My Fellow Thyroidians...Bone Appetite

[barb dwyer]

Hi!

I'm Barb, and I'm an alcoholic.

I'm also hypothyroid, a year in now, and my condition is finally stabilising.
(she says trying to type with crossed fingers.)

I thought maybe a thread on nutrition with thyroid issues might be called for; since thyroid disease is rampant among us recovering from alcoholism.

For example:

Because of my medication,
it's recommendedf that I have no salt...
oh, yay, she writes, dripping with sarcasm.
No salt AND no fat equals no flavor.

Also that SOY PRODUCTS inhibit the thyroxin medication and can be disastrous.
(gleaned from my new Bible- "Living Well with Hypothyroidism')
Food like brussels sprouts, spinach..
also can block the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement.
somebody dish me up another bowl of wallpaper paste...

Sooooo....

Since I KNOW there's others (we've talked before )

I though we could have a place to discuss what we're doing to balance diets coping with restrictions. Because - when i try to read dietary type books - my eyes glaze over about four pages in. I don't know why I'm blocking this information, but I tend to pay attention when speaking with another person with the same challenges.

Another issue lately -

now that the condition is stabilizing...
I am not interested in eating meat what so ever.

and this is a person who couldn't tell a vegan from a vegamite.


Hoping someone will come along that we can explore this together!

[Rowan]

Hey Barb,

I have hypothyroidism also - but I don't think it's as severe as yours. Do you take synthroid, and if so, what dosage? That will give me a better idea. I didn't know that about soy products - but hallelujah because they taste like sweaty socks.

I'll check in on ya later.

[barb dwyer]

LOL sweaty socks ... bleah.

it's um... (looking for the pack)

levothyroxin... 125mcg.

I've been taking the 'generic - but my firend hooked me up with the real thing and man - in two weeks - major diffy.

Yes -
that soy info is from the book "Living Well With Hypothyroidism" by Mary Shomon.

She's got herself a website and the whole shebang.

I'm hoping now that maybe there's a light in the tunnell... that this weight gain will stop.

[Rowan]

ur taking quite a bit more than me. Same med. I'm .075 mcg.

[barb dwyer]

I've seen yer pic, too Rowan - you don't have the weight thing.
For the first time in my life - it really *IS* a gland problem !
LOL!!!!!

I think I could literally only snmell food and that would be all this body could metabolize for now...LOL

I just made a 'under pain of death' pact with the neighbor to use the community walking paths here in butte - she's having surgery next week and her doc has told her to walk.
She won't go by herself.
I won't go by MYself.
So we hope that between the two of us ....

[itisatruth]

Food like brussels sprouts, spinach..
also can block the absorption of thyroid hormone replacement.

Finally - an excuse to not eat spinach!!!

Thanks for this thread!!

I found out a few months ago that I have this as well. I've "stabilized" on 88 mcg of Levothyroxine. My doctor says it should take 4-6 months from this point to start seeing/feeling results - including weight loss. Four to six months. Great.

I have a suspicion that I've had it for a long time. I'm talking years. Silly me missed my blood test years ago and avoided check-ups. Learned my lesson on that one.

So, I'm new at it and look forward to learning more about it. I love salt so I don't know what I am willing to do about that.

Other things my doctor said: my dry skin and thinner hair are also likely results of it.

Many members of my family also have the issue - cousins and my grandmother - who had her thyroid removed. I've read that it affects many people and that it is often under diagnosed. But I hadn't heard about the link to alcoholism. I joined SR for codependency.

Thanks again!

[Freedom1990]

Thank you for starting this thread, Barb!

A little background. My dad was diagnosed hypothyroid about 15 years ago and takes medication.

My 20 year old was just diagnosed with it last month and started medication.

I have been complaining of chronic fatigue along with various other symptoms for years. My current physician looked at my labs I had done in February, and I'm way down on the bottom of the low end of normal, so he started me on L-Thryroxine. He's got me on half the dose my 20 year old is on-I'm on half a pill a day (full pill is 50mcg). I just started last Thursday, and no difference yet.

I wasn't told about any dietary restrictions, or when I may start to feel better. I can drink coffee in the mornings, and it's as effective at waking me up as drinking water.

[Gypsy Feet]

huh. I have it, went on meds (levoxyl 75mcg) like 10 years ago. I don't think I ever noticed a difference in weight, fatigue or anything (I stayed fat and was never any more or less tired than the other moms I knew). Never knew about the diet restrictions either, and I eat soy ever day. My tests have come back normal since I was placed on meds, same dose since the beginning, but I believe the name changed a few years ago.

[Chamabama]

Hi, I have Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed before I ever started drinking. I didn't know there was a connection between alcoholism and thyroid issues. Does the book say why?

I started on Synthroid, but the doctor moved me to Thyrolar which is a synthetic version of Armour. I take Thyrolar 2, which is equivalent to 200mcg of Synthroid. The switch to Thyrolar made a world of difference for me. It is 75% Synthroid (T4) and 25% Cytomel (T3). According to my Doc., thyroid replacement drugs affect different people in different ways and you may have to try a few before you find the one that is right for you.

As for the dietary restrictions... I tried to avoid soy for about 2 weeks. I found that soy was contained in almost everything I ate. I didn't know what to eat anymore, I remember feeling a little hopeless and confused. I talked to my Doc and we decided to titrate my medication to my current eating habits. It worked for me. Have you talked to your Doc about it?

I remember the first year or two of treatment as being really confusing and disheartening. Now it's all second nature; I hardly give it a thought. Hang in there. If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know!

[barb dwyer]

wow!

All I needed was a little patience... I got kinda discouraged last week..but WOW!

Althought the book is rather dated ( it's packed right now and I can't get to it)

It stated that only around 13% of thyroid irregularities get diagnosed.
The biggest problem is doctors who just blow the early signs off.

I wonder how many mentally ill patients could be helped by simply adding thyroid hormone.

Because when I wasn't getting ANY -

I
was
NUTS.

I remember, Freedom - that it talked about it not being known yet whether thyroid disease 'runs in families' or is more the result of location. It's decidedly higher in some areas than others.

This is practicallly a 'new frontier' of medicine,
not that our understanding of chemistry has advanced like it has in the last century.

The brussels sprouts ting really confused me for a while
my God, I considered them a 'staple'...
but while there's a definite connection to
the thyroid and the craving for high-iron foods...
they keep claiming it isn't PROVEN.

Well hell - they oughta call me up
I'll PROVE it for 'em.

LOL!

I'm so glad y'all connected with me on this!!!!



I hope I can be like some of you someday
and say that things all straightened out ...
it only took finding the right medication
and the right doseage.

For the first time - I feel there is hope for that for me.

I keep my eyes peeled for studies as well ... if it'll help - I'll be up for it.

[Chamabama]

I remember at year one, going into my Doc's office nearly in tears. I felt much worse than before I had been diagnosed and I had gained weight. (I'm one of the very few that have always stayed small)

He explained to me that my body's "tones" were still off and that it would take a while for them to adjust. He said that when the thyroid is off, the whole body slows down; all the different systems. During the first year or two, the body starts to slowly wake up. But different parts wake up at different rates. My appetite woke up before my metabolism did, etc. So for a while, things are out of balance and it is a bit crazy making.

I assure you that eventually, all systems get up to speed. Everything evens out and you get used to living in a body that isn't sluggish and out of whack. It does take patience and it is maddening! I'm sorry you're going through that!

There are certain things you can't have *within 4 hours* of your medication. Iron, Calcium and antacids will all bind with your medication rendering it ineffective. But after 4 hours, you can have all the calcium and iron that you crave. It's not a ban on iron. I love Spinach!

[Toomutch]

Between my pregnancies I developed hypothyroidism, I remember the endro doc telling me there was no way I could be pregnant but low and behold I was. My son and daughter are 13 1/2 months apart. I could barely function carrying my son in my arms and being pregnant was so hard. The doctor told me the thyroid levels were like a reservoir and mine was empty, he said he was surprised I even could walk into his office that day. He then told me not to expect to feel better for atleast 8 months; I broke into tears, how was I to care for my babies. Anyway I did get beyond it and I still have my levels checked every 6 months. I have maintained on synthroid .088 for several years now. I feel for anyone going through the process of filling that reservoir back up; just know you will one day feel better.

As far as my diet I was told to eat plenty of salt as I also have a blodd pressure that is low, not dangerously low 96/60 and I get light headed as a result.

[Chamabama]

Yes, I also have low blood pressure and was told to eat more salt. Doc told me "Sit down to shave your legs, and if you drop something... leave it there." LOL

[Toomutch]

Originally Posted by Chamabama

Yes, I also have low blood pressure and was told to eat more salt. Doc told me "Sit down to shave your legs, and if you drop something... leave it there." LOL

I have to laugh at doctors that say things like that; as if you can actually never bend over. LOL

[barb dwyer]

WOW!

Much more what I was hoping to see!!!!!

Does anyone get the leg swelling and pain?

That's been the absolute worst for me.

Feet legs and just the pain.

ALthough I'm feeling better, that hasn't really changed.

[Chamabama]

I have restless leg syndrome, but I've had it all my life and it really doesn't bother me that much. Apparently it is less bothersome for people that have had it since childhood than it is for people who develop it later in life. I didn't even know it had a name until my sister developed it during her pregnancy.

There does seem to be some connection between rls and thyroid problems. Is that what you're experiencing?

I don't get leg swelling. But I do rhythmically thump my feet while I go to sleep and before/while I wake up. My partner tells me that she knows when I'm going to wake up because my feet start up about 10 minutes beforehand.

I've always done it. It used to drive my sister crazy when we were little (we shared a bed) but it was my way to relieve the 'must move my legs' or feel major pain symptom.

I see from above that you've found Mary's site. Do you have a Doc from her lists? I switched to one that was recommended and he is great and really helped get my symptoms under control. Before that, I was hospitalized twice because of Hashimotos.

Wishing you the best!

[barb dwyer]

Docs usually require $$$.

I haven't any at the moment.

So I have to make do with the clinic here.

I know - what would YOU like for Christmas?

*I* would like a REAL endo doc, please.

I *do* shake my foot when going to sleep -
after seeing all those stupid commercials -
I didn't evern connect it.
Just thought it was another ADHD aspect.

But the stuff I'm talking about
is swelling and pain in shins and feet.

[Chamabama]

I've never had that. Sounds miserable! I'm sorry you're experiencing that!