I have also discovered that I have low thyroid. I don't believe HRT is the answer there are many natural alternatives to menopause such as Maca and low thyroid is easily treated with thyroid medication.

I have Hashimoto's. I was diagnosed a year ago. My symptoms then were weight gain, depression and heart palpitations. ONce put on levothyroxine my symptoms improved. About 3 months ago I started experiencing increasing amounts of paliptations and also daily chest pressure (all day) right in the middle of my upper chest. I went to my doctor and she rechecked my thyroid which was found to be low. She also worked up heart and GI system. I wasn't thinking those 2 symptoms were thyroid related because I didnt have the chest pressure when first diagnosed and as far as Hashimotos goes, these are not listed on any website as symptoms of hashimotos. And palpitations is usually associated with hyperthyroidism. However, in one difficult to find website I did find that gastric motility can slow down with hypothyroidism and can lead to heartburn or GERD. Anyway, my GI workup was normal and I am waiting on my heart results, however my doctor increased my level of levothyroxine and my chest pressure is completely gone and my palpitations are far less frequent. I feel so much better! Anyway, just wanted to list some less common symptoms that can go with hypothyroidism

my brother in law recently had surgery for medullary thyroid cancer...he has gained a lot of weight and his stomach is hard as a rock. The Dr. told him theyd check on him after a full 6 months. Shouldnt he be treated with a different thyroid med rather than the one they put him on after surgery??? Why does he have to wait 6 months when he looks like Santa Claus and he used to be a rail??? Thanks!

I am not sure where to post notes about my experience that may prove helpful for those trying to deal with and heal their hyperthyroid conditions.

In brief, I set out to deal with the condition holistically. I found great help with acupuncture, and some vitamin supplements. However, the greatest help to restoring health came from deep and focused honesty and meditation in my personal life.

I began focusing in meditation on my physical symptoms. For example, I noticed the feeling of the nervous system "shaking me"... I decided my body was telling me something like "HEY you! Wake up I need to talk to you".

Following the meditation further I realized that the thyroid was the 'control center' of the body. In what ways was I presently 'out of control' of myself.... I followed the meditation further.

There is too much to summerize here but interestingly I found through indepth exploration, meditation, and the help ultimately of a very good therapist ----that I had been the victim of a very young and violent sexual abuse incident.

Because of my young age (approximately 4 years old) I had repressed all memory of it. My path to discovering it was amazing. Exposing the memory terrorifying (including at first physical reactions such as vomiting and specific pain in a specific place in my brain).

Apparently, Amnesia is common in abuse for children under 6 years old--- I later learned.

I then went on and learned through research that it is common for sexually abused children to have endocrine problems because of the initial "rush" of hormones associated with a highly traumatic event.

Typically the initial rush of hormones sets a pattern up in the body of misfiring when conditions reflect the initial trauma in any form. I can only imagine that the hormonal system goes awry early in life this way that it is difficult to notice and therefore heal.

Healing my body has been encouraged by the gentle, supported, exploration of this horrific memory that I had completely surpressed. By shining light on the event I am able to take control of how it has impacted my life.

By practicing new ways of 'taking control in my life' my health has dramatically improved. And shining light on this very painful memory has helped my whole family suddenly make sense of my life, various problems we've faced, over the years and saved my marriage.

I would be happy to talk with anyone interested in learning more about my experience and recommend for one dealing with a 'thyroid' issue that they consider possibly meditation and pyschotherapy as a way of unraveling their disease.

Is it any wonder that women are both the major sufferers of thyroid disorders AND the majority of childhood sexual abuse victims. We have the power to heal ourselves and one way to do so is to find our stories and share them with the world to help create change and to celebrate our survival.

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in late 2005. I experienced many symptoms, including rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, fatigue, and yes, proptosis (bulging eyes). The latter being the most difficult to deal with for two reasons: the physical pain and emotional distress due to my changing looks. I write about my experience with Graves Disease on my blog (can be found at the URL provided). From my experience, your are absolutely right when it comes to the need to follow your doctor's prescribed treatment regimen. My doctor made absolutely certain I did and he carefully monitored my thryoid hormone levels with frequent blood tests as I progress through my treatment plan. Now 20 months post-diagnosis, I am well on my road to recovery.