Your Thyroid Gland

[sdb]

The Thyroid: My Journey From One End to the Other
By: sdb

That little organ we don't even know exists, the thyroid gland, is responsible for many functions of the body. Mainly the metabolism. Say your metabolism is high, you are producing a high output of thyroid hormones. And if it is low, you are producing a low output. However, this article is to give you an quick overview of the gland and it's importance in thebody. How am I going to do that? I'm going to share my story. I call it

"The Thyroid: My Journey From One End to the Other."

January 2001:
My weight held at a comfortable and healthy 135 lbs. I began eating everything in sight and lost weight no matter what I did. Our grocery bill suffered drasticly. The problem was that my thryroid was overactive. I didn't know at the time. Matter of fact, I didn't know at this point that I even had a thyroid and it's purpose.

April 2001:
I'd lost 40 lbs. Weighting in around 95 lbs, I was skin and bones. Clothes were huge on me but I ate about 10+ meals per day. Bedtime came and I was more awake than any nocturnal animal. It was winter and all I wanted was an air conditioner on high. My blood pressure was through the roof and my heartrate, resting, was 148 beats per minute. The normal is 70+/- beats per minute. My body was slowly eating itself away.

I finally saw a doctor to seek treatment for the problems that I was having. My symptoms were so drastic that I was referred to see a specialist (Endocrinologist). The specialist called immediately after seeing my test results. I was having EVERY symptom of hyperthyroidism.

I was given medication to slow my heart rate and slow my thyroid production. The medicine to slow my heart was to be taken 4 times each day, one pill. The medication for my thyroid was to be taken 4 times a day also, 5 pills each time. But still, 24 pills each day was not enough to slow it much at all.

July 2001: I was finally ready for surgery. Because of having this disease for a prolonged period, my doctor was concerned about my eye sight. He recommended a thyroidectomy instead of the other methods of treatment. It was the best for me since my symptoms were so extreme.

The day of my surgery, the surgeon removed over 90% of my thyroid. Now my metabolism was set at zero. Nothing without my daily hormone pills now.

Now that my thyroid gland was removed, I will be dependent on medicines for the remainder of my life. In the line of all doctors prescribing thyroid medication, I too, was prescribed Synthroid. Synthroid is synthetic T4 hormone, lab processed and lab created. My body didn't respond to it. Everytime the dosage was increased, I felt great. However, weeks later, my energy was back to nothing. I finally broke down and cried to the doctor and we discussed other options. The end result was a new medication containing both T3 and T4 hormones. Real hormone, not synthetic. The doctor said my body was unable to convert remaining T4 hormone into T3, so I now was prescibed a new medication with both hormones.

Since the surgery, my weight was a neverending issue. With years of lack of energy and drive to do much other than sleep, my weight suffered drasticly. I got up to over 150 lbs at one point. I'd always been able to shop at the Junior's department in stores, not anymore though. I entered into a plus size store and vowed to myself that I would never again go there.

Over the last few years, things have finally got to normal. My medication is constantly being raised and I am having more energy to do things that I need to do. For instance, back then I had no energy to exercise. Now I enjoy it and look forward to it.

It's a constant battle when you can't naturally raise your metabolism. But it's something that I have to live with for the remainder of my life.

I hope my story has been informative. Too many underestimate the importance of that little organ that determines whether you have a high or low metablism. Or in my case, no metablism.

[BiggerThnU]

A thyroidectomy is severe even for extreme Hyperthyroidism Your Thyroidologist must have seen some crazy numbers even after medicines! My wife has a thyroid disorder too, the other end of the spectrum: hypothyroidism. We have managed to control it with drugs. I am truly sorry that yours had to be removed as metabolism rates is as I am sure you are aware only one of its jobs.

For those that do not know thyroxine is T4 triiodothyronine is T3, both are hormones. Most of your T4's are converted to T3's through the liver.They (T3)are many times more active, and both are controlled through a sort of feedback system controled by the anterior pituitary,you got hit by a double whammy not being able to use your liver and kidneys to convert it (T4 to T3), did they tell you why?

Keep your levels high if you ever plan to get pregnant, ties into brain development.

The thyroid is a fascinating subject, worthy of our time as it is life changing and often people have no idea there is a problem with it. We two have barley touched on the topic here, but I enjoyed your post and it sounds like you have taken it in all in stride with a very positive attitude!

[sdb]

Originally Posted by BiggerThnU

you got hit by a double whammy not being able to use your liver and kidneys to convert it (T4 to T3), did they tell you why?

No, I am not aware why I can't convert it. I just know that when my medication was changed, everything started to feel better. In all aspects, not just my energy.

Keep your levels high if you ever plan to get pregnant, ties into brain development.

I have been pregnant (he's 16 months old now) and my doctor did monthly checks on my thyroid levels. He didn't have to raise my dosage during pregnancy but prescribed me expensive prenatal vitamis containing EFA's that help with brain and eye development for the fetus.

The thyroid is a fascinating subject, worthy of our time as it is life changing and often people have no idea there is a problem with it. We two have barley touched on the topic here, but I enjoyed your post and it sounds like you have taken it in all in stride with a very positive attitude!

thanks.

[sdb]

OOPS!! I did leave out my actual diagnosis. Graves Disease.

It's an autoimmune disease meaning basicly that your body is fighting itself. My body began to see my thyroid as a foreign object so it produced more antibodies to kill it. This cause my thyroid to produce more hormone and fight to stay alive.

[Newfiechick]

TY for sharing your story sdb!!

I feel your pain hun. I certainly do know about that little organ that determines ones metabolism.
I ,too, went through a rough time with my thyroid...not nearly as much as you, but any and all thyroid problems totally suck!

I have Hypothyroidism. I'm taking Synthyroid which seems to be working for me right now.

You are totally right about people not knowing about the thyroid gland.....millions of people have thyroid problems and don't even know it! So sad.

I agree with Bigger...you have a very positive attitude and outlook hun!!!

[wala]

thanks for the story man... you seem to be coping well.. well done!

[1quick1]

Bump for recent members.

[wala]

Originally Posted by wala

thanks for the story man... you seem to be coping well.. well done!

wow, strong reference to sdb as a man

[1quick1]

Originally Posted by wala

wow, strong reference to sdb as a man

lol

Crazy how that little organ can have such a dramatic effect. How have things been lately?

[sdb]

Originally Posted by 1quick1

lol

Crazy how that little organ can have such a dramatic effect. How have things been lately?

good. i go for my 6 month check up next monday.

[1quick1]

So if you didn't take your medication you would pretty much start gaining weight regardless how many calories you take in or hows that work?

[sdb]

Originally Posted by 1quick1

So if you didn't take your medication you would pretty much start gaining weight regardless how many calories you take in or hows that work?

yep. my metabolism would not exist. i'd be sluggish, organs would be sluggish.

skin dry and thick. let's just say lots could go wrong since it effects every system of the body.

oh and especially during pregnancy, hypothyroidism can cause the fetus to have mental retardation. the miscarriage rate his high too.