Expert: Glen Aukerman, M.D. - 3/7/2011

Question
Hi,
My mother is 80 years old. She is a vegetarian and takes no prescription medicines. Back in the 70s she was diagnosed with a thyroid problem for which her doctor wanted her to take radioactive iodine. I am not sure if it was hypo or hyper but it was diagnosed after she had lost a great deal of weight so I am assuming it was hyper.
Over the past two years she has lost weight and at her most recent visit to the doctor, she weighed less than 100 lbs. She is probably about 5'-3". She cannot figure out what is causing the weight loss but has nearly all the symptoms of hypothyroid.
Is it possible to have hypothyroidism and lose weight rather than gain?
Also, after seeing a chiropractor (who is also a MD and practices natural medicine from a multi disciplinary approach) she was told that testing done by conventional doctors for thyroid are inaccurate. If that is the case, how does one accurately find out if they have a thyroid problem?
Any guidance you provide is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Christy

Answer
Is it possible to have hypothyroidism and lose weight rather than gain?
A: not really

Also, after seeing a chiropractor (who is also a MD and practices natural medicine from a multi disciplinary approach) she was told that testing done by conventional doctors for thyroid are inaccurate. If that is the case, how does one accurately find out if they have a thyroid problem?
A: needs a full thyroid panel and maybe a new doctor