First Post

I am creating this blog mostly as a reference for myself and other people with hypothyroidism. There is a lot of mystery going on with this widespread disease and I feel that maybe if I begin to write about my experiences, issues, positives and negatives it will help those suffering with this disease.

I was diagnosed in October of 2008 with hypothyroidism by a general practitioner. I promptly began synthetic hormone replacement therapy using the generic levothyroxine (T-4). For a couple weeks after my initial therapy, which started at the lowest dose of 25 mcg, I felt good, refreshed and energized. However, that subsided and I continued with my therapy. Even though my thyroid levels became more normal over time, my symptoms of fatigue, depression, headaches, hair loss, inability to lose weight, inability to focus were all still present.

Around April of 2009, I asked my GP if they would switch me to the natural Armour Thyroid. However, they declined saying there wasn't enough evidence that the natural thyroid (which contains both t-3 and t-4) was a viable option. So, they put me on Synthroid.

My levels improved dramatically, but I was still having the symptoms above. I finally decided to try to find someone who would attempt to put me on Armour Thyroid. I did, and he is also an integrative medicine doctor which means he also uses natural supplements and remedies for myriads of problems.

So, this is where I am today. I am minutely feeling better after being on Armour Thyroid for a few weeks. My energy level has improved somewhat but I am still having a lot of the aforementioned symptoms again. My hypothyroidism has also led to a variety of associated problems such as elevated blood sugar, low adrenal function, a goiter and low blood pressure. I have been put on supplements in an effort to remedy this as well as a specific diet I am supposed to follow but am finding it hard on a college kid who works in a pharmacy's salary.

I will post up different and various articles through research and reading in hopes that other people can use this blog as a reference to their own medical mystery myriad; especially for those people who think they are just depressed, just tired from work, et cetera. Low thyroid is a growing problem that needs to be addressed.