My baby is just over 3 months old, and for the last 2 weeks or so, my hair is falling out in clumps (which I've heard is normal), my skin, especially on the back of the palms is dry and scaly, and my weight loss has come to a grinding halt - if anything I may have gained a pound or two- despite eating healthier food (my mother in law who was making greasy food for us left) and starting a daily 2 mile walk.
I'm wondering if these are the normal post-pregnancy symptoms or signs of an underactive thyroid, since they seem so similar. The reason I ask here instead of asking a doctor is that my baby has been refusing bottles for weeks and doesn't allow me to put her down, so making a doctor's appt for myself will be a complicated affair that I am trying to postpone if this sounds like a common scenario.
HI, I know how difficult it is to make tiime for youself with a newborn...please make a doctor appt. I went through the same thing and wished I had seen my endocrinologist first. Hair loss, weight gain, mood swings, I could go on and on. Looking back, life would have been much eaiser with lab work and controling of synthroid with my doc.
Good Luck!
Hi,
My nutritionist gave me a simple at home test to see if my thyroid was underactive. Before getting out of bed in the morning, take your temperature under your arm pit. Do this for 3-5 days in a row. If you are at 97.0 or above, you are okay. Mine was a little below that - between 96.5 and 97, so I take herbal supplements. If it is below 96.5, there is cause for concern. Here's a link to the herbal supplements I take and they are safe for nursing moms. I'm still nursing my 18 month old twins. Also, here's a link to my nutritionist. You can call her and speak to her over the phone with your results if you need more guidance.
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/products/product/stockn...
http://www.healthylifestyleonline.us/
Good luck!
Take the baby with you and get to the doctor, I waited and by the time I said something I had gained back all my pregnancy weight plus and I was sleeping all the time. I was missing appointments for my other children and could hardly get dinner on the table. I contributed all this to having 4 children. My TSH levels were through the roof.
All the test entails is a blood draw from the arm. Baby can be in her carrier for it. It takes abotu two or three days for them to read the results. You will then be put on Synthroid if the levels are too high.
Nursing is OK. I was put on the meds at 7 weeks postpartum and nursed him until he was 16 months old.
I know a nutritionist that is wonderful on the telephone (she does a lot of telephone consults with people all over) and has dedicated much of her career to helping people diagnose and cure their hypothyroidism. She will tell you want blood/stool tests you need (and some can be done at home and mailed into the lab). If you want her contact info, let me know.
Sounds like hypothyroidism to me. I have that. This can lead to dangerous things like not being able to think clearly at all, etc. etc
Bring baby with you but consider if you have any alternatives to holding the baby so much. We are talking about a short blood test. If your doctor usually makes you wait a long time, ask the appointment person and nurse if you can be seen quickly since you have a fussy baby with you.
You won't get the results right away. If you do have hypothyroidism, see a endocrinologist to get you started on the right meds and amounts and to understand all the what ifs and don'ts (no soy, no skipping or taking too much meds.. Then you can go back to a general doctor to continue meds and annual blood tests.
If you are not hypothyroid, ask the doctor what does he check next?
BTW, I never heard of hair falling out in clumps. Thinning a lot, yes. Clumps, ..... not really.
Does the baby have colic? If the baby's need to be held isn't medical, then you are causing this 24 hour dependancy. Not good for you or baby. Hugs.
This is similar to my problem, but I just thought it was normal... I will have to check back on this bc I swear my hair just seems to come out all the time and no matter what I do I can not loose weight! I actually gained as well and I have been walking and running after a toddler and a 6 month old who started crawling. My hands are sooooo dry and nothing seems to help!
well hello, i have hypo, and yes my hair falls of too!!! after having my child i was loosin sum weight, but then again it was just post partum!! so go and get checked!! thyroids can also be fatal!!! QUESTION TO ALL: WHAT IS A GOOD WEIGHT LOSS PLAN TO LOSE SUM LBS?
Wow, the other Moms have a lot more specific medical advice. I just wanted to chime in and say that since my 5 month old was born I've had some significant hair loss (no clumps), the eczema on my hands is almost unbearable some days and I've also gained a bit of weight.
If I'm honesty with myself about the weight, I contribute it to lack of exercising and eating sweets because I'm bored and exhausted.
Whatever course you chose, your daily 2 mile walk will do you good.
Keep your chin up.
