Depression and fatigue following a cured over-active thyroid.

[Nathalie70]

Dear all,

I'm wondering if someone has experienced the same problems I'm facing now. I've been hyper for 3 years with a mixture of anxieties and a wonderful energy. I could do dozen things at the same time... well I was as hyper-active as my thyroid. My heart rate was low so I wasn't bothered by it, hence the delay in diagnostic.

I'm among the lucky few who got cured in one year with Carbi. The problem is now that I don't have energy anymore, I feel very tired and depressed. I miss the "ups" of hyperthyroidism. My GP is considering a sick leave and therapy.

Has anyone experienced the same?

Thanks a lot and take care. Best wishes.

[naveed123]

You did not mention your lab results regarding Tsh ,T4 and T3 level..In hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism you will feel the depression, anxiety and fatigue.

[Nathalie70]

I'm not hypo at all, my TSH, T4 and T3 are all in normal range. I was tested for Hashimotos antibodies and I don't have them.

[humanbean in reply to Nathalie70]

The problem is that the normal range is so wide that many people don't feel well when their levels are in the wrong part of the range. So, for example, if the range for Free T4 is 12 - 22 (I'm just making the numbers up) and your level is 13, then a doctor will say it is fine, and totally normal. However you may only feel well when your free T4 is around 18 - 22.

That is why we ask people for their results and the associated reference ranges. Doctors keeping patients anywhere within the reference range and ignoring symptoms is very common.

[Nathalie70]

My results are pretty constant. I've been off Carbi since September 2013.

My T4 are always at 14 or 15 on a scale from 9-19, my TSH is usually low, around 1.20 on a range 0.4 to 5. I'm very far from being hypo and except the fatigue and feeling down, I have no hypo symptoms at all.

[Clutter in reply to Nathalie70]

Natalie, do you know what your FT3 is? Your FT4 is low in range. Ideally it will be in the top 75% of range ie > 16.5 and it may be that you need yours at the top of the range to feel well. You have been used to suppressed TSH and high FT4 and FT3 and normalized ranges may not be enough for you to feel well. Fatigue and low mood are hypothyroid symptoms and are also symptoms of iron and vitamin B12 deficiency.

b12d.org/b12-signs-symptoms...

healthimpactnews.com/2014/e...

[Nathalie70 in reply to Clutter]

14-15 for my T4 is my normal range: I used to be tested every year in France - that's routine - and my T4 are at their normal range. 1.2 for my TSH is too low: I used to be between 1.7 and 2 in France before becoming over-active. My T3 are tested too and are usually very high, close to hyperthyroidism. I can assure your that my fatigue doesn't come from being hypo. I don't understand why everybody wants me to be hypo. I had all sorts of antibodies tested, I have neither Graves, nor Hashimoto's antibodies related.

[Clutter in reply to Nathalie70]

Nobody wants you to be hypo, Nathalie. Low FT4 often means FT3 is also low and causes hypothyroidism at a cellular level, which isn't the case if your FT3 is high.

[Nathalie70]

I forgot to specify that I go to a private endo and private GP.

[humanbean]

I've never been hyper myself, but I'm guessing that it must stress the body terribly - so, have you ever considered that you might have low levels of minerals and vitamins? Do they get used up at a faster rate than normal when the body is hyper? For people who are hypo the ones that keep getting mentioned are iron, ferritin, folate, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Hypo people also need good levels of magnesium, selenium and zinc.

It was just a thought...

[Nathalie70 in reply to humanbean]

You're right, I was without vit D and my iron and calcium were very low, the rest was normal. My iron is not yet back to normal but vit D and Calcium are.

[eeng]

As with TSH and T4 levels, the bottom of the NHS 'normal' range for nutrients are set at a level where people can feel way below par. Doctors won't be interested in helping you improve your levels but with non-specific symptoms such as 'no get-up-and-go' you have to try and help yourself as much as possible. Low iron can make you feel very tired. Hope you feel better soon.

[Nathalie70 in reply to eeng]

I'm not followed by the NHS but privately and my doctors are really doing their best.

[tilly83]

I would prescribe a holiday see how that feels perhaps one that involves sun, yoga and relaxation, then see how you feel. I have struggled with my weight (still on 5mg of carb every other day) even though do running and very busy generally - and eat good gluten-free diet. The endo just said 'welcome to the real world of women who struggle with their weight' which took the smile off my face... I wonder as well if you have enjoyed the boundless energy that comes with hyper that the more usual power feels a bit like being on hold? Lot of good advice from others about supplements and checking levels that are bespoke for you, GP's just rattle on from text book basis - not their fault, I am sure they view thyroid as female complaint easily rectified with pills - it's so much more complex annnd down to patient to empower themselves....something to mull over on holiday...!

[Nathalie70]

Tilly, you described perfectly how I feel: I really enjoyed the boundless energy that comes with hyper and I feel depressed not to have it anymore - in a very weird way, I kept the energy while on Carbi and didn't even gain weight. Thanks a lot for all your pieces of advice. Take care.