<p>I haven’t been feeling very well the past several months, so I went to the doctor recently to see if anything was up. After running some tests, we discovered that I have a severe vitamin D deficiency, hypertension, and what appears to be a goiter in my throat. Additionally, though my thyroid levels showed up as normal, my doctor is still concerned that the enlarged region in my throat could have spurred from something with the gland and wants it tested right away to make sure it isn’t cancerous.</p>
<p>I know these are common problems that are easily solved, but I already feel it interfering with my life, especially with the drowsiness. I’ve already been having a hard time with feeling achey and tired all the time (apparently from the vitamin D deficiency), but now I’m feeling even more tired due to my new blood pressure medication and I shamefully fell asleep in class the other day. I tried so hard to stay awake but I just couldn’t keep my eyes open. And I’m NOT the kind of student that would EVER do that.</p>
<p>I’m 20 years old and sometimes feel so old because all I want to do is sleep. It’s practically impossible for me to do so since my days are packed pretty tight, and since this all is new to me, I know that I need help learning how to deal.</p>
<p>For those of you who have been dealing with these conditions, how can you learn to live with them? How can I start training myself to cope with this, especially if there’s nothing technically wrong with my thyroid and so if there’s nothing my doctor can do?</p>
<p>I would encourage you to see an endocrinologist who has vast experience with thyroid issues. This can be a complicated problem. You should NOT be feeling so fatigued. I’m on blood pressure medicine and it has zero effect on my energy levels. I suspect this is more about your thyroid, but in any case, you clearly are in need of more specialized care. </p>
<p>Thyroid issues can cause all manner of problems-don’t leave this to an internal med doctor. This is no knock on Internal med docs as they can handle many many problems just fine. But the thyroid imo requires extra attention. See a specialist. </p>
<p>I developed a goiter my sophomore year of college as a result of hypothyroidism. Once I was put on the proper dosage of thyroid medicine I felt so much better. Over the many years since, there have been a few times when my dosage needed to be adjusted, but once it is, I gain back my energy. As Nrdsb4 said, you need to be seen by an endocrinologist, who is an expert in this. Sometimes a thyroid level that is technically “normal” can still lead to drowsiness if it’s at the low end of normal, and you might benefit from a low dose of thyroid medicine. </p>
<p>Nothing to add, but I totally agree with what everyone here is saying. Endocrinologists are the experts with all things hormonal. Taking thyroid hormone daily is No Big Deal. </p>
<p>It’s also possible that your thyroid is enlarged due to a reason besides hypothyroidism, but an endo will figure that out.</p>
<p>I agree with finding a specialist. My thyroid issues I know now started in college. My GP would test for mono and send me on my way telling me not to burn the candle at both ends. Once I was properly diagnosed and treated I had my energy back within a couple weeks. I have been on thyroid. Meds now for well over thirty years.</p>
<p>When I was on high blodd pressure medication, I felt weak all the time. I couldn’t pick up heavy items as well as I used to or work in my garden as long as I used to. The change was gradual and not dramatic that I didn’t know it was the medication. I just thought I was getting old. Now I am not taking any medication controling the blood pressure with diet.</p>
<p>Definitely also see the physician who prescribed your medications. Do not wait until you see an endocrinologist. You likely should switch from ones that have the side effects you are experiencing. The original doctor needs to hear how you are not tolerating the prescribed meds. (physician here)</p>
<p>DH had a vitamin deficiency. Even when his thyroid numbers were ok it made him very tired. I take blood pressure meds. Some blood pressure meds can make you tired. Call your doctor and have them change it. There are plenty of blood pressure meds you can try. Also its possible that the meds are lowering your blood pressure too much which would make you feel tired.</p>
<p>Do know, OP, that thyroid numbers can be “normal” yet abnormal FOR YOU. Your BP med may be causing your fatigue, but if you have a thyroid problem, messing with the BP med will only solve part of the problem.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much again! I have an ultra sound and an appt with my doctor scheduled next week, so I will definitely let them know how I’ve been feeling.</p>
<p>I’m assuming that my doctor will wait on my ultra sound results to determine what to make of the thyroid issue since my levels are normal, but I’ll definitely ask more about possible plans of action.</p>
<p>Although it was a million or so years ago, I can still remember how awful I felt in the months before I was diagnosed with a goiter/Hashimoto’s Syndrome (hypothyroidism) when I was 16. I was so tired that I didn’t want to get out of bed. I have been on thyroid for almost 50 years, and I have to be monitored every 6 months to make sure my meds are working properly. They do require adjustment from time to time. I feel fine, with the exception of very stressful times when things get thrown off (like when my mom was sick). The key is to have my blood tested on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Last year, I tested very low for Vitamin D. I didn’t realize how much that affected my mood. I added a megadose every day, and I began to feel wonderful. I take it every day, and my levels are great now … and I feel wonderful.</p>
<p>See an endocrinologist for your thyroid. Take Vitamin D supplements. Eat properly. Exercise. It can take a while for everything to get in synch, but you will soon feel terrific.</p>
<p>Oh, and about your “normal” thyroid levels … the basic tests doctors run don’t always show issues. See an endocrinologist, who will know what test to run.</p>