Ok so when i had diabetes i never knew it until i was diagnosed with it...once i was diagnosed and they pointed out the symptoms (like frequent urinaton and unquenchable thirst) i realized i had diabetes for a while.... A lot of people tell me to get my thyroid checked but i honestly just felt like this thyroid problem was just a cop out for weight lss...is this really a reason people have trouble "burning the fat"? Not only that but are there symptoms to look for if my thyroid is outof whack?
I am hypothyroid so I figured I would chime in. Well, these are the symptoms that I had that made me go get checked out:
1. Constant urination
2. Body temperature changes. Mainly cold hands and feet.
3. Constant bowel movements
4. Extremely dry skin. My hands were getting so damn dry. Notice if your skin/hands are extremely dry??
5. Extreme fatigue. Hard to get out of bed
Now, something to keep in mind. When you go get a thyroid test, make sure to have them test everything involved with the thyroid. I went to my doc and told them I needed a thyroid test. Thyroid problems run in my family.
The doc tested my thyroid but only the Thyroid stimulating hormone and the T4. They didn't test my T3. So, I got my results, my T4 came back low, so they put them on 0.25mcg a day of Levothyroxine (T4) and it didn't do a damn thing. In fact, it made me gain damn near 10 pounds in a month while dieting my ass off. I went to an Endocrinologist specializing in Thyroid. He changed my med brand and upped my dose to 0.50mcg day of Synthroid (still T4, just name brand, not generic) and I didn't gain any weight. I stayed the same, but found out I had low low testosterone and that was preventing the weight loss from happening.
I am now on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and feeling better. I just wish I would have known what my T3 was before I got on anything. Of course after a month on T4, my T3 levels came back in range but however I would have liked to see what they were before I started any meds. Apparently, my Endo said that 90 percent of thyroid tests do not involve testing the T3. Rarely is it the T3 hormone that is out of wack. It is almost always the T4 for Hypothyroidism. Not sure how true that statement is but that's what he said.
The conclusion and tips:
Make sure the idiot doctor tests all thyroid hormones including the T3 so you know where "all" levels are. Also, have them test your Cortisol levels as well. Usually if a person is having weight issues, thyroid and cortisol can be the main culprits.
Lastly, when I was on Levothyroxine (the cheap generic T4) I experienced wicked ass side effects. I was about to have panic attacks all damn day long. I would feel like I was about to pass out throughout the day. I was couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without being completely out of breath. Once I got on the name brand "Synthroid", those symptoms stopped instantly.
Lastly, most thyroid patients have this notion that once they get on Thyroid medication, the weight will just come off. Little do they realize is that the meds will put them on the same level playing field as anyone else. They will still need to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise program to reap any weight loss benefits. One downfall is that thyroid medication can make you hungry as a horse and thus you eat more and actually gain weight if your not careful. Just something to keep in mind. Hope this helps!
