Re: Try to keep your eyes open, this is a looooooong post.....

My dear young lady...

First of all, EVERY symptom that you describe can absolutely be attributed to hypothyroidism, and that includes the mental symptoms! Body, mind, all one.

Hypothyroidism has many causes, Iodine deficiency is one of them. My personal opinion is that your situation is serious though and I think that you need professional help. You have to make a decision to take control of your life, it sounds as though that is what you want, but you really need help.

so...in order to do that, first you need to educate yourself(this is CRITICAL), because after you've acquainted yourself with hypothyroidism you are going to have to find a doctor. Finding a GOOD doctor is not easy, in fact it's so difficult that many of us choose to avoid the process of training a doctor altogether. But you HAVE to do this. Why am I so insistent? Because you have been trying to have a baby and from reading your past posts I'm guessing that you're about 30 so it's not too late! :)

This is from "Hypothyroidism" by Broda Barnes:

"Thyroid secretions in adequate amounts appear to be essential for the development of the egg and for proper ovarian secretions. If thyroid function is low, an egg may be discharged from an ovary but it may not be fertilizable or, if fertilized, may not be capable of nesting so that pregnancy is quickly aborted."

He then goes on to tell a story of a woman that tried to get pregnant for 17 years, he treated her hypothyroidism and it helped but she was still infertile or...was she? Nope! Her husband was hypothyroid and infertile as well, when he was treated, they conceived:)

That is what is possible with the use of glandular thyroid(aka armour, nature thyroid, etc). You can try to jump-start your thyroid yourself with Iodine supplementation, but as I stated before, hypothyroid can have many causes so at this point you're guessing...

And, the only way to get glandulars is by prescription, hence your need to find a doctor~!

Every other symptom you describe is common to sufferers of hypothyroidism as well, my dear, every single one of them. The puffy face is due to myxedema...in the hypothyroid state the body produces an excess of mucin and that causes the puffiness. That also causes the gravely voice. Hair loss is typical. Any sort of instability in body temperature can be attributed to hypo(or hyper), you mentioned cold hands and feet. bingo! hypo. And hypothyroid people are not always fat, even anorexia has been associated with hypothyroidism. Your tiredness and brain-fog, lack of memory, all can be attributed to hypothyroidism.

I am NOT trying to talk you out of supplementing iodine, btw. Iodine is essential. I just think that you need more help than that...

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OK, now I'm going to give you lots of links and stuff to ponder. First of all, you absolutely MUST listen to the Dr. Mark Starr audios here, parts 1 and 2, uploaded March 18:

//www.curezone.org/ig/f.asp?f=1723


I'm embarrassed to admit that I still have not listened to the audios uploaded after that. sssshhhh, don't tell! I'm sure they're good though! I doubt that anyone's read the post this far though so I think I'm safe...

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Here's a list of symptoms of hypothyroid(not all-inclusive, but it covers the basics):

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/symptoms.htm





Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (An underactive thyroid)


fatigue, exhaustion

feeling run down and sluggish

depression

difficulty concentrating, brain fog

unexplained or excessive weight gain

dry, coarse and/or itchy skin

dry, coarse and/or thinning hair

feeling cold, especially in the extremities

constipation

muscle cramps

increased menstrual flow

more frequent periods

infertility/miscarriage

.......................................................................................................

The mental symptoms you describe are very common and very often misdiagnosed and treated with horrendous psychiatric drugs, so maybe it's a good thing you've been hiding out! One of the best websites I've found on this is thyromind, a UK website. You are in the UK, correct? I've cut and pasted snippets from the website:

http://www.thyromind.info/underactivethyroid.html



“Mind” Symptoms of Underactive Thyroid Disease

Early stage:- forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty in concentrating, insomnia, depression, feeling low or anxious, inability to cope well with stress or shock.
Later stage:- panic attacks, paranoia, severe Depression and/or anxiety and very severe insomnia leading to the possibility of hallucinations especially after stress and/or insomnia.

If a person with an underactive thyroid is not given a thyroid test, they may be misdiagnosed as experiencing depression, anxiety, psychosis or other psychiatric disorder.

..............................................................................


http://www.thyromind.info/overactivethyroid.html



Mind” Symptoms of Overactive Thyroid Disease

1. Nervousness, a mix of anxiety and irritability or the feeling that you have PMT all the time.
2. Bursting into tears.
3. Difficulties in relaxing and sleeping.
4. Exhaustion due to so much activity and little sleep.
5. Reduced ability to deal well with stress or shock.
6. Thoughts rushing through the head, particularly at night.
7. Particularly in the elderly a feeling of apathy may occur instead of anxiety.
8. Feelings of panic or panic attacks in which the heartbeat feels fast and seems loud.
9. Paranoia.
10. What others may view as neurotic behaviour.
11. Hallucinations particularly after prolonged insomnia.

If a person with an overactive thyroid is not given a thyroid test, they may be misdiagnosed as experiencing anxiety, neurosis, psychosis or other psychiatric disorder.

.............................................................................


http://www.thyromind.info/doctors.html



INSPIRATION SHEET FOR DOCTORS


PLEASE THYROID TEST THE PSYCHOTIC, NEUROTIC, INSOMNIAC, DEPRESSED,

those with hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, anxiety, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic depression, puerperal psychosis, postnatal depression, any confusion, forgetfulness or dementia or any symptom or diagnosis of mental illness. Also those with Down’s Syndrome.

Both hypothyroidism (myxoedema) and hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) may cause or exacerbate mental health problems. Misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of myxoedematous psychosis and Depression are still happening even though thyroxine may restore or improve mental health for sufferers in most cases.

* Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism affect men, women and children of all ages.
* Some psychiatric medication may worsen thyroid disease.
* Do any patients on psychiatric medication have exhaustion, feel cold, have a cold temperature, hair loss, amenorrhoea, foot dragging and/or slow digestion? Or do they seem hyper, hot and jittery? Has their blood been recently tested for levels of TSH and T4?
* Do you routinely ask about thyroid disease or autoimmune diseases in the family?

Severe mental distress is still going on because thyroid disease has been overlooked. Please don’t assume that a test has already been done.

..................................................................................


http://www.thyromind.info/finalthoughts.html



The mind and body are linked by the neck, the “bridge” between the physical and the mental and the home of the thyroid.

Better links and bridges are needed between psychiatry, general practice and endocrinology to promote the holistic approach necessary for better thyroid diagnosis and better treatment for the physical and mental problems caused by or connected to the thyroid.

For those who respond well to thyroid treatment this is happy news

*
normality may be restored
*
energy and balance return
*
so many things are possible
*
the future is brighter

MISDIAGNOSIS MUST STOP NOW

THYROID TESTS FOR ALL
with symptoms or diagnosis of mental illness

Thyromind wishes you well and happy

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And here's another UK website, perhaps you can contact someone there and they can direct you to an educated doctor. I picked up this link off of the thyromind website, their info is right on IMO, so I think that anyone they link to should be good:

http://www.btf-thyroid.org/


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Here's a GREAT informational post on different types of thyroid meds, by Healthenthusiast:

//www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1600715#i



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Here's a link to info on thyroid-related hair loss, an e-book. I have not read any reviews on it, nor have I read it, but it's by Mary Shomon, a highly respected patient advocate:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/hair/index.htm


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Your diet sounds pretty good, just watch the carbs. I see by your posting history that you are familiar with the concept of glycemic load, that's very important. Hypothyroidism can also cause hypoglycemia/diabetes...

You really need to get out of the house, my dear. Isn't there anyone that you trust that will go for a walk with you? Fresh air and sunshine are vital for good health, there are no substitutes. I think that you are probably more concerned about your appearance than you need to be. Wear a hat and sunglasses if it bothers you that much, wrap a colorful scarf on your head.

I think it's great that you have started exercising, btw. If you insist on doing it indoors, turn off the telly and listen to some good music instead. Or, you could get some books on tape, most libraries loan them. Television is too full of bad news and idiotic people.

Sweetie, I'd be depressed as well if I had to deal with what you have been dealing with. I would feel betrayed by my body. Your body is not betraying you though- it's telling you that something vital is missing. You are taking the right steps now, be proud of yourself:)

Gotta ask though, have you been through some trauma? The fact that you won't call your family....what's up?

Oooh! I have something GREAT that you can listen to while exercising!

Guy Finley:

http://guyfinley.achieveradio.com/#arch


or, there is always pandora radio:

http://www.pandora.com/


Oh, cod liver oil? I use carlson's the capsules, two a day. :)

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