Jenn -- Some docs will only do the TSH test. That finds many problems but not all. The TSH is the pituitary hormone that tells the thyroid to produce more. The idea is USUALLY when the body is low in thyroid, the TSH will be high, and when there is too much thyroid hormone, the TSH will be low. But that does not always work. My TSH took a long time to rise. But, my T4 and T3 levels were low. Another thing to check is the thyroid antibody levels. Asking for Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg antibody tests can help determine if an autoimmune thyroid problem might be the source of symptoms. An endocrinologist can help with detailed testing, but really any doc can order them. Some find more help with alternative, osteopath, or even their GYN docs. As long as they have experience with thyroid hormone problems, they can potentially help.

A muscle mass in the thyroid is odd! Did he maybe just compare your nodule to a muscle mass? Nodules are actually fairly common -- 50% of people will have one or more. Some are solid, some cystic, and some mixed. Most all are benign -- but I have heard of many folks with nodules being hard to diagnose for hypo or hyper-thyroidism. Sometimes these nodules can burst and give the person intermittant and irregularly dispersed spurts of thyroid hormone. That can play havoc with blood test results. Some antibodies can interfere with test results. Other hormones can affect thyroid levels too -- such as estrogen -- it may create more bound hormone. It is there, but it is not "free" for the body to use. Thyroid problems are not as easy to pin down as some would like us to believe. Lots of varibles.

I just read about "The Healing Powers of Vinegar" by Cal Orey

It says that apple cider vinegar had the power to ease anxiety, lift depression and boost weight loss.

Okay, okay, I know apple cider vinegar diets have been around for awhile, but this seemed to show great results on the people that were studied.

You can stir in 1 TBsp of apple cider vinegar into 8 oz water and drink one hour before meals. Use apple cider vinegar on your foods (chicken, tuna, salads, etc).

And eat and snack on raw fruits and veggies and nuts in between meals.

It says that it carbs cravings, as well as helps regulates blood sugar, plus many other things - like helps clear up acne and dandruff, etc.

Another one I just read about..........

I read an article on "The Abs Diet" by David Zinczenko
The basic plan is
1. Eat 6 times a day
2. Make flat-belly foods your staples
3. Skip belly-fattening foods
4. Use quickie workouts that work

1. It improves the levels of blood-sugar hormone insulin, which reduces belly fat and faster weight loss.
An Australian study found dieters eating six meals lose double the fat of those getting the exact same calories from three meals.

2. Studies show that people who eat more good fat - from nuts, olive oil and fish - have smaller waists. Another study found that women who eat mostly fiber-rich carbs have the best waist to hip ratio.
Also: plenty of lean protein has been found to double belly-fat loss.

3. Bad fats, red meats, alcohol and processed foods all cause hormonal changes linked to excess belly fat.

4. A University of Alabama study found that total body exercises get rid of more belly fat than ab exercises alone. Reason? Metabolism increases, triggering greater fat loss all over.

Side note: Along with eating as this plan mentions, you should try for two 30min walks a week and use "The Abs Diet Workout" DVD three times per week. (the DVD is a mix of toning moves: crunches, push-ups, lunges,etc).
**which I think you should do atleast 30 min of walking each day, if not more, but this only says twice a week**

Also, it says that a University of Washington study shows that calcium helps female dieters shed 81% belly fat.

Thanks for that info! I need to go back to my doctor, but geez, after all those tests already.....I just need to find another doctor, I guess, I bring all my test results w/ me!

i guess im gonna drink a whole bottle of that apple cider vinegar
hope it works for me

Have you heard of an energy drink called fuze? One bottle only has 10 calories and it keeps me full, so then I don't eat too much. It tastes really good too. It has some ingredient in there that helps with your metabolism.

This is their website:
http://www.drinkfuze.com/

If you go to the top left corner where it says products and then click slenderize, that's the one I'm talking about.

My chiropractor is also a holistic doctor. I told her trhat my hair was thinning and she did some kind of alternative test on me. She told me that it was most likely my thyroid. She said it was so minor it probably wouldn't show up on regular tests and gave me a supplement called GTA. My hair topped thinning, so I was happy. Point be4ng - it's hard to diagnose thyroid problems. You might want to try a endocrinologist.

Jenn, I had the same problem. They tested my thyroid and said it was in the normal range. I went to another doctor and she said it was low normal, but since I was having symptoms she gave me medication. It made a world of difference in how I felt and gave me back some energy. (I was super tired all the time before). Now I just have to lose this weight!!

So, I would go back to the doctor and let them know you want to try medication. I am on Armour Thyroid.

What is GTA and where do you get it?

OMG you look so good!! But if you don't feel good then do what you need to :)

I agree with everyone here! hungry-girl is a great site, I love their daily emails. Also, the veggies are such a good idea, every Sunday I cut up a ton and keep them in snack size bags in the fridge so I can just grab them and snack. And water too, I have a hard time drinking a ton of water so I use the Crystal Light packs and that helps a lot.

My mom is a lifetime Weight Watchers member and she LOVES it. She has shared all the materials with me and I started tracking everything I put in my mouth daily.

Here is a good site with a ton of recipes and points:

http://www.dwlz.com/

Reading the label, GTA is a dietary supplement containing Selenium, Porcine glandular concentrate (yuck...from pigs' glands), superoxide dismutase and catalase. The last two are enzymes and selenium is a metal our bodies use.
I get it from my chiropractor, but it's made by Biotics Research Corp.

Does that help?

I tried it yesterday in blueberry/rasberry. It's delicious, and only costs $1.25. A bottle of plain water is $1.00 in NYC.

I have never tried that....is it loaded w/ sugar? I guess I need to check that site out! I am up for trying anything at this point! hee,hee

Thanks for that info. I will have to look up the GTA supplement. I did go to an endocrinologist at first because my dermatologist recommended it and then two other doctors (my doctor and then another one). Aurgh...it is just aggravating to no end!!!:(

Thanks....I need to get back on top of my health and see a doctor again. I just got a little discouraged there for awhile.

I have all the symptoms, but have been doing some research and there are a few other things that have the same symptoms, so I think I will head to the doctor w/ a list of my symptoms and of all the other things it could be. If nothing else, I will tell them that I want to try some medication and just see if my symptoms improve. YUCK, I just hate dealing w/ the doctors after dealing w/ them for 2 years straight! I was honestly seeing a doctor once a month and some months I had to go in up to four times.....it does wear you down after awhile!!!:(