Post # 1
Member
967 posts
Busy bee
If this is miscategorized, please feel free to change it, I wasn’t sure where to post.
A few months ago I was diagnosed with subclinical hypothyroidism, and treated with levothyroxine. Prior, I was effortlessly skinny. It wasn’t until just under 2 years ago that I started gaining weight in “steps”, as in, I’d be stable then 5 pounds up, then stable a few weeks, 5 pounds up. I gained almost 40 pounds in about 1 year and maybe 3 or 4 months. Because I started at the bottom of the BMI “normal” range, NO ONE would listen to me when I knew something was wrong. I have always heard the comments from doctors that “my neck doesn’t look normal” but my labs came back “normal” so no one did anything.
The meds helped once someone finally listened, and it was amazing. I lost TWENTY POUNDS in 4 months! But then, from July until a few weeks ago (labs) the TSH levels doubled. Still “normal” but.. well if you’re hypo you know how that works. I have about 2 weeks to my wedding and I’m breaking out again, gained back 7 pounds (still trying to lose!) and my hair is shedding a ton. Plus, I’m puffy all the time. I hate it, and I feel so alone, because I don’t know ANYONE who goes through this, especially because I’m “subclinical” but I very clearly know something is wrong.
I am just so lonely and I feel so awful. My TSH isn’t even “abnormal” and I gained so much weight so quickly that I have terrible stretch marks and I feel like everyone has this unsolicited diet or workout advice.
Maybe even worse is that I don’t feel like I fit in anywhere, because I’m not technically “plus size” (nothing against that at all, and I was clinically overweight) but on my frame, I look bad, and I’m not “skinny”. I guess I gained/bloated in weird places, because I went only from a 6 to an 8 but the difference looks very dramatic on me.. like I gained “in between” the measurement areas or where clothes fit… like my shirts ride up and look terrible. I feel so uncomfortable in my own skin and of COURSE it is right when I’m a bride. It’s like my weight fluctuates so much in no time at all, and no one gets it.
I don’t know what I’m looking for, but is there anyone out there?
Post # 3
Member
6256 posts
Bee Keeper
I’m hypothyroid. It’s pretty rough, but these days I have it well enough under control that my biggest worry about it is what’s going to happen if there’s a zombie apocalypse and I can’t get my meds. 😀 It’s been a long time coming though. You’ll level off!
Post # 4
Member
61 posts
Worker bee
I have Hashimoto’s so I can relate to the weight fluctuations. If your TSH has doubled, and you felt better back in July, I would mention that to your doctor. Just because you’re in the “normal” range doesn’t mean that is YOUR normal range. You may just need to bump up your levothyroxine again. Doesn’t hurt to ask your doc about it.
Post # 5
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
Hey Doll, wow I feel your pain. I was just diagnosed about 5 weeks ago and evveryone thought I was lazy and tired thats why I gained all this weight. Just move more and you won’t be so tired is all I heard. Finally I sucked it up and went to get blood work done with a new Dr. that found I have hypothyroidism. It’s bittersweet. I just went for bloodwork this morning and I still feel horrible and like a sausage. I wish others could understand how I feel. I am not sure what subclinical means being very new to this. I feel what your going through…..
Post # 6
Member
5002 posts
Bee Keeper
Eek, I’m sorry!! I’m hypothyroid, but not autoimmune so I think my body reacts differently. I’m very thin but get tired a lot and have really thin hair and used to get sick all the time. My TSH was as high as 10 for a few years before I got medicated. I take 50mcg levothyroxine daily and it has made me feel somewhat better and I don’t seem to be getting sick as much as I used to. Anyway, I’m sorry you’re having a hard time but I think a good doctor can really help! Have you seen an endocrinologist or just a general practitioner? Maybe it’s time to find a new one!
Post # 7
Member
46 posts
Newbee
I was just diagnosed and am starting medication. Had an allergic reaction to the generic medication, so I’m trying the name brand.
I feel your pain and I hope you feel better soon. Hang in there!
Post # 8
Member
967 posts
Busy bee
Thank you SO much for answering. I am seeing a fantastic doctor (she is my GP now) but after first being medicated, my TSH dropped to ~1, slightly under (I finally felt great, didn’t even realize how bad I had been feeling until I felt normal again), then in 3 months it more than doubled. She DID increase my dosage, and I am lucky enough to have someone that listens to me, but of COURSE it happens now. I do understand that from 4-5 can be the upper range of normal, but I don’t truly buy that. I have swelling in my neck (scans were clear) and my symptoms matched the TSH level increase. It isn’t my dr’s fault, of course, and she is treating me appropriately, but of course it takes time, and OF COURSE it happens right before my wedding. I don’t know if I am autoimmune (going to ask… as I said it’s a GP, and as it took SO LONG to get someone to listen to me at all, it’s exhausting to even think about finding an endocrinologist who will look at me).
Post # 9
Member
967 posts
Busy bee
@Pixie4fall: I feel your pain. I did 1 month of P90x, and it was like… after 3 days or so I thought “wow it IS getting easier” and then the next day, BAM, back at square one.. feeling nauseous working out, and not being able to keep up at all. I GAINED weight, and NO it was NOT muscle.
Post # 10
Member
4327 posts
Honey bee
Another one over here. I’m also not happy with my size, but that’s a minor concern for me compared to the symptoms I get from it. I get brain fog (the worst!), tired, very cold, and lethargic. Those are the things that I worry about, and what gets to me most. I can literally feel myself thinking more slowly, and my reasoning is encumbered or at least delayed when my meds aren’t on point.
Don’t worry too much about your size. It sounds like you’re still at a very reasonable size. And once you get your synthroid increased, you’ll level out and feel tons better.
Post # 11
Member
2073 posts
Buzzing bee
I was hypothyroid for quite some time. It started when I was about 17. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 20. I had no idea what was wrong. I’d always been thin and active. I slowly gained weight, became super moody, my periods got really heavy, and I was freezing cold all the time. Becuase I was a teenager, it was just attributed to typical teenage hormone stuff. Once I was diangosed, had surgery, and started Synthroid, I felt so much better. I had no idea that I wasn’t supposed to be feeling that way all the time. I don’t mean to scare you. Is there any way you can see an endocrinologist? They specialize in dealing with thyroid issues (and diabetes) and understand thyroid levels in such a different way from other doctors. You may have better luck with a specialist. What exactly is it about your neck that “doesn’t look right?” Feel free to PM me if you’d like.
Post # 12
Member
967 posts
Busy bee
@StuporDuck: OMG brain fog is the worst! I forget what I’m trying to say mid-sentence and just can’t get it out sometimes!
I really don’t worry about the size in the dress… it’s the size for the honey moon. I am ALL @ss, so I swear it’s like my bottoms half swings around me when I walk. The size on paper doesn’t look bad, but (I really don’t know how weight and sizes normally go together) I am approx 160 at 5’7 and it’s all very obvious cellulite on my pale legs/pudgy love handles. I don’t mean a few dimples here and there…. from my waist to me knees (minus where the stretch marks are, of course!) is pure “stomped footprints in snow”.
Like I said before, I gained in the “in between” areas.. like “not quite waist, but pudgy ribs” and the area between your hips and waist. It’s extremely frustrating!!
I’m so glad I’m not alone.
Post # 13
Member
967 posts
Busy bee
@MrsPaulsBabyBallerina: Hey girl! Well I thought it was “neck fat” but it’s really just a very obviously large thyroid. I have had the ultrasounds, but they were normal, just swollen. I am not at the age where regular weight gain should be “normal” or “hormonal” (I am 23). From 21 (almost 22) to now, I have gone from 130 to upper 160’s, down to 150, and now I’m leveling upper mid 150’s. This is not okay with me, because I still am not in a good place, and I don’t feel great. I have felt better this past week, but not as good as I should (I can wait, my dose was just increased). I don’t have any hard nodules or anything, but I DO frequently get pains in my ears or the area between my ears and neck.
Also my regular body temp was in the 96.xx degree range until very recently. So I know what you mean about being cold constantly.
Post # 14
Member
1622 posts
Bumble bee
I have hyperthyroidism and am scheduled to have my thyroid surgically removed in 3 weeks. After that, of course I will be hypo and will have to take levothyroxine for the rest of my life. I can completely relate regarding the weight fluxuations though. About 6 months before I was diagnosed, I suddenly lost about 30 lbs with out any effort whatsoever. After diagnosis, I began taking anti-thyroid medication and have gained 40 lbs since April. I have a massive goiter on my neck and I am constantly sweating. I know exactly how you feel and you are not alone.
@EffieTrinket: My first thought after my thyroidectomy was scheduled is “What if the apocalypse happens?” Haha.
Post # 15
Member
967 posts
Busy bee
@peasantsong: Best of luck, love!
Post # 16
Member
1622 posts
Bumble bee
@AnonymousCupcake: You also, my dear!
