Hypothyroidism Support Group

Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...

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vannillabear 06/29/2011

Hi, I'm new. I've been reading different topics on here for some time now. I am very frusterated with my situation. I was diagnosed with IBS after my daughter was born, but I have had the symptoms since I was 16. I haven't had a colonoscopy, but everyone tells me to get it done. I did go to a GI specialist and they put me on something that just made me feel like I was going to throw up all day long, so I quit taking it. But he pretty much told me there was nothing any doctor could do. I really want to know if that is true.
I have found a couple of things that help. I take 6 probiotic pills that I get from my chiropractor/herbalagist a day and I use immodium. But when I have flair ups I can take 5 immodiums before I feel ease. It seems to be getting alot worse lately, I am now 28 and have three kids. I have tried fiber and that makes it 100 times worse, I really don't understand why they think that could possibly work (yes, they have explained why) but it doesn't help. It makes my stomach become very painful. I've tried activia everyday for a month, that made me feel sick. I haven't found anything else that helps. I was even tested for allergy to wheat and that was negative.
I am so nervous that I am going to have to just eat a wheat and gluten free diet. I love food, I'm just so sad that my body hates me.

Since I was diagnosed with this, I have found out that I have a thyroid problem. Not sure if it's hyper or hypo yet. My blood work keeps showing that it's flutuating. They put me on a generic form of synthro and that gave me headaches and they never gave me anything else yet. So I'm still seeing a doctor for that.
My symtoms of that is I am tired all the time, I have no energy, I cannot gain weight unless I am pregnant but then I lose it and can't keep it which is fine, but I have no apitite and that's not fine, I have hair loss, I have really low blood pressure, my eye brows are thinning, I can't think straight alot, I am cold most of the time, and I don't sleep well.
But I am wondering if that may be linked in any way, because I was told that since I have a thyroid problem so young, I will have anxiety and depression, which I already have anxiety issues. I'm wondering if anyone that was diagnosed with ibs also has a thyroid problem.
I guess I am really trying to find answers for this at this point. I have lost a couple of friends by having this problem, I know it sounds bad, but I have. One just recently. It's embarrassing. I can eat something one day and be perfectly fine but then eat it again a few days later and I am on the toilet. I am really hoping that maybe they are linked and if they put me on a med for my thyroid or anxiety that it will treat my ibs (diarea).
Please tell me if anyone out there has every had experience like this. I feel really lonely, my husband really tries to be supportive and understanding but it's getting really emotionally draining on me. I had no idea someone could go that much. I've been under weight my whole life, I eat healthy. Oh and that's another thing, It's not just certain foods, it's anything! I can eat toast and have issues, I can eat just a salad and have issues, it's insane. I have been tested for peresites as well, and I think that came back negative, and I think they may want to do that again. Not sure.
Also, here's another kicker. I am perfectly normal when I am pregnant. Not kidding, I have no issues with ibs or cronic diarrea when I am pregnant. I just can't be pregnant my whole life. So please, if anyone knows of anything or has had simular situations, please tell me.
I've also considered looking into maybe taking some hormone that pregnant women have. I'm just trying to think of anything that would tie into why I have this issue.
Also Has anyone had fluctuating blood test results for hyper and hypo thyroidism?
Thanks to whoever listened.

deleted_user 06/29/2011

Hi! A lot of the symptoms do sound like hypo - not everyone gains weight with it. If your levels have swung both hypo and hyper, you may have an autoimmune thyroid disorder such as Hashimoto's. A lot of immune disorders are linked to each other. Have you been tested for Celiac or h.pylori, and have you had your thyroid antibodies checked? I'm surprised the GI doc didn't do a colonoscopy.

If things were fine when you were pregnant, there could very well be a hormonal link. And you're right, you can't be pregnant forever, lol! That's a pretty tough prescription to take! :)

A friend of mine has similar issues with GI problems, and they haven't been able to pin it down to one thing in particular. She has been getting some relief from probiotics and is experimenting with gluten-free foods, which are actually pretty available now that so many people are having digestive problems. Even our favourite pizza restaurant offers gluten-free pizza crust, and it's good!

You may just have to push to get further testing done...I know it's difficult when you don't feel well, and I hope you get some answers!

vannillabear 06/29/2011

Thank you, I kind of wondered if autoimmune had something to do with it. I am going to be getting tested for celiac next week. I'll have to ask about the others. The only answers I get from these doctors is that I'm still really young so I think they assume I'm just healthy. I left my first doctor because he flat out told me that he didn't have time for my questions. I do have autoimmune deseases that run in my family along with certain cancers. I hope I do not end up with them. But thanks for the advice. I haven't even heard of pylori. I know that I have had my thyroid blood test for all 4 like 4 times in the last year, not sure if that is the same as the antibodies. I'm hoping to hear something within the next two weeks and see if they find anything.

Springsun 06/30/2011

I have been gluten free for a year and it helped SO MUCH for IBS. I have Hashimotos just diagnosed 2 weeks ago. I just started Armour Thyroid hormone. My Dr. also said to eliminate eggs, soy and corn along with the gluten. THIS IS SO HARD! Nearly everything we eat has corn. Has anyone seen the documentary KING CORN? Unless we are eating totally Organic, corn is in basically ALL food we eat in some form or another. I am hoping to see results from eliminating these foods. It is touch this day in age with all the junk in the store which looks like food. My best of luck to you and hope you are able to get our thyroid figured out. I am just beginning the process.

deleted_user 06/30/2011

omg, I experience this digestive problem too! For me, it started in 09 and my dr. said it was a bout of ischemic colitis , "brought on by birth control pills, because of the hormones" .. So I stopped taking those (it was ok because I wanted another baby) and had no more flare ups, got pregnant and was fine throughout ! Then afterwards I was diagnosed hypothyroid, autoimmune thyroiditis. As recently as twice in June I've had "flare ups" where the cramping is severe.. can't pinpoint anything in particular I eat that starts it up, and after in and out of bathroom for some time it seems to resolve. I feel very nauseaus just before it comes on as well. I was also referred to a GI spec. but I never went because at the time I didn't have insurance and have not gone since getting insurance because I just can't find the time :/ I've read the other responses here and have looked into celiac dis. as well but I personally dont seem to fit it.. but i am going to try a gluten free diet for some time and see if it works. Please keep us updated, I am curious about what you find out .. good luck :)

bransnana 06/30/2011

Hi! My daughter had hardly any symptoms of celiac but asked to be tested because she had some bouts of constipation and bloating. Some get the opposite like you. Celiac and Hashi's can sometimes go together (my daughter's gastro doc said) My daughter has the celiac antibodies. You also have to have a biopsy of the small intestine to confirm it. This is the only test that can really detect Celiac. Some people, for whatever reason don't test positive for the antibodies, yet the biopsy shows it. My daughter has it very mild. She has been gluten free for over a year and doesn't have the issues she had anymore. The only thing with celiac is you have to be eating gluten for the test to show positive cause if you eliminate it totally, your intestines heals after awhile and your antibodies go back to normal. You should be tested before you elminate gluten completely,unless you just want to test it for a month or so. I think 2 pieces of bread a day or less is all you need for the antibodies to show up. Gluten is like a foreign object your body tries to fight if you have celiac,therefore the antibodies towards it. I have a combo of Graves/Hashi's and auto immune issues usually run in families, no matter which one. It does sound like you are hypo too.

vannillabear 07/01/2011

Thank you everybody, I have a doctor appointment on wed. It does help to know that people have the similar things going on. I am going to be requesting to get tested for celiac and see if there is a way they can test for fructose and any other food allergy and I am going to have them check my hormones because I am wandering if that might be related. I also am going to request to be tested for a couple of autoimmune deseases as well, since there is a couple that run in my family and I've heard on here that there is one with your thyroid fluctuating. I just really hope she listens to me and lets me do it all. I have had several think that I am crazy, but I know just like everyone else, this is not normal. I am cutting out soda from now on to see if that helps, it's going to be hard, but I have to do something for the time being. I also have a friend with celiac so I have gotten advice from her, I haven't looked into the symptoms though. I'm just really nervous that me and my family will have to go to gluten free, it's expensive and hard to do. so we'll see. I will keep everyone updated. I am so suprised at how many people responded. I am very determined to figure this out. My mother in law even offered to pay for me to go to a natural path to see what they say. So I will be going about this in several different ways. It may be with several different doctors, but I will figure it out. Oh and it's not from your birth control, please son't listen to that doctor. I've had these problems in high school before I was ever on it. But then I'm fine when I'm pregnant. so it can't be from them. I've even talked to my ob about all this too. So we'll see if my doctor is up for the challenge on wed.

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