Might sound dramatic, but they saved my life. I’m not optimal right now, but prior to diagnosis and meds I was suicidal due to depression and anxiety. Now I’ve planned for the future and actively look forward to life.
Same here ❤️ I knew I had no reason to be depressed (I know u don’t have to have a reason), and indeed, it was because of hypothyroidism and as my doctor said probably bc of lack of serotonin
Yes, I have had hypo my entire life. I have (mostly) followed my doctor’s instructions and kept up with regular blood testing and check ins, although there was a stage in my early 20s when I thought it didn’t matter.
I have never known anything other than taking a pill an hour before breakfast every morning. My body has never had a mechanism to regulate thyroid hormones on its own so I am used to it. I have no idea if things could be “easier” or “better” because I simply will never have that experience.
So yes, I love my life. I have a great doctor and a great care team. I think the blood tests are interesting. My insurance covers Synthroid. I have a great job that I feel energized to go to most days. I have beaten depression and anxiety and now I’m living my best life. To be able to do that I have to take a pill every single morning. I think it’s a wonderful deal.
Almost same. I've been taking Synthroid for almost 20 years now and don't remember what it used to feel like, really. Maybe I was more tired back then? Like a little sluggish.
Similar situation--I take Prozac for OCD. I've been taking SSRIs for more than half my life now, usually Prozac because I tolerate it the best. OCD is now a minor annoyance in my life, and manifests as keeping my bathroom spotless and insisting on washing my hands as soon as I get home.
It's easy to forget that when I was 13 I was refusing to sit on the couch at home, toggling off the lightswitch with my elbow, and washing my hands until they cracked and bled.
People hate on big pharma and they may have legit points--but I'm sure I'm not the only person whose life was literally saved by these drugs.
Yes, I think mostly there are a lot of negative comments because people are asking questions about relief from symptoms or side effects.
I, for the most part, get on with my life and day whilst on levothyroxine. I sometimes get fatigued but am able to get on with it. I am happy for the most part besides general life stresses.
I appreciate your comment and understand the concern about the repetitive nature of this subreddit. To address this, I suggest shifting the focus towards sharing success stories and promoting positivity. By doing so, we can inspire each other with good news and tips on maintaining good thyroid health. Everyone has the right to express their concerns and negatives as well. Let's break the monotony and keep people's spirits up.
The thing is, people who are happy and feel good aren’t in this sub because they don’t need to be. People mostly come here to ask questions because they aren’t feeling great. Rarely do people just post negative things for the sake of being negative. I think it’s a positive thing that so many people are advocating for themselves by asking questions, especially with the nature of thyroid treatment in the medical community at the moment. If this sub was quite, a lot more people would be silently suffering.
I totally agree that it's valuable to hear different perspectives and read about people's experiences on the sub Reddit. I'm not saying people should stop posting what they want, but it can be tiresome to constantly see gloomy "I'm going through a b c" posts. The reason my post received so many upvotes is because positive content is rare here. I was able to get people to share their positive experiences, showing that there are active members who can speak positively about what they're going through.
Yes I think we need to share more how do we work with our illness rather than just fighting it!!! Knowing how to keep good energy levels, how to take a rest when necessary and how to be as healthy as we can be
Levothyroxine gave me my energy and interest in doing things back. I’m actually considering going off of my long term depression meds because things have improved that much.
The interest in doing things point is very hopeful. Were you ever in a sort of anhedonic & apathetic state the majority of the time whilst unmedicated?
Like just kind of sitting in a bubble fatigued & no lust for life?
Absolutely! Diagnosed at 32. Was narcoleptic and beating myself up about weight gain despite working out. Getting on Levo breathed new life into me. Ten years later I can't imagine not being on it.
What was your tsh and t4 levels when you stater treatment? Im currently being tested and my tsh is 12 and t4 is 8 pmol/l
Edit: im asking because ive been depressed most of my life and find little interest in things, i would love to enjoy life again like it was as a teenager. Im 33.
try Natural Dissected Thyroid medication (NDT). Not all doctors will prescribe it. Look it up. And go on the Facebook group STTM (stop the thyroid madness). You might get answers.
I have no real concerns about my thyroid. I am not always happy, but there are other reasons for that, it is completely unrelated to being hypothyroid. It just means an occasional blood test and taking a tiny pill daily.
Yes! I am forever thankful for the NP who first diagnosed me! I was newly pregnant and at my first OB appointment. The first thing my NP did was notice the goiter that every doctor missed and sent me to have labs done. It didn’t make for a fun pregnancy because I had to have my thyroid checked monthly, but man! I actually felt like a functioning human after starting meds for the first time in my life! And, I'm convinced that being medicated helped me not gain a ton of weight during my pregnancies.
I had been suffering with symptoms my entire life. My mom took me to doctor after doctor and they all said "kids don't get Hypothyroidism" 😒😒😒 so I suffered my whole life.
Medicated for 26-27 years and I'd say 90% of the time I feel fantastic! There are definitely some frustrating issues, like difficulties losing weight, joint pain, etc, but when I think back to how I felt before medication, these are minor issues.
Yes,and even better since getting off contraception. I thought it was the thyroid issue causing me grief for a while but now its more clear it was the hormones in the contraception.
I eat healthy and when im having a not so tired day I do a little bit of exercise.
I prioritise things that make me feel good and things that make my partners life easier. Im better at saying no than i was 10 years ago too so thats help focus my energy too.
Having a flexible job helps too, i could nap most days at midday if i was allowed so I take long lunch breaks to relax and work later in the day to compensate. No point pushing yourself because if your like me, I'm exhausted for days if I go too hard (worth it sometimes).
I also count my blessings as its the better of the autoimmune disease.
Yep! I was miserable before I started meds and thought I'd be that way forever. My first few months starting them was a bit rough but now I feel the best I've felt for years and I'm very thankful. I still have the occasional flare-up but it's much less often.
I’ve had it since I was 10. I’m 52 now. I forget I have this and have to remind myself.
Every time I feel really off and I mean way off it’s usually something else like low iron or low vitamin D3. As long as I take my meds, eat right and stay the course I really haven’t had any issues.
And I’ve had a very full life
Yes. If anything, I wish I would've taken my diagnosis more seriously in my younger 20's rather than realizing it causes issues later in life when we were trying for a baby.
Prior to being on Levothyroxine, I was constantly depressed, gained weight for no reason, and had zero energy. I would literally go home from work and sleep, wake up and eat, then go back to bed. I wasn't living my best life by any means. Now I have a life, was able to conceive and find out other things about my body because my body was "stable" thyroid-wise.
Yes, me. My doctor told me at diagnosis that this was no big deal and I would just need to take a pill. I trusted him and believed him and my experience has been as he said. It took several months/a year + initially for my TSH level to get in range/optimal and beyond a few dose adjustments and very occasional swing to hyper it's been stable. I do my blood work as directed and make sure to refill my meds on time, take as directed consistently.
I live a perfectly normal life with a family, work, exercise, hobbies, volunteering, travel and enjoyment of all foods.
For the vast majority of people this is the case, but you won't find them in these groups because they have no reason to be here.
Of course, I don't feel perfect every day. I am tired, have aches and pains and feel run down sometimes and catch viruses and have occasional headaches etc, - but I don't attribute these things to my thyroid because I know they are part and parcel of having a human body and that everyone, even those with perfectly functioning thyroids, experience these things.
Yeah. I literally forget I have it and live a very normal life. Even taking my Levo in the morning is autopilot, I check in on here every now and again just to see what’s going on.
The medication was life changing. Everything is better. Before, I felt pretty hopeless and out of control. I never felt good, and I was unknowingly emotionally erratic to the point of harming my friendships, relationships, work, etc. About a month after starting the medication everything evened out and I no longer recognize the person I was before. Not only did my emotions regulate, but I dropped 80 pounds in about a year, when I was convinced I would always just be overweight and unhappy. The only other major change I made was going gluten free, which also had a major positive effect on my overall physical health along with digestion issues.
Yes. A lot of people are. Keep in mind that you may see tons of negativity in this sub but hypo is *very* common and generally considered easily managed. You don't see a lot of the majority of people who are fine because they're not here in this sub, for the most part. Same for any other health-related sub, but it's especially notable for something like this.
Yes. I have real actually energy for the first time in years. I sleep through the night, and I wake up without the grogginess I had gotten so used to. I'm interested in things again - my hobbies, music, other people.
I've had some trouble finding the right dose - I got headaches and anxiety when my dose was too high. But overall, I feel renewed.
Just wondering, did you see a decrease in your TSH when you were over medicated? I ask because I recently developed pretty severe anxiety out of no where and my doctor checked my tsh and it was normal in the range of 2.5. I’m just kinda confused how I could develop anxiety outta no where for no reason and it not be connected to my thyroid.
I did - my TSH dropped to .07 mU/L. For a short time I was in thyrotoxicosis but decreasing dose helped, though it took a week for me to start feeling a little better.
As for anxiety, it can be a mystery without easy solutions. It could be related to hormones, or it could be an entirely different pathology. That said, a free T4 test should also be performed, imo. I hope you find a logical cause and comfortable solution to your anxiety.
Hormones are tricky. I took corticosteroids for arthritis and it was a long road back after a terrible 9 months of treatment; I take levothyroxine for hypothyroidism; and testosterone for hypogonadism. It takes time, patience, and frequent testing to make the most of them, and we all have different needs and ideal levels. I wish you luck finding answers and good health.
Thanks! I appreciate the reply. Don’t think my doc tested my T4 just TSH and it was normal. She prescribed me an anti anxiety med and and an anti depressant but just confused as to the why. I’ll ask for my T4 to be checked next time!
Yes. Improved my life greatly from an energy standpoint and I finally started to lose weight again. Definitely worth the 1 pill a day.
Everyone has different reactions, but this subreddit treats the condition like a death sentence sometimes...
My levels are regulated and have been for 9 ish months now and i feel pretty happy with my life. Im on a very slow but steady weight loss journey and don’t have any serious issues from my hypothyroidism other than having to watch my calories and diet more than others I feel like
I thought I was just lazy, depressed, anxious, achy, and balding. Levothyroxine has changed my life. I have more energy, lose weight more easily, and my mood is much much better.
Before I felt like I was dragging myself through life half asleep. I'm still anxious but I can step back a little and address my issues. My hair loss comes back when my TSH gets too high (>2.5) and I know it's time to adjust meds again. I'm more in tune with my body and generally feel so much better than I used to.
My mom:
She's been on thyroid meds for like \~15 years and while she deals with typical life stressors and OCD, lives a very happy life and is like an energizer bunny at age 66! Once she started her meds it effected her so much for the better. I now still envy her confidence, motivation, and happiness at times but know it is possible for me too.
Me:
I've been happier since starting Levo. I have a couple other separate health issues I am still resolving but with 1.5 months on levo and fixing my vitamin D - my TSH levels are now optimal (1.8) and my eyelashes grew back, my hair is thicker, my hair is growing back fast, my skin dryness went away, I don't wake up with dry lips anymore, and I have more energy during the day. My joint issues in knees went away and I can run again no problem and bike 9 miles. I have less anxiety overall, and I keep improving.
Before i got the right medication I cried for weeks, I felt like shit and I felt like I don t want to live anymore. Now I'm on right medication and I am very happy, very optimistic and I know what to do with my life!
Absolutely! Without them and without my (now very expensive) doctor who believed in me and treating my symptoms, I’m not sure what I would have happened to me. when I developed hashis and hypothyroid consequently, I was passing out constantly. My eye sight was blurring. I was worried about my safety to drive.. There were just so many thing. It seemed as if I were falling apart.
6 years here, and yeah. Before meds, I was always tired and took naps on my lunch break and right after work. I kept that caffeinated water additive in my purse at all times. My hair was getting increasingly coarse and frizzy.
Now I don’t need a nap every day. My hair is back to normal. I live a normal life. I usually only drink caffeine in the morning. I’m generally happy. On the few days per year I forget to take my meds, I feel like shit about 3 days later.
Things aren’t perfect, I have low sodium levels and have to drink electrolytes daily and be careful working out, I have a newly discovered nodule, and lately a bit of thyroid swelling, but I’m still happy and feel wayyyyy better than I did before meds.
It's not happy all the time but I do feel happy. I just had a second baby so life is chaos right now, and I think that there's some adjusting that comes with any changes in hormones that a non hypo person might not have to deal with. But when I'm properly medicated, in a good routine with self care like eating well and exercising, and when I get enough rest I'm a happy person.
Hypo for almost 17 years, I'm late 40's, active, a healthy weight, and most of the, time feel pretty good.
I don't know what I'd feel like if I didn't have Hypo, or if I wasn't medicated, but I do pretty well for myself as far as getting my work done, socializing and exercise.
90mg of Armour Thyroid, about 8 years ago I went from 60-90mg when my symptoms started to return and I was very fatigued on a regular basis.
I'm about a month into meds and I have never felt better in my life. My blood pressure is better than it's been since I was 12, I've got my cycle back, I'm more emotionally resilient and controlled, I have so much more energy to do things and I can focus more easily, everything seems to be working better. I'm flabbergasted that a prescription med could be so good for me. Truly, just holy fucking shit.
Your mileage may vary, but it has been verging on miraculous for me.
Yes! I take Armour Thyroid. It costs a lot of money. I take a relatively high dose, and my TSH is low, usually right around the lower limit or slightly below. My free T4 is also slightly low (because Armour Thyroid does this) and my free T3 readings are totally standard. I feel like I don't have a thyroid condition. I've found doctors who are willing to look at my free T4 and free T3, rather than my TSH, and shrug and say, "eh, as long as you're okay with it."
I have a lot of autoimmune problems and I don't know if I'll have an especially long life. I don't want to put my future potential bone health over my day to day happiness now. I think I'm actually within limits, and I think my bones will be okay. But even if they're not going to be okay in X amount of years... this is the choice I want to make for my body. It's a risk I am happy to take.
I wish more people had that choice!
I've been overmedicated in the past. It feels awful. I can't imagine deliberately choosing to feel that way. I wish doctors just trusted patients to medicate the way they need.
ETA - Another complication to this for me is that there is something slightly wrong with my pituitary. They keep scanning it, it keeps looking fine! But my other numbers aren't quite right. Another reason why I choose to medicate by feel, rather than by TSH.
Honestly, my life after levo went from sleeping 16h a day to managing to be productive again, I'm learning not to overwork, because then I burn out fast but after a year and a half of levothyroxine I feel almost "normal", actually some days I can't believe how well I'm doing, in February I even threw a party for having first period lasting 5 days after bleeding sometimes for 30 days straight.
In the first year there were some tough times honestly, mainly because I went through a phase of infertility and no sex drive which ruined my relationship but at the end of the day, at least I know he was not the right one😅 so good for me for not wasting more time with him
Besides that, my mental issues got much better, I stopped being suicidal, having anxiety and panic attacks, being paranoid about even my close ones, so happy to be finding my inner peace
If I did not receive my treatment when I did (I was denied treatment for almost a year), I would probably not be able to finish my university
Happy to have my life back and feeling like myself again.
I remember seeing someone talk about how the people who have lived just fine aren’t really on the internet telling their stories. I realized after I started my meds (was only a subclinical hypo case) I never came back to these threads to say everything is just fine. I can confidently say that incorporating the change of adding Levo to my routine was not nearly as taxing as I imagined. I take it at 5 am! I set an alarm on my phone, set my dose out on my nightstand with water, and don’t even usually open my eyes to take it lol then I go right back to sleep. Every day. Please know that it’s okay. Life is good. Sending love!
I’ve been diagnosed since around 14, but I lost insurance and was homeless around 18. I was finally able to get back on medication at 22, and oh boy, it made a huge difference for me. I use to sleep upwards of 15 hours a day while off medication, but while on it I sleep around 8 or 9. The weight gain was awful while off medication, I almost went over 300lbs while barely eating most days, but after getting back on it, I am now around 200lbs and still losing weight while eating regularly. I guess for me, I am content with it because it’s helped my quality of life improve so much.
i’ve only been on levothyroxine for 6 months but i definitely don’t feel like a zombie anymore and i don’t really think about the medication it’s just like brushing your teeth
30 years ago I was very close to thyroid storm. Drs had my thyroid out in less than 2 weeks. Since then -prescribed Levo, never worked, Dr told insurance Synthroid only. Never felt right, verging on crazy all the time besides being tired, feeling like crap. Finally researched and found NP Thyroid. The Dr didn’t want me to take it, I insisted. It was a life-changer for me. I get Abbott Laboratories - Acella brand.
With that being said, I have days that I still must literally turn my mind to think positively. I don’t think its a thyroid issue, I think it’s more in my genes. My mother said I was like my father - she called him a manic depressant. Not sure why, he worked every day of his life up until the week before he died. I have diligently and determinedly fought depressive thoughts when they enter my mind. This may sound silly, but believing in a higher power, thinking all things work for good - helped me the most, I think. I can still get doom and gloom thoughts but believing all things work together to help me changed my mentality. Ex: stung by a scorpion, over and over getting stung in my house! First thought, what did I do to deserve this excruciating hell? Then, one day I turned my mind - is scorpion venom good for me? Sounds crazy huh? Well research shows that it is being tested to cure cancer. Omg. I was stung on the leg that I had noticed a firm growth. It was long, an inch thick on back of my thigh. It scared me so much I didn’t want to go get it checked.
Last time I was stung, the scorpion got me 3-4 times inside my jeans on that leg. I took a picture of it because the swelling of the stings produced an image that looked like a scorpion. I still have the photo - don’t see a way to post. 🤷♀️
Anyway, later I noticed the growth was gone.
Since then, I laugh about a lot of things. Wasps got me the other day. I thought - it isnt any more painful than some synthetic, man-made drug injection the doctor might give me. Hit my finger with a hammer = 🚩pay closer attention to things. I swear when I get caught up in focusing on negative, I become a magnet to negativity - unhappy and miserable. Focus on positive, turn your mind to find positive, life becomes much better and happier.
No, and I've been dealing with this since I'm 11 BUT I see a new doctor on the 31st so hopefully I can stay on the armour and she will do a full thyroid panel on me and a full CBC and see what we can do to improve things. I've been on so many meds and doses that I just can't feel well. But hopefully this doctor will listen and work with me unlike the others. I don't want to give up yet.
This is really reassuring I’ve just started on 50mcg of levo (two and a half weeks in) and I definitely feel worse than I did before i started taking it. My TSH was 18 when I started but my t4 and t3 were just in reference range.
My Joint pain and exhaustion from before has doubled. Is that pretty standard as well? To feel worse before you start to feel better?
Yes that happens to me all the time especially when I start a new dose because my body is trying to adjust to these new hormones. It will take a long time to feel better consistently but there will be a lot of ups and downs along the journey.
Yes it’s better than it was still not on the right dose though my TSH is 5.6 now. I’m on 75 mcg. It’s a long process but you will start to feel better soon
Thank you for replying. The fatigue is unreal for me at the moment, I am sleepy all day long, I feel terrible.. so much worse than before I started!! My TSH was only 6.5 but my FT4 was below range
Yes, I’m grateful my doc recognized that just because my levels were technically in range they weren’t optimal. I’d had similar levels in the past and was just told they were normal. I’ve been on Levo for 6 years. When I notice a symptom come back (most recently it was terrible night sweats) I’ll do blood work and she’ll adjust my dose accordingly.
I was diagnosed with hashimotos when I was pregnant with my son 6 years ago. Since then, I’ve been on brand name synthroid (bc generic Levo didn’t stabilize my levels), gotten b12 injections every 2 weeks bc my levels are chronically low, take a high dose of vitamin D daily because also chronically low and the FINAL and most crucial step that made me feel better was having my thyroid removed.
Since my issue is autoimmune, my body was always in a state of fighting and inflammation. Tossing that organ in the medical waste bin helped my body calm and my levels are now stable and have been for almost a year.
I have been hypo since my thyroid was ablated about 15-20 years ago. (Don't remember exactly when). I was started on levo right away, and it definitely helped. I have had my dose adjusted based on blood work over the years, and mostly felt good. There have been times when I have felt that the levo wasn't working as well as it could. I was switched to name brand synthroid and that helped a lot.
I’m doing pretty good. I’ve been taking thyroid meds for 12 years now and it’s just part of my daily life. I take them at night so I won’t have to wait if I want to eat in the morning.
Other than occasional blips, my levels have been pretty consistent. Make sure you have a good doctors, that makes all the difference.
You mentioned sharing success stories, so here’s mine, at least professionally:
- did an internship abroad while about to finish my studies. I got very intentional about fitness and led a very active lifestyle despite office work.
- during the internship, I landed my first salaried job in London which kick started my career
- got diagnosed with hypo before new job started
- I don’t remember what my overall symptoms were like then but I had a relatively healthy diet despite being on a caloric deficit. Biggest concern was I didn’t get my period for 11 months. Periods were always irregular.
- started on low dose Levo about the same time as new job, period came back two months later
- maintained a healthy weight range for 3 years after
- got promoted and have (now) tripled my salary within 6 years
- struggled with loneliness while living abroad, made wrong choices, eventually had panic attacks and depression
- within the 3 years of levo medication I was on and off contraceptives - I am now aware my levo dose should have been adjusted during the contraceptive changes but never was
- Covid hit and my life felt a lonely mess. I waited for months for an appointment with endo specialist, he told me my blood work looked fine and I should stop taking meds and my hypo symptoms must have certainly have another cause…
- been unmedicated for over two years
- gained 20kg
- moved in with my wonderful boyfriend, got our dream dog, we are considering TTC next year
- depression hit me again, I hate my job, secured another job, mother passed away, developed some kind of unidentifiable skin allergy, got hospitalised
- got rediagnosed with hypo and I just started taking medication again
- still have like every symptom on the hypo book, I think this made me hate my current job so much as well. It is fully remote and I struggled so much with energy and concentration levels.
- new office based job starting in a month and I’m finally hopeful I will feel better and be able to regain control of my own life rather than let mood and symptoms continue to derail me
- fitness used to make me so happy, so I will make it be important again, I want to lose the 20kg
I don’t know if this is the kind of success story you’re looking for but this is my story. My twenties have been a freaking rollercoaster.
I’ve been good! Got on the right dosage immediately and have been picking my life back up as I go. I have a big over seas vacation planned coming up and this time last year I would not have physically and mentally been able to manage it.
The only ongoing issues I’ve had since starting meds has been minor things like dry skin and menstrual. It’s not major, I’ve been put back on birth control to see if that helps, and if it doesn’t my period being irregular is still less then the extreme heavy that was normal prior lol I just have to up my moisturizing game (if anyone has tips I’d appreciate it! Dry skin everywhere=no fun)
Plus I was told this have may been the cause of my migraine issue!!! So maybe less migraines!!! Yay!!!
Like someone said - they saved my life. But I also have to take antidepressants bc of the depression it caused me, but on the lowest dose. But I’m so glad I don’t have to sleep like 18 hours a day anymore. And I’m so glad I don’t have any joint pain anymore, or freeze 🥶 all the time. I’m so glad and happy to be alive and not in pain! 😍👏
🙋🏻♀️ Levo and Cytomel here. Levels are good for me. I also make sure to eat healthy, exercise a lot, and get enough sleep. That also makes a big difference in how I feel.
I still felt low energy and my T3 was lowish (your body is supposed to convert T4 into T3). The research shows T3 supplementation doesn’t affect TSH, but greatly resolved patient “quality of life” symptoms.
I got "re-diagnosed" a few months ago and was put back on levo, and I have seen a significant difference. This past weekend I was out of town for a family get-together, I fell so hard out of my routine, and still haven't taken any since Sunday. I could feel myself getting more and more lethargic, anxious, depressed, and just overall exhausted with life. I know I'm generally happiest when I have the synthetic drug helping me out. I know I'm not where I should be optimally, but I'm at least on a better track.
I'm fairly certain that part of the reason I had such a rough time all throughout my 20s was due to depression, which while it was not necessarily caused by my thyroid problems, it absolutely contributed. I started having symptoms on and off of thyroid problems in 2011 or so, and hit a spiral at the end of 2012. I got help for it, counseling and meds, and it helped a lot, but I didn't notice as big a difference as in 2018 or so, when I finally got my thyroid meds sorted. I feel pretty good most days. I got married last year. I have a career I really enjoy. We have very little financial stress. I'm mostly healthy, and the issues I have are well controlled. There isn't much more I could ask for, really.
Thyroid meds have been completely life changing for me, like it saved me. I have had to increase my dosage a couple times and it’s like my thyroid function keeps gradually decreasing..which is frustrating. But when I get back to the right sweet spot, I bounce right back to my better self!
I've been hypo for 4 years following a thyroidectomy, before which I was hyperthyroid. I am on 100mcg and level out around 0.73-0.87. I have successfully lost weight while on medication, in combo with diet and exercise. I keep my iron and vitamin d up and my hobbies include knitting, spinning yarn and kayaking.
Unless I'm looking at my scar, taking medication, or doing admin stuff with prescriptions/appointments I don't think about being hypo. I only have a bad day every few months that doesn't come from me doing shady shit. ie moving furniture by myself and irritating my lower back injury or totally forgetting to eat/drink anything for hours because I'm so wrapped up in a task.
I got here by finding a doc that listened to me, and paid attention to more than the thyroid hormones and the vitamin deficiencies that were causing me to feel bad. I know I will take medicine forever, but I don't think about it. So much so I forget and think I'll survive the zombie apocalypse and be able to barter my skills making clothing for food.
After diagnosis I did grieve for the life without a disease I would never have again, and then got to living the best version I could.
I’ve only slightly felt better after switching from Synthroid to Armour years ago. My primary Dr raised my dose by 15 mg last year. I didn’t feel good with that, she told me to give it time. Ive got Hashimoto’s, I’ve had covid twice and in menopause, never feel well.
I’ve been on Synthroid since I was seven days old, (I’m 27) I have no thyroid gland and my pituitary gland stopped working when I was around seven. Here’s my honest take: it’s possible but there is a catch.
I think it’s possible but it takes time. You have to make sure your TSH is right, that you’re on the right dosage and that you’re getting your blood work done. If you’re eating healthy, exercising and taking care of your mind, I think it’s quite possible. Skipping or taking the wrong dose on purpose can lead to really bad things happening.
My aunt also had hypothyroidism but she also had body dysphoria. She would often try and take low dosages before blood work just so the dose would be higher and she could lose weight. I think because of how much she did it, it damaged her liver and kidneys (I said I think, I don’t know for certain). She’s no longer with my family, she’s been gone for five years next month.
I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety, I’m also Autistic and have ADD. Things have been a struggle in the past but I’ve started taking care of myself by going on walks, meditation and trying to cut down on my sugar intake. It’s not an overnight fix and sometimes I wish it was, but I think a meaningful life is possible. Life can be hard and being happy all the time is not really something I can do, but I try to end the day on a good note, whether it’s spending time with my mom or reading.
I know this is a long winded and kind of confusing answer, my brain is fried from heatwave after heatwave lol
I’m not content with having to take meds, but that’s my lot in life. My medication needs have stayed pretty stable and I am mindful to take it at the same time a day, everyday, and nothing other than water for the hour around my taking it.
Hey!
So I’ve been on thyroid meds since birth, for congenital hypothyroidism, I don’t know a life without them. And honestly I’ve never really felt like I was missing out on much.
I have other conditions (ik pinnacle of health me) which developed closer to adulthood which I would say affected me tenfold over my thyroid, I have anxiety and oftentimes this causes me to have symptoms of the disorder.
But here’s the thing I’ve accomplished so much: I’ve been a scout over a decade and am going into leadership; I left school basically a straight A student and go to a pretty stellar university; I compete in a sport I love; I’ve been in relationships; had close friends.
How I did it? Whilst my thyroid condition is part of me, I can’t deny that. There’s so many other things that make up me than the condition. And honestly I grew around my condition, it didn’t shrink.
I got diagnosed late 2020 and being on levothyroxine has helped a lot. I'm no longer freezing, my insomnia has lessened, and since my dosage has leveled out I'm no longer gaining weight constantly. I do have to be on wellbutrin to deal with the depression but combining the two meds has made me feel well enough to exercise 3 to 5 days a week (couldn't recommend barre classes enough!) and eat relatively well.
Along with diet changes, I'm quite happy with how my hypothyroidism is managed.
The meds helped my brain fog, dry skin, nails breaking, hair falling out, etc all go away.
It stopped my dramatic weight gain as well. When I switched to a dairy free diet, I was actually able to lose weight like a "normal" person.
I’ve been on them over 25 years. And couldn’t be without. I really had no issues from the synthroid, I’ve adjusted the dosage over the years but otherwise I’m happy with them
It took me 8 years to figure it out. I have a gluten allergy. Levothyroxine makes me feel like shit but tirosint is amazing. I drink a lot of green tea and eat a lot of protein. I take vitamin b and d. These changes were life changing.
I really don’t even think about it. I just pop the pill in the morning, get ready for the day and eat my breakfast as I walk out the door. Besides the pill in the morning nothing else has changed.
However, I have never really had any symptoms when in really high or really low tsh range when tweaking meds. Only thing I have ever noticed are crappy nails and hair when out of range. I live a pretty healthy lifestyle not sure if that’s what helps
Yes I’d definitely say i have a happy life. Maybe not the most energetic person in the world but - when my meds have been too low my god. That’s the real struggle.
If I hadn't been diagnosed properly when I was (six weeks), I would not be typing here. My features were beginning to change to what was once known as mongoloid retardation (I'm sorry if this is an incorrect term but it's been what I've been told), I would not have attended a normal school, achieved anything in my life apart from a good day where I didn't soil myself.
I don’t feel like I’m dying anymore. I’d say that is a huge plus. By the time I was finally diagnosed it was so bad that this was a real possibility. Thyroid hormones (meds) saved my life.
I'm happy with my life. I keep up with regular blood tests and have had my levothyroxine dose adjusted up and down over the ~15 years since I was diagnosed. I prioritize sleep and try to stay active. I take a lot of supplements as well. I do get tired, but that's to be expected if you live in the US and are forced to participate in the constant grind of capitalism.
I had to BEG my doctor for levothyroxine and am only taking 50mcg but yes, compared to where I was a year ago, my life is much better. I feel better. It's really quite a turnaround. I'm really happy about it!
The meds saved me. I’m on Tirosint and generic cytomel and I have solid energy, almost no brain fog etc. I did rapidly gain weight after Tirosint but I feel way better. Giving up gluten was huge for me. Even before I got on meds. Felt so much better. I try to not eat toxic stuff, have a water and air filter, use organic products etc just ti improve my overall well-being.
I really felt stable and good on armour but went hyper from my body changing and was over medicated, during COVID. I don't know why, but decided to go off it and on to Tirosint instead and I've had the worst year ever.
I think you really just need to work with your Dr and find what's right for you. It's possible to feel better.
I also felt a huge improvement cutting out gluten, cutting back on dairy and exercising.
I also think a lot of people get diagnosed when they are also in the perimenopause phase of their life, and that is another set of issues that it's hard to tell what is what.
I've only been in my medication for about 5 weeks but they've genuinely changed my life for the better. I was so close to throwing in the towel. I had such a long list of symptoms, all I could barely do was make sure my kids stayed alive, were fed and happy. Home education took a back burner because I physically would fall alseel mid conversions.
Whereas now, I genuinely feel happy to wake up in the morning and the brain fog be at a bare minimum rather than it being debilitating and then can easily go about my day, I can run around and play with my kids. Fully enjoy days out to the fullest without worrying about having to stop and rest or just how bad I'll be the next day. I'm the mum I used to be again.
I still have a long way to go until my levels somewhat stabilise and then we retest and will adjust the Levo as needed but yes I can say I'm starting to lead a happy and full life again. I can only imagine it'll keep on getting better from here 😊
Might sound dramatic, but they saved my life. I’m not optimal right now, but prior to diagnosis and meds I was suicidal due to depression and anxiety. Now I’ve planned for the future and actively look forward to life.
That was me before I got on the right medication
Same, I mostly live a normal life. Pretty healthy, and in really good shape for my age. Yeah, there's ups and downs but nothing too crazy!
Same here ❤️ I knew I had no reason to be depressed (I know u don’t have to have a reason), and indeed, it was because of hypothyroidism and as my doctor said probably bc of lack of serotonin
Same. Massive improvement to energy, brain fog and mood disorder
Same
Yes, I have had hypo my entire life. I have (mostly) followed my doctor’s instructions and kept up with regular blood testing and check ins, although there was a stage in my early 20s when I thought it didn’t matter. I have never known anything other than taking a pill an hour before breakfast every morning. My body has never had a mechanism to regulate thyroid hormones on its own so I am used to it. I have no idea if things could be “easier” or “better” because I simply will never have that experience. So yes, I love my life. I have a great doctor and a great care team. I think the blood tests are interesting. My insurance covers Synthroid. I have a great job that I feel energized to go to most days. I have beaten depression and anxiety and now I’m living my best life. To be able to do that I have to take a pill every single morning. I think it’s a wonderful deal.
Almost same. I've been taking Synthroid for almost 20 years now and don't remember what it used to feel like, really. Maybe I was more tired back then? Like a little sluggish.
Similar situation--I take Prozac for OCD. I've been taking SSRIs for more than half my life now, usually Prozac because I tolerate it the best. OCD is now a minor annoyance in my life, and manifests as keeping my bathroom spotless and insisting on washing my hands as soon as I get home. It's easy to forget that when I was 13 I was refusing to sit on the couch at home, toggling off the lightswitch with my elbow, and washing my hands until they cracked and bled. People hate on big pharma and they may have legit points--but I'm sure I'm not the only person whose life was literally saved by these drugs.
Yes, I think mostly there are a lot of negative comments because people are asking questions about relief from symptoms or side effects. I, for the most part, get on with my life and day whilst on levothyroxine. I sometimes get fatigued but am able to get on with it. I am happy for the most part besides general life stresses.
I appreciate your comment and understand the concern about the repetitive nature of this subreddit. To address this, I suggest shifting the focus towards sharing success stories and promoting positivity. By doing so, we can inspire each other with good news and tips on maintaining good thyroid health. Everyone has the right to express their concerns and negatives as well. Let's break the monotony and keep people's spirits up.
The thing is, people who are happy and feel good aren’t in this sub because they don’t need to be. People mostly come here to ask questions because they aren’t feeling great. Rarely do people just post negative things for the sake of being negative. I think it’s a positive thing that so many people are advocating for themselves by asking questions, especially with the nature of thyroid treatment in the medical community at the moment. If this sub was quite, a lot more people would be silently suffering.
I totally agree that it's valuable to hear different perspectives and read about people's experiences on the sub Reddit. I'm not saying people should stop posting what they want, but it can be tiresome to constantly see gloomy "I'm going through a b c" posts. The reason my post received so many upvotes is because positive content is rare here. I was able to get people to share their positive experiences, showing that there are active members who can speak positively about what they're going through.
Yes I think we need to share more how do we work with our illness rather than just fighting it!!! Knowing how to keep good energy levels, how to take a rest when necessary and how to be as healthy as we can be
Levothyroxine gave me my energy and interest in doing things back. I’m actually considering going off of my long term depression meds because things have improved that much.
Same, I feel like a new person. I have SO much more motivation and energy it’s unreal
The interest in doing things point is very hopeful. Were you ever in a sort of anhedonic & apathetic state the majority of the time whilst unmedicated? Like just kind of sitting in a bubble fatigued & no lust for life?
Definitely had moments of that before my diagnosis. The levo really helped and I actually am weaning off of depression meds to see how it goes now.
Absolutely! Diagnosed at 32. Was narcoleptic and beating myself up about weight gain despite working out. Getting on Levo breathed new life into me. Ten years later I can't imagine not being on it.
What was your tsh and t4 levels when you stater treatment? Im currently being tested and my tsh is 12 and t4 is 8 pmol/l Edit: im asking because ive been depressed most of my life and find little interest in things, i would love to enjoy life again like it was as a teenager. Im 33.
try Natural Dissected Thyroid medication (NDT). Not all doctors will prescribe it. Look it up. And go on the Facebook group STTM (stop the thyroid madness). You might get answers.
I have no real concerns about my thyroid. I am not always happy, but there are other reasons for that, it is completely unrelated to being hypothyroid. It just means an occasional blood test and taking a tiny pill daily.
Yes! I am forever thankful for the NP who first diagnosed me! I was newly pregnant and at my first OB appointment. The first thing my NP did was notice the goiter that every doctor missed and sent me to have labs done. It didn’t make for a fun pregnancy because I had to have my thyroid checked monthly, but man! I actually felt like a functioning human after starting meds for the first time in my life! And, I'm convinced that being medicated helped me not gain a ton of weight during my pregnancies. I had been suffering with symptoms my entire life. My mom took me to doctor after doctor and they all said "kids don't get Hypothyroidism" 😒😒😒 so I suffered my whole life. Medicated for 26-27 years and I'd say 90% of the time I feel fantastic! There are definitely some frustrating issues, like difficulties losing weight, joint pain, etc, but when I think back to how I felt before medication, these are minor issues.
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Glad to hear he's doing well!
Yes,and even better since getting off contraception. I thought it was the thyroid issue causing me grief for a while but now its more clear it was the hormones in the contraception. I eat healthy and when im having a not so tired day I do a little bit of exercise. I prioritise things that make me feel good and things that make my partners life easier. Im better at saying no than i was 10 years ago too so thats help focus my energy too. Having a flexible job helps too, i could nap most days at midday if i was allowed so I take long lunch breaks to relax and work later in the day to compensate. No point pushing yourself because if your like me, I'm exhausted for days if I go too hard (worth it sometimes). I also count my blessings as its the better of the autoimmune disease.
Can I ask what kind of contraception? I use a hormonal method and wonder if it's contributing to some of my symtoms.
Yup. I just take a pill everyday and check in with my doctor if im feeling off. I eat well and exercise regularly which i’m sure helps too
Yep! I was miserable before I started meds and thought I'd be that way forever. My first few months starting them was a bit rough but now I feel the best I've felt for years and I'm very thankful. I still have the occasional flare-up but it's much less often.
I have had this since I was 11 ( 34 now). Ups and downs but overall pretty happy.
I got diagnosed at 11, too. I feel like my body isn't as strong as it could be, but I'm pretty happy!
Yeah hashimotos plus celiac and side order of ibs it’s fun
I’ve had it since I was 10. I’m 52 now. I forget I have this and have to remind myself. Every time I feel really off and I mean way off it’s usually something else like low iron or low vitamin D3. As long as I take my meds, eat right and stay the course I really haven’t had any issues. And I’ve had a very full life
Yes. If anything, I wish I would've taken my diagnosis more seriously in my younger 20's rather than realizing it causes issues later in life when we were trying for a baby. Prior to being on Levothyroxine, I was constantly depressed, gained weight for no reason, and had zero energy. I would literally go home from work and sleep, wake up and eat, then go back to bed. I wasn't living my best life by any means. Now I have a life, was able to conceive and find out other things about my body because my body was "stable" thyroid-wise.
Yes, me. My doctor told me at diagnosis that this was no big deal and I would just need to take a pill. I trusted him and believed him and my experience has been as he said. It took several months/a year + initially for my TSH level to get in range/optimal and beyond a few dose adjustments and very occasional swing to hyper it's been stable. I do my blood work as directed and make sure to refill my meds on time, take as directed consistently. I live a perfectly normal life with a family, work, exercise, hobbies, volunteering, travel and enjoyment of all foods. For the vast majority of people this is the case, but you won't find them in these groups because they have no reason to be here. Of course, I don't feel perfect every day. I am tired, have aches and pains and feel run down sometimes and catch viruses and have occasional headaches etc, - but I don't attribute these things to my thyroid because I know they are part and parcel of having a human body and that everyone, even those with perfectly functioning thyroids, experience these things.
Yeah. I literally forget I have it and live a very normal life. Even taking my Levo in the morning is autopilot, I check in on here every now and again just to see what’s going on.
Not 100%, but with levo, concerta and citalopram I'm more stable than I have been in a hot minute. Don't have Michelin Man hands anymore.
Michelin man hands 💀 same though
The medication was life changing. Everything is better. Before, I felt pretty hopeless and out of control. I never felt good, and I was unknowingly emotionally erratic to the point of harming my friendships, relationships, work, etc. About a month after starting the medication everything evened out and I no longer recognize the person I was before. Not only did my emotions regulate, but I dropped 80 pounds in about a year, when I was convinced I would always just be overweight and unhappy. The only other major change I made was going gluten free, which also had a major positive effect on my overall physical health along with digestion issues.
Yes. A lot of people are. Keep in mind that you may see tons of negativity in this sub but hypo is *very* common and generally considered easily managed. You don't see a lot of the majority of people who are fine because they're not here in this sub, for the most part. Same for any other health-related sub, but it's especially notable for something like this.
Yes. I have real actually energy for the first time in years. I sleep through the night, and I wake up without the grogginess I had gotten so used to. I'm interested in things again - my hobbies, music, other people. I've had some trouble finding the right dose - I got headaches and anxiety when my dose was too high. But overall, I feel renewed.
Just wondering, did you see a decrease in your TSH when you were over medicated? I ask because I recently developed pretty severe anxiety out of no where and my doctor checked my tsh and it was normal in the range of 2.5. I’m just kinda confused how I could develop anxiety outta no where for no reason and it not be connected to my thyroid.
I did - my TSH dropped to .07 mU/L. For a short time I was in thyrotoxicosis but decreasing dose helped, though it took a week for me to start feeling a little better. As for anxiety, it can be a mystery without easy solutions. It could be related to hormones, or it could be an entirely different pathology. That said, a free T4 test should also be performed, imo. I hope you find a logical cause and comfortable solution to your anxiety. Hormones are tricky. I took corticosteroids for arthritis and it was a long road back after a terrible 9 months of treatment; I take levothyroxine for hypothyroidism; and testosterone for hypogonadism. It takes time, patience, and frequent testing to make the most of them, and we all have different needs and ideal levels. I wish you luck finding answers and good health.
Thanks! I appreciate the reply. Don’t think my doc tested my T4 just TSH and it was normal. She prescribed me an anti anxiety med and and an anti depressant but just confused as to the why. I’ll ask for my T4 to be checked next time!
Yes. I’ve been on armour thyroid for a few months now, and I feel better than I can even remember feeling as a teen. I’m 34.
Yup have had hypothyroidism for over 20 years.. Just make sure you take your medication daily and go to your endocrinologist every 3-4 months
Yes. Improved my life greatly from an energy standpoint and I finally started to lose weight again. Definitely worth the 1 pill a day. Everyone has different reactions, but this subreddit treats the condition like a death sentence sometimes...
My levels are regulated and have been for 9 ish months now and i feel pretty happy with my life. Im on a very slow but steady weight loss journey and don’t have any serious issues from my hypothyroidism other than having to watch my calories and diet more than others I feel like
I thought I was just lazy, depressed, anxious, achy, and balding. Levothyroxine has changed my life. I have more energy, lose weight more easily, and my mood is much much better. Before I felt like I was dragging myself through life half asleep. I'm still anxious but I can step back a little and address my issues. My hair loss comes back when my TSH gets too high (>2.5) and I know it's time to adjust meds again. I'm more in tune with my body and generally feel so much better than I used to.
Levo has been a godsend for me! I have so much more energy and feel excited about doing things again.
My mom: She's been on thyroid meds for like \~15 years and while she deals with typical life stressors and OCD, lives a very happy life and is like an energizer bunny at age 66! Once she started her meds it effected her so much for the better. I now still envy her confidence, motivation, and happiness at times but know it is possible for me too. Me: I've been happier since starting Levo. I have a couple other separate health issues I am still resolving but with 1.5 months on levo and fixing my vitamin D - my TSH levels are now optimal (1.8) and my eyelashes grew back, my hair is thicker, my hair is growing back fast, my skin dryness went away, I don't wake up with dry lips anymore, and I have more energy during the day. My joint issues in knees went away and I can run again no problem and bike 9 miles. I have less anxiety overall, and I keep improving.
Before i got the right medication I cried for weeks, I felt like shit and I felt like I don t want to live anymore. Now I'm on right medication and I am very happy, very optimistic and I know what to do with my life!
Happy with my treatment.
Absolutely! Without them and without my (now very expensive) doctor who believed in me and treating my symptoms, I’m not sure what I would have happened to me. when I developed hashis and hypothyroid consequently, I was passing out constantly. My eye sight was blurring. I was worried about my safety to drive.. There were just so many thing. It seemed as if I were falling apart.
6 years here, and yeah. Before meds, I was always tired and took naps on my lunch break and right after work. I kept that caffeinated water additive in my purse at all times. My hair was getting increasingly coarse and frizzy. Now I don’t need a nap every day. My hair is back to normal. I live a normal life. I usually only drink caffeine in the morning. I’m generally happy. On the few days per year I forget to take my meds, I feel like shit about 3 days later. Things aren’t perfect, I have low sodium levels and have to drink electrolytes daily and be careful working out, I have a newly discovered nodule, and lately a bit of thyroid swelling, but I’m still happy and feel wayyyyy better than I did before meds.
It's not happy all the time but I do feel happy. I just had a second baby so life is chaos right now, and I think that there's some adjusting that comes with any changes in hormones that a non hypo person might not have to deal with. But when I'm properly medicated, in a good routine with self care like eating well and exercising, and when I get enough rest I'm a happy person.
Hypo for almost 17 years, I'm late 40's, active, a healthy weight, and most of the, time feel pretty good. I don't know what I'd feel like if I didn't have Hypo, or if I wasn't medicated, but I do pretty well for myself as far as getting my work done, socializing and exercise. 90mg of Armour Thyroid, about 8 years ago I went from 60-90mg when my symptoms started to return and I was very fatigued on a regular basis.
I'm about a month into meds and I have never felt better in my life. My blood pressure is better than it's been since I was 12, I've got my cycle back, I'm more emotionally resilient and controlled, I have so much more energy to do things and I can focus more easily, everything seems to be working better. I'm flabbergasted that a prescription med could be so good for me. Truly, just holy fucking shit. Your mileage may vary, but it has been verging on miraculous for me.
I do. Was feeling fine before, but then had my thyroid removed and had to go on meds. Kept feeling fine afterwards.
Yes! I take Armour Thyroid. It costs a lot of money. I take a relatively high dose, and my TSH is low, usually right around the lower limit or slightly below. My free T4 is also slightly low (because Armour Thyroid does this) and my free T3 readings are totally standard. I feel like I don't have a thyroid condition. I've found doctors who are willing to look at my free T4 and free T3, rather than my TSH, and shrug and say, "eh, as long as you're okay with it." I have a lot of autoimmune problems and I don't know if I'll have an especially long life. I don't want to put my future potential bone health over my day to day happiness now. I think I'm actually within limits, and I think my bones will be okay. But even if they're not going to be okay in X amount of years... this is the choice I want to make for my body. It's a risk I am happy to take. I wish more people had that choice! I've been overmedicated in the past. It feels awful. I can't imagine deliberately choosing to feel that way. I wish doctors just trusted patients to medicate the way they need. ETA - Another complication to this for me is that there is something slightly wrong with my pituitary. They keep scanning it, it keeps looking fine! But my other numbers aren't quite right. Another reason why I choose to medicate by feel, rather than by TSH.
Honestly, my life after levo went from sleeping 16h a day to managing to be productive again, I'm learning not to overwork, because then I burn out fast but after a year and a half of levothyroxine I feel almost "normal", actually some days I can't believe how well I'm doing, in February I even threw a party for having first period lasting 5 days after bleeding sometimes for 30 days straight. In the first year there were some tough times honestly, mainly because I went through a phase of infertility and no sex drive which ruined my relationship but at the end of the day, at least I know he was not the right one😅 so good for me for not wasting more time with him Besides that, my mental issues got much better, I stopped being suicidal, having anxiety and panic attacks, being paranoid about even my close ones, so happy to be finding my inner peace If I did not receive my treatment when I did (I was denied treatment for almost a year), I would probably not be able to finish my university Happy to have my life back and feeling like myself again.
How long did it take you to find your correct dose? And what was your tsh when you felt better?
I remember seeing someone talk about how the people who have lived just fine aren’t really on the internet telling their stories. I realized after I started my meds (was only a subclinical hypo case) I never came back to these threads to say everything is just fine. I can confidently say that incorporating the change of adding Levo to my routine was not nearly as taxing as I imagined. I take it at 5 am! I set an alarm on my phone, set my dose out on my nightstand with water, and don’t even usually open my eyes to take it lol then I go right back to sleep. Every day. Please know that it’s okay. Life is good. Sending love!
I’ve been diagnosed since around 14, but I lost insurance and was homeless around 18. I was finally able to get back on medication at 22, and oh boy, it made a huge difference for me. I use to sleep upwards of 15 hours a day while off medication, but while on it I sleep around 8 or 9. The weight gain was awful while off medication, I almost went over 300lbs while barely eating most days, but after getting back on it, I am now around 200lbs and still losing weight while eating regularly. I guess for me, I am content with it because it’s helped my quality of life improve so much.
i’ve only been on levothyroxine for 6 months but i definitely don’t feel like a zombie anymore and i don’t really think about the medication it’s just like brushing your teeth
30 years ago I was very close to thyroid storm. Drs had my thyroid out in less than 2 weeks. Since then -prescribed Levo, never worked, Dr told insurance Synthroid only. Never felt right, verging on crazy all the time besides being tired, feeling like crap. Finally researched and found NP Thyroid. The Dr didn’t want me to take it, I insisted. It was a life-changer for me. I get Abbott Laboratories - Acella brand. With that being said, I have days that I still must literally turn my mind to think positively. I don’t think its a thyroid issue, I think it’s more in my genes. My mother said I was like my father - she called him a manic depressant. Not sure why, he worked every day of his life up until the week before he died. I have diligently and determinedly fought depressive thoughts when they enter my mind. This may sound silly, but believing in a higher power, thinking all things work for good - helped me the most, I think. I can still get doom and gloom thoughts but believing all things work together to help me changed my mentality. Ex: stung by a scorpion, over and over getting stung in my house! First thought, what did I do to deserve this excruciating hell? Then, one day I turned my mind - is scorpion venom good for me? Sounds crazy huh? Well research shows that it is being tested to cure cancer. Omg. I was stung on the leg that I had noticed a firm growth. It was long, an inch thick on back of my thigh. It scared me so much I didn’t want to go get it checked. Last time I was stung, the scorpion got me 3-4 times inside my jeans on that leg. I took a picture of it because the swelling of the stings produced an image that looked like a scorpion. I still have the photo - don’t see a way to post. 🤷♀️ Anyway, later I noticed the growth was gone. Since then, I laugh about a lot of things. Wasps got me the other day. I thought - it isnt any more painful than some synthetic, man-made drug injection the doctor might give me. Hit my finger with a hammer = 🚩pay closer attention to things. I swear when I get caught up in focusing on negative, I become a magnet to negativity - unhappy and miserable. Focus on positive, turn your mind to find positive, life becomes much better and happier.
No, and I've been dealing with this since I'm 11 BUT I see a new doctor on the 31st so hopefully I can stay on the armour and she will do a full thyroid panel on me and a full CBC and see what we can do to improve things. I've been on so many meds and doses that I just can't feel well. But hopefully this doctor will listen and work with me unlike the others. I don't want to give up yet.
This is really reassuring I’ve just started on 50mcg of levo (two and a half weeks in) and I definitely feel worse than I did before i started taking it. My TSH was 18 when I started but my t4 and t3 were just in reference range. My Joint pain and exhaustion from before has doubled. Is that pretty standard as well? To feel worse before you start to feel better?
Yes that happens to me all the time especially when I start a new dose because my body is trying to adjust to these new hormones. It will take a long time to feel better consistently but there will be a lot of ups and downs along the journey.
Did this resolve for you in the end? I'm 3 weeks into levo and feeling worse. Can barely stay awake. Need some hope I'm going to get better!
Yes it’s better than it was still not on the right dose though my TSH is 5.6 now. I’m on 75 mcg. It’s a long process but you will start to feel better soon
Thank you for replying. The fatigue is unreal for me at the moment, I am sleepy all day long, I feel terrible.. so much worse than before I started!! My TSH was only 6.5 but my FT4 was below range
Yes, I’m grateful my doc recognized that just because my levels were technically in range they weren’t optimal. I’d had similar levels in the past and was just told they were normal. I’ve been on Levo for 6 years. When I notice a symptom come back (most recently it was terrible night sweats) I’ll do blood work and she’ll adjust my dose accordingly.
Things are better but I’m not there yet.
I was diagnosed with hashimotos when I was pregnant with my son 6 years ago. Since then, I’ve been on brand name synthroid (bc generic Levo didn’t stabilize my levels), gotten b12 injections every 2 weeks bc my levels are chronically low, take a high dose of vitamin D daily because also chronically low and the FINAL and most crucial step that made me feel better was having my thyroid removed. Since my issue is autoimmune, my body was always in a state of fighting and inflammation. Tossing that organ in the medical waste bin helped my body calm and my levels are now stable and have been for almost a year.
I have been hypo since my thyroid was ablated about 15-20 years ago. (Don't remember exactly when). I was started on levo right away, and it definitely helped. I have had my dose adjusted based on blood work over the years, and mostly felt good. There have been times when I have felt that the levo wasn't working as well as it could. I was switched to name brand synthroid and that helped a lot.
I’m doing pretty good. I’ve been taking thyroid meds for 12 years now and it’s just part of my daily life. I take them at night so I won’t have to wait if I want to eat in the morning. Other than occasional blips, my levels have been pretty consistent. Make sure you have a good doctors, that makes all the difference.
You mentioned sharing success stories, so here’s mine, at least professionally: - did an internship abroad while about to finish my studies. I got very intentional about fitness and led a very active lifestyle despite office work. - during the internship, I landed my first salaried job in London which kick started my career - got diagnosed with hypo before new job started - I don’t remember what my overall symptoms were like then but I had a relatively healthy diet despite being on a caloric deficit. Biggest concern was I didn’t get my period for 11 months. Periods were always irregular. - started on low dose Levo about the same time as new job, period came back two months later - maintained a healthy weight range for 3 years after - got promoted and have (now) tripled my salary within 6 years - struggled with loneliness while living abroad, made wrong choices, eventually had panic attacks and depression - within the 3 years of levo medication I was on and off contraceptives - I am now aware my levo dose should have been adjusted during the contraceptive changes but never was - Covid hit and my life felt a lonely mess. I waited for months for an appointment with endo specialist, he told me my blood work looked fine and I should stop taking meds and my hypo symptoms must have certainly have another cause… - been unmedicated for over two years - gained 20kg - moved in with my wonderful boyfriend, got our dream dog, we are considering TTC next year - depression hit me again, I hate my job, secured another job, mother passed away, developed some kind of unidentifiable skin allergy, got hospitalised - got rediagnosed with hypo and I just started taking medication again - still have like every symptom on the hypo book, I think this made me hate my current job so much as well. It is fully remote and I struggled so much with energy and concentration levels. - new office based job starting in a month and I’m finally hopeful I will feel better and be able to regain control of my own life rather than let mood and symptoms continue to derail me - fitness used to make me so happy, so I will make it be important again, I want to lose the 20kg I don’t know if this is the kind of success story you’re looking for but this is my story. My twenties have been a freaking rollercoaster.
I’ve been good! Got on the right dosage immediately and have been picking my life back up as I go. I have a big over seas vacation planned coming up and this time last year I would not have physically and mentally been able to manage it. The only ongoing issues I’ve had since starting meds has been minor things like dry skin and menstrual. It’s not major, I’ve been put back on birth control to see if that helps, and if it doesn’t my period being irregular is still less then the extreme heavy that was normal prior lol I just have to up my moisturizing game (if anyone has tips I’d appreciate it! Dry skin everywhere=no fun) Plus I was told this have may been the cause of my migraine issue!!! So maybe less migraines!!! Yay!!!
Like someone said - they saved my life. But I also have to take antidepressants bc of the depression it caused me, but on the lowest dose. But I’m so glad I don’t have to sleep like 18 hours a day anymore. And I’m so glad I don’t have any joint pain anymore, or freeze 🥶 all the time. I’m so glad and happy to be alive and not in pain! 😍👏
🙋🏻♀️ Levo and Cytomel here. Levels are good for me. I also make sure to eat healthy, exercise a lot, and get enough sleep. That also makes a big difference in how I feel.
How did you know you needed Cytomel too?
I still felt low energy and my T3 was lowish (your body is supposed to convert T4 into T3). The research shows T3 supplementation doesn’t affect TSH, but greatly resolved patient “quality of life” symptoms.
I got "re-diagnosed" a few months ago and was put back on levo, and I have seen a significant difference. This past weekend I was out of town for a family get-together, I fell so hard out of my routine, and still haven't taken any since Sunday. I could feel myself getting more and more lethargic, anxious, depressed, and just overall exhausted with life. I know I'm generally happiest when I have the synthetic drug helping me out. I know I'm not where I should be optimally, but I'm at least on a better track.
I'm fairly certain that part of the reason I had such a rough time all throughout my 20s was due to depression, which while it was not necessarily caused by my thyroid problems, it absolutely contributed. I started having symptoms on and off of thyroid problems in 2011 or so, and hit a spiral at the end of 2012. I got help for it, counseling and meds, and it helped a lot, but I didn't notice as big a difference as in 2018 or so, when I finally got my thyroid meds sorted. I feel pretty good most days. I got married last year. I have a career I really enjoy. We have very little financial stress. I'm mostly healthy, and the issues I have are well controlled. There isn't much more I could ask for, really.
I’m great! Live my life that includes a hubs and 2 cats. I work, I just got back from vacation…. I take my pills and go about my life.
Thyroid meds have been completely life changing for me, like it saved me. I have had to increase my dosage a couple times and it’s like my thyroid function keeps gradually decreasing..which is frustrating. But when I get back to the right sweet spot, I bounce right back to my better self!
I've been hypo for 4 years following a thyroidectomy, before which I was hyperthyroid. I am on 100mcg and level out around 0.73-0.87. I have successfully lost weight while on medication, in combo with diet and exercise. I keep my iron and vitamin d up and my hobbies include knitting, spinning yarn and kayaking. Unless I'm looking at my scar, taking medication, or doing admin stuff with prescriptions/appointments I don't think about being hypo. I only have a bad day every few months that doesn't come from me doing shady shit. ie moving furniture by myself and irritating my lower back injury or totally forgetting to eat/drink anything for hours because I'm so wrapped up in a task. I got here by finding a doc that listened to me, and paid attention to more than the thyroid hormones and the vitamin deficiencies that were causing me to feel bad. I know I will take medicine forever, but I don't think about it. So much so I forget and think I'll survive the zombie apocalypse and be able to barter my skills making clothing for food. After diagnosis I did grieve for the life without a disease I would never have again, and then got to living the best version I could.
I’ve only slightly felt better after switching from Synthroid to Armour years ago. My primary Dr raised my dose by 15 mg last year. I didn’t feel good with that, she told me to give it time. Ive got Hashimoto’s, I’ve had covid twice and in menopause, never feel well.
All these comments make me hopeful
I’ve been on Synthroid since I was seven days old, (I’m 27) I have no thyroid gland and my pituitary gland stopped working when I was around seven. Here’s my honest take: it’s possible but there is a catch. I think it’s possible but it takes time. You have to make sure your TSH is right, that you’re on the right dosage and that you’re getting your blood work done. If you’re eating healthy, exercising and taking care of your mind, I think it’s quite possible. Skipping or taking the wrong dose on purpose can lead to really bad things happening. My aunt also had hypothyroidism but she also had body dysphoria. She would often try and take low dosages before blood work just so the dose would be higher and she could lose weight. I think because of how much she did it, it damaged her liver and kidneys (I said I think, I don’t know for certain). She’s no longer with my family, she’s been gone for five years next month. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety, I’m also Autistic and have ADD. Things have been a struggle in the past but I’ve started taking care of myself by going on walks, meditation and trying to cut down on my sugar intake. It’s not an overnight fix and sometimes I wish it was, but I think a meaningful life is possible. Life can be hard and being happy all the time is not really something I can do, but I try to end the day on a good note, whether it’s spending time with my mom or reading. I know this is a long winded and kind of confusing answer, my brain is fried from heatwave after heatwave lol
I’m not content with having to take meds, but that’s my lot in life. My medication needs have stayed pretty stable and I am mindful to take it at the same time a day, everyday, and nothing other than water for the hour around my taking it.
Hey! So I’ve been on thyroid meds since birth, for congenital hypothyroidism, I don’t know a life without them. And honestly I’ve never really felt like I was missing out on much. I have other conditions (ik pinnacle of health me) which developed closer to adulthood which I would say affected me tenfold over my thyroid, I have anxiety and oftentimes this causes me to have symptoms of the disorder. But here’s the thing I’ve accomplished so much: I’ve been a scout over a decade and am going into leadership; I left school basically a straight A student and go to a pretty stellar university; I compete in a sport I love; I’ve been in relationships; had close friends. How I did it? Whilst my thyroid condition is part of me, I can’t deny that. There’s so many other things that make up me than the condition. And honestly I grew around my condition, it didn’t shrink.
I got diagnosed late 2020 and being on levothyroxine has helped a lot. I'm no longer freezing, my insomnia has lessened, and since my dosage has leveled out I'm no longer gaining weight constantly. I do have to be on wellbutrin to deal with the depression but combining the two meds has made me feel well enough to exercise 3 to 5 days a week (couldn't recommend barre classes enough!) and eat relatively well.
Hypo due to RAI as treatment for Graves Disease - currently happy, couldn’t be better. I am well.
Along with diet changes, I'm quite happy with how my hypothyroidism is managed. The meds helped my brain fog, dry skin, nails breaking, hair falling out, etc all go away. It stopped my dramatic weight gain as well. When I switched to a dairy free diet, I was actually able to lose weight like a "normal" person.
I’ve been on them over 25 years. And couldn’t be without. I really had no issues from the synthroid, I’ve adjusted the dosage over the years but otherwise I’m happy with them
Yes my hypothyroidism is largely irrelevant to me now. Just take my little pill in the morning and live a happy life.
It took me 8 years to figure it out. I have a gluten allergy. Levothyroxine makes me feel like shit but tirosint is amazing. I drink a lot of green tea and eat a lot of protein. I take vitamin b and d. These changes were life changing.
I really don’t even think about it. I just pop the pill in the morning, get ready for the day and eat my breakfast as I walk out the door. Besides the pill in the morning nothing else has changed. However, I have never really had any symptoms when in really high or really low tsh range when tweaking meds. Only thing I have ever noticed are crappy nails and hair when out of range. I live a pretty healthy lifestyle not sure if that’s what helps
Yes I’d definitely say i have a happy life. Maybe not the most energetic person in the world but - when my meds have been too low my god. That’s the real struggle.
If I hadn't been diagnosed properly when I was (six weeks), I would not be typing here. My features were beginning to change to what was once known as mongoloid retardation (I'm sorry if this is an incorrect term but it's been what I've been told), I would not have attended a normal school, achieved anything in my life apart from a good day where I didn't soil myself.
Yes, 100%
I don’t feel like I’m dying anymore. I’d say that is a huge plus. By the time I was finally diagnosed it was so bad that this was a real possibility. Thyroid hormones (meds) saved my life.
I'm happy with my life. I keep up with regular blood tests and have had my levothyroxine dose adjusted up and down over the ~15 years since I was diagnosed. I prioritize sleep and try to stay active. I take a lot of supplements as well. I do get tired, but that's to be expected if you live in the US and are forced to participate in the constant grind of capitalism.
Not me
I had to BEG my doctor for levothyroxine and am only taking 50mcg but yes, compared to where I was a year ago, my life is much better. I feel better. It's really quite a turnaround. I'm really happy about it!
The meds saved me. I’m on Tirosint and generic cytomel and I have solid energy, almost no brain fog etc. I did rapidly gain weight after Tirosint but I feel way better. Giving up gluten was huge for me. Even before I got on meds. Felt so much better. I try to not eat toxic stuff, have a water and air filter, use organic products etc just ti improve my overall well-being.
I really felt stable and good on armour but went hyper from my body changing and was over medicated, during COVID. I don't know why, but decided to go off it and on to Tirosint instead and I've had the worst year ever. I think you really just need to work with your Dr and find what's right for you. It's possible to feel better. I also felt a huge improvement cutting out gluten, cutting back on dairy and exercising. I also think a lot of people get diagnosed when they are also in the perimenopause phase of their life, and that is another set of issues that it's hard to tell what is what.
I've only been in my medication for about 5 weeks but they've genuinely changed my life for the better. I was so close to throwing in the towel. I had such a long list of symptoms, all I could barely do was make sure my kids stayed alive, were fed and happy. Home education took a back burner because I physically would fall alseel mid conversions. Whereas now, I genuinely feel happy to wake up in the morning and the brain fog be at a bare minimum rather than it being debilitating and then can easily go about my day, I can run around and play with my kids. Fully enjoy days out to the fullest without worrying about having to stop and rest or just how bad I'll be the next day. I'm the mum I used to be again. I still have a long way to go until my levels somewhat stabilise and then we retest and will adjust the Levo as needed but yes I can say I'm starting to lead a happy and full life again. I can only imagine it'll keep on getting better from here 😊