Understanding Hypothyroidism: Seeking Answers

Genetics. I had symptoms for years bye was always told me numbers were good. Then in 2019 they found a lump on my thyroid that was cancer. My entire thyroid was removed and I feel terrible still even with the levothyroxine.

My dad has it but I didn't even know. It was the fact that I could not lose weight no matter what I did and they did a blood test and boom: hypothyroidism. Was super frustrating because I put on so much weight undiagnosed/un-medicated.

Like many other folks here, I won the genetics lotto. I know more about my maternal medical history than paternal, so there’s gaps, but I know my mom, my aunts (who are identical twins) and my grandma all had thyroid issues. From there, it seems logical that I would inherit that old family heirloom 😆

My thyroid issues started after I was on Lithium for a few months. My body didn’t like the drug, and I haven’t been able to stabilize since. I’ve heard other medications can cause similar issues, too.

It was genetics for me as well. My grandmother had thyroid issues.

Had a benign brain tumor removed & they took my pituitary gland with it, was already aware I had hypothyroidism. Turns out I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, after my pituitary was removed from the picture.

Hypothyroidism could easily be caused by anorexia. Not only would a person not be getting enough nutrients to support the thyroid but the body would then also be under a tremendous amount of stress which would have the adrenals working overtime. That would then steal even more nutrients from the thyroid.

I’ve heard it’s often a 3 part reason. 1. Genetic predisposition (my mom and grandma have it) 2. Leaky gut/digestion issues (I have these) 3. Stress (who doesn’t have this lol) When those 3 factors meet, you get autoimmune disease 😥

I'm not sure when mine developed. My current nurse practitioner thinks I may have dealt with it most of my life. Diet and stress can have a huge impact. Growing up my diet wasn't all that great and I've had my fair share of stress to deal with. When we are stressed our adrenal glands get priority over the rest of the endocrine glands. They can actually 'steal' nutrients.

Thyroid cancer runs in my family, but I was tested for it and was told I do not have the gene. Years later in a psych hospital they told me I needed to take synthroid and I was confused why I happened all of a sudden, especially since I was tested and told I won’t have it

I was told it was passed to me through genetics

Usually genetics

Not sure how i developed it but following to see if anyone else does!