The Hypothyroid gardener

[Finedon.Dandy]

How many grapes have an underactive thyroid/Hypothyroidism? Gardening is, albeit good for you, quite hard work even if you are fairly fit. With an underactive thyroid you "get" a certain amount of energy each day and if you go and "spend" some of that allowance with a session on the plot, if you are not careful or your levels are not quite right, it can take days or even weeks to get over it.

I was diagnosed around 6 years ago and often struggle with day to day life with the house and 4 kids and thats before the garden comes into the equation! I would love the opportunity to chat to other hypothyroid gardeners. I thought perhaps we could "meet" here once in a while, update each other on how we are doing, share tips on how to best make use of the energy we have and maybe even share some precious magic energy dust! I know my post on Bashfull has revealed one fellow sufferer (you know who you are) so I just hope you will join me here.

Medication;
My medication was raised from 125mg to 150mg in September but since Christmas I have been struggling even more. My requested blood test from last week has come back with a TSH level of 4.8 which because it is within the normal range of 0.5 - 5.0, no action was to be taken. However I had a chat with my doctor today who, although adament my bloods meant there is nothing wrong with me, conceeded there was room for manouvre with my medication. As a result she has agreed to up my level to 175mg, upon agreement that my bloods are re-checked in 6 weeks. It will be interesting to see where I am then.

I was beginning to dread the comming gardening season as I would like to continue at the quantity of crops we grew last year as it made us almost self sufficient for 3/4 of the year but I really didnt know how I was going to manage. After all if I cant manage looking after Pea n Pod all day, the house and then Bluebelle and an unruly Bashful Bill after school?..... - oh and its not the school run any more its the school limp lol Now my medication has been increased it has given me hope that I will be able to acheive what I hoped for this season.

Much love and energy to all.

Tired Tammy

[VirginVegGrower]

So you are seriously underactive then...doesn't surprise me. Hypo is under, hyper is over. Did you ask for your T3 to be done? I suspect I am underactive too, which is how my maternal side goes. You are lucky to have such a great doctor, as many go undetected or "borderline" for years. I am pleased you received the extra tablets, which should give you the where with all to "cope physically" now.
I am still undiagnosed, but know I will be in your club soon!

[RedThorn]

My sis suffers from an over active thyroid to the point it thinks her internal organs are something foreign and trys to kill them off. She too battles with energy levels. Question... do you battle to maintain body temp too? as in body continually overheats?

On the right meds, she's fine, sadly in this country they don't made her meds and the alternatives are not working proper, keep going back to the doc's and try alternatives (meds and doses) Fingers crossed they get it right soon for you

[Finedon.Dandy]

So you are seriously underactive then...doesn't surprise me. Hypo is under, hyper is over. Did you ask for your T3 to be done? I suspect I am underactive too, which is how my maternal side goes. You are lucky to have such a great doctor, as many go undetected or "borderline" for years. I am pleased you received the extra tablets, which should give you the where with all to "cope physically" now.
I am still undiagnosed, but know I will be in your club soon!

Sorry VVG I thought you had been diagnosed already - glad you found this though Hope you havent got it - it really is a nasty condition to have, made worse by the fact people cant see how you are suffering. They wont test T3 unless the TSH is out of the normal range. What makes me angry is that the levels differ accross the world - if I was in the USA I wouldn't be considered to be within the normal range as it goes to around 3.0 there! Hope you get sorted soon. xxxx

[Finedon.Dandy]

My sis suffers from an over active thyroid to the point it thinks her internal organs are something foreign and trys to kill them off. She too battles with energy levels. Question... do you battle to maintain body temp too? as in body continually overheats?

On the right meds, she's fine, sadly in this country they don't made her meds and the alternatives are not working proper, keep going back to the doc's and try alternatives (meds and doses) Fingers crossed they get it right soon for you

Ha ha - do I battle body temp?! Too right I do. With Hypothyroidism you suffer from the cold - I am sat with six layers on typing this, in a centraly heated house, on a mild day and I'm still cold! What meds is she on?

[RedThorn]

her's is over active, I'll ask her when she's back from work. Suppose it stands to reason over active over heats and under active freezes.

[VirginVegGrower]

I know, and it isn't just the USA, the rest of Europe takes the same indicator readings too. Just the UK that lets you drag on for years. I am classed as "borderline". Have been "declining" for the last five years and my doctor is very apologetic, but states that I cannot be offered thyroxine. I am thinking of spending the £180 to take myself to a private endocrinologist, but it makes me sick that I have to go down that route, when quite frankly I have barely attended the doctor for the forty years prior.

[VirginVegGrower]

Talking of temp, it's your extremeties that take the battering. Hands and feet like ice blocks. That's me today whilst Mr VVG feels like a furnace.

[Finedon.Dandy]

I know, and it isn't just the USA, the rest of Europe takes the same indicator readings too. Just the UK that lets you drag on for years. I am classed as "borderline". Have been "declining" for the last five years and my doctor is very apologetic, but states that I cannot be offered thyroxine. I am thinking of spending the £180 to take myself to a private endocrinologist, but it makes me sick that I have to go down that route, when quite frankly I have barely attended the doctor for the forty years prior.

Have you had a 2nd opinion?

[VirginVegGrower]

No! I asked to be referred to an endocrinologist, only to be scoffed at and told "you don't need to see an endocrinologist". I felt so weak and low, I just couldn't argue. I am going to make another appointment right now and I am going to take Mr VVG with me, so that he can tell them exactly how I have to drag myself around some days...literally drag.

[Finedon.Dandy]

No! I asked to be referred to an endocrinologist, only to be scoffed at and told "you don't need to see an endocrinologist". I felt so weak and low, I just couldn't argue. I am going to make another appointment right now and I am going to take Mr VVG with me, so that he can tell them exactly how I have to drag myself around some days...literally drag.

Is there not another doctor at your surgery? If not then yes take the old man along - get him to carry you perhaps and shove some (reputable - i.e. Thyroid uk) results/findings under his nose.

[VirginVegGrower]

This was the female doctor. I'm hitting a man this time!
My mother and grandmother, both take thyroxine for underactive thyroid. I too tick a good 80% of those symptoms on that link I sent to you.
Anyway, back to gardening, I spent an hour in the greenhouse yesterday and caught up with my leaf veg sowing...just looking at the hoover at the moment and thinking "come on girl".

[Finedon.Dandy]

I managed to sow some seeds on Sunday albeit flower seeds. Was hoping to start the broad beans and toms this week but not been well enough so far. Ah well there is always tomorrow......

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Tammy, VVG I so would not wish having an under-active thyroid on anyone. A friend has an under active thyroid and he really suffers. Weight shot up to 16 stone (he's not tall!) I'm over-active so I'm a narky faced duracell bunny. Highest TSH 114.6

I could not cope with the exhaustion.

RT, with an over active thyroid you sort of boil within your own skin.

[Finedon.Dandy]

Oooooh Frosty - give us some of your energy.......PLEASE!!!!

Perhaps I should ask the mods to change the title of the thread to The Dodgy Thyroid Gardener? What d'ya think?