Introduction of new member: M

. How long have you had Hashimotos? I believe since 2002 but wasn't offically diagnosed until 11/5/09

2. What are you doing for treatment? synthyroid 100mcg Vitamin d Supp, Viatmin E, Folic Acid, A multivitamin, Birth control

3.Are you satisfied with the progress or do you feel you need to find abetter combination of treatment? Since being diagnosed and havingsomeone clearly explain what was going on with me, I feel much better.I'm ver fortunate to have a great General Practicioner who set me upwith a wonderful Endocronologist

4. Have youtried any successful diets (whether for losing weight or controllingsymptoms) I want to lose weight and when I checked with my Endo Dr hestated that the majority of his thyroid patients have had success withAlli. When I checked with my General Prac, he believed in the oldfashion exercise and diet regimen. I'm just trying to find somethingthat will help me be successful in losing weight.

5. Tell us anything else about yourself - age, location, etc. that you would like to share.
I am 36 years old married and have 1 son .

In2002 I began having female issues. I forget the exact medical term butbasically my cycle was too long. I had a D and C done and thought thatwould assist with "fixing" me. Less than 6 mos later the OB was wantingme to have another D and C. She had ordered an up down (which is theoxide test basically) and it came back fine.I sought a second opinionfrom another OB. He gave me meds to basically flush me out.... Idisliked that. So, I decided I would just live with the female side ofthings since they couldn't find anything wrong with me. All my levelsin bloodwork showed I was fine. Now fast forward to 2008....I decidedthat I wanted to do something about my weight. I started Curves andbegan to see some results. I also found out that we were expecting. Iwas thrilled. After my first trimester my hubby and I began tellingfamily and close friends. In July of 2008 I went in for my normal apptand found out that the baby had no heartbeat. I was devestated. I hadto have a D and C after carrying the baby another two weeks to see ifnature would take care of things... that didn't happen. After afollowup with a new OB he commented on my neck and scheduled me for anultrasound. I was diagnosed with a goiter in Dec of 2008. He admittedthat he didn't know that much about thyroids and had me follow up withmy General Practicioner. In the meantime I had issues with my rightear. If felt like swimmers ear and my Family/general dr couldn't findanything wrong with it. He told me that I had two options- an endo oran ENT. I opted for the ENT since he was local - He got hung up with mygoiter and didn't really do anything with my ear. In the meantime, Ihad my Gen Pract follow up with him.

Gen Prac was instructedto run a certain blood test ( not the TSH, but I believe a TSO) It wasway off. My general dr then referred me to the Endo- I had to wait 6mos to see him. During that time my General dr had me come in forbloodwork and he started me off at 25 mgs....I'm currently on 100 mg ofa generic of synthroid. He admitted that his area of expertise wasn'tthe thryoid but that he and I would work through this together- Iappreciate honesty. He has been true to his word and has assisted me

Aftermeeting with the endo things really began to click together. He lookedat my skin, listened to my journey through this and then took the timeto explain things to me in a language I understood. I can not begin totell you the difference that you feel in KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING whatis wrong with you.

I had beat myself up for gaining weight- Ididn't over eat but I didn't exercise all the time and felt that wasthe culprit. I called myself lazy for working a 45+ work week which ismainly a mentally challenging job vs a physical one. I was tired ALLthe time and didn't have the energy for anything- my sex drive was nonexistent. I would sit down to watch TV and nod off.

I havebeen researching this disease and educating myself. I have discoveredthat even though the thyroid is a very small part of our bodies itcontrols so much.

I sometimes feel like an old woman with all the vitamins I take but they do help me to feel better.

Haveyou ever felt that you just weren't firing on all pistons? Thatsomething was just off- no motivation, no memory, no gusto.... well,since I have been on the correct dosage and added the vitamins I don'tfeel that way any more. I also don't have the ear issue anymore. I hadanother Ultrasound done and will review it with my endo but I know mygoiter is smaller. I can swallow easier and it's much easier tobreathe.

My longterm goals are to lose weight and try one lasttime for another child. I have no pressure, other than Hubby telling meI have til he is 40 to get pregnant (that's in July 2010) ...... In themeantime, I try to focus on losing one pound at a time, having ahealthy lifestyle and educating myself on what's best for me.