Feeling tired and cold all the time?

Hi there. I had my thyroid and 27 lymphnodes removed in August of 2003. Since then I have been on the same dose of Levoxyl, .1 mg, and to my Endocronologist, doing just fine. My levels are always super and on paper I am in perfect health. However, since the cancer, I am always cold and feel lethargic with a constant lack of energy. I have mentioned this to him several times, but he just pulls out the paper work to say that I am fine. Does anyone have any advice for perhaps a different medicine I could try or what may have worked for them? I am frusterated that I am repeatedly told there is nothing wrong when I feel there is. 

When was the last time they checked your blood? You should have labs done periodically with an illnes such as this. Any major illness should require bloodwork, especially with your concerns over being cold and lethargic.

I know B vitamins help. B6, B12. E vitamins. Maybe your diet?  ~ I do know the B vitamins do help. BUT - you need to get your lab work done CBC (obviously) , thyroid maybe - I don't know - I am not a doctor, but it is your docs responsibilty to check it out.

Thanks for your advice. I will look into some of the things that you said. I am followed yearly, blood taken in the summer, but since my levels have consistently been great, he sees that as a sign that the fact that I am cold and tired is not a thyroid related problem. My response though is that I don't know who to turn to because I didn't feel this way before I had the cancer. I feel like I shouldn't have to hound my doctor and make him believe me!!!

You should NOT have to hound your doctor. Maybe look into seeing a hemotologist? If you are cold and tired, it should absolutely not be written off as a "side effect" of your disease. That is just irresponsible of your doctor. Really - You are lacking something, and it should be addressed. Potassium levels go down, hemoglobin, whatever. This may sound wrong but, I have found, if you seek another doctor, and tell them your concerns,that you have to "hound" your regular doctor - another doctor will take more of an intiative to figure out what the matter is. Your doctor may think he knows you and your body, but I think (I am not a doctor, just speaking from experience from what my husband has been through), a fresh, new opinion is needed. I am very passionate about getting answers - We have been through so much, and had we trusted "You are fine" , he would not be here today. I will be checking in ... :-)  Best wishes - Sonda

 

On 2/2/2007 Lepetitgiraffe wrote:

Hi there. I had my thyroid and 27 lymphnodes removed in August of 2003. Since then I have been on the same dose of Levoxyl, .1 mg, and to my Endocronologist, doing just fine. My levels are always super and on paper I am in perfect health. However, since the cancer, I am always cold and feel lethargic with a constant lack of energy. I have mentioned this to him several times, but he just pulls out the paper work to say that I am fine. Does anyone have any advice for perhaps a different medicine I could try or what may have worked for them? I am frusterated that I am repeatedly told there is nothing wrong when I feel there is. 

It sounds like you are still in a hypo state. Before my diagnosis, I sweat very easily (I moved back from Canada to Hong Kong and am still used to the weather in Canada); however, after the removal of my thyroid, I constantly feel cold (had to turn on the heater even at 17 C). I am tried constantly, I even have trouble walking 5-min to the minibus station. Maybe you could ask your endo to check your thyroxin level?

 

On 2/2/2007 Lepetitgiraffe wrote:

Hi there. I had my thyroid and 27 lymphnodes removed in August of 2003. Since then I have been on the same dose of Levoxyl, .1 mg, and to my Endocronologist, doing just fine. My levels are always super and on paper I am in perfect health. However, since the cancer, I am always cold and feel lethargic with a constant lack of energy. I have mentioned this to him several times, but he just pulls out the paper work to say that I am fine. Does anyone have any advice for perhaps a different medicine I could try or what may have worked for them? I am frusterated that I am repeatedly told there is nothing wrong when I feel there is. 

Yah, I know the feeling of being told "There is nothing wrong with you......."  Well, my story, if you get a chance to read it "Cancer Again !! Now What?"  I have had thyroid cancer since 1995 and I too get hot and cold all the time.  Also, lethargic and constant lack of energy.  Doctors always say it's normal.  Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. You have to listen to your body.  I have been dealing with this condition for 12 yrs now.  I don't know it's something that I have just got use to, I guess.  Alot of times, my husband knows before me when I'm not feeling fine.  Do you have someone who knows you well?  It sounds like you need a new endo doctor who is more compassionate and will listen.  I've made many sacrifices since then especially my diet.  How's your diet?  Good luck in recovery to feeling better.  Take Care & God Bless.  Aloha ! Paulette

Thanks for that Paulette. But when you say you  made changes to your diet, what do you mean? What foods are you now eating/not eating?? Have you cut out diary or something like that? Has anyone one thing increased your energy? I feel like I eat a pretty good variety of things, but am wondering if maybe I am taking too many vitamins or that maybe they are interacting with eachohter etc. Also, did you ever change the brand of medication you were taking? I have heard that for some, taking the generic doesn't work as well. Any specifics would be great! Like you said though, I should be in more tune with my body, I just feel like when I know I am tired or cold, what steps can I take besides taking a nap or wearing an extra coat?? ~Bridget

Well, my diet changed from eating whatever to strictly made from scratch.  When my thyroid was taken out I developed alot of food allergies.  I have to read the label on everything I buy.  I am allergic to almost all perservatives.  With the help of an allergist, I was able to find out some of my allergies.  It's been rough but eventually you find foods that you can have.  You should see my husband go wild when he finds something I can have.  He said since he cut out alot of the stored packaged items he has felt 100% better.  We've been together almost 10 years now.  I was on cytomel for the longest time without problems.  Now since my last surgery I have been boosted up to a higher dosage.  I'm not sure if it really matters if it's name brand or generic.  I find that it depends on the person because I have had both name brand and generic.  I've had problems with temp issues all this time.  It's like being in menopause, so I've been told.  I probably won't know the difference when I get into menopause, ha, ha!!  My husband makes fun of me all the time.  You really just have to give yourself credit and make adjustments eventhough they drive you crazy.  I do alot of self talk with this condition.  I normally know the symptoms and try not to make too big of a deal about it.  It helps to have someone else who knows you well too helping you along the way.  If not, talk to your doctor of your concerns.  Your condition is a life time commitment and it goes down the path you take it.  You will have to decide which route to take.  Don't struggle too much with it.  Let it happen and it will turn out alright.  We can all kick this condition.  I have been living with it for 12 yrs now and it has made me a stronger person each time.  It's a struggle but I am happy to be alive.  I will not let it get the best of me.   Hope this helps!!!  Aloha, Paulette

 

On 2/6/2007 Aloha Wahine wrote:

Well, my diet changed from eating whatever to strictly made from scratch.  When my thyroid was taken out I developed alot of food allergies.  I have to read the label on everything I buy.  I am allergic to almost all perservatives.  With the help of an allergist, I was able to find out some of my allergies.  It's been rough but eventually you find foods that you can have.  You should see my husband go wild when he finds something I can have.  He said since he cut out alot of the stored packaged items he has felt 100% better.  We've been together almost 10 years now.  I was on cytomel for the longest time without problems.  Now since my last surgery I have been boosted up to a higher dosage.  I'm not sure if it really matters if it's name brand or generic.  I find that it depends on the person because I have had both name brand and generic.  I've had problems with temp issues all this time.  It's like being in menopause, so I've been told.  I probably won't know the difference when I get into menopause, ha, ha!!  My husband makes fun of me all the time.  You really just have to give yourself credit and make adjustments eventhough they drive you crazy.  I do alot of self talk with this condition.  I normally know the symptoms and try not to make too big of a deal about it.  It helps to have someone else who knows you well too helping you along the way.  If not, talk to your doctor of your concerns.  Your condition is a life time commitment and it goes down the path you take it.  You will have to decide which route to take.  Don't struggle too much with it.  Let it happen and it will turn out alright.  We can all kick this condition.  I have been living with it for 12 yrs now and it has made me a stronger person each time.  It's a struggle but I am happy to be alive.  I will not let it get the best of me.   Hope this helps!!!  Aloha, Paulette

I have a very similar problem as you do. Before my thyroid problem, I can eat almost anything, but now I am allergic to nuts!!! I can't even eat anything with only traces of nuts or my neck would swell up..not so much that it affects my breathing, but makes it uncomfortable enough...I never knew how much food out there contain nuts. Now I don't understand why manufacturers have to add traces of nuts to almost everything...

 

Some people feel more normal on medications that contain T3 as well as the normally prescribed T4.  There are those that feel great on Armour, thyroid meds obtained from dessicated pig thyroid.  Some endos are skeptical about that drug but some patients swear by it.  If you feel crappy, it seems reasonable to try.