I believe I have an Under-active Thyroid!

[LaurasCats87]

As I have a long history of mental illness they just say its to do with mental health. I spoke to my scientist friend who told me I have all symptoms to Under active thyroid. They didn't seem to care and shoved me on mental health medication. I have no idea what to do.

[shaws Administrator]

Laura, mental health conditions can be misinterpreted and actually might be connected to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism when undiagnosed or undertreated.

If our thyroid gland is waning, or has given up altogether, we need thyroid hormones T4 and T3 which control our metabolism and T3 in particular is needed in all of our receptor cells and our brain contains the most.

Did they do a Full Thyroid Hormone Test on you. If so, did you get bloods taken at the earliest and fast? A full thyroid function test is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3. Many labs wont do these if our TSH is in the normal range but they are necessary to get to the root of the problem. I don't know if you can afford to get Free T4 and Free T3 privately (there is one that does a postal FT3 and FT4).

I did a post a short while ago:-

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[humanbean in reply to shaws]

If so, did you get bloods taken at the earliest and fast?

Shaws, I think this sentence could be misinterpreted. It seems to suggest getting a fast blood test.

For anyone reading this, it is crucial to get blood taken for thyroid function tests as early in the morning as possible and definitely before 9am.

Also, blood should be taken fasting - don't have breakfast, and don't drink anything except water. Drink sensible amounts of water - dehydration and over-hydration can affect blood test results.

[shaws Administrator in reply to humanbean]

Thanks for pointing this out so next time I shall make it clearer.

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry Laura I should have asked you to get a copy of your blood test results from the surgery with the ranges. If you don't have them today, make a new post and put them on it. Did you have the blood test as early as possible and fast? We are entitled to copies of our tests.

This is an excerpt also:

Most adults with thyroid dysfunction will develop mental symptoms. In hyperthyroidism, adrenergic hyperactivity is a major cause of psychiatric symptoms, and beta-adrenergic antagonists are effective treatment. Most patients with severe hypothyroidism will also demonstrate mental symptoms; however, causality is not so evident as in hyperthyroidism. Polymorphism in deiodinase genes and in transporter genes appears to make an important contribution to the presentation of mental symptoms as well as to the outcome of treatment of hypothyroidism.

journals.lww.com/co-psychia...

[LaurasCats87 in reply to shaws]

They won't do the blood tests

[shaws Administrator in reply to LaurasCats87]

Sometimes labs don't do the blood tests requested if the TSH is in range.So if they didn't do the full blood test, did they test your TSH and T4? If you can afford to get a private test these are details or maybe just get Free T3.

homebloodtests.co.uk/epages...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You get a discount if you put Thyroiduk's code number when ordering.

[Heloise]

Hi Laura, you know brain function has many facets and thyroid probably affects every one of them. Allopathics like to lump everything together and it makes for dismal treatment. Thyroid hormones affect serotonin and dopamine. Mental health depends on both. Unfortunately GPs are doing the same for thyroid disease IF they bother to treat, it's one pill and go away. Laura, do not buy into that.

Also, Bipolar and Parkinson's may both be due to physical injury of the spinal cord at the base of the neck and need physical therapy for some sort.

youtube.com/watch?v=nZ_CP7l...(Not working as expected?)

youtube.com/watch?v=ZNKd0ic...(Not working as expected?)

[Polaris]

Thyroid disease and B12 Deficiency are often linked both ways and symptoms overlap but severe B12 deficiency causes neuropsychiatric symptoms and can be misdiagnosed. This happened to my relative, who was treated with psychiatric drugs and diagnosed with ME and dementia. It turned out to be severe B12 deficiency and she made an amazing recovery.

It would be advisable to tick off any symptoms on the B12 def. site below and ask for B12 to be tested. Do not supplement, as this will skew the result and make it harder to get a diagnosis:

b12deficiency.info/signs-an... (and an excellent film).

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

If you think your symptoms indicate B12 deficiency, lots more advice on the PA site here. I hope things get better for you Laura.