Ok here's the problem, very long term story... When I was 19 I started dropping weight, nearly 20lbs in a month or so. I was told by the ER that I had hypoglycemia and to eat more frequently. Tried that. FF to age 26, had trouble getting pregnant with #2, went throught fertility treatments. After the delivery everything seemed fine except that I got vertigo a lot. Tried to get pregnant with #3 for a year and a half gave up. At 37 I gave up sweets, simple carbs and caffien. I felt great, lost weight and was feeling pretting good about my health. I am now 39 still on the same diet, (I miss mochas in the worst way!) last summer I was an 8 this summer I am a 12! My skin has dry patches, my nails flake and tear, I am tired all the time, I eat well, and am fairly active. If I do work out it isn't for long, and then I can't function the rest of the day, I'm just too tired. My blood sugar is up as is my cholesteral (My doctor isn't worried but, I am). I am on the pill all the time due to weird periods. I would have a "normal" period then have nothing for a day or so, then gush for an hour. I was so tired of 10+ day periods and cramping, along with a cycle that could go 20 to 45 days. I know there is something wrong. I just need to find someone who wil listen and do more than a glucose tolerance test and a fasting cholesteral test. Thanks for any input, I am truly at the end of my rope.
Sorry it's taken so long to get this part done. It took a long time to get an appointment with Dr. Allen but, it was completely worth it! I went in looking for help with what I thought was a thyroid problem. I do have a thyroid problem but, more importantly I have Celiac Disease. So many people are saying that it's the "Newest Cool Disease" but, it explains to much! I looks like several people in my family may have it, or had it during their lifetime. I'm beginning to feel better. The thyroid really helped, I don't wake up exhausted anymore. It will be a long haul to cut out wheat and other glutens from my diet. We did find out that Gustav's our favorite restaurant has a gluten free menu.
My advice to anyone who feels like something just isn't right, is to keep looking for the answer. Thanks to all the wonderful Mama's that recommended just that, and Dr. Allen!
I have a friend that had Cushings syndrome. Her body produced too much cortisol. Some of the symptoms include weight gain, irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant, fatigue...and more. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cushings-syndrome/DS00470
Hi N., I too am hypoglycemic and have been for about as long as you. I gave up sugar and simple carbs a long time ago and learned to eat healthily, too. But after my first pregnancy, I started to get tired, my hair was like straw, I couldn't lose weight, etc., etc. Since my mother and aunt have hypothyroid, I knew that what I was experiencing was hypothyroid symptoms. Often hypoglycemia and hypothyroid go hand in hand. I would talk to your doctor about checking your thyroid. I was lucky to find someone who would treat the symptoms instead of just looking at the blood test. My thyroid levels had definitely dropped, but I was still within the normal range. However, the range is so great that you can be at the low end and experiencing all the symptoms. If your current doctor won't diagnose you, then it's time to find someone else... I am now on a low-dose level of thyroid hormone and have never felt better.
It could be thyroid or cortisol...are you always cold and/or have you noticed a thinning of your hair and the outer portions of your eyebrows? If so, most likely thyroid. By-pass your MD and go straight to a naturopath who focuses on women's health. Susan Allen in NE Portland is who I see but there is also a clinic called "A Woman's Time" (in NW I believe) that I've heard good things about. Someone needs to do thorough testing and in my experience, MD's are very reluctant to do hormonal testing on women your age. Even if they do test for thyroid etc., their threshold for prescribing thyroid medication is very low whereas ND's follow different guidelines. Most likely this is something that can be reversed completely! good luck
Sounds so much like thyroid I can't believe no one has tested you for it. So get tested! I recommend going to a naturalpath at the least - but still can't figure out why a normal doctor wouldn't test you for it. I'd say it's time for a new doctor.
Hi - it sounds like a thyroid issue to me, but also could be that and a combination of early menopause. Your OBGYN can do a blood test to see if you are in early menopause, so if you can do that. I have had a thyroid problem for about 7 years now and take medication every day for hypothyroid which means it is not going fast enough. Your symptoms really sound like that is what is going on. I would also look for a new doctor if you are not getting the help you need. Why havent they tested your thyroid yet???!!! I just dont get that at all. I would insist that they test you for that.
What about PCOS (polycystic ovaries)? Have you/your dr. considered that?
It very well could be.. I went undiagnosed for years because dr told me I was a bout a zillion other things or blamed it on diet like you. I hade up and down weight issues through my 20's and then in early 30's trouble getting preggo... I finally met a friend going through tyroid cancer and her symptoms were so similar she encouraged me to see her dr. I have been seeing Dr. Dina Levin at Gateway Women's clinic for many years now and she was great... even though according to most doctors my results where fine.. she recognized that they were borderline and for me... I just needed a little something to help stabalize things. I have been on an extreemly low dose since and am having my second kid. I have been able to exercise and loose weight regularly and feel soo soo soo much better. I encourage you to get a full test (drink the stuff, do the blood work, yadda yadda) and have a dr who is really listening to your symptoms read the results and talk to you about them.
It could be thyroid. The tiredness and weight loss/gain are signs of your thyroid being out of wack, but they could be signs of other things. Do you have a family history of thyroid problems? Talk to your dr and have them test you (blood test).
Hi N.,
I recently attended an amazing seminar called "Menopausibilities". This seminar wasn't just for women who were going through menopause but for all women as hormone imbalances are so prevalent in all of us.
MANY of the symptoms you are describing are symptoms of a hormone imblance. I would suggest contacting ZRT Labs and doing a saliva test. They will send you the kit and you return it for the results. Then I would strongly suggest contacting a physician who knows about the current therapies, etc. I have a list if you would like to have that.
Doctors today will tell you that there is no way to test for a hormone imbalance. There is and I think women need to be aware of it!
D. K.
Yes it sounds like thyroid! I am hypothyroid and have been since Jr. High and I experienced many of those symptoms. I have been on a very low dose of Levothyroxine for a long time and feel great. You need to go see a naturopath or an endocrinologist. I see Brad Wallum in Bellevue at Eastside Endocrinology and Diabetes. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!
It amazes me that thyroid tests are more of a standard for women in their 30-40's. Thyroid disease is so common. At any rate, it shouldn't be a mystery for you. Tell your doctor you want to be tested. It's a simple blood test, you have a few of the symptoms so there should be no reason for the doctor to refuse.
Hey N.,
Some of those symptoms sound familiar. I've had thyroid problems most of my adult life, first hyper then hypo and now it goes up and down. Mine is an autoimmune disorder, and it takes a simple blood test to diagnose. If you suspect a thyroid problem, I'd recommend seeing an endocrinologist who can order the more sensitive tests. In fact, since your current doctor doesn't seem to take your concerns seiously, I would find another doctor as my GP, too!
Have you been tested for thyroid yet? If not...it definately sounds like a good idea. Also, it would be a good idea to see a naturopath.
Hi N.,
I think your body is telling you alot. You sound very nutritionally depleted. You need minerals (They must be bio available or they are poihtless, and you need omega 3 fatty acids) Get harsh chemicals out of your home so your home is safe and your body can stop working over time. I use tohave flaky nails--again minerals and protein. If you want to respond I can make some great recommendations. N. B
It sounds a lot like the hormone problems I have been reading about. Basically, not having sufficient progesterone & a excess of estrogen can keep you from getting pregnant, can make weight wildly fluxuate, make periods off and can keep you from being able to absorb vitamins and minerals. Omega 3's are another thing that many women are deficient in and also keeps the hormones out of wack. The best way to be tested is a saliva test. My friend started taking bio-identical (natural-not synthetic chemicals) progesterone cream and is able to keep her hormones balanced this way. The pill can (sadly) really mess you up hormonally and your body's chemistry! I just finished the book "What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause: from 30-60" By Dr. John Lee. A very helpful book & "Arbonne International" sells a great Progesterone Cream.
Can you just change doctors to someone else? Ask for thyroid screen, an iron screen, a vitamin D screen, etc. Its not that weird or hard to do these tests.... (Assuming you have insurance.)
If the doctor is still unwilling, try asking for a referral to an endocrinologist - they specialize in hormone problems and may take you more seriously.
Out of curiosity, what does the Chiropractor say? (S)he may have a referral for you, or some ideas.
N., this may be a stupid question, but have you asked the chiropracter that you work for about this? And have you gone or considered going to an acupuncturist or a naturopathic doctor? An ND can often request the same tests as an MD can and may have some suggestions beyond prescribing thyroid hormone for an imbalance.
I hope you get it figured out, bc it's miserable to feel crappy all the time.
Sounds like you need a doc that will listen and it sounds like your thyroid levels are off (dry patches, mail flaking and tearing, tired & weight gain) Find an endocrinologist, they have a wait to get in but are worth it. I like mine at Northwest hospital, Dr. Kanter ###-###-####. It's amazing that thyroid levels that are off affect every other test you have done.
Hi there,
Have you had your iron checked? It is a simple blood draw to check your iron levels. You mentioned vertigo, dry skin, low energy, etc. I had those same symptoms and discovered that my iron is low. I ate a good diet and took a multivitamin, but it still wasn't enough--I still had low iron so I now take an iron supplement. As soon as I started taking the iron, I noticed more energy, fewer headaches, less dizziness. I had to try a few different types of iron supps until I found a good one--one of them actually gave me headaches. I don't take it every day...just for a week or so at a time when I feel like my iron is getting low, and then I can go for a while without taking it. Iron did not help my nails...but I started taking Calcium (500mg) + vitamin D and that has helped. Good luck and hope you are feeling better soon.
Have you had your thyroid checked? I watched a Mystery Diagnosis last night and a woman had some of the same symptoms and she had a rare type of thyroid disease called Hitchners or Hoshimotos, I am not sure of the name, but it was a Japanese sounding word. She had to go to many many specialists to be diagnosed, maybe you should talk to your doctor about that. Good Luck!
Sounds like you may have both a thyroid issue and possibly Poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). I've got both and have experienced most of your sympotms at some point during my life. The good news is you're doing most of what the doctors say to help treat it (low carb diet and exercise). You may just need to add some medication to your regime. The bad news is PCOS is not a very well understood condition and the standard treatment (Metformin) is not FDA approved for treating PCOS. I was dx at 31 when I was having fertility issues getting pregnant with my first child. I'm trying to get a regular cycle established now to try for #2, but haven't had AF since December of last year when I went off birth control. Good luck!
My general practitioner, Clyde Addison, specializes in thyroid issues. He diagnosed my Hashimodo's Thyroiditis. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine. He works out of the Allenmore C Bldg, MultiCare. ###-###-####
Good luck. HUGS
As someone who has struggled with thyroid problems for many years (took meds for 10 years, without for over 5) I would say go to a naturopath who is also a medical doctor. A naturopath can really look to the root cause, and not just treat the symptoms. While thyroid medication will help, it will not heal. While you look into getting medical help, here are a couple of dietary changes to try
1) stay far, far away from any soy products. Soy inhibits thyroid function.
2) cut out all hydrogenated fats. They interfere with the endocrine system.
3) look into adding virgin coconut oil into your diet. Just check the internet--there is a ton of info out there. Coconut oil is great for the thyroid
4) Try to stick to organic, whole foods as much as possible. Anything that comes in a box or a package and has more than one or two ingredients should be suspect
Hello N.,
I know you have 30+ responses to this question but I had to chime in. Besides the fact that I LOVE mocha's!!! I have a hypo thyroid as well (actually I have Hotchomotos (sp) desise). As everyone else said, your symptoms sound like you do. I really recommend seeing a specialist about it rather then your MD. I LOVE my MD and we have been working on my thyroid since 1999. She would adjust my medication almost every 6-8 weeks because I didn't have energy, I had dry skin, etc. If I was in the correct range I still had no energy, then I would be out of range and feel great for a few weeks then crash again. She finally referred me to a specialist last January and I've never felt better. He put me on two medications rather then one, also put a note to not use generic medications for my main medication. Thyroid medication is one of the few medications where generics interfere and can cause issues. I didn't think it was possible to feel as good as I do. I've read other posts on mamasource about thyroid and what happens when one gets their medications right. I didn't believe, I thought it could get better, but I didn't know it could be like this. I cook, clean, chase my daughter around, walk to the dog. I'm actually training to walk a half a marathon!!!!! Unfortunately, I didn't get the weight loss part of it, that comes from my bad eating habits (which I'm working on) :O)
Another reason to get your thyroid checked and to work with a specialist (if you are hypo/hyperthyroid) is for a new pregnancy. It took me a year to get pregnant with my daughter. I ended up having her 11 days early due to preeclampsia. I didn't produce ANY milk after I had her, which was heart breaking. Last October I got pregnant again, after trying for 9 months. I started looking around on the Internet on milk production, etc so I could breastfeed this one (which ended in a miscarriage shortly after we found out). I came across all kind of information about how a under or over treated thyroid can cause breastfeeding/milk supply issues and a lot of women who end up having preeclampsia have thyroid issues and their medication wasn't right.
I hope this helps and I hope you get the test and work it all out. Also, sorry it's so long.
Best of luck,
C.
I know someone who had thyroid problems for 20 years before it was diagnosed properly. I suggest going to a naturopath. First of all, they take you seriously, and second of all they can work miracles, without operations. My sister has been working with them, because she has some thyroid problems and it's getting better. The best one I know is Dr. Cheryl Woods, in Lynnwood at the Trinity Family Health Center.
