Vitamin B12 deficiency and an underactive thyroid.

[ellesr]

Hi I was diagnosed with both of these nearly two years ago now and I have always been a positive person, I'd like to think I have the most positive attitude out of the whole family, things don't really get to me. But lately I have now started to come to the realisation that I may have depression. I think I've found it so hard to find because I would never see myself that way but I have read things that say that both vitamin B12 and an underactive thyroid can cause depression/ are linked to it. Due to underactive thyroid being an auto immune disease I'm ill nearly all the time which of course gets a person down, I'm currently in college in a halls of residence as my family live away, and I feel that the staff here are now just bored of looking after me now because I'm always sick, but their attitude towards me is really got me down now because I feel as though no one cares anymore, when in reality right now I feel like I need help more than I ever had. I don't feel like I can continue with my college anymore because I just have gotten to the point where I don't care about anything anymore.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Were you diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism? Most, but not all, hypothyroidism is autoimmune, mine isn't. If yours is autoimmune hopefully someone else can comment.

What are you doing about your B12 deficiency? What is your level? Are you supplementing?

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry you are having a rough time. If you feel depressed it could be down to the fact that you aren't on sufficient thyroid hormones to convert to the necessary T3 your body needs to function normally.

Our brain contains the most T3 receptor cells and we have billions in our body. T4 has to convert to sufficient T3 for our bodies' needs and if you don't have sufficient you cannot function properly.

I suggest you ask your doctor to do a Full Thyroid Function Test as you cannot have a normal life at present as you have many clinical symptoms still, despite being on thyroid hormone replacements.

Make the earliest appointment and fast (you can drink water). Leave about 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test. Take it afterwards.

Tell GP FT3 is the most important for you as it should be towards the top of the range if hypo.

Get a print-out of your blood tests results with the ranges and put on a new post.

Also ask GP to do Vit B12, Vit D iron, ferritin and folate at the same time.

"I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions"