Hi, Tina!

I can really relate to some of the things you mentionned.  I've been dx'd
with Hashi's, but I seem to be asymptomatic.  In fact, what's weird is that
my TSH levels are 0.00 (not a typo) and I feel completely fine.  I think
sometimes I have a mixture of hypo and hyper symptoms, but they are so minor
and fleeting that I don't even count them.  Unlike you, however, I've never
been on any medication and my doc doesn't want me on any, since I feel and
seem fine.

I'm on the pill right now and my periods are normal... before, I went
through a time where I didn't have my period for over 2 years.  But, don't
forget, when you are on the pill, we aren't ovulating... our bodies think
that we are pregnant and then when we get to the week of placebo pills (or
no pills), the uterine lining breaks down... so I'm not even sure we can say
that we are having our periods in the true sense of the word.  I noticed
too, that a lot of people on this news group think that the pills may have
caused their thyroid problem.  But, like you, I had my thyroid problem
before I was ever on the pill.

I just had my appointment today... I'm really happy because my doc thinks
that I only have to take a blood test every eight weeks!!! My arms can
finally completely heal before another needle is stuck in my arm. *S  Even
though my TSH is still 0.00, she's not too worried since I'm asymptomatic.
All she said was that if I started to feel weird, I should go in earlier.

Good luck with your appointment!

-Elaine

Tina wrote:
>Hi everyone!
>I was diagnosed with Hashi's at age 17 after many blood tests and some type
>of thyroid scan (as I remember, it involved having something injected into my
>neck, maybe radioactive iodine?).  I've also had 2 biopsies over the years
>which have been negative.  The only real symptom I've had has been the
>goiter, most pronounced on the right side.  I was told that it would probably
>reduce in size after being on meds for a while.  It has reduced slightly, but
>now after almost 10 years, its size has been pretty consistent.  Am I right
>in assuming that this is most likely scar tissue?  Also, it seems like most
>people who write to this group with Hashi's are hypo, but I am not, and have
>never been.  If anything, I have leaned towards the hyper side (difficulty
>gaining weight, light, irregular periods) both before (so I don't think its
>only the case that my dosage is too high) and after being diagnosed.  I'm
>pretty sure my dose was .1mg of synthroid,from 1988-1992 , then was lowered
>to .08mg from 1992-1993, and then back up to .1mg.  Last October, my general
>practitioner changed it to .1mg of levothyroxine.  Each change in
>dosage/medication was prescribed by a new doctor as I have moved around a
>lot.  Does the change from synthroid to levo have any known effect?  Also,
>I've been off birth control pills for about nine months (my thryroid problems
>started way before I went on the pill), and since then, I've only had my
>period about four times.  If my irregular periods are caused solely by my
>thyroid disease, then how come they were so regular when I was on the pill?
>Sorry for all of the questions and details, but I have an ob/gyn appointment
>next week.
>Thanks!
>Tina
>
>