Bipolar disorder

[Bexxsy10]

Hi I’m new here and I have bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia

[Mary-intussuception]

Hello Bexxsy, Welcome to the group x

[Bexxsy10 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thankyou so much 🤍

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bexxsy10]

I've just looked at your profile and glanced over your other posts - so may I ask if you have ever had any Antibodies blood tests, especially Thyroid Antibodies TPO and TgAb?

I ask because you have so many symptoms & conditions that can be caused by an Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism).

Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis is very common and it is the cause of most cases of Hypothyroidism.

If not may I suggest that you ask your GP for the following blood tests;

TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody)

TgAb (Thyroglobulin Antibody)

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Free T3 (Free Triiodythorinine )

FreeT4 (Free Thyroxine)

TT4 (Total Thyroxine)

Also ask for some nutrients levels to be tested especially:

Vitamin D & Calcium

Vitamins B12 & B9 ( Folate)

Ferritin

Also ask for a referral to an Endocrinologist and for a referral for an Ultrasound Scan of your Thyroid.

If asked why, you could say something like -

'As I have so many symptoms of Hypothyroidism, I would like to eliminate Autoimmune Thyroiditis.'

The unexplainable weight gain is a very significant symptom.

Everything you have screams Hypothyroidism to me !

[Bexxsy10 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I’m border line but then never do anything about it x

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bexxsy10]

There is no such thing as borderline.

Have you tested positive for Hashimoto's?

If you are not on Thyroxine replacement medication or are under-replaced then I would look into this asap.

Correct replacement medication ( usually beginning with a low dose of Levothyroxine and building up to the correct level for you)

and taking the Levothyroxine in the correct way - could be the answer to many of your medical symptoms.

[Bexxsy10 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

To be honest I’ve always thought this plus I find it impossible to lose weight

[Mary-intussuception in reply to Bexxsy10]

Were you ever referred to an Endocrinologist?

Didn't your GP mention a start dose of 50mcg Levothyroxine?

Have you had any test to check your Adrenal Function?

Do you have any blood tests results you could share?

Sadly, the weight doesn't just drop off when we start medication. But it could go on increasing without it.

It also takes sometime for the medication to make you feel better. This is because the full dose cannot be given straight away. It has to be increased gradually over 4 to 8 week stages at increments usually of 25mcg at time.

Monitoring is for life with regular TFTs (Thyroid Function blood Tests). The target therapeutic level of TSH is maximum 2, preferably less, around 1.

Looking forward - getting on the right replacement medication, prescribed nutrition supplements if needed , drinking water and eating a healthy balanced diet and regular gentle exercise need to come first.

Then you should be able to start losing weight. If you think long term, aiming for an intake of 1000 to 1200 calories a day to include 3 portions of fresh or tinned fruit ; plus gentle exercise such as walking at least 3 times a week , you should lose 7 to 10 lbs in about 10 to 12 weeks.

That's a whole stone in less than 6 months. If you persist.

Keep us informed. I can post the healthy reducing diet at a later date.

Note - no strenuous exercise though as it depletes T3.

[Bexxsy10 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thankyou so much for your kindness x

[Bexxsy10 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

I honestly think this too currently waiting on call back from gp xx

[Amy615]

What are ur symptoms...just curious...stay safe

[Bexxsy10 in reply to Amy615]

Hi lovely I’ve had manic depression for many years. I have extreme highs and extreme lows and without meds I would t be here x

[jjkeurope]

Hey Bexxsy definitely hypothroidism could be at play here my brother is bipolar and im hypo hashimotos but we both have the dio2 CC mutations which make t4-t3 conversion slow especially in the brain blood levels will usually look ok or your at the end of ref ranges

as in the blood your level is fine its in the brain and conversion that is the issue my brother takes lithium but still had anxiety since taking T4 anxiety down a lot might be worth checking the dio2 genes to see if you have these dio2 mutations usually treatment is high dose t4 or t4/t3 combination

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/194...

endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/...

[Bexxsy10 in reply to jjkeurope]

Hi there dr rang me today day long it’s border line I’m so exhausted all the time x