Thyroid?
#197277 - 07/19/05 10:48 AM
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Since I can convince myself I'm suffering from everything from male pattern baldness to pregnancy, I thought I'd check with you guys on this.
I am constantly cold. All the darn time. It's 95` out and I don't break a sweat walking for 25 min. This is not a new development for me -- I've always been cold -- but lately it's been ridiculous. I came across something online the other day that said if your armpit temperature is below 97.5` three mornings in a row (take it as soon as you wake up), it could indicate hypothyroidism. I took my armpit temp this morning and it was 96.7. I'll take it again tomorrow and the day after. I went to WebMd and read the symptom list:
Coarse and thinning hair. mine is coarse, and lately a lot seems to come out in the shower, but I don't know how much is a lot
Dry skin. all my life
Brittle nails. yep, they snap all the time
A yellowish tint to the skin. well I'm olive, so it's hard to tell.
Slow body movements. yup
Cold skin. people who shake my hands routinely ask if I'm dead.
Inability to tolerate cold. pretty much sums it up
Feeling tired, sluggish, or weak. yes, although it could be the 5.5 hours of sleep per night that I'm averaging lately
Memory problems, depression, or difficulty concentrating. each of those to a very small degree, but who doesn't?
Constipation. I'm usually D (or stable) but have fluctuated to C a few times in the last month
Heavy or irregular menstrual periods that may last longer than 5 to 7 days. This was the case before I went on the pill.
I really don't want another health problem, but I feel like maybe I should get checked out. Do you guys think this symptom list is overbroad, or should I get checked out?
The other weird thing is that they mentioned moderate weight gain (about 10lbs) as one of the possible symptoms. I did gain 9 pounds in the last year and a half, but now I've lost 6 of that in the last month. So, I don't know what to make of that.
Ideas?
You guys are the best. Thanks.
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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Re: Thyroid?
#197281 - 07/19/05 10:54 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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I don't think you are being irrational or anything. Ask your dr for a blood test to check your thyroid, its simple enough! Thyroid problems run in the family so I get mine checked often!
Lack of sleep will definitely cause a lot of problems also! 5.5 hours a night is not enough honey!! Get more sleep!! LOL!! I hope you feel better soon!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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Thanks Michele. The sleep thing -- I know. I'm a workaholic and I'm overcommitted. The result is that I never sleep, and I underperform at all the jobs instead of eliminating one and doing a good job. Don't really know why I do that. It's morbid, but I always say "I'll sleep when I'm dead." Anyway most of what I've been so busy with lately is about to come to an end. Maybe I'll re-evaluate my symptoms after a week of regular sleep and see what I think. Sure am tired today  . I know you can relate!
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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Go get it checked out. It's just a simple blood test. My mom has a thyroid problem and has to take meds for it every day.
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My mom has hypothyroidism, and I've considered getting checked for all the reasons you listed--dry skin, brittle nails, sluggishness (I usually dismiss this as laziness), and then my medical history. And inability to lose weight. I was actually at Jewel-Osco the other day (chain out here) and I heard on the intercom they can test you there. So it must be pretty easy.
I need a new general practitioner doctor since mine left, so I make call the one the clinic recommended to me and ask if I can get tested. I'd rather know if I have it.
My mom takes medicine every day and feels totally fine.
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Thanks Tina. I know it's irrational, but I'd almost rather avoid getting diagnosed than having to take meds every day. Please don't try to find any logic in that -- it's devoid. I guess I'll have to go get checked out. Thanks again.
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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Thanks, it must be a pretty easy test if they can do it right in the pharmacy. It's not like I'm afraid of bloodwork or anything ... it's just how many chronic illnesses can one healthy girl have?
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Amanda
I live in the Big Apple, but I don't eat the skin
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Nobody likes taking meds unless they have to.
Let us know what happens!
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Hey Amanda,
I have pretty much all of those symptoms except the cold thing. I would say the symptom list is pretty vague. But, I always say it's better to get it checked out than sit and worry. 
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Amanda,
I was hypothyroid for 7 years (from about age 39 to 46).
Then, I suddenly went hyperthyroid, and that lasted for about a year and a half. Now, I'm euthyroid, which means I'm normal.
I had been hypothroid for quite awhile before I was diagnosed and I was in pretty bad shape. I was so tired, that I couldn't hardly walk from one room to another without having to lay down and sleep. I became extremely depressed. My hair became so dry, that I couldn't even get a brush through it. I would go into what I called "coma sleeps". I literally believed that one day, I wouldn't wake up. Ugh! Gives me shivers, just remembering it.
I'm telling you this, because a simple blood test can eliminate any worries you might have. I was so thankful for the meds to control the condition, because it brought me back to my old self.
So, just get yourself checked. If you don't have it, then that's great. If you do, you'd want to start the meds right away to avoid the extreme that hypothyroidism can take you to.
I still get checked once a year. There's nothing to it!
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