Thyroid issues

[Digger]

I was diagnosed with low thyroid. My dr put me on a synthetic thyroid med that made my stomach hurt and by the end of the day it would be hard and uncomfortable. I asked to be switched to armor thyroid meds. They worked wonderful for about 2 months then I began getting stomach issues again.

Sat after taking my armor my stomach began to hurt and by bedtime sat night I was so bloated I looked 5 months pregnant. Constipation has been an issue during this 2 month period too. Sunday I felt some better but did not take my thyroid pill nor did I take it this morning.

My stomach is getting better and I have been to the bathroom several times.

I have seen on the net where many women are having the same issues as I was. No where can I find that armor causes stomach issues. But they seem to be related to me since I am feeling better off the meds.

My question is, will I be ok to just drop the meds? My thyroid was not real low. I am taking green coffee extract for energy now. Is the anything I could take to help my thyroid to function on its own?

The meds were not helping with my weight and I was having more joint issues too on the meds. Has anyone had any experience with these issues. I am in peremenepause too, if that matters.
Thanks for any advise you can share.

 

[Digger]

It is possible my stomach problems may be from the green coffee extract I have been taking. Today I did not take my thyroid or the green coffee. My stomach is much better not normal yet, but hopefully getting there. I did not drink my black coffee either. I will wait a few days then add the thyroid medicine back in. I did find several reviews on the net where people were having the same stomach issues from the green coffee even though it is considered safe by the FDA. Of course we know the FDA is never wrong. The guess is that some people react to the fillers.

 

[summerthyme]

I was going to ask if there was something else that could be causing the stomach problems! Truthfully, I hadn't heard of that being an issue with thyroid meds.

(the FDA doesn't regulate herbs. The only time they'd get involved with a supplement like green coffee extract is if people start dying from it. As I've posted many times before: ANYone can react to ANYthing, and while herbs and supplements are safer by multiple factors than Rx meds, that doesn't mean they are risk free!! People are probably reacting to one of the many phytochemicals in the green coffee extract- nausea is one of the more common "side effects" or "adverse effects" of many different herbs. If it's important to be able to take the herb, you can sometimes change your schedule so you take it with food (or on an empty stomach) or whatever helps. It's also possible that it's affecting their natural microbes in some way- in that case, supplementing with yogurt or probiotics might be useful. In fact, I'd suggest you try that for a few days, to try to get your stomach bacteria back in balance.)

Also, coffee/caffeine really isn't a good way to get "energy"... occasional use to perk you up mentally on a slow day, sure. Constant use trying to make up for an actual physical problem- nope. It stresses the hell out of the adrenals and ends up making things worse.

Please don't play with your thyroid meds dose!! Low thyroid does more than just make us feel tired, gain weight, etc. It's correlated with high blood pressure, heart problems, hormone issues, etc. Get back on the meds as soon as you can and stay on them. Give it a month or so, then go back to your doc, get blood work and talk to him about what's working and what's not.

I use Vitacost Thyroid Complex- I don't have medical insurance, but my thyroid numbers were "ok" when I did, many years ago. I think most of my problems are Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromylagia, but the Thyroid complex DOES really seem to help. I take 4 caps a day, not one, though! And if you truly do have hypothyroid, it's not likely that it will work alone- I'd strongly recommend against trying that, unless your doctor agrees- but it MIGHT be worth taking along with your thyroid replacement meds, to help your thyroid work as well as it can.

Summerthyme

 

[Digger]

Summerthyme, my issue was found in a routine blood work up. I did not have symptoms that I was aware of except a bit more tired. My medicine is a low dose, maybe lowest as they make.

The coffee pill is not a caffeine pill. It is an ensyme that is destroyed in the roasting process of coffee beans. It boost metabolism and helps with weight loss. My bottle is not 100% coffee extract. I suspect that I am reacting to a filler product. I did find many complaints by Armor thyroid users that were similar to mine. Apparently Armor changed their formula in 2011. Any way the formula change is another subject.

My dr does check my blood work quite often. Monthly at first, now every 3 months.
Thank you so much for the excellent advice. I have been eating yogurt for a couple days. My stomach feels almost normal today and I will try my thyroid pill again after I eat this morning.
Off topic. I admire your sewing ability. I sew some, but I am not anywhere close to your ability. You do beautiful work.

 

[bluetick]

Digger, I have an underactive thyroid and have taken Synthroid for years, but have not experienced the difficulties you have had. In your last post you mention taking your thyroid pill after eating. Instructions I've received were to take the pills in the morning on an empty stomach. Read any instructions that came with your prescription to see how and when to take the med as it might make a difference in how it works. I hope you feel better!

 

[Digger]

bluetick, the Armor may be taken with food or without. That is one reason I was switched to it. You just need to take it the same every morning. In my case, we chose with food. I am feeling better, thank you. I spent most of the day yesterday walking the woods looking for deer sigh. It is quite a rough walk, steep hilly area. I was very surprised at my stamina. My legs are a bit sore this morning, but not as much as I thought they would be. I walked for about 7 hours. I really need to get out like that more often. However, almost nothing got done at home. LOL