I have been on Thyroxine (T4) treatment only for 10 years and though my TSH levels have been regulated at times over the past decade, I have never felt like myself.
This journey began in 1994/95 although I am beginning to suspect that there were earlier affects that I did not really know were potentially related to thyroid. In 1994, I married (eloped with) my first husband, Bert. He was in the Navy and was going overseas to Japan after some training in California. We planned that I would stay in the US for another year and then travel to Japan with him. Unbeknownst to us, I got pregnant with my first child, Marcos over our Christmas Holidays. After finding out, we were very excited, but chose to continue with our plans, as he would be out to sea when I was due.
In March 1995, on a short cruise, Bert was killed in a helicopter accident. I had Marcos in September following an otherwise unremarkable pregnancy. All told, I had gained 20 pounds during the entire pregnancy. By 10 weeks post-partum – November 1995, I had lost 25 pounds and was doing well. By Valentine’s Day 1996, I had gained 30 pounds. I had not changed my eating or exercise habits at all - I was still running 1 mile a day! My doctor ran some tests and found my Thyroid level for TSH was in the 30 – 35 range.
After adjusting dosages for about 6 months, we settled on a dosage of .075. I felt reasonably well. I was not able to budge the weight very much – I had lost about 15 pounds but nothing was working on the rest. I was told a variety of things ranging from “You’re eating to much/not exercising enough” to “your body is very frugal with calories, you need to eat less”. Well, on a diet of 1000 – 1500 calories per day, there is not a lot less you can eat. I thought I would just have to live with it. I continued to run daily and lift weights 3 days per week.
In December of 1997, I noticed I was not feeling well again and had more tests done. My thyroid TSH level was high – 5 – 6. So, we adjusted my dosages again and after settling on .112, things were better. I started line dancing on Saturday nights with some friends and lost some more weight. By the spring, with a new job, I was feeling good.
In the summer of 1997, my dosage again needed to be tweaked and was moved to .125/day. This was a dose that I stayed regulated on until the just after New Year’s 2000. That period was the longest I have ever been regulated and feeling good. I lost weight and stayed at a size 10/12. Not the best shape ever, but pretty darn good.
I moved to Dallas in the fall of 1999, got engaged to my husband David and in early 2000, moved to Lewisville. We had a lot of stress and upheaval going on at work. I was put on a prescription for Prozac and noticed my weight had gone up a little. My thyroid was slightly off and the dose was bumped to .15.
In fall of 2000, David and I chose to get married with little fanfare. We had fun and were a happy little family. Things were going well. In the spring of 2001, my job went through 2 major changes and my thyroid responded to the stress. I was now on .175 and not easily able to control my weight – it was still creeping ever upwards.
As fall 2001 came along, and with it the attacks of 9/11, my stress was very bad. My thyroid was bad and my dosage went to .187. I settled in for a little bit – tried giving the Atkins plan a whirl in May of 2002. David lost 30 pounds. I lost 10. We were trying to get pregnant and in July, I was excited to test positive. At the start of August, I miscarried. I did not know Hashimoto’s disease could affect pregnancy.
After having my second child, Kaleb, in 2003, I have been on the worst roller-coaster ride of my life culminating in a TSH reading of 46.41 - and a 20 lb weight gain - while on a dosage of .2 Synthroid. After getting completely fed up with the thought that the rest of my life was going to be like this, I started some research and found that others have had the same types of issues. I also found that there are some Hashimoto's patients who cannot convert T4 to T3 and need a combo medication. I have just transitioned to Armour and have high hopes that this may make a difference. Without my husband's support I would probably have thrown in the towel by now!
Finally, September 12, I had new bloodwork drawn. I am drastically better - and feel it! Last weekend I was actually able to finish a 5K roadrace! This is a major step in the right direction for me. I will continue to run - and keep working toward feeling better!
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