Dealing with hypothyroid, and not feeling like you anymore, even with medication

Nickie - posted on 02/27/2012

I was diagnosed when I was 21 but know it had been going on for some time. I am now 34 and have a 3 1/2 year old daughter who is highly energetic. Before my daughter came along I was able to manage it well with meds and excercise, although it would sometimes go haywire on me and I'd gain and lose weight randomly. I think the difference now is I can't take a nap when I need to etc... I am now 6 months pregnant with my second and am actually feeling worried because I'm having different symptoms than I've ever had before. I've finally gotten my appetite back somewhat so I'm eating more but not getting as much excercise as I did before I became a mom. I start feeling like my blood pressure is going up and down, getting light headed and winded easily. My heart will start beating harder but not faster and I have to lie down because I get suddenly exhausted. Some of this may be due to a car accident I was in three years ago (part of the reason I'm not as active) and its just getting hard to motivate myself to do normal everyday things like clean my house or take my daughter to the park. I don't know if I'm looking for advice or just venting but it's nice to know that there are others who are dealing with this and may have tips on dealing with it.

Jessica - posted on 06/11/2011

I'm sorry to hear you have to deal with that, but so glad to hear that I'm not alone! And yeah, I have a really crappy doc that's helping/not helping me, I had to beg him for blood tests in the first place to check if I had it, also vitamin d defficient, but he didn't even want to do the test(last yr)he's like theirs no way you could be, it's summer, and blah blah blah...but yeah dealing w/ both, and meds aren't doing anything for me, I feel like the first month they did, I actually lost 10pounds, but following month gained it back. I went in for blood work a while after that, he said my levels were looking ok(I thought great, but I definately don't feel like they're normal) I'm looking for another doc, as I'm finding out from people hypo is something that needs to be well taken care of and shouldn't be slacked on or w/e. I need a doc that cares about my symptoms and my tests, not a doc that prob just is looking for numbers to be in the "average" range. Have your tests shown up that your levels are normal, but still having symptoms, or how is your doc handeling it? Yeah you definately need to get it figured out w/ a baby growing in you! I also worked out a lot and couldn't loose the weight, the lactating also, I've been lactating since I was pregnant w/ my first daughter. I breast fed her for a while, along w/ my second, and the milk for the most part dried up, but sometimes a little will leak out, it's weird. But yeah, let me know if you have some tips if you've found ways for things to work for you, even little things. ttyl

Emily - posted on 06/11/2011

Hey girl! I TOTALLY understand how you feel. I think I always was a little hypo (as it runs in my family) but not terrible until the birth of my first daughter in February of 2010. About 10 months after I had her, my hair kept shedding like crazy. I was EXTREMELY exhausted. Oh, and not to mention the 40lbs I gained during pregnancy didn't go away afterwards. I was working out hard twice and day and eating right and nothing. Also, I started lactating!!!! I hadn't breast fed in like 9 months and had already dried up. So weird. Needless to say I was freaked out and scheduled an appointment with my OBGYN to figure this out. Long story short, I was diagnosed with hypo. I was at a level of like 6.25. Anyway, I am now pregnant with my 2nd (I'm pretty sure but just have to double check at the docs) and I'm really scared. I don't want to gain 40 more lbs! Also, I have got to get my medication adjusted for the baby and I. I've heard that if it's not at the right level the baby could have birth defects and IQ problems. Anyway, Since Dec. 2010 I've been working on getting the right level of medication. It makes me feel better when I take it but I know it's definitely not enough.