I find myself agreeing with jadesailor14. If you truly documented everything a fifteen-year-old boy eats, it probably isn't excessive; they're in the middle of a massive growth spurt. I remember being fourteen and being able to polish off an entire tray of rolls for dinner and still growing taller—and I was strictly a bookworm, so I wasn't even doing any physical activity at the time. I have a question, though: did you only consult doctors regarding weight loss, or did you undergo actual diagnostic testing? It’s possible there’s an underlying issue with blood sugar or hormones that hasn't been identified yet. If those tests come back clear, you might simply be dealing with a slower metabolism. In that case, sticking to smaller, more frequent meals and incorporating light physical activity can help—especially since carrying extra weight makes jumping straight into heavy running or intense gym sessions a bit much to handle initially. Walking or cycling are excellent ways to start. Try to carve out more time for it; for instance, if you're commuting to school, perhaps walk a larger portion of the way or take your bike when the weather is nice.
If you're looking to get this covered for free, you'll definitely need a referral, though honestly, your best bet might be to just chat with your primary care physician first to see what they suggest. I'm not entirely sure if there are restrictions on which practitioners you can visit—they probably need to be in-network with Medicare for it to count.
I actually tried acupuncture for weight loss once, and it really did the trick. I’d probably do it again if it weren't for the fact that those needles always gave me the jitters, not to mention it's a bit pricey these days. The doctor I saw also mentioned he treats asthma, allergies, smoking cessation, and various chronic pain issues. If I recall correctly, you can use a referral with him. He's located over in Brooklyn. If that area works for you and you want his details, let me know and I'll shoot you a DM.
The heating finally kicked in—they cranked it up once the temperature dropped a few degrees the other day. My advice? Put some small bowls of water on your radiators and grab one of those Sea Spray bottles to use regularly. Also, make sure you're drinking plenty of water; that should help too.
I have a bit of a silly question here, I saw some mentions regarding the Salonit factory, And my first thought when I hear that name is those Salonit roofing sheets. Is there a connection there, and could those sheets actually contain asbestos? My family has a house on the coast built back in the 70s, and it’s covered with those types of sheets. To make matters worse, being right by the ocean, we rely on water collected from the roof.
Honestly, what can I even say? Just take the advice you've already received and go see an ophthalmologist.
It’s highly likely you have some sort of refractive error, and that peripheral flickering might mean you need astigmatism correction in your lenses. My mother went through something almost identical—even though she was already wearing glasses, it turned out she needed cylindrical correction on top of her existing prescription. Until you get that sorted and grab a pair of glasses that actually aligns everything correctly, things aren't going to improve.
Of course, if it isn't a vision issue, there are a few chronic health conditions that can cause visual disturbances, but your best bet is to start with an eye doctor.
To the thread starter, there is a strong chance this is just pure exhaustion and stress. Taking occasional eye breaks while working at the computer can really help. Generally speaking, it's smart to step away from the screen regularly—though I won't pretend I follow my own advice perfectly, as I deal with the occasional eye twitch myself.
It also helps when you’re taking higher doses of B vitamins on a regular basis. There’s just something about their sense of smell that makes our skin scent bother them. That might even explain why certain types of alcohol seem to help 😉 since they contain those B vitamins too.
Ashley Fisher said:But where is the best place to get my hormone levels checked? What kind of test is it actually called?
You’ll want to look into blood work for thyroid function and reproductive hormones. General hair thinning or a loss of texture can often be traced back to thyroid issues or ovarian imbalances, so getting those levels checked is a smart move. I’d suggest touching base with your primary care physician first to see if there are other symptoms they should know about. While you could try to get a referral through insurance, it can be a bit hit-or-miss depending on how quickly they can fit you in or if they require a specific diagnosis first. Honestly, heading to a private lab like Quest Diagnostics might be faster, though you'll have to pay out of pocket. Basically, talk to your doctor first.
I have a question, has anyone here actually tried homeopathy, and does it even make sense when dealing with Hashimoto's? I heard from someone else that it helped a few people, but I'm really not sure what their specific diagnoses were.
And honestly, I didn't even have my antibody results back before they just slapped a Hashimoto's diagnosis on me—apparently, based on everything else, that was the only logical conclusion. It feels like they’re incredibly stingy when it comes to running full diagnostic panels; I didn't get any of the actual details until I paid out of pocket to see a specialist privately.
It is definitely worth doing some digging to find a top-tier endocrinologist, though. Especially for a child, since they’ll likely be managing this for the rest of their life—it's much better if they can stay under the care of the same doctor from the start. If anyone happens to have a recommendation for someone great, I would love to hear it.
I’ve read quite a bit about hypothyroidism, and from what I understand, if your T3 and T4 levels are fine but your TSH is just slightly elevated, doctors usually hold off on hormone replacement therapy. They tend to wait until actual symptoms surface or until the TSH starts climbing steadily—which is essentially what they call subclinical hypothyroidism. It isn't necessarily cause for panic if treatment doesn't start immediately; you can monitor things over a six-month period to see how they shift, provided you stay on top of regular checkups. That said, I know it can be more serious in children because a slowed metabolism can interfere with both physical and mental development. Isn't that why newborns are screened so rigorously? Because untreated hypothyroidism can lead to developmental delays. To be perfectly honest, even for adults, I don't think I ever felt more cognitively foggy than during that window right before I finally got a diagnosis for what was happening to me.
Here is an older thread regarding hypothyroidism—specifically for those dealing with the same
I have this exact diagnosis myself, and I can confirm it isn't as daunting as it sounds. Just as Jose Miller3 mentioned, everything becomes much more manageable once you actually get a diagnosis. I also know someone who has dealt with this since birth; once she finally found the right dosage—after some adjustments during her teenage years—she was doing just fine. The only thing she noted was that she still struggles with a somewhat sluggish metabolism regardless of her medication, so she finds that regular exercise helps immensely (though, let’s be honest, we could all benefit from that a little more). 😁
Applying a cold compress right after a bruise forms (on the same day) can help, and using some circulation-boosting creams—something like Bengay or even just a standard topical gel—can offer a bit of relief. But honestly, that’s really only effective on tougher areas of the body. I wouldn't dream of trying that on my face, especially anywhere near the eyes.
A hundred grams of honey packs about 320 calories, which means a single teaspoon—roughly 6 grams—will land you somewhere around 20 calories. Feel free to stir a teaspoon of honey into your green tea, but I wouldn't go overboard with the green tea throughout the day because of the caffeine content (just keep in mind it hits you much like coffee does). Having two cups a day is actually recommended for some of the beneficial compounds, but if you drink more than that, you might find it hard to get a good night's sleep. As for your concerns about the pitcher, the design doesn't matter nearly as much as the filters themselves. Just remember that you'll need to swap those filters out every month. My advice? Find a pitcher that fits your budget and pick up a multi-pack of three or four filters at a big-box retailer like Walmart or Target; buying them in bulk is always cheaper. Personally, I find that tea tastes much better when made with filtered water, and it even gives the green tea a cleaner, brighter look.