Need input! Teen with Thyroid issues, update

[d.k]

O.K. Mom-- Deep breaths!! Her thyroid's not in FAILURE & it's just a smidgeon high. If she' havin chronic insomnia w/ it-- it might be PART of the problem. I've had HYPER-thyroidism (HIGH thyroid) for 2 decades- Sometimes "off-the-charts" high!! ADD a good nat'l Vit E to her diet. That ALONE MAY get her thyroid count lower. GO SLOW!!! God! Doctors ideas of "treating" thyroid are very similar to those for uterine trouble-- SLASH AND BURN!! You don't want that if you can DO ANYTHING to avoid it.* PM me for more-- I'll give you my e-mail. God loves you, & K. too. Take care.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I have hypothyriodism too. Once her meds are regulated it will be a once or twice a year blood draw to make sure the levels are correct. Without the pills (which by the way are a normal product your body produces and isn't anymore) I can not function. I'm tired all the time, slow, and cranky. With the meds I function just fine. I just was in today for my checkup and found that my dose doesn't need changing!-Yeah, first time that at my yearly checks it hasn't needed tweaking!

One thing to remember, if she does have hypothyroidism and they start her on meds, don't change from brand name to generic or vise versa! This med is very sensitive and doing so would mean a need for more testing to get the required amount set right again!

 

[Blisschick]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism) in 1989. Apparently, I'd had it since puberty and not known it until it had progressively gotten worse over the years to the point I had stopped mentruating. This happened right after I got married, so I assumed I was pregnant until we found out I wasn't and the doctor noted my neck was swollen. From there I went to an endocrinologist, who had me get a thyroid scan and blood tests done. The scan consists of taking a capusule of iodine with a harmless radioactive tracer. The thyroid gland will absorb the iodine, so when the scan is done, the gland will show up and allow the doctor to see how large it is, hot and cold spots, and nodules. I had a nodule on mine, so I had two separate fine needle biopsies done. Having blood drawn is nothing compared to laying down on a table and having 10 needles a session stuck in your neck!

I go annually now. I've never needed my levels changed, not even when I was pregnant, so once she gets on the proper dosage, she'll do fine. I know when I'm off my medication, I can't function either. I actually start having muscle problems, motor function issues, mental sluggishness, swelling, and sleeping problems.

 

[wegotchickens]

Well, I may have ticked off the family doctor, but I've already started the referral process for getting K to a pediatric endocrinologist. We have a really good Children's Hospital is Knoxville, and these doctors work through that hospital.
Hopefully the family md will understand that I just want the very best for my baby, and not take it personally. But since he couldn't even work us in to discuss this until Monday, and the pediatric doc has a 3-month waiting list, I figured I'd best get on the ball. (the endo ofc will work in her in quicker if she's in sever shape. takes the dr referal for them to make that decision, though)
Even if she has the least magnitude of thyroid problems, she's still having trouble with day-to-day functioning. She's at home, barely able to stay awake long enough to talk and she slept 10 hours straight through last night. She's crying over not being tired but not able to stay awake. This morning she was trembling and her hands were shaky, and this isn't the first morning for that, either.
I thank you all so much for your input. It has definitely given me solid guidance as well as ideas on what the future holds.
Her white blood count & hematocrit are low as well as some other things. Maybe its all related, maybe it will require other tests. I'm not a doctor, but I sure would like to talk to one!!!
My ex (her father) is an LPN, and already thinks he knows exactly what's wrong and what should be done. But he has thyroid problems too and didn't see that this is what she had! But I'm being nice and not arguing. Just asking that he not tell her its all peaches and cream when maybe it ain't.

 

[chickflick]

Good luck with K... I had heavy periods so I was also anemic. Keep us updated and we'll keep her in our prayers. Hope the drs can get you in soon, 3 months is a long time to wait when your daughter can't function. take care.

 

[d.k]

*MAGNESIUM is the ticket for the shaky hands!! PLUS, it may help her insomnia, constipation, if she has that & calm her nervous system, that gets kinda "hot-wired" w/ hyper-thyroidism--- MEANING she'll be less stressed-out feeling & more relaxed. IF she's having tachycardia or tinnitus, it should help that, too. Don't go crazy with it-- too much is not good either; 25O mgs. is a good low start dose. Have her take right @ dinner and just see. . . I'd bet her SLEEPING & SHAKES improve in 3 days or less! Magnesium is one of the greatest lacks in the diet today for EVERYBODY & one reason we're all so 'burned-out'. NEXT- Believe it or not, CABBAGE is great at taming hyper-thyroid. Help K. LOVE cole slaw!! I SURE DO, cuz it probly helped save my life!! Literally. >>One more for now. Are K's f/nails real thin & peeling or tearing?? That's pretty classic Hyper-T! Start her on HOT CEREALS for brkfast 3X a week. GET A BAG OF FLAXSEED, grind in a coffee grinder & add bout 1 Tbsp. STRONG/LONGER NAILS 1n no time.

bye!

 

[Blisschick]

The shaking is a symptom of her thyroid problem. My doctor always made me extend my hands and placed a ruler across them to see if I had any trembling. On the med, I still have very minor shaking that comes out when I have my hands in a awkward situation, but my sister (who has the same thing) has shaky hands all the times. It's only noticeable when she holds her hands out.

 

[d.k]

*Yep, Blisschick- I know what you mean. At one point my trembling was so bad, even my legs were affected. I had no strentgh to walk even to shop @ WalMart and had to use the electric carts awhile!

 

[speckledhen]

I have hypothyroidism myself. It just takes always checking and regulating meds. One thing that surprised me is that it is related to cholesterol levels and carpal tunnel. Odd, huh?

 

[d.k]

*hey SP-- you too huh? Should we start another forum topic ya think??

I tend to find the whole "regional connection" with the Mid U.S. & the backtracking stuff more interesting and just deal with the symtoms with supplements & nutritional 'tricks'. MEDS made me even sicker!!