confused and feeling tossed around!

gardenbug · 08-25-2007, 01:50 AM

About 2 years ago my OB/Gyn started me on thyroid . She tested me every 3 weeks and kept bumping my meds up. After 3 months of being bumped up I asked to see a endocronologist. She said that sounded good so she sent me to a great Dr who really listened to my questions. This new Endo. was the first Dr. to actually physically examine my thyroid. He was supprised when I told him this. He said I had a goiter lumps and bumps and wanted a ultrasound on my thyroid and see me in 5 weeks. He also upped my thyroid without seeing any blood work yet and said it woudl help shrink my thyroid in the mean time.
Well when I went back after the 5 weeks my thyroid was also even bigger. The ultrasound didn show any tumors. My heart was keeping me awake at night because it was pounding so hard. He said I need to take you off the thyroid because your levels are twice what they should be. The bonus is I was also gaining weight! He took me off cold turkey!! I was sooo frustrated!
So after getting off the thyroid meds I continued to gain till all of the 25 pounds it took me year to loose was back on. My blood pressure (because of the 25 pound gain in 3 months) sky rocketed and I had to start BP meds.
Now here we are 6 months later.I also was depressed and I mean in a scarry way. I was able to loose 15 of the 25 pounds with Weight Watchers but when starting the WW is when the depression got really bad. We went on vaction and I started drinking soda and told my endo that it was helping my depression and I thought that was weird and mayeb I didnt want to do WW. My endo said the caffine was probably acting like a stimulant and was seeming to help my depression. He also said my blood work was still in the normal range but if normal is 1-5 I was barley a 1 and I really need to be a 2-3 so how about we start you on a half dose of thyroid again and if you feel ok in 2 weeks take the whole dose. Well my depression has left (which is awsome!)but I have started to have the heart pounding and keeping me up so I have not gone to the full pill yet ( its been 3 weeks). I am also really edgy.
My question is does anyone know what the heart pounding is about? My blood pressure seems to be fine. I do have 2 leaky valves in my heart but thats not really a problem the Dr said. I just take antibiotics for dental visits.
I feel like I am being jerked around with all this medication. 3 years ago I took no medications and was really against them. Now I take 1500 metformin, 150 Avapro (BP ) and half a 75 mcg of levothyroxin.The Metformin has helped with my cycle so much although my testosterone levels are still high.
So does anyone have any suggestions? I have heard about the Amour stuff. Will it work better ? I have not lost any more weight since starting the thyroid which totally baffles me. Help and sorry this is so long!
the rambler,

mommavia · 08-25-2007, 10:48 PM

I bet that your depression is a result of your hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed with depression in college, a couple years before I was dx as hypo. After my thyroid was treated correctly (which took another 3 years after my hypo dx) I have had no depression. I don't think it is a coincidence that your depression magically disappears when your thyroid is being treated.

Are you taking Synthroid? I assume that you are, thyroid is the name of the gland. You are probably experiencing a racing heartbeat from the Synthroid. It is a common side effect...your body's reaction to having thyroid hormone at a more normal level...and it should disappear within a week.

It's great tha tyou are seeing an endocrinologist...I am all about seeing an endo to treat thyroid disease. I have always received much better care for my thyroid from an endo.

Cynthia

shenacat · 08-26-2007, 10:52 PM

Do you have copies of your recent lab tests? If not, you should get a copy, and post the exact results here, along with the lab ranges listed on the form. That can help us figure out what is going on. Without that, we can only guess.

It is common to feel "hyper" after starting thyroid medication. Racing heart, anxiety, racing thoughts, headaches, abnormal hunger, these are signs of being hyper. This usually goes away within a few weeks. It can take up to 6 weeks for your body to adjust to the medication.

Another thing is, sometimes when you are hypo (needing thyroid medication) it masks heart trouble like hypertension, and when you start taking medication, the hypertension surfaces and you get racing pulse, and/or high blood pressure.

Also, being low in iron or some other vitamins and minerals can sometimes make you intolerant to thyroid medication. Have you had your iron levels checked?

merrimom · 09-09-2007, 12:43 PM

Wow, yep, we would be interested in seeing your numbers...sounds kind of wierd that they want to put you on/take you off the meds so spuratically (sp?)...Poor girl, I hope you feel better soon!