Fibromyalgia and Low Thyroid Disorder
It is not unusual for patients to tell me that despite having all the symptoms associated with low thyroid, they have been tested over and over again for hypothyroidism but their tests are normal and their doctor tells them they are fine.
Well doctors and you should realize that you aren’t normal – “Normal blood work doesn’t mean anything, it is only the start, the beginning of the investigation.
Those with fibro and or CFS/ME are different, strange, weird. OK special! Their biochemistry is different. It is no wonder they often have “low normal” or “high normal” blood work which in their case suggests they are in positive for that test.
Blood tests are based on samples from normal population or samples. You are special and your blood work needs to be scrutinized for any clues, otherwise you fall through the cracks.
The herd mentality, lazy doctor, is all too happy to recommend a mood elevating antidepressant, stimulating amphetamine like Ritalin, pain pill or high cholesterol medication for the symptoms of low thyroid, missing the real problem, the cause hypothyroid itself.
Dr. Murphree,
I’ve felt miserable for 14 years, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, hypothyroid, I had it all. My problems began after I had a hysterectomy. I was never the same after the surgery, I felt rundown, weak and I started having problems with poor sleep and lots of pain. I could barely get out of bed. I gained 30 pounds the first 2 years after the surgery, my hair was falling out, I became depressed and totally withdrawn from the world. I went to doctor after doctor and finally I was diagnosed first with fibromyalgia and then with a hypothyroid condition.
I was put on all sorts of drugs including Synthroid for my thyroid. Every 3-4 months I’d have blood work to check my thyroid and my endocrinologist would say everything looks good keep doing what you’re doing. How could everything be good? I was still gaining weight, had now gained a total of 60 pounds in last 5 years, my hair was falling out, I was tired all the time, and I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. Something had to change. I met Dr. Murphree at a lecture in St. Louis, I knew he was someone who knew what I was going through and who could fix me.
He ran lots of tests and found that my thyroid medicine wasn’t working so he added an over the counter thyroid supplement to help it work properly. I felt better in a week. He then placed me on adrenal cortex supplements, vitamins, minerals, and a sleep formula. Six weeks later I was sleeping through the night, had more energy, less pain, and felt better than I had in years. I lost 14 pounds the first 2 months and 40 pounds while on his anti-inflammatory weight loss diet. Thank you Dr. Murphree!
–Cindy
I believe the “art” of doctoring is taking the time to do the appropriate detective work, time to figure what the cause or causes are, not to merely treat symptoms because it is “what we do.” Patients are more than an ICD insurance code, they are real live human beings, as unique and different on the inside as they are on the outside.
If you are struggling with fatigue, weight gain, low moods, cold hands, cold feet, hair loss, constipation, low body temperature (below 97.8), elevated cholesterol, and brain fog, you most likely have some low thyroid issues. This could be true hypothyroid (elevated TSH), inactive T4 hormone not converting into active thyroid hormone T3, or you’ve got the beginning of an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (elevated thyroid antibodies TPO and TGB).
If you suspect you are suffering with a low thyroid condition find a functional medicine doctor who will recommend specialized thyroid blood work.
I have an entire updated chapter on thyroid disorder in my upcoming 5th edition book Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which will be in book stores later this summer.
You can learn more about thyroid conditions, proper testing and treatment by listening to or joining me for my:
Call Question and Answer Call In Program. Get your fibro questions answered. Learn what you need to do to feel good again.
FEEL GOOD AGAIN
If your are sick and tired of being sick and tired, tired of doctors following the herd and not thinking outside the box to help you find the cause(s) for your fibro pain, fatigue, weight gain, low moods, IBS, RLS, CFS, then don’t spend another day in misery, call my clinic and schedule an initial new patient phone consult 205-879-2383. Why go through life settling for just getting through the day? This isn’t living. If you are tired of working doctors who don’t understand you or your fibro/CFS then change doctors. I’ve specialized in treating and beating fibromyalgia and CFS/ME for over 18 years 205-879-2383.
You can feel good again. Become another of my long list of successful patients. Here are a few great testimonials from patients who were struggling to get through the day just like you now they feel good and are living again!
this site sounds just like my story and i have suffered since 97 with all the symptoms of above without relief…..would so love to know the natural meds to take to make me feel whole again without pain and head fog…….thanks
About 90% of my patients start with my Jump Start Fibro Package, and have great success. If you are interested in a phone consultation to discuss your specific needs and to see if I can help you get well, please feel free to call my office and speak with Juno, 205.879.2383, to schedule a consultation.
Oh my word ! I could be the “Cindy” in the letter with the exception of being diagnosed with hypothyroidism! And my tests are always low or high normal or even abnormal and its ignored! None of my doctors look at the big picture of my illness. They just treat symptom after symptom and I’m tired of it all. How much is a phone consultation?
Thanks!
The phone consultations are $129. If you would like to call the office, speak with Juno, and she will answer your questions & help you get started.
Everything I have read here sounds just like me. I had a hysterectomy, started having pain in my body, was diagnosis with fibromyalgia. In 2004 had my gallbladder removed, then in 2006 had kidney cancer. I still have so much pain.I go to pain management for pain meds. But nobody has ever told me my thyroid is not working properly. I always wondered if that could be it. My hair is falling out so bad I have hardly any eye brows left and I have gained so much weight I feel like I never get enough sleep. My mother has hypothyroid.
You most likely have hypothyroid as well. Make sure you get in depth thyroid panel done. Learn more in my book http://www.getfibrobooks.com
do you take insurance,i’m on ssi
Of course there is no response to this post! Only those who have a lot of money can get well. While those of us who can’t afford these astronomic prices are left to suffer. Talk about big Pharma making money off of us? So do all these (natural) doctors.
It is like dangling a piece of candy in front of a child who has no way to reach it.
Patricia please see my reply to your first post.
I think Patricia is correct I live on Social Security and can’t afford these treatments It makes me sad that I can’t get help
There are numerous things you can do that require little in the way of investment, diet changes, over the counter supplements, changes to your sleep hygiene, etc.
The book is a start, use and do what you can according to your budget. Again many recommendations won’t cost you anything. http://www.getfibrobooks.com
I have fibro and CFS/weight gain,throid problem on synthroid joint pain in lower lumbar which I fractured 5,6,7 been to pain clinics with no help in sight I’ve quit all tocic meds and dealing by eating right, drinking water,eating grains smoothies and make my own healthy snacks and I walk every otherevening, I need surgery for planter fiscitus which I’ve been putting off because I don’t have pcp and can’t find any in area accepting new pts !! I also have pinched nerves in neck 5&6 ,and in left knee I do take med for that but take motrin when.bad pain and can’t walk !!!
reading all these testimonies is me all rolled into one! i was diagnosed with fibro the year before i had a complete hysterectomy. i was given about 18 prescriptions and other over the counter which i now have barrett’s esophagus and IBS in the worse form. my biggest problem was i have a underactive thyroid and then not having HRT has really depleted my bones. i have lost 3 inches and gained thirty pounds these last 5 years. i have every know ailment known to fibro. also have RA and severe osteo. but the last few years i have swelling all over my body and have knots that come up all over if i venture to clean house or do any type of work or exercise. was on prednisone and iron (bc i was anemic twice this year) and protonix. have been on muscle relaxers and pain meds but nothing helps the severe pain i am in. in feb. a guy hit me from the back while sitting at a red light so now i am suffering from migraines, back pain and i hurt and ache from the top of my head to the tip of my toes. by afternoon i am climbing the walls in pain and cry bc i hurt so bad.i am going to a chiropractor but only feel worse instead of better. right now i feel s if someone has taken a knife and cut me from my neck to my left shoulder and is pulling it apart and down my arm and vices all around my muscles. i also feel the pain to my left chest and it is a funny feeling, a tugging or pulling or clutching and it also goes down my arm. the guy’s insurance has said they will pay for any help i need to feel better. please i need help!!
Wow so sorry you’re doing so poorly and struggling so hard to feel better. I’d like to help please call the clinic to learn about phone consults 205-879-2383.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1998 I had a full hysterectomy in 2001 and my gallbladder removed in 2004 I have severe fatigue headaches drop things fall and bump into things balance is off I am losing my hair I have IBS, OCD, PTSD, anxiety dissorder, depressive dissorder, abandonment dissorder, borderline personality dissorder, I experience chest pains in my left side and I am in severe pain daily I am on no mess Dr has tried everything the side effects make me crazy and want to hurt someone I mask how much pain I’m in because I have not been able to work since 2011 and really it started flaring up in 2009 I used so much FLMA that my company seen me as a liability and fired me on my first infraction. I keep quiet because I have been told that it’s depressing to hear and see so I hide my pain but inside I just wish God would call me home so I wouldn’t have to suffer no more when I first got diagnosed Dr apple baud completed a nerve test that told him I have an extra nerve I always wondered if that has anything to do with this condition I have been diagnosed by three Dr but I get no help I don’t sleep well and I have tried to get my disability it’s a joke because this disease is so misunderstood and not taken seriously I was call a lier and not credible by the judge I’m still fighting it’s been almost four years I wish someone would care because I feel like a leper at times that’s been banished from society. Please help.
Sorry you’re so down, totally understand how fiber can make you lose all hope. I suggest watching http://www.drmvideos.com and see if it helps.
Also I forgot to mention I have no appetite I have lost almost 40 lbs I’m swollen all the time hands are red and skin has white blotches at times legs and hands are cold at times and I vomit constantly I noticed when the pain is real bad please help
Also I have memory issues and this rash on my face that is over my eyes down and around my nose and around my mouth and chin that the Dr just can’t figure out because all the blood work is negative. I’m stiff most of the time severe pain from the neck down my spin and when the weather changes it he’ll I hate the hot weather and the rain is terrible.
Sorry you’re not doing well. It can be very difficult being a “medical misfit,” not fitting into the “box” and having to deal with doctors who follow the herd mentality. You’ll need to find a doctor who will go beyond the normal testing and do th detective work to find out what is wrong. I wish you the best of luck.
I never see the question answers about insurance. I have an appointment next week and understand the initial consultation is not covered but wonder about any blood tests needed that are ordered and further appointments.
I’ve emailed Juno about this but haven’t received a response. Anyone know?
I’m sorry, but no we don’t accept insurance. Insurance will not pay for phone consults or wellness care. They are happy to pay for potentially dangerous drugs that merely treat symptoms, but aren’t interested in helping someone find and fix the causes.
I’ve had fibromyalgia for about 20 years some days are absolutely horrible right now going thru a flare and can’t even get out of bed this is day 3. I take low dose naltrexone and for the most part my pain(when not in a flare up) is about 2-3 instead of an 8 or 9 as prior to ldn (low dose naltrexone) my hair is falling out and I’m more exhausted than I ever remember . My thyroid tests are all low side of normal and my Dr doesn’t think there is an issue is there an over the counter supplement for thyroid u would recommend… I just want my life back this is so frustrating
I’d love to help. Please call the clinic. You can learn more about phone consults at //fibroconsults.com/