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Adrenal fatigue isn’t a medically recognized condition. Have you had your cortisol tested?
Sorry to hear about the exercise issue. If your cortisol levels are normal, It could be that sleeping right afterwards is what your body needs.
Two products I've used before are Seriphos and Isocort. In retrospect I wouldn't recommend playing with this stuff but if you must be curious then be careful. DHEA can also be of help but keep the dose low...like 10mg/day.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/bookseries/00796123/182
There's some real cutting edge shit in there about DHEA/Test/Estogens.....maybe you can dig it up.....somewhere *use*ful
I was already taking 5000 IU because vegans can be low in D3. When the functional Dr mentioned it, I told her I was already supplementing. She said to temporarily increase to 10000 IU. I did this for a little over 2 weeks and started seeing results. I am now back to 5000 IU as it is also not good to have too high levels.
If possible its probably best to get lab work done to see if you are actually on the low end. May not be a good idea to take something you don't need. Note that 10000 IU is a high dose and you should probably start lower.
This is the one I take:
It's also a good idea to take D3 with fat as it is fat soluble. I usually add avocado or olive oil to my food when I take this.
I did this one from amazon: Hormone Test
It was worth the $ to me and I got my results back in 3 business days. If you’re female though, make sure you do the test on day 19-21 of your cycle and don’t take your hypo meds within 12 hours of the first am test.
What dosage? Considering they are drops I assume very low. I take 5000 UI daily, all year long. It is not possible to overdose it if you are not trying...
> Taking 60,000 international units (IU) a day of vitamin D for several months has been shown to cause toxicity.
Please do not take advice from Reddit posts when it comes to supplementation or medicine if there is no source provided.
I recommended that method multiple times here, it takes time and dedication but brings results more often than not. Buy cold pressed castor oil (ricin oil). My method was: 1 time a week, preferably Sunday, in the morning i rub the oil onto my scalp, cover with plastic cap and towel for 30-60 minutes. after that take off the plastic cap and put the towel on it again, and keep for as long as you can "reasonably", I would keep it for up to 8 hours. Wash your hair, use good conditioner after oil.
Wasted sunday for sure but hey! I mean hair glows back and it gets pretty strong and nice. After some time you will see some baby hair around your forehead. If you are blond, it will darken your hair by roots. Side effect but I figured it is better to have hair than not. I was supplementing with this click as well at the time, but stopped after some time as it had gluten. But I am sure it contributed, just leaving it here for the ingredients to look for.
Your supplement looks ok with the biotin level.
Looking at your thyroid numbers, they make me continue to think that this is not actually a thyroid issue.
Your FT3 looks normal, so does your FT4. Not just lab normal, but normal for thyroid disease free individuals. In fact, both your FT3 and FT4 are at least one quartile higher than the median in this study. So that indicates to me that your thyroid hormone levels aren't that far off. The RT3 being in the higher range makes me think that as well.
RT3 is converted by the body from excess FT4. If there's a T3 conversion problem, you will often see a normal to high FT4 and RT3 but a low FT3. All three of them are relatively high in the normal range. That indicates to me that you have enough FT3 and FT4, and you have excess FT4 that's being converted into RT3. There's no indication here of a T4 to T3 conversion problem, so Synthroid, Cytomel, and NDT should work similarly.
The TSH is slightly elevated, but I think that's a symptom of the real disorder. You mentioned hypoglycemia, and that made me think of an insulin issue. The ketogenic diet would likely help with associated diabetes symptoms if this is type 2 diabetes. If it is late onset type 1 diabetes, it could be making the situation worse, leading to diabetic ketoacidosis. You sometimes see an increase in RT3 but "normal" serum T4 and TSH concentrations in individuals with pre-diabetes. I think checking for diabetes would be a good idea.
What does the rest of your diet look like?
Start eating more low mercury fish like salmon/sardines. It's high in selenium among other things which is beneficial for a hypothyroid state.
Reduce salt intake as well (naturally occuring sodium in food is fine though) as an excess of iodine can also exacerbate hypothyroidism, especially in the presence of a selenium deficiency.
Prof. Dr. Hotze speculated in 2006 that it was because if you were to take the new numbers seriously, it would cost a fortune for the american medical system. So it stands to reason that insurance lobbyists got to the organisations who recommend these ranges.
If you can read german, sauce: https://web.archive.org/web/20080301111110/http://www.schilddruesenpraxis.de/nl_200610.shtml
It's more common than it seems.
Everyone has a different thing they do to help them remember. What works for me is a combination of leaving a glass of water in my bed every night plus using a phone app that I created.
What are your actual lab numbers(with reference ranges)? There is a huge difference between "normal" and optimal. I hope they're testing your free T3.
If you have low DHEA you almost certainly have adrenal fatigue. You need to take a 24 hour saliva cortisol test asap. Unfortunately, unless you're seeing a functional doctor (which it doesn't sound like you are), they probably don't do them. You can order them online from ZRT labs, and Amazon sells the kits as well. This is really, really important, as the adrenals and thyroid function together.
When my free T3 is low I am practically gasping for air)it's called air hunger, and is common). I would startle myself awake thinking I was dying all the time. This was when my free T3 was inside of the normal range, but at the bottom. You need it to be in the top 1/4 to feel well.
I struggled for a long time with getting a diagnosis, and I now have permanent heart and nerve damage due to it. You HAVE to get on top of this, OP. Please trust me when I say you do NOT want to let this progress to the point of permanent damage.
Pill organizers are cheap. Get one! I also have a fuck ton of vitamins and some hypertension meds to take as well so I need all the slots. Each daily container is separate so if I will need to be out of the house for the day or something I can just take one 3-slot container with me and not the whole damn box.
I put levo in the first daily slot, morning hypertension meds in the second daily slot, then evening hypertension meds + vitamins in the 3rd daily slot.
I have 3 alarms set on my phone for 6am, 7am, and 6pm. And then I have 3 alarms set on my smartwatch for 7am, 8am, and 7pm (an hour after each original alarm, in case I forget.)
It's a lot but I'm a scatterbrain and WILL forget otherwise.
The first thing I do at 6am is take my levo with some water, then go about my morning routine. Get my husband/kid up and ready for their days, take care of my pets, wash my face etc. By the time everyone is taken care of and on their way, it's been about an hour and I take my hypertension meds (which need to be taken with food) and have some breakfast. I'm then good to go until evening time.
I've struggled with depression and ADHD and executive dysfunction my entire life. I know it's hard but you could be feeling SO much better.
Hi, I take this kind, two to four pills a day, depending on how bad I'm feeling: https://www.amazon.com/Myo-Inositol-D-Chiro-Inositol-Blend-Beneficial/dp/B07HX2DMY8?pd_rd_w=MkVQS&content-id=amzn1.sym.deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_p=deffa092-2e99-4e9f-b814-0d71c40b24af&pf_rd_r=65EA17JNT56R1W5N67X0&pd_rd_wg=2neCx&pd_rd_r=cddbbf30-0002-47b2-8b9f-f06a0b7623be&pd_rd_i=B07HX2DMY8&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_13_t I hope it helps you! Although I make no promises, a friend of mine tried this kind and it didn't work for her, but another kind did. Keep your head up, and I'm sure you're beautiful, even if you don't feel you are because of your conditions. I would go to skincareaddiction or a similar subreddit to ask the girlies there for help with your melasma. Good luck my friend, I hope you find things that are helpful to you!
I found this good book with paleo friendly bread-like recipes made from non grain flour. "Against the Grain" by Danielle Walker. She has a few books out. Here's a link to one of the books.
I know one from Germany, I have the same problem. Apparently most iron supplements kind of "explode" at the very end of the intestine, causing constipation.
This stuff here is available in the EU. It causes no such problem. You may be able to order it from Amazon.de if you register there.
There's this stuff in the US which claims it is non-constipating:
"Non-constipating" NOW Iron
​
Also, taking iron only every second day helps. If everything else fails, get an infusion.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucky-Iron-Menstruating-Alternative-Supplement/dp/B083V7RCLC
It's very cool, of course water will taste a bit metallic. But it doesn't wear off, is simple to use, very cost effective, easy to absorb, won't cause in my experience the type of stomach and gut issues iron tablets can cause. It's like a cast iron skillet, but those are so hard to clean for most people.
I'm not sure about the iron but my wife's rheumatologist suggested she take these as they have a high absortion rate. Her levels have been fine since she started taking them.
I tried digestive enzymes a few months back. They seemed to help break down food and reduce acid after 1-2 days. I fell off taking them (don’t know why), but might be an option to look into. These are the ones I tried.
Zenwise Digestive Enzymes
I have the same problem. My dry ass skin just sucks up lotion like there's no tomorrow.
The few things that helped me were to take cooler showers, exfoliate daily, and just accept the fact that I have to lotion often.
CeraVe's psoriasis lotion was a godsend for me. Aveeno eczema lotion also worked really well and is a bit cheaper.
You may want to read up on Adrenal Fatigue. There was a new, young, enthusiastic pharmacist when I picked up my Levothyroxine one day, and when I told him I was still having symptoms, he recommended this book. Maybe some of the reviews will also align with your experience. I bought the book, but have I read it yet? Nope. On my to do list. Ugh.
I take my pill in the middle of the night 3:00 am usually when I get up for a pee and go back to bed. When I finally eat at 7:30 am there are no interactions I have to worry about. It works beautifully. I have one of those pill dispensers with the day of the week on it so I know I've taken my pill and it's easy to get out to take and my husband installed a lit light switch in the bathroom that gives just enough light to see the pill container and my water bottle. AUVON Weekly Pill Organizer Arthritis Friendly, BPA Free Travel 7 Day Pill Box Case with Spring Open Design and Large Compartment to Hold Vitamins, Cod Liver Oil, Supplements and Medication https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07794YMY7/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_4QYDVE5907NWXAM1X1V1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
This is light switch the toggle lights up.
Leviton 1203-LHC 15 Amp, 120 Volt, Toggle Lighted Handle, Illuminated Off 3-Way AC Quiet Switch, Extra Heavy Duty Grade, Self Grounding, Back and Side Wired, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003AU7MI0/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_MQG8JC79QGTT7985HBPD
The thing is if you test for everything you will get abnormal results, but that’s not to suggest that the abnormality explains the situation. Maybe you have a condition that we simply don’t have a test for. But quite often these generic symptoms in the absence of a organic disease diagnosis can be due to a functional condition, this may be driven by deep rooted trauma. There is a book about functional conditions, don’t let the title put you off but it’s written by a neurologist and explains about functional conditions really well.
I was having sleep issues too. Try taking Valarian root. I take 1,000 mg. I could probably take a little less, but I'm not taking chances on not getting sleep. The link is below.
A doctor’s job is to fix the problem. If those tests aren’t it, than what is? Could be cortisol, other hormones, or a conversion problem.
When a doctor’s solution is to do nothing and stop looking, find another doctor.
The Thyroid Patient’s Manual should be required reading.
I've been struggling for years with my TSH being high and then normal then low. Have them test you for anti thyroid antibodies. I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease which is essentially an auto-immune disease where the body thinks the thyroid is a bad thing and tries to kill it like a virus.
You can read More about it here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351860
Using Chronometer to help make sure I’m getting all the vitamins and minerals I need on a daily basis. And taking a Vitamin D3 + K2 supplement has been critical for me.
If I slack off on my diet and supplementation I’ll feel completely drained and my skin dries out and my hair is like straw.
I actually feel better during this pandemic than when I’m working ‘cause I’m home all the time and can manage my routine more easily.
I rely on a liquid iodine supplement, so it's unhelpful to say how much I eat per day.
The amount depends on the food you eat. E.g. Kelp (powder) is super high, so you only need a fraction of a teaspoon.
Cronometer is a great website to help you track nutrients.
Using that, I can see a sheet of nori has around 74 µg of iodine, 49% of your daily value. If you are deficient, I would eat 2-3 a day to boost your levels (since you might be deficient). You can explore other foods too.
NutritionData has a nutrient lookup where you can lookup foods by macro- and micronutrients.
The most important thing is having a routine that is easy to follow. What I do is every night I leave a glass of water plus a single pill on my nightstand. Then, when I wake up I can take it without having to get out of bed.
I also have a reminder app on my phone, which I made myself because I didn't like the other apps.
Last Christmas my husband bought me this I have never loved him more. It has been a life changer.
I had a similar problem with the alarm clock. It would often get snoozed and when that happened sometimes I would forget.
What I did is that I developed my own reminder app. Instead of making a noisy alarm, it shows a notification and a full screen reminder when you first wake up.
I apply Aquaphor and wear cotton gloves when I go to bed it is hard to get used to and I usually take the gloves off during the night but it really helps. Malcolm's Miracle Teal Moisturizing Gloves - Lasts 2 Years - Made in The USA (Men's XL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083TNJGTC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_1SAV0FEEE1XSTER9VRBN?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 those are the gloves and this is the stuff I put on my hands to hydrate them. Aquaphor Healing Ointment Moisturizing Skin Protectant for Dry Cracked Hands Heels and Elbows Use After Hand Washing Oz Jar, bA, Fragrance Free, 14 Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006IB5T4W/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_0GNMDSMCW2NMYCZEMRN1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Every 2 to 3 days is on the low end of normal frequency. Consider the possibility that you may have had thyroid disease a lot longer than you think. Some other people posting here have come to that conclusion eventually. Read around here a little and see if anything seems familiar to you.
Rethink normal. Normal is not the same as "not out of the ordinary", "always been that way", "normal for me" or "everyone in my family is like that".
Is your family aware that thyroid problems should be ruled out when considering a diagnosis of ALS? Do her current docs know she had thyroid disease a long time ago? What if she is testing normal like you but has thyroid disease and not ALS? I am not a doctor, just questioning due to the family history you gave. ALS has some differential diagnoses and thyroid disease is one of them. Have you heard about zebras and horses?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17128092 https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/sci.med.diseases.als/JNQARuRpZsI
Funny enough, ALS is a clinical diagnosis. Wouldn't it be nice if thyroid disease still was? I'll be honest and say that I have a long list of diseases that IMO are just another form of thyroid disease. If you think of all the diseases they don't know much about and can't do much for, that would be a start.
Your doc saying he thought you had it until the lab results came is so classic. They don't trust their eyes, ears, hands or gut. It's sad.
While hormonal BC isn't the cause of thyroid issues, it can reveal underlying thyroid dysfunction.
The reason why is that estrogens, which are commonly part of hormonal birth control pills, increase the body's levels of thyroxine binding globulin (TBG), the carrier protein for most of the thyroid hormone in the body. A 30 mcg dose of ethinyl estradiol, for instance, increases the TBG levels by 50%, and it does so in a dose dependent manner (the higher the dose, the higher the TBG). Increased TBG reduces free T4 levels by binding to free T4. TSH rises to compensate, and thyroid hormone production increases. The end result is about a 20% increase in Total T4 levels.
If someone has a healthy thyroid, it will be able to meet the production needs and soon return them to normal thyroid hormone levels. If someone is unable to produce additional thyroid hormone, this will then send them into a hypothyroid state: normal to high total levels of thyroid hormone, low free levels of thyroid hormone, and most of the thyroid hormone bound to protein. You might see a need for a 30% increase in T4 dosage in hypothyroid women who start estrogen containing BC. It's also why you often see a 25-50% increased T4 dosage in pregnancy.
This is a good paper that lays out the effects of estrogen therapy on thyroid hormone levels.
As for why some believe that progestogen containing BC may cause thyroid issues, I'm not sure. Correlation sometimes occur without causation, and there may be a small hormonal effect that has yet to be uncovered. But I haven't read of a specific connection between BC and thyroid issues that doesn't involve estrogen.
> Nothing I can come up with. Its pretty sporadic. Like only a few times a year... why do you ask? Have you experienced something similar?
Not personally, no. But I've been in contact with a guy with a "flushing syndrome" for quite a while. He turns red, experiences intense hot flashes, his heart rate and blood pressure shoot up. In this context, I've looked into the topic in considerable detail. In his case, the doctors now consider MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) the most likely cause. The initial suspicion centered on carcinoid syndrome or pheochromocytoma.
I see people with flushing + heat waves on the Diagnoseme forum on occasion. Here's an article that gives an overview:
https://sci-hub.do/10.1016/j.clindermatol.2014.02.019
It's a bit sparse, but gives a good overview of the various possible causes. In your case, given how rarely the issue crops up and the lack of various other symptoms, that sounds more like something immunological (e.g. MCAS), hormonal or a neurologic flush (assuming you're actually flushing, and not only experiencing hot flashes) rather than a neuroendocrine tumor.
Not OP, but this is the magnesium glycinate supplement I take. I always pair it with vitamin C.
The multi I take contains magnesium so I only take a half dose (200 mg) with the C.
KAL Magnesium Glycinate 400 | Vegan, Chelated, Non-GMO, Soy, Dairy, and Gluten Free (200 CT) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07RM7VXFV/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_Q8C3F0Y9TQ56XV671J5R
Where I live it's currently 115F. I have less temperature issues now than in the past, but I would buy cold packs to cope. I usually found them at Walmart or camping stores. I can't remember the brand I used, but it would be similar to this: https://tinyurl.com/y9hyxhg3
Other than that, extra water and extra rest as needed.
Dutch! This makes me happy. :D
SNPedia gives a 23andme link: https://www.23andme.com/you/explorer/snp/?snp_name=rs225014
As I haven't taken a test I can't verify if they actually have the data there or not.
And, well, triglycerides aren't just random junk, they have a function and not having any would probably be not very cool. How come you have high vitamin B12? I thought excess of water soluble vitamins was excreted via the kidneys instead of stored in the liver. Could it be that your stressed liver releases too much of its stores?
Yes, my hair is back to normal now and I can complain about having too much hair again.
I was under-medicated for my hypothyroidism for about 6 years and in October 2014 I found an endocrinologist who started monitoring my levels every 2 months and adjusting my dose accordingly. At the same time she diagnosed me with low Vitamin D so I started supplementing for that. Vitamin D takes a few months to correct and in April 2015 my levels were back up. Then in May 2015 my endo added a low dose of Cytomel (synthetic T3 hormone) to my Synthroid.
With all of that being said, I think I noticed my hair growing back around July 2015. I definitely noticed less hair loss before that time though. Probably about 4 months in I was definitely shedding less hair every day in the shower.
I also started tracking my food using CRON-O-Meter because I realized I was not getting enough protein and various vitamins daily. Changing my diet + having enough hormone replacement helped with all symptoms, not just hair loss.
there is lots of advice about calorie counting given above - the closer you want to plan your caloric intake to your caloric expenditure the more sure you have to be that you are not underestimating your intake. to determine the expenditure i suggest using the formula for the basal metabolic rate. i asumed it should be around 1200cal for you so the 3x400cal could work if you are not completely sedentary.
however, hunger is real, and low blood sugar, low energy when eating less is too - treating hypothyroidism decreased my hunger and made all of this easier for me. is this also your problem and if so, are your meds dialed in correctly? what is your TSH?
>sci-hub.do/10.1038/nrendo.2017.47
Oh ok yeah that makes sense! Interesting-- never heard of Central Hypothyroidism. Must be fairly rare?
God wish me luck with convincing my endo this is a real thing though, she might look at me like I'm nuts!
Thank you!
> I’m just pretty confused,why is it “rare” ?
It just doesn't appear to occur nearly as often as primary hypothyroidism. Although I have the suspicion that mild occur far more frequently than doctors think, but are just never diagnosed.
Yes, it's generally expected to be chronic. In some cases, at least, it's hereditary.
Here's an exhaustive article on the topic:
> In August of 2019, I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, and have been supplementing since with improvements to my levels, but unfortunately my symptoms haven’t changed.
Improved by how much?
> My blood work also showed that I have low B12 and elevated CRP (inflammatory marker). I’ve been supplementing with B12, but again, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’ll have my levels re-checked again next month.
Oral B12 supplementation isn't very effective. You should get some hydroxocobalamin acetate ampules; these can be injected into the fat fold on your belly.
> And I know that secondary hypothyroidism is super rare,
Supposedly. Maybe it's just rarely diagnosed. Go to a lab and get your fT4 and fT3 checked, privately.
Here's a good article:
https://sci-hub.do/https://www.nature.com/articles/nrendo.2017.47
How's your cortisol?
From when is that? Because in 2004 they said something different: https://web.archive.org/web/20080301173418/http://www.aace.com/pub/positionstatements/subclinical.php
There they say the upper range limit should remain 4.5 and people with a limit up to 10 should not be routinely treated. From what I've read they changed their mind after it became clear how much it would cost to actually treat all these people.
I get cold mostly in my feet, like even socks aren’t enough sometimes - this thing has been amazing for when I’m sitting at my work from home desk.
Serta | Super Soft Microsuede Sherpa-Lined, Fast-Heating Deluxe Electric Heated Warming Pad for Feet, Back, Waist, and Abdomen (Navy) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086D6CJ7C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_SQ9T0ME0AD9XFE5PHJMJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have no idea if this product will work for hypothyroid related shed, but I used it during a time of high shedding and it reduced the shed for me greatly. https://smile.amazon.com/Cacahuananche-Jabon-Cuidado-Cabello-3-Pack/dp/B07GXDRZHP/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=centro+botanico+azteca&qid=1633028331&sr=8-1 They sell singles too for around $9
EZY DOSE (7-Day) Pill, Medicine, Vitamin Organizer Box, Weekly, 4 Times a Day, AM PM, Large Compartments, Clear Lids, Blue, Medium (91350) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XUI54U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_XRDQM7XY85FRB87JTVCF
I like this one
I do have a favorite pill organizer.
Once you figure it out, it’s GENIUS!
You can only dump 1 pill at a time and not disturb the rest while not having a flip up or snap close compartment..
7 Day Pretty Pillbox | Wide... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BBXK611?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Hello Everyone,
I'm on 137MCG T4 and 5 MG of T3. I just got my bloodwork. Can anyone review my blood work below?
1) Looks like I'm deficient in Iron, and my CBC Panel is always normal. So am I Iron deficient without anemia?
2) What is the best way to get iron levels up. I have listed these foods- Spinach, beef liver, vitamin C, ferrous fumarate, Blackstrap molasses, liquid iron. Any other suggestions?
3) Also do I need to go for Iron IV the first time and then use the Iron supplement regularly?
4) For Vitamin D3 deficiency, I'm planning to use Vitamin D3 + K2 + Organic Virgin Coconut Oil Supplement (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07255MPRN/ref=ox\_sc\_act\_image\_1?smid=AQAIDN8YDF665&psc=1). Any other suggestions on dosage and brand?
5) I'm sure my doctor will reduce my T4+T3 dosage as I went hyperthyroid.
My issues are with low libido, less appetite, low energy after lunch ( 3PM - 6PM), Resting heart rate Higher (sometimes), High BP ( Sometimes)
I took turmeric Curamin and it helped a ton. These issues also give me anxiety which Curamin also helps with a lot. Link below for what I purchased on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BE6FD0Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I tried this one! So it looks like the same dosage you're on.
I started taking a women's one a day multivitamin a month or so ago that has only 8% Zinc and haven't had any real issues with it. Currently not taking it because I'm getting retested next week and I read on this sub that biotin can artificially impact the TSH level in blood testing.
About not forgetting the medication, the most important thing is finding a way to include in in your daily routine. That really helps to remember it! For most people, first thing in the morning is best, but other times of day can also work.
The routine that works for me is that when I go to sleep, I leave a single pill on my nighstand with a glass of water. (Still inside the blister pack; I use scissors.) Then when I wake up I can take it without needing to get up. The presence of the pill and the water in the glass is an extra reminder.
I also created an Android app, which serves as another layer of reminder. It also helps me keep track of how long I need to wait until breakfast. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=br.com.gualandi.dailypill
All my life.
Use it gently and only go in one direction. I only do this once a month or so or if I get lazy with my lotion for awhile...
Followed by O'Keefe healthy feet night treatment (in the tube) with socks. Start twice a day and continue nightly.
For my day to day lotion, I use the Eucerin Advanced repair cream. I use this one everywhere! This works well for me for day to day moisture and maintenance.
As for met heels? I use this file - it is the best I have ever used and lasts forever. You can get it at Sephora as well, I have had it for like 7 years and no decline in effectiveness. You can just rinse it off between uses.
I use this version of Utterly Smooth on my feet, it is less annoying to use than the 40% Urea lotions/gels/creams. They don't sink in very well on me, but are effective. 20% seems to do the job. But 40% is great when paired with socks - a little goes a long way, but it can feel sticky.
Proper gut health is supposed to help eliminate immune inflammation caused by Leaky Guy Syndrome. There is a growing body of evidence showing proper gut health, by having the right type of bacteria, is important to health.
I take this one from Amazon, it is a multi strain with high colony count (multi strain helps create good bacteria composition):
Vitamin Bounty - Pro 50 Probiotic... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EY4X8WO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
You can take some with prebiotics, which are nutrients for the probiotic bacteria to help them grow, and you can take live cultured pills that are refrigerated, but there isn’t a whole lot of evidence showing prebiotic benefits yet, and refrigeration is an inconvenience. A dehydrated, room temperature priobiotic should work equally well! I recommend Kombucha if you are looking for live cultures!
My dad got me the comfy hoodie for Christmas... I thought it was kind of ridiculous at first, but then I put it on and now it’s my favorite thing ever!!
I even wore it camping in 25 degree F weather and stayed warm!!
I’m wearing it right now actually... I look ridiculous but am so warm and cozy that I just don’t care!
I went to physical therapy for it, but that's about it. I do exercises and stuff to keep my back strong. Posture is also important. I follow what is in this book and it has really helped me mitigate the symptoms.
> Yeah I heard that funneling coffee into your anus can also offset your tsh
This is actually a thing, you know that, right?
https://www.amazon.com/PureLife-Enema-Stainless-Medical-Silicone/dp/B00AALGTTU
I suppose it's one way to wake you up.
i take 200mcg of the Levo, but I also take a multivitamin and Iodine supplements. The Iodine I take less than prescribed one day I do and another day I don't. You have to play with the dosage to determine what works best. It's in the link below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P4M7RHZ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I don’t know about the temperature issues, but when I was first diagnosed, before the treatment started working, I had a series of sinus infections that lasted a few months. Went to the doctor multiple times, took antibiotics and steroids multiple times, it kept coming back. Netipot didn’t work either.
Then I got this device called a Sinugator that shoots distilled water up your nose... and an unholy amount of green snot came out. It was more than I realized could fit in my head! I used it every day for a week and haven’t had a sinus infection since. Just wanted to throw that out there in case it helps you!
I hope you feel better!
NeilMed Sinugator Cordless Pulsating Nasal Wash Kit with One Irrigator, 30 Premixed Packets and 3 AA Batteries https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UO6NRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_MRNXFbTN88GXJ
I’m not sure if links are allowed here, but this is the one I use. In case the link isn’t okay, you can search “round teacher stamp” on Amazon and should be able to find one. I didn’t see what kind of ink was used for skin-safe questions, but I did see several other reviewers mentioning they use it as a marker for entry such as in a club or something. I haven’t had any reaction to the ink and it washes off easily with water and a bit of scrubbing.
I hope it helps! I don’t usually forget to take my meds (I think I felt so terrible without them it is like burned into me to take them religiously now) but this does help me as a visual cue to see that I have taken it and don’t need to worry about it for the rest of the day 🙂
I use an app that I made myself. In my experience it's better to have an app that just shows a reminder without a noisy alarm, because alarms that interrupt you or wake you up just tend to get snoozed / ignored. To be honest, I mostly use the app to keep track of how long to wait before breakfast but every once in a while it prevents me from forgetting the pill alltogether, which is nice :)
The thing that most helped for me was to create a daily routine that makes it very easy to remember to take the pill. Every night right before I go to bed I leave a glass of water next to my nightstand together with a single pill (I use scissors to cut a small square of the blister pack). In the morning, I can take it without needing to get up and without requiring any brain cells. If the glass of water and pill are still there that means I still have to take it.
On top of that, I also use a phone app that shows a full screen on my phone when I pick it up for the first time in the morning. I actually designed it myself because I didn't like how other apps would make noisy alarms, which in my experience I just ended up snoozing regardless of if I had taken the pill or not.
Try this: Smooth move tea on Amazon
Everything else OTC was either too strong or did nothing. This tea is a life saver.
I have been taking meds for over 20 years. I am a translator and can't at times honestly remember the definition of a word I just typed in like 3 minutes ago or the name of my friend who I have known for years. I have, however, tried taking Ritalin and Adderall, which did nothing but made me focus completely irrelevant things. I have been following a ketogenic diet for a long time now and took a break from it last weekend and ate pizza/drank beer for three days. When I woke up yesterday, the tiredness was overwhelming, I had forgotten how hard it is to function on a regular diet. Since I am not a doctor, I can't give any advice, but I will describe what I do:
For energy: a strict ketogenic diet
For depression: evaluate the stressors in your life and think about cutting them out. Find something that distracts you when you are feeling down (I play games). Explain to your partner that you need some time to be alone.
For focusing: don't think that your performance grows better with age, it does not. Much like with any system, the more information you possess, the more cluttered the mind becomes (I guarantee that most people don't remember certain basics from their Bachelors 5 years after they have graduated).
Don't forget to use helpful tools, i.e. apps that help you remember to take meds (I used this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.medisafe.android.client)
PS! My girlfriend is completely healthy and has repeatedly left her phone in the fridge three times this month. So don't feel too bad about being forgetful. It happens to everyone.
Don't worry, soon enough it is going to be part of your routine. :) In my case what I do is leave a pill and a glass of water next to my bed, with the pill still inside the blister pack. In the morning, the first instinct after I wake up is to reach for the glass of water and the pill.
On top of that, I also developed a phone app to help me remember about the pill. It is designed specifically with thyroid pills in mind, and it helps in those days when I wake up in a rush, although admitedly that isn't very often. I have to confess that the main reason I still use the app is because it helps me keep track of how long I need to wait until breakfast -- the reminder function is now secondary.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=br.com.gualandi.dailypill
I use one that I made myself. I didn't like how most pill reminder apps tended to operate like an alarm clock that makes a noise at a given time of day. So I made my own version that just shows a reminder when you pick up the phone for the first time in the morning.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=br.com.gualandi.dailypill
To be honest the feature I use the most is that it remembers the time I took the pill, so I know when it is OK to have breakfast. As you said, outright forgetting about it is not as common.
> My first question is how do you remember to take your synthroid? I'm used to taking meds at night, but I've never had to remember to take morning meds.
I found that it became instinctive after a while. Every night I leave a glass of water on the nightstand together with a pill, still inside the blister pack. When I wake up I instinctively reach for the glass of water -- if it is still there it means I haven't taken my pill yet.
But I also use a phone app, that I developed myself. It shows a fullscreen reminder when I pick up the phone for the first time in the morning and it keeps track of how long I need to wait before breakfast.
One funny thing I discovered is that it is equal part evening routine and morning routine. Every day before I go to sleep I fill a glass of water and leave it in the night stand together with one pill, still inside the blister packet. Then as soon as I wake up I automatically reach for the glass of water -- if the water is still there it means I still need to take the pill.
But the thing about the app is a great oportunity for some shameless advertising. After my thyroidectomy I couldn't find any pill reminder apps that did what I wanted so what I did is that I created my own app :)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=br.com.gualandi.dailypill
I find that the phone app is most useful in those days when there is a break in the usual routine. The app also remembers what time I took the pill so I can know when it is OK to eat. The main limitation is that at the moment it is only available on Android.
Some of those questions would be better answered by a doctor. When was your last appointment? In another comment you mentioned that you haven't had your hormone levels checked in a while...
> Now I try to take it every day, but yesterday I missed again.
That is a more common problem than you'd think! I have a cousin who is terrible with it, their mother basically needs to keep track of it. 😅
Anyway, what I've seen is that most people eventually settle into a routine that works best for them and that varies from person to person. I am in the camp that likes using a phone app for it. I even made my own one because I didn't think that the existing ones worked quite like I wanted.
I like taking my pills right after waking up because it is an easy routine to follow. Whenever I need to do something in the middle of the day I have to set up a phone alarm or I'll surely forget it.
If you ever decide to try taking it in the morning, I'll take the chance to advertise that I developed an Android app exactly for that use case. It creates a full screen reminder every morning, which is visible as soon when I open my phone for the first time in the day. I find that more reliable than a regular alarm, because a regular alarm reminder is prone to just being snoozed.
It is! :) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=br.com.gualandi.dailypill
The main limitation is that it can only keep track of one pill per day. But that is what keeps the interface as simple as it is.
If a missed dose has that kind of effect on you it might be a good idea to ask your doctor about taking a double dose if you forgot the previous day. Some people do that.
I'll also take this opportunity to advertise that I made an Android app to help to remember to take the pill every morning. I have found that it is specially helpful in those days when there is a change in routine. If you also have an Android phone you could give it a shot: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=br.com.gualandi.dailypill :)
I wouldn't worry about your weight until you have your energy and labs all sorted out, which might take awhile. The added stress of worrying about it will not help you heal. Give yourself a break.
Also, I started taking the beef organs (yes I know how gross that sounds) supplement from Ancestral and whoa has it helped with my energy crashes. I've mentioned it in a few other threads and I cannot talk about it enough. I truly think I found one of the keys (Levo being another) to my own healing. Check out the reviews on this stuff. A lot of them are from hypo people dealing with fatigue and metabolic issues:
https://www.amazon.com/Ancestral-Supplements-Grass-Organs-Desiccated/dp/B06XP7Z1KN/
I’ve had my share of severe constipation. My whole colon was packed with poo at one time. It was a gross X-ray. I had no idea they could tell that. But any who, my doctor at that time suggested Organic India Psyllium Herbal Powder - Whole Husk Fiber, Healthy Elimination, Keto Friendly, Vegan, Gluten-Free, USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO, Soluble & Insoluble Fiber Source - 12 oz Canister (Pack of 2) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JDOAKRM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jF-qFbM6WFY2K. It helped, not right away as it took time and you have to stick with it. Lots of water is a must as you know. Coffee is great too but make sure you drink lots of water as coffee dehydrates your body. Not sure if your doctors have told you but hypothyroidism disrupts the gut motility. So I would also encourage small meals through out the day instead of big meals. To help keep the work of your gut to a minimum. I still struggle with that.
Nurse here who suffers from hypothyroidism. Your labs are normal, so there must be something else causing your symptoms.
Even on thyroid medication I still at times have felt the symptoms you are describing. Something that HAS helped me with those symptoms that I think would help you as well (and there's no risk to trying unless you're diabetic) is intermittent fasting. Look it up. On the days that I do it (fast for 16 hours or even longer) I feel significantly better the next morning.
Many medical professionals have been trained in the way of prescribing medicine for everything. Nurses as well as doctors have historically undervalued nutrition for therapy. I have been a nurse for 8 years and I'm just now getting into the benefits of intermittent fasting along with a diet that is low in carbohydrates. I'd strongly recommend this book by Dr. Jason Fung. You will feel better and even lose some weight in the process. Good luck! Hope you feel better!
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-Fasting-Intermittent-Alternate-Day/dp/1628600012
Ever get a vitamin/nutrient panel done? I have to supplement Vitamin D, magnesium, copper and some others because I wasn't getting enough from my diet. A good quality multivitamin helps too.
VitD3, k2, Mag Glycinate, Boran, zinc well make a noticeable difference but you gotta go big for best results.
The Miraculous Cure For and Prevention of All Diseases What Doctors Never Learned https://www.amazon.com/dp/1701336502/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NemhFbXB50PV9
I started it only 4 days ago, and it has already made a world of difference in my energy levels. Yesterday, one of my coworkers even commented on it; she said something like "You are definitely peppy today!" (I hope I wasn't acting like a spazz lol). But, like I said it has only been a few days. We shall see if they stand the test of time. One interesting factor, I always come up borderline anemic on my labs. Apparently about 45% of hypo sufferers also have some form anemia. They are not sure why this happens but it definitely exacerbates issues of fatigue and mental fog.
Check out the reviews on Amazon though. There are some pretty illuminating comments, particularly from hypo and anemic people.
https://www.amazon.com/Ancestral-Supplements-Grass-Organs-Desiccated/dp/B06XP7Z1KN
Alive Max3 multivitamin has helped me a lot. Just have to take it 4+ hours after my thyroid pill since it has calcium and iron.
I dislike any medication routine that isn't the exact same thing every day, it opens up the likelihood that I'm going to screw it up (I will definitely screw it up). If it had been a Monday/Wednesday/Friday thing I would have failed miserably for sure, but weekend schedules are different enough for me to remember that I need to do something else differently too, as much as I'd prefer not to have to think about it. The same dose every day is infinitely simpler.
At the moment I'm taking two pills to get one daily dose, plus my ADHD medication (in case that need wasn't already obvious). I find this too many pill bottles in the morning and far too fiddly, so I developed a new system for myself to make it simpler and thus more likely to be successful: I got one of these to organize my pills weekly, and every night I dump out the next morning's pills into a little egg cup that I can just dump into my mouth in one go in the morning. I suppose now that I've done that, I could conceivably have any number of different doses that I just organize once a week instead of having to think about it every morning.
This may be too much information for your question! I can't tell the difference physically, so it's fine that way, if that's what you're asking. The right weekly dose is the right dose, basically, however you get it. While taking the higher dose on weekends I never felt any different.
Electrolyte water can help you hydrate more efficiently. This one is fabulous.
You can try taking liquid iron to get your ferritin where it needs to be - the one that helped me the most was NovaFerrum 125, you can find it on Amazon: NovaFerrum 125 Liquid Iron Supplement Raspberry Grape Flavor 6 fl oz (180 mL) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C2DHB5K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zYtgDb2C7JHCQ
I had really heavy periods so I kept losing the iron as I was taking it in, which is why I ended up getting the green light for an iron infusion - but if that’s not your case the liquid iron alone should get you where you need to be. If possible get your hemoglobin and ferritin tested every 8 weeks to check your progress. Also make sure your Free T4 is in range, as hair follicles use the T4 directly. Once your ferritin is over 50 you should start to see new little hair sprouts! It really does need to be over 70 for at least 6 months though, I had my infusion last July and I only started seeing a real visual improvement the following January. It’s a long process. Good luck! You can get your hair back. The follicles aren’t dead. I grew my hair back in places I thought were long gone, because I had been suffering from hair loss for such a long time.
I'm not sure if it's truly related to hypothyroidism, but I do have bouts of folliculitis, usually following a viral infection, and what seems to help me clear it up fast is using a bar of zinc soap on the affected area every day. I let it sit a bit before rinsing. It's worth a shot!
My husband was deficient and uses this one 2-3 days per week. It keeps his levels in range. You want to be rechecked after you’re on it for awhile to be sure you’re not overdoing it. Low vitamin d caused my aunt to feel how she did when she had zero thyroid hormones (ablation).
Hi,
Sorry about that. One of the best remedies that will provide relief from bloating and I would advise you to try are probiotics. These are good bacteria that can help digestion and metabolism, hence providing relief from bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and almost anything related to digestion. In fact, probiotics balance gut flora and help to fight bad bacteria that make us sick. As a result, boosting our immune system. When it comes to taking probiotics, you can either include them in your diet by eating some yogurts or kefir. Or, you may also take probiotic supplements which are richer in the good bacteria. I can recommend Flourish Probiotics by Eu Natural. ( https://www.amazon.com/Flourish-Probiotics-Women-Lactobacillus-Saccharomyces/dp/B07KFPCCLP )
This is a natural probitoic supplement that is from a reliable brand and one of the highest recommend probiotics. Check it out.
I slept sitting up for a week or so to prevent "goose neck." A few nice pillows do the trick.
The thing I regret most is that my scar stretched as it healed because my skin is "too young" and elastic. (Had it done around 25 years old) You can buy surgical tape to keep the skin around your scar from moving. I wish I had known this. You can get some on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Medical-Surgical-Micropore-White-Yards/dp/B0009Q2OOK
Also using a silicone gel/tape as the scar heals prevents keloids. I ended up getting a small amount of keloid scar tissue and used a laser treatment to smooth it out.
Have you tried natural digestive enzymes? I like this one from Whole Foods. https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Foods-Market-Wholezyme-90/dp/B074H6YNKK
If you have a pork intolerance I could the GI issues being related to that but considering the rest of the symptoms sure sound like you may need a dose adjustment. I'd push for the test now. It's close enough. I know I wouldn't have waited that long to get mine no matter what they said. I'd order them myself if I had to but thankfully, I have a great medical team.
Correct, but mercury itself is far more damaging to all your body. A great book is this one to start with which explains a lot is https://www.amazon.com/Limitless-Energy-Exhaustion-Chronic-Fatigue-ebook/dp/B01NCZH9MG
Then I would use https://www.quicksilverscientific.com/the-detox-qube to detox the heavy metals.
Others have said it better than I could but I notice my anxiety went down when I started taking Armor - that's the natural version of thyroid meds. When I took Synthroid I actually felt more nervous and panicky. Switching was amazing.
Also you will probably have to deal with the thought patterns you've developed while feeling depressed and anxious. Specifically for anxiety the book "Dare" has been instrumental in helping me and thousands of other people. You can snag it here. This book is simple and fantastic. It's been a life changer for me and lots of others.
No problem! Also, if I could go back in time to where you are now, I would take a thyroid co factor supplement such as this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Thyroid-Support-Complex-Iodine-Metabolism/dp/B00S8PW6P6
It will prevent a ton of other issues that may come from a waning thyroid and could theoretically reverse your issues if you don't have hashimoto's
situps maybe? Walks?
you may be able to smart small and build it up. regardless you should be able to meditate. Perhaps going off the zoloft then adding in 30 minutes of meditation will offset your hypothyroid symptoms enough that you can work out again.
I had an awful experience with that ssri, and ssris in general. If you're the kind of depressed person who feels super fatigued all the time, I think they can basically make it worse. allegedly zoloft is supposed to be slightly more stimulating than the others but they're all kind of iffy compared to the way I started feeling when I started a daily workout/meditation routine. YMMV
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X
Here's a book you might find helpful by Dr. Kelly Brogan: https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Your-Own-Depression-Reclaim-ebook/dp/B00ZP5WLNY/ It's written by a psychiatrist who says a lot of women have endocrine problems today due to our environment and diet. I found the diet section very helpful and have dropped a few extra pounds by following her suggestions. I'm already on thyroid medication, so I knew I wasn't really hypo anymore. Some of her suggestions are extreme (ditch everything not organic), but you can choose which suggestions to follow. I highly recommend the baseline testing and baseline supplements. I've taken B vitamins, selenium, magnesium and others for years, and have no problems with iron or depression. Anxiety only creeps in if my thyroid dose is too high or too low.
A health food store would have l-theanine and ashwagandha. Also a vitamin shop. I get mine online. Check out the wiki at /r/nootropics for a start. Also avoid caffeine in all its forms. Even decaf has caffeine.
An excellent book for stress management is "Full Catastrophe Living" by Kabat-Zinn.
It's not really so much as combining as it is just avoiding breads and flour-based food. If you are ok with gluten (most people are) and still want to have bread options, Carbquik will let you make bread, biscuits, etc that don't taste like utter crap. I also keep several packs of these on hand for taco night, or just for snacking.
If you do need to go GF, then you'll likely be making a lot of the substitute foods with several different types of nut flours, and then just adding a bunch of fiber to the recipe. If you love cooking, then it's a win/win.
Being hypothyroid has been linked to low stomach acid levels. This is independent of the cause of your hypo, it is just a result. Low T is also a result of long term hypo, just as an fyi - so you might have low T from 2 sources (pituitary and thyroid compilations) (I am also on TRT). So is insulin resistance (which I also have, and take metformin).
I feel much, much better since I started taking additional stomach acid and enzymes with my food. And I eat a LOT of meat and fat, because I find it easiest to control my fat gain and get enough protein for my powerlifting training on a low carb, high fat, high protein diet.
Here are the products I take:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0013OXKHC/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_CNp0zbYD2PJC2
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000M4CD2C/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdo_BNp0zbZT3BZ6Q
I take them with every meal, and most snacks that have fat or vegetables. The enzymes include bile to break down fat, and the acid just makes everything work better and helps prevent SIBO.
Good luck with your treatment. Pituitary problems are reportedly harder to correct that thyroid issues, because more systems are affected. I wish you the best.
I recently started taking Now Foods Probiotic. If you have the money VSL-3 is probably the best one. I felt a euphoric effect and a generalized sense of well being after taking it.
My daughter has eczema and I've found that Jergens Ultra Healing helps her stop scratching. I know it isn't specifically for eczema but its really great for her. We also use safflower oil on her overnight and that helps heal her up when she's forgotten and torn herself up trying to relieve the itch.
I've got psoriasis and I've started using my retinol moisturizer on the psoriasis and it actually helps a ton.
I've been taking Gaia Herbs Thyroid Support Supplement: https://smile.amazon.com/Gaia-Herbs-Thyroid-Support-Phyto-Capsules/dp/B0036THNNY/ref=pd_yo_rr_bia_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V86PHXZKVZRNQ2CJMC97
It has actually helped me a little in the past but now that I found a doctor who is willing to help actually monitor my symptoms and adjust my medication I stopped taking it.
Do you take probiotics? Before I was diagnosed I basically tried everything I could think of to feel alright in terms of vitamins so I was already taking B-complex, D3 and probiotics. The probiotics I started taking because I thought maybe I had candida overgrowth or something (some symptoms are similar to hypothyroidism). I take HyperBiotics every day. They helped me a ton even before I started replacing thyroid hormones. They're good for your tummy. :)
I use this one, doesnt cause me any gut issues like normal iron does. https://www.amazon.com/Solgar-Desiccated-Liver-Tablets-Count/dp/B000Z8X76G/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1491069965&sr=8-2&keywords=dessicated+liver+pills