Mike Harper, Thyroid Thrivers
Thyroid Nation
57 years young
U.S.A
Hypothyroidism
Diagnosed in 2011
Hot flashes, fatigue, and hypothyroidism
This is a strange place I find myself in. No one in my family has hypothyroidism. I am a man with hypo which, as I have read and researched, is uncommon. A lot more women have this than men, so every article is about women. I think in the last 3 years I have read just one article about men and hypo. I have no one but women to relate to, which is not a bad thing, but I would like to read more about men with this issue.
It all started in 2011 and was very noticeable when I worked out at the gym.
I would have lightheaded moments and hot flashes. I would take a break and then get moving again; I thought it was part of getting older. The hot flashes bugged me but the doctor did not seem alarmed when I told him about them. Then, I started taking naps all the time. Many of these naps were between events. For example, I would drive to the gym from work and sleep in my car for 20 minutes and then go into the gym. Or, I’d come home from work and sleep for 40 minutes. I would even find myself napping in the car when I parked it in the garage after work. The vehicle was comfortable; who needs to walk into the house? My wife was concerned about these impromptu naps, hot flashes, and lightheadedness and told me to go see our General Practitioner (GP). I told her it was just part of getting old.
The diagnosis and Synthroid
However, I did listen to my wife and went to the GP. He did blood tests and declared that I had hypo and prescribed Synthroid (T4). I found out later that the dose was very low. But at least the naps and lightheadedness stopped. A year went by and I still didn’t feel right. I was better, but not right. The GP took more blood and increased the dose of Synthroid but there was no change.
Over the period of 4 years, my time in the gym and running, which I love, began to decrease and finally stopped altogether. I just didn’t feel like moving anymore. If you don’t feel good and you stop working out, guess what happens? I started gaining weight. I was up over an additional 50 pounds! I realized I needed to do something.
I went back to the GP and told him that I was still hot flashing, still gaining weight, and not feeling very well. He took more blood and told me I was in the normal range, and that I should feel great. Well, I didn’t and he seemed irritated by this.
He prescribed Cytomel (T3) at my request to see if this would help me feel better. Within 4 days I was jittery and anxious, and I still didn’t feel very good. I stopped taking it after 5 days.
So here is where I went off the reservation: don’t try this at home. I decided to experiment to see if I could make myself feel better. I got my hands (legally) on a large (2 year supply) bottle of Synthroid. I am currently prescribed to take 100mcg, but I changed my dose to 150mcg. The difference is amazing. I am alert, back at the gym, not tired every day, and losing weight (10 lbs. so far). Just an overall happy camper! I still have hot flashes but they are days apart, not 3 times a day. I’ve been doing this for about two months now and plan to continue.
What’s next?
My next step is to go see an endocrinologist to tell my story to and make sure I stay on the 150mcg. I plan to interview several for the job. I’m aware of the placebo effect of self-medication. I use the hot flashes as my measure for this. Even though they are not happening every day, I would like them to disappear completely. The hot flashes are my sign that things are still not right.
To end this story, I would like to hear from more men about their thyroid stories. What are they experiencing? Is my story part of their story? This is the first time I have written about this issue and it feels good just getting it out.
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I’m 39, and was diagnosed at a young age, about 15 years ago. I’m at 200 dosage, and I don’t feel as tired, but still not really motivated, and that probably has a lot to do with being overweight. I would love any tips that you may as a man with hypo.
HelloI am a 40 year old man. I feel THIS article was a lifesaver. I became hypo at 35. Interestingly I have Hashimotos& but still only see a GP.I have googled men 28th got flashes or got flashes in men & seemed notta till now. My face is red as Hell and I’m almost always feeling hot. My Dr still using as long as # normal ypure fine philosophy. I’m on 112mcg.generic levothyroxine.(wondering if this is a culprit?)
I hate walking around like a human stop sign…but don’t try to take more Levo. due to heart palps or jitteryness. Please keep me informed. I Definetly have to find a way to avoid soy and anything that causes inflamtion.
Hi Guys
Love ur work. Keep it up. I was hoping someone would be able to lend me your expertise? I’ve been chronically I’ll with CFS for decades. I’m a 45yo male. Besides persistent fatigue, some symptoms I have are:
-a destroyed immune as I feel like I’m coming down with flu every single day,
-I feel like I’m dying most days
-a constantly burning face, hot & red
-very itchy scalp
-constant headaches / fog
-feeling like I’m deprived of oxygen
-constantly hungry
I recently had the following tests done
TSH = 1.8
Free T3 = 5.5
Free T4 = 17
SHGB = 60
Antithyroglobulin absolute immulite <20
Antithyroidal Peroxidase absolute =29
All of these are within the normal range. Could it be possible that I do have a thyroid issue, or are these sufficient results to rule this out?
Warmest Regards
John
Hot flashes r related to hormones and cortisol levels check b12 vit d go gluten free its better to be on t3t4 meds especially natural like thyroid extract check iron and ferritin and iodine levels. Check mthfr gene .good luck
46 year old male here and I had my thyroid removed in February of this year due to Hashimoto’s and nodules. I was diagnosed hypo over 10 years and probably was hypo long before being diagnosed. Most of the forums for thyroid issues are usually geared towards women which is understandable because it is more common with them. I pretty much inherited my thyroid issues from my mother. I am still trying to get my meds regulated. It is good to hear from some of the dudes. Good luck to all of you!
43 year old male and was diagnosed almost 5 years ago. I have Hashimoto’s and Low Testosterone. I still have hot flashes a few times a day, but it is better than 5-10 times a day. My original endocrinologist was awesome but he left the area for better job. The last two years I have been bouncing around to find a new one that doesn’t say the numbers are good enough. I finally found an alternative clinic in my area where they advertise all the time on tv that does Armour or natural compounding depending on the ratio needed. I am also going to a men’s clinic for the Low T also. Prior to going the alternative route, my new endo thought TSH of 1.78, T4 of 0,8, testosterone of 300 was good. When the alternative clinics retested, my levels were even worse and they changed meds. Still working at it, but at least I’m back on the path to feeling better.