My hypothyroidism since late 1960's

[Guest guest]

I am probably a lot older than the other ladies in your group, I am

72 and have never before looked into thyroid problems although I have

been on the WWW for many years. After I had my three sons, last one

in 1958 I began to gain weight but I just put it down to having had 3

babies. My weight went up enormously, my temperature went down to

just over 94degrees,I was cold in the hottest months, I could hardly

walk I was severely constipated, my periods were so bad that when I

stood up I ended up with blood over the floor.Unfortunately I also

aquired severe aggrophobia and couldn't go out of the house. This

meant that I couldn't see a doctor although doctors at that time

didn't beleive that glands had anything to do with it. I finally

managed to go to a doctor and his exact words were " I'm a fat

doctor, I got that way by eating too much. Go home and eat less! " In

1978 by which time my skin had turned yellow, my hair was falling

out, I was about 19 stone, and I couldn't remember the simplest words

I thought I had cancer. Finally I went to see a private doctor and

even before I was through his doorway he insisted I go to the

hospital for a blood test. It proved that my thyroid gland was barely

functioning. I was put on 200 mcg of thyroxine and within a few weeks

I was 2 stone lighter. I was also suffering from malnutrition because

I had been starving myself so much. I go to a hospital clinic now

and my level if thyroxine was 150 mcg but my own doctor put it down

to 125 and now to 100mcg. My weight has gone up a stone from just

under 11 stone and I am again tired. My doctor is overcautious

because I have had a quadruple bypass ( and a pacemaker) over almost

11 years ago, but to be quite frank I would prefer to live a normal

life even if I risked a heart attack. The specialist at the hospital

I beleive will tell my doctor to put my thyroxine back up to 125mcg

but I feel it should be more. It was this last blip that made look on

the net and I so admire the way you are fighting for better treatment

for your group. How I wish I could have known all this many years

ago. I think many of my ailments could have been prevented if I had

your knowledge, Ihave severe arthritis, Had both my knees replaced,

have diabetes, have chondrocalcinosis and before I had my pacemake I

was havig blackouts where my heart stopped for some seconds before

(luckily) it started again.

Thanks to your website I am now going to find out exactly what my TSH

is. I have never heard of T3 and T4 before so I am so glad I " met "

you all.

Best wishes to you and all your group and good luck with all your

efforts.

Wyn

PS I live in Camden, London, Any good specialists here ?