack) from Shaklee, and Vita B from Fatigued to Fantastic and generic iron. Also, I was very low on progesterone and testosterone and had to add these creams before my joint pain would resolve. I could not recommend enough seeing a doctor who will willing perscribe T3 for hypothyroidism, even if your levels aren't way out of whack, but will treat also by your symptoms. Please see the signs/symptoms lists off Dr. Lowe's website. I would highly recommend Courtney Wilson, FNP, RN in Wilmington, NC (910)344-8900. She saved my life and understands all this after 3 endocrinologists made me worse. She understands that I have to have my T3 level at the top of my range and my T4 at the lower end of my range to feel well. Dr. Lowe has written a book called YOUR GUIDE TO METABOLIC HEALTH which has been my holy grail of health care to figure all this out. He explains that the pain meds often given and the antidepressants will SLOW your metabolism down worse. He also recommends NOT excessive dieting which also slows the metabolism. You will have a near impossible time trying to get very far with this unless you see someone like Courtney who understands. They will say that you will have a heart attack if they put you on T3 or that yours is in range. However, the T3 was what my body was craving my whole life. It is like every cell in my body has been on a dimmer switch turned way down. I had 58 of Dr. Lowe's 68 symptoms and endos said I must have something other than thyroid problems because with a little Synthroid, I was in range. I felt like I was dying! All of those symptoms have almost entirely resolved since adding Cytomel. I have my life back and DO NOT want another man or woman to needlessly suffer. My advice, switch to Armour immediately!! Go to www.armourthyroid.com to find a doctor who will perscribe it near you. Then, if you can, come see Courtney! She is worth every mile! Go to Dr. Lowe's website and learn all you can! Take a ZRT saliva lab test to check adrenals, sex hormones, thyroid, and sugars. Please email me if I can help you! Also, Mary Shomon is a tremendous help! May God bless and heal you! SR

Briefly, I know synthroid does work for some people. I (and it sounds like you) am NOT one of those people. Quickly a total thyroidectomy left me hypothyroid.Gained 30 pounds in three weeks. Horrible muscle fatigue, terribly tired and very, very, very depressed. Endo kept saying my numbers were normal and I kept feeling sicker. Lost my voice (I'm a singer and a public speaking coach.) Finally internet research led me to a traditionally trained but holistic physician who switched me from synthroid to armor thyroid. I lost 20 pounds in 2 months. My muscle fatique is gone, the depression is gone and my singing voice is better than ever.

FIND A DOCTOR WHO WILL LISTEN TO YOU, YOUR SYMPTOMS AND NOT JUST THE DAMN TEST RESULTS!

The entire experience has left me very distrusting of the established medical community. By the way, the total thyroidectomy was unnecessary.

Every time I read a story like this I get sad and irrate. I almost killed myself over this because the endo I had would NOT listen to me.

By the way, one side effect of synthroid, acid reflux, that's why I lost my voice.

Emma Lee

OMG, Get on the name brand Synthroid immediatly! Something very similar happened to me when my insurance company would only pay for the generic stuff. Two months after the Dr. insisted I use the real name brand stuff I was getting back to normal.

I have been on Armour thryroid for most of my life. It needed dosage adjustments, but otherwise doing ok. 5 moths ago my doc decided I needed to switch to generic synthroid. I have been a total mess ever since...weight gain, muscle cramps and severe depression. I found an old script for the armour, got it filled, and I am feeling better already.

I too have hypothyroidism and am on the generic synthroid, levothyroxine. The one thing you don't want to do is quit taking your medication. Your thyroid is like the conductor of an orchestra. If the conductor isn't doing his job right then the musicians don't really know what to do. Well that is the way your thyroid is. If it doesn't work right your body has a hard time knowing what to do. You need to stay on your medication until you can see another Dr. don't just quit. I was told by my oral surgeon before having my wisdom teeth extracted that if I was suppose to be on thyroid medication that I needed to be taking it. He said that if you have to have surgery and you’re not taking it any longer you could die. So of course I started taking it again. I do have a lot of symptoms that you have plus some extras. I have trouble remembering a lot of things. This isn't good for my job. Maybe I am one of those that need to be on Synthroid and not the generic one. If you want to find a naturalist to help you out, do so. But wait to quit taking your meds until they say it is okay and you’re on something else. I have heard about the amour thyroid. I would also like to learn more about that.

Lianne

You can find help at www.stopthethyroidmadness.com