I'm 69, and I started synthroid 25 years ago (a girlfriend has been on Armour for decades). My hypothyroidism probably started years before that. Most hypothyroid meds replace the hormones that your slacker thyroid aren't producing enough of, as opposed to a lot of medicines that treat symptoms. I eat seafood for iodine, which hasn't made a difference in my TSH, T3, or T4 numbers, and a mostly FODMAP diet (I also have celiac). Exercise, avoiding stress, and weight are good for thyroid as well. After going on synthroid my hypothyroid symptoms went away; one still has to have bloodwork to ensure your numbers are within range. Women are more likely than men to have thyroid and autoimmune disorders, not sure why.

@apriljef, you really need to get a doctor who will listen to your symptoms and prescribe thyroid medication for you. Your TSH 6.5 is above normal range for TSH. Did you have thyroid autoantibodies show up in bloodwork?

I had not been diagnosed and treated for a long time for Hashimoto’s, thyroid nodule, hypothyroidism (after lobectomy which also found micro cancer). Thyroid problems can affect fertility and getting pregnant as well as all organs so it is important to address sooner rather than later. I do not feel well if my TSH is above 2.0 and feel much better at 0.3-0.4 TSH. Doctors need to listen to your symptoms because what is “normal” TSH for some may make someone else feel like a zombie that wants to lay in bed or in the couch all day. After my lobectomy, my TSH went over 4.0 and I just wanted to be buried at that point. It took a while for my TSH to come down after they started me on 88 mcg levothyroxine and then later increased me to 100 mcg. Keep advocating for yourself, your health and your quality of life! It is a matter of being proactive to prevent the negative impacts of a thyroid dysfunction.