Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: I have a question on thyroid, fatigue etc.

I, too, was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. First, my thyroid was overactive (hyperthyroid), so they diagnosed Grave's disease. Then my thyroid swung through normal and eventually became underactive (hypothyroid). Now it's back to normal again and has been for over 2 years. I have it checked every 6 weeks to 3 months and occasionally I'm a little over or under but I always go back to normal on the next test.

I found a wonderful book called "Thyroid for Dummies" by Alan Rubin, MD., which I think everyone with thyroid problems must read. Your library might have it. If not, you can get it from Barnes and Noble or order it from Amazon.

This book explains all the tests your doctors can and should do for thyroid problems, including antibody ones that must be done for any kind of autoimmune thyroiditis. It also explains all the different thyroid conditions people can suffer from. (Bummer!) Dr. Rubin talks about foods and drugs that might affect your thyroid and talks about other conditions that sometimes occur in people who have autoimmune thyroiditis, such as pernicious anemia, in which the body cannot absorb Vitamin B12.

According to this book, two of the common complaints for hypothyroidism (underactive) are "Intolerance to cold" and "Tiredness and a need to sleep", so perhaps you've swung to the under side of thyroid function. I don't know if you're IBS-A, C, or D, but another common symptom is "Constipation".

An additional point the author makes that I think is very important is:

"If your doctor tells you that your screening test was normal but you still have symptoms consistent with hypothyroidism, ask the doctor for the exact number of your TSH. It it's above 2.5, ask your doctor to consider giving you a trial of treatment with thyroid hormone replacement."

In other words, if the test says you're normal but in the underactive half of normal and you still feel bad, try the medicine and see what happens.

Dr. Rubin has a Website - www.DrRubin.com. He doesn't provide any direct information on it that I can find, but if you click on "Useful Addresses" you will see some other Websites that may or may not be useful.

One last thing: I'd urge you to see an endocrinologist if you're not already. For something like this you really need a specialist.

Hope this helps.

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