Anyone Else Out There with Thyroid Problems?

I take synthroid, and it has made a HUGE difference. I have a ton more energy, my hair stopped falling out and I can actually make it through the day with out falling asleep half way through.

Low thyroid is pretty common in women. I've been on Levothroid for years. I don't know how it affects milk supply, though I can't see why it would hurt it. It's just supplementing a hormone you already have.

Hi, S.... I have hypo-thyroidism as well. I was on synthroid for about 3 years but I still had a goiter, still didn't have much energy. It seemed as though when I first started taking it, it worked somewhat, but then it just wasn't doing the trick. So I looked into alternative ways to deal with it. I found that taking kelp tablets on a regular basis helps. Also, there are thyroid support formulas available at health food stores. Stress is a big factor in glandular health. Figure out what works for you to alleviate stress. Stay well-hydrated but avoid tap water because flouride can suppress thyroid function. Exercise. Hope this helps. Write to me if you have any questions.

Hi S.. I have been on "synthroid" for over 2 years with only one adjustment to my dosage so far. Some symptons of low thyroid levels include fatigue, muscle aches, dry skin, weight gain, slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, dry brittle hair that tends to fall out easily. According to the information I have from the pharmacy small amounts of this drug can pass into brest milk and you should consult your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this medication. I have to admit this drug has really changed my life and my existing pain levels. I am still tired a lot, but I can attrubite that to my terriable sleeping habits now. I have been loosing weight ....slowly, but steadily when before I just couldn't drop a pound. Before you decide to not take the drug because you are breast feeding take a moment and think about how much you need to take care of yourself so that you can be there for your child in the long run. Any time at all nursing gives your child a great, healthy start in life...so giving it up to take care of yourself is okay!! Thyroid problems are sneaky and can cause a lot of damage in the long run. Be sure you take care of yourself. Best wishes.

I was treated for Graves' Disease (hyperthyroidism) in 1989. I have been on Synthroid at varying doses since then. Having an unhealthy thyroid will affect all parts of the body so it doesn't surprise me if it does your milk supply-but that's something you should talk to your Dr and if you haven't found an Endocrinologist that you like yet, you should find one. I have my bloodwork checked every 6 months and will have to for the rest of my life but perhaps your thyroid disease has been "sick" due to pregnancy and lactation and perhaps you will normalize. Once again, you need to find a good Endocrinologist.
Good luck-
E.

I too have hypothyriodism. I have a nodule on it. And just like the other post said, they basically just monitor it. If that is what it is. You need to take the medicine. Especially if you are nursing. Thyroid funtion play a very improtant role for a lot of other things. I have known people to regulate it with natural substances, plus diet and exercise but its hard to say if it will work. Have your doctor write you a scrpit to get a thyroid ultra sound to see if there is anythign there. sometimes the hormones are just low and maybe when you stop nursing they will go back to normal. Symptoms I discovered where sensitive skin along with hives, hair loss, weight gain and hard to lose it, depression, fatigue, anxiety, fewer than normal yeast infections and even a UTI.
I have read that adding kelp into your diet can help and avoiding excess amounts of soy. It may take a few tries to get the medicine right and you have to go every three months for a re check and once a year for a ultra sound if you have a goidor or nodules. Anyway its really nothing to be scared about but you do need to get it regulated because it can cause a lot of problems. I nursed and took synthroid. If your body isn't making that hormone then who knows what else it is affecting that may be affecting your milk supply. Its very much possible that low thyroid could lower it. I hope this helps. Good luck!!

I have had a low thyroid for over 6 years now. Mine was found because I had the goiter. I was on Synthroid but actually use the generic now. It's worked fine with no issues. When I was pregnant they told me to be really sure that I was taking my med correctly since the baby needed that hormone and I wasn't producing enough for both of us. Just know that this medicine (either Synthroid or the generic) is really important to use correctly and be taken at the same time each day. Also - follow the instructions on taking it without food. The pharmacist can give you all the details on that.

Don't know about the milk supply. But I also was just diagnosed with a count of 8 (should be around a 5). Dr put me on LevoThyroxin. It's amazing how much better I'm doing - less tired. I was sleeping 12-15 hours a night before.

Are you feeling better?

I take synthroid, 5 years now. i feel much better than before. i am not as tired. check your vit d too and b12 as those sometimes go hand in hand. i have found from experience that the generic synthroid didn't do me much good. i took it for a few months and switched back to synthroid.

I was diagnosed hypothyroid at 32. I was 11 years on Synthroid and have been on Armour Thyroid for last 5 years. I am one of those people who don't convert T4 to T3 very well (Synthroid is all T4), so I do better on something that has T4 and T3 in it. Everyone is different and works well for me not be what works well for you. Just testing TSH level does not go far enough to give you a good picture of what is going on. In addition to TSH, they should look at your Free T4 and Free T3.
http://thyroid.about.com

I have this problem - diagnosed after my third child. Couldn't figure out why I kept gaining weight and had no energy. My level was pretty bad - they started me on a pretty strong dose, and within a few days I felt like a new person! So alert and had lots of energy! Good Luck

It definitely could have affected your milk supply. The only thing I would be careful is if you are still nursing while you are on the medication. I was taking armour before I got pregnant and they took me off it immediately! Since my daughter was born I have actually had a hyperthyroid problem, but I have refused to take the meds because I am still nursing.

When I was hypo I was always tired and gained a lot of weight (had a hard time losing it too). Make sure you eat healthy and exercise often, and if you feel more tired than you should be talk to your dr and get retested. The dosage may not be right and you may still test hypo. It took 5 tries to figure out the right dosage for me!

Often times they thyroid is affected because of a growth...did your doctor feel your thyroid after your blood test came back? I have a goiter on mine which is what caused the problem. My dr monitors is with yearly ultrasounds just to keep an eye on it.

Hopefully the synthroid helps!

I've been hypothyroid for about 20 years. I've been on Synthroid or Lovothyroxine (the generic) for most of it. I don't think it affected my milk supply. It's been rough, though. I still have all the symptoms & the doctors keep telling me that my "levels" have been fine. Depression, fatigues, weight problems, bad temperature reguation (ex: can't cool down if I get too hot). Soon after giving birth to my first child, I felt like things were changing & I started feeling "normal" for the first time in years. When they checked my levels, they claimed I was off & needed my meds adjusted. It's been fustrating. A friend pointed me to Mary Somon (http://thyroid.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&s... ). I got a lot of info from her site. It's helped a lot. I'm now on Armour Thyroid. I think I saw a bit of a change last summer, but then there was a manufacturing shortage. I just started it again a couple of months ago.

I took/take Synthroid during pregnancy without any harm to my baby. Far as I know there are no major problems with this drug. I took the Armour Thyroid for about 5 years and it had side effects such as hair loss and smelly gas. However, I would ask your child's doctor as well as your doctor to make sure there are no harmful effects to the babies thyroid. I don't see where it could but to be on the safe side. :)
K.

Hi, S.:
Do you have any mercury fillings in your teeth?
Just want to know. D.