Symptoms - is it thyroid?

[wanttobehealthy]

Hey everyone,

I'm 24 years old female, most of my life I am very active going to the gym, yoga, swimming pool, jogging... My mood was always up and down, but for the last half a year I'm very moody, very miserable and complaining about everything. I thought it can be due to my contraception pills so I started to work harder with myself and be more positive.

However in the last couple of months I've also noticed that I get bloated too often and experience constipation. Tried a variety of foods, some drugs to relief it but nothing worked and everything just got worse. My recent blood test showed iron deficiency, GP prescribed some drugs to increase iron and help with constipation. Again, constipation is just getting worse...

The worst thing is that in the last 2-3 weeks I put on weight around 4kg, and for me always being fit, this weight gain is a horrible thing. I went to see GP again, and then looking at the same blood test she said that my thyroid activity is just below the normal! (why she didn't say it before???)

I remember only this number: Free Thyroxine 11.56 (12.00- 22.00)

I know it's just slightly below, but what are your experiences of it? Do my symptoms sound relevant? What are the next steps?

I went to make a new blood test, and am still waiting to the results...

I am very worried, I want to get back to normal and be the same as I was before..

Thank you!

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum wantobehealthy

First thing to do is go to the surgery and ask for a print-out of your results, with the ranges. Labs differ so ranges are important as well as the results.

Ideally, you should have testing at the earliest possible appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and if you are on thyroid hormone replacements (once diagnosed) allow a 24 hour gap between last dose and test and take them afterwards.

When you post the results, although your symptoms do sound hypo, members will respond.

In the meantime, here is a couple of links which may be helpful:

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

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

Your doctor should also test for thyroid antibodies. You can always get a full thyroid function test, plus antibodies from one of our recommended labs. They are home tests usually. You also need B12, Vit D,iron, ferritin and folate tested as well.

[wanttobehealthy in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws! I'll post my results as soon as I'll get them...

Is there anything I can do until I'll get it? Are there any foods to avoid?

[shaws Administrator in reply to wanttobehealthy]

Try taking fresh fruit a while before your breakfast. That may help with constipation. Also if you are hypothyroid don't exercise too much at present as it will lower your thyroid hormones more and you aren't yet on any replacement. Thyroid hormones are necessary to run our whole metabolism from head to toe and brain and heart in particular needs the most. (I am not medically qualified).

[wanttobehealthy in reply to shaws]

I'm actually so depressed that I even don't have any motivation to exercise, I was working hard on my diet and training and as a result I got on weight

Although I'm scared to stop, don't want my body to change more