fun2quilt

Runs in the family. Get it checked yearly.

Melinda in Tulsa

In 1976 I had to have my thyroid nuked with Radio Active Iodine for hyperthyroidism and a goiter. Just went on low thyroid med's about a month ago. I'm feeling a little better, but was hoping I would have the energy I had when I was 35! No such luck.

zkosh

I've been on thyroid for years. At one point my doctor (who was not the doctor I had when I started on thyroid) decided to take me off the meds to get a baseline. I was supposed to be off a certain length of time, but before I reached that time I was so tired I could hardly walk across my classroom, came home each afternoon and went to sleep, and finally one weekend I slept all the way to our lakehouse 2-3 hours, got there and took a nap, got up and went to bed and continued this way all weekend, basically sleeping all the time.

My husband called doctor as soon as we returned home and he got me in right away. Apparently my thyroid had quit functioning at all. Hair loss, weight gain, lack of energy, dry nails and skin, shakiness, etc. are all symptoms. It is nothing to ignore and it can be treated easily in most cases!

oldswimmer

the thyroid hormones help regulate all sorts of functions in the body. I believe EVERYONE should have their levels checked yearly..... and if your regular doctor tells you your levels are normal, and you still feel bad, then go to an Endocrinologist. I am a thyroid cancer survivor, and I had an overactive thyroid when I was around 30. Too much hormones made me lose weight, be agitated all the time, couldnt sleep, was angry at everyone in sight, had heart palpitations constantly, and had tons of anxiety! My marriage almost fell apart because of this illness. (realized that years later when I got to feeling "normal" again!)
True, underactive thyroid is more common, but an overactive thyroid can cause great problems too...there are many symptoms that you may not even "know" are related to thyroid problems. So I encourage all of you.... next time you go into the doctor, have them check your levels.

JJs

The thyroid regulates metabolism - no metabolism = no you, simple

amma

My doc includes that test with the rest of my yearly bloodwork :D:D:D

Crafty1

Since my diagnosis, I get mine checked every 3 months and don't think I'll ever get off the meds.

JanetM

I have mine checked every 3 months and will be on medication for life. My thyroid is not coming back. It is important to be tested regularly. My dosage has increased over the years.

Crafty1

It appears I'll be on meds for the rest of my life too. Earlier this year the docs wanted to try to ween me off the meds, to see exactly what it is I have, by going every other day, well at last months check up it appears my levels were going back up so I went back to the daily schedule. I knew something was up because of my symptoms and tell the doc at every visit.

JanetM

I was told that once your thyroid fails lifelong medication is required. I guess there are cases of thyroiditis that will correct itself, but most cases of hypothyroidism require medication forever.
My grandmother was treated for hypothyroidism in the 60's. They took her off the medication and never checked her levels again. She eventually developed severe dementia that her geriatric Dr. attributed to untreated hypothyroidism. If you can, the best Dr. to see for this condition is an endocrinologist. They specialize in metabolic disorders.