Big Question

[Ibanana]

Without testing (like blood tests and that), is there any way I can tell whether I have thyroid dysfunction or bipolar disorder?

[hashimojo]

I'm not sure entirely --- but at a guess perhaps look to the physical symptoms of Hashimoto's/Graves - ie. palpitations, thinning hair, dry skin, tightness in throat, aching joints etc. and see if they ring true in this person's case ??

Members of my family on my mother's side all have had thyroid probs, one was misdiagnosed as bipolar unfortunately.

I hope this helps abit with your question best wishes

[Ibanana in reply to hashimojo]

Thanks so much

[dang]

Without testing there's no way to know anything. You could only speculate and that would only get you so far, or most likely through you in the wrong direction as you try to self diagnose and possibly self medicate. Short answer no, I'm sorry.

If you check out the symptoms of both you could make a list and check the ones that pertain to you, but other than that you really should get at least a blood test to check your thyroid levels.

Is it hard for you to get testing for any reason?

[Ibanana in reply to dang]

Yeah it is because my doctor wants to take "a step back" 🙄

[dang in reply to Ibanana]

Pfff... can you find another doctor? You shouldn't be stuck with someone so useless. Unfortunately a lot of people end up on anti-depressants when in fact they have hypothyroidism, a thyroid blood test could reaaaaally help here. If you have any other symptoms of hypothyroidism you should be able to bring those up. Or at least take those symptoms to another doctor and say, hey I've got these symptoms, can we please do a thyroid blood test?

[Ibanana in reply to dang]

I was planning to go to a walk in next week with my friend, that's what my tutor and chaplain have advised

[dang in reply to Ibanana]

I think that's a great idea!

[greygoose]

Bipolar is a symptom of low thyroid.

[Marz in reply to greygoose]

...and Low B12 can present with neuro-psychological issues. See link below ....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Scroll down the page to find the symptoms ....

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Ibanana Thyroid UK has a list of signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Ibanana in reply to SeasideSusie]

I'll check it later, thanks everyone 😊

[Ibanana in reply to SeasideSusie]

Done it, what now?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ibanana]

Your question originally was

" is there any way I can tell whether I have thyroid dysfunction or bipolar disorder? "

How many you have ticked off that list should give you an indication of whether you may have a thyroid disfunction.

[Ibanana in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok

[shaws Administrator]

If you tick off some of the clinical symptoms which, before the blood tests, people were diagnosed by them.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

I believe some have been misdiagnosed according to their symptoms alone and doctor may not have given them a blood test to check their levels of thyroid hormones.

We have had several members in the past who were hospitilized due to severe mental symptoms and eventually found to be hypothyroid.

This is self-explanatory and I bet not the first:-

hypothyroidmom.com/when-thy...

[Ibanana in reply to shaws]

Thank u, I'll check these later

[Ibanana in reply to shaws]

Done these too

[shaws Administrator]

I suggest you request a full thyroid blood test which consists of TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. FT4 and FT3 are important but rarely get tested.

Also ask for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. B12 and Vit D are pro-hormones and B12 in particular if deficient can cause neuroligical symptoms etc. and this is for Vitamin D deficiency.

When it does, some of the symptoms may include:

difficulty thinking clearly.

bone pain.

frequent bone fractures.

muscle weakness.

soft bones that may result in deformities.

unexplained fatigue.

Effects of Vitamin D Deficiency - Healthline

healthline.com/health/vitam...

The test must be the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and if you were taking replacement thyroid hormones you'd allow a 24 hour gap between last dose and test and take afterwards.

Tick off your symptoms in this link:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Ibanana in reply to shaws]

I was once deficient in D but I'm ok now

[bluebug in reply to Ibanana]

Do you still take supplements to keep your vitamin D level adequate?

If you do, what level of International Units do they say on the container?

One issue is many GPs don't advise or tell patients to take a high enough level. Unfortunately there is a fear amongst the medical profession which is unfounded thanks to the sun cream use and pollution levels that people will end up with too high vitamin D levels.

The reason why I'm mentioning this having inadequate levels of any nutrients will affect your mood. If you then have a thyroid problem then it won't be surprising that your mood varies.

Also one thing you MUST DO when you are tested is ask the practice for a copy of the test results WITH the ranges a week after they have come back. This is your right under the Data Protection Act 1998. More information here on your rights - nhs.uk/chq/pages/1309.aspx?...

Your normally don't have to pay £10.

While I know all the information given here is a lot to remember it is really important for you to get your health back.

[SilverAvocado in reply to Ibanana]

If a GP told you you're no longer deficient, you almost certainly are still deficient, as their threshold is criminally low. You can supplement yourself quite easily, and aim to get your number right to the top of the range.

[Ibanana in reply to shaws]

I've ticked off my symptoms, now what happens?

[humanbean]

You could follow the instructions on this page and see what comes out of it. It will take a while though :

drrind.com/therapies/metabo...

If anything shows up that is out of the ordinary you will have to get properly tested. Doctors dismiss body temperature (apart from when they are looking for hypothermia or fever) because they say it isn't conclusive and that such problems can occur in various conditions.

Edit : The link might help you identify thyroid and/or adrenal problems, it won't help with bipolar disorder. But people with low or high T3 (a hormone produced by the thyroid and by other organs and tissues in the body) in the brain can develop all sorts of mental health problems. I've read posts by some people on here who've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder which went away when their thyroid issues were adequately medicated.

[Ibanana in reply to humanbean]

Thank u

[humanbean in reply to Ibanana]

I just did a big edit to my reply, so you'll have to read it again. You replied while I was typing it.

[jimjam15]

blood tests and MRI found mine said it may be cancer had them out and take tablets before i start my day, they check the balance now and again then this last two months i have been getting all my early symtoms as my medication is out of balance, so i am now storing iron lost 2 dress sizes in a month low blood pressure ,so im having a trail of dozes to get my to get the balance right the illness does not start overnight can start years ago , but does not show itself so its worth getting it looked at because it causes a lot of ill health in later years.

[Ibanana in reply to jimjam15]

Thank u

[Hidden]

Hi Ibanana - thyroid problems can make you go bi polar - hyperactive thyroid can give rise to mania agitation, palpitations and can be confused with anxiety states. You may get bowel problems such as diahorrea - if you have associated insomnia this can make you lose contact with reality and give rise to confusionals states. Been there got the t shirt. Other hormone imbalances

such as diabetes can give mood swings and depression, but these side effects are not treated as

part of diabetes, they are treated as psychiatric disorders. It is possible for you to have a diagnosis of bipolar associated with the thyroid, but the treatment will be incorrect if a psychiatrist takes over. It is important you find a good endocrinologist, who knows about the effects of hormone imbalance. Women have menopausal symptoms which may occur with a thyroid condition and these may be linked to gynaecological disorders. Finding the right person to help you is difficult on the NHS as there are long waiting lists - in our area up to !8 months with very little information given. The testing in some areas for thyroid disorders isn't as thorough as it

should be so you may feel rotten but with no detailed information given to help you understand

test results - you are told you are within normal limits when you may have deficiencies which are not tested for.

[Ibanana in reply to Hidden]

Thank u 4 the advice

[SilverAvocado]

Ibanana, you can send off for a blood test in the post from Blue Horizon or Medichecks. You take the test at home with a finger prick. The full thyroid panel of TSH, freeT4 and freeT3 costs about £45.

If you've got a bit more money get a larger pack, if you test the thyroid antibodies you could get proof you have autoimmune thyroid illness even if the blood numbers currently look fine (Hashimotos, if you have an under active thyroid like 90% chance it will be that).

The next size up will get you some of the essential vitamins. You probably still have that vitamin D deficiency, and these things are so bad you could be seriously ill just from that.