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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DoxieGal 04/13/2009

Is it normal to have both hypothyroidism and chronic fatigue? Do these two illnesses go hand-in-hand? Does anyone know anything about chronic fatigue and how to feel well again?

There are some mornings when I get up -- actually most mornings -- and I just can\'t seem to get going. And it\'s not like \"Oh, I feel so tired.\" It is much MUCH worse. It\'s like I can\'t even move out of bed. Standing seems to take an incredible effort! It is to the point of nausea and dizzy spells because I feel that I need to go back to bed. Granted, I usually do not sleep well -- I wake up every two hours for no reason. But I am wondering if this is related to the thyroid?

deleted_user 04/13/2009

Are you on Synthroid yet? Once they get your TSH levels right hopefully you will feel much better. If you are on too much Synthroid it can make you not sleep well. Your body will be sped up so much that you will be very tired. If you are not on enough you will not have enough energy. I would make sure that the lab your doctor uses goes by the new range of 0.3 to 3.0 for TSH.

Try and take your Synthroid on an empty stomach either 2 hours after or 1 hour before food. Also, make sure you don't take any other medications at the same time, and check with your doc or pharmacist before taking anything while you are on Synthroid. I take mine right before I go to bed. I feel like it works better for me that way. I have tried taking it in the morning. For most of my 23 years on it I have taken it at night.

I hope this helps, and I hope you feel better soon.

mmztcass 04/13/2009

When I was undiagnosed hypO for many years, then I became hypERthyroid with periodic hypO because of taking too much ATDs, I went through tired spells as you described. Sometimes I think many people may be misdiagnosed with having CFS when it could be a thyroid problem.

Do you have your thyroid labs and especially of the Free T3 and the Free T4 done together with the TSH?

I find when I have the Free Ts at the 'right' levels for me, I am not as tired.

Take care... :-)

DoxieGal 04/13/2009

Thank you both for the advice. My thyroid levels are off. TSH is something like 5.7. I will look further into this. I have a feeling it is the thyroid.

deleted_user 04/13/2009

Hi,there has to be a coorelation betw thyroid and cfs. Ditto what you said, I understand.I just stopped synthroid and I feel like a slug..just got new labs done, waiting for results, only a bit of Cytomel. FYI, a Dr once told me not to take calcium when taking your thyroid..wait until the afternoon..interesting I thought..it hinders its affects.
Hope you're feeling better soon!

deleted_user 04/14/2009

HI guys, I have both hypothyroidism-from hashi's thyroiditis and 1/2 my thyroid removed, and CFS. Cytomel only lasts for 4 hours at a time , synthroid-felt horrible on that. Armour is supposed to be good. I am on a Bioidentical T3/T4 thyroid replacement hormone and feel much better -I get it from a fibromyalgia and fatigue specialistwho actually listens to your sumptoms and treats by how you feel, not just the numbers. Blessings, Teri
P.S. Once you get one auto-immune disorder-(hashi's for me) you are more easily prone to others.

deleted_user 04/15/2009

It has recently been discovered that the failure or slow down of the Adrenal glands causes Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. The cure is DHEA. Never take more than 25 mgs in one day and it's best to start out with less & see if that helps. DHEA is available over the counter or you may be able to get a doctor/Endo to prescribe it for you.
I personally started DHEA and the Fibromyalgia is not a problem any longer as long as I take 125 mg of DHEA a day. I just break a 25 mg tablet in half.

deleted_user 04/15/2009

The 1st post of this has an error in the DHEA amount that I take. PLEASE read this instead !!
It has recently been discovered that the failure or slow down of the Adrenal glands causes Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia. The cure is DHEA. Never take more than 25 mgs in one day and it's best to start out with less & see if that helps. DHEA is available over the counter or you may be able to get a doctor/Endo to prescribe it for you.
I personally started DHEA and the Fibromyalgia is not a problem any longer as long as I take 12.50 mg of DHEA a day. I just break one 25 mg tablet in half.

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