Kathryn W's Journal, 01 July 2015

Great attitude! I had Grave's Disease so they zapped my thyroid to a place where it is underactive - hypothyroid. I take medicine daily. Once they get you stabilized, you can lose weight. I found ways to lose. Is it a little harder and slower? yes, sometimes - but you can do it. Be sure to see an endocrinologist so they can prescribe the best medicine for you. 

Thank you for your comment and nudge of hope. I will be sure to ask my doctor for a referral to an endocrinologist. Good luck with your goal! You're doing great :) 

Hi, I am new to this and lost what I thought was going to be a journal entry. In looking for that lost entry I found your entry of 7/2. I do not like your DR. He sounds unsympathetic to your struggle. Wanted to share. Long story short, I now have no thyroid and am on Synthroid, generic. My thyroid tested in the low normal range. Dr says OK keeps me on a low dose of levothyroxin. But I point out that I still have these clinical signs of low thyroid: splitting, peeling cracking etc. finger nails, skin like sand paper, coarse sand paper, hair falling out, sensitivity to cold and lack of energy and I am not a depressive person. I suggest what is defined as normal on that blood test the numbers are based on averages. Averages are composed of highs and lows. Maybe what is low and functional for some is disfunctional for others that would be me. So we stared to gradually increasing my thyroid med. I assured my Dr I would know when the dose got too high, I get kind of jumpy and cranky. Kathryn, dare I use the H word ? Yes, for the first time in decades I am happy. I accomplish my goals, the real drudgery, weight is coming off nicely, 35 lbs since end of March. And I smile whenever I see people. They (strangers) smile back, we might exchange greetings, we laugh. I had stopped laughing a long time ago. Going out into the world of commerce is a blast. The glass is always half full. I am the luckiest duck on the pond and I have had a lot of surgery and am still in pain every night, but I am a lucky duck. I now think everyone should have their thyroid checked. If it is low normal consider going on or upping their dose of thyroid med. Of course deferr to your DR's wisdom---- then on the other hand I doubt if trying a little thyroid is going to kill any one. BUT I am no Dr. Hang in there girl, fight the good fight. Remember thin and healthy feels better than any thing tastes !  

Thank you for such a thoughtful post. It is so frustrating and debilitating for your own doctor to make you feel like you're just going to have to put up with this and live your new, less than perfect life. I've now done 7 days of hard core dieting and exercise and if nothing else I feel pretty good about the "to hell with you" gesture his way from me. I will be seeing a new doctor over the next few weeks and will get into the new results with her. Thank you again, your support is very kind.