Does underactive thyroid make u gain weigh and falling of hair sore and painful joints and constipation

[Shani-01]

Does underactive thyroid make u gain weigh and falling of hair sore and painful joints and constipation

[fuchsia-pink]

Welcome to the forum.

The short answer is yes, if you are not optimally medicated. In addition to testing your thyroid hormones (not just TSH) you also really need to check key nutrients - ferritin, folate, vit D and B12 - both because hypos are often low in these and because your thyroid meds work best when levels are good.

Specifically, weight gain and painful joints are a signal to me that I'm under-medicated - and hair loss is often linked to under-medication or low B12.

Do you have any recent blood results (and related lab ranges) you can share?

[Shani-01 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

No I'm waiting to see my doctor so we can make these test can u pls tell me wat all tests is needed

[Nanaedake]

A variety of conditions can cause the symptoms you describe. Not everyone with thyroid disease gains weight. Hair loss can be a variety of factors. I've never noticeably lost any hair despite being hypothyroid or undermedicated. Being very hypothyroid for a long time will cause hair to grow more slowly so that new hair may not replace natural hair fall quickly enough but this would take a couple of years. Only blood tests will rule out thyroid disease. You need:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies TPO

Thyroglobulin antibodies

Vit D

Folate

Ferritin

B12

[Shani-01 in reply to Nanaedake]

OK thank you what should the normal rate of each test be

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Shani-01]

Different labs use different reference ranges which is why PPs have recommended that you post your test results (when you get them) and include the reference ranges for them (which will be the numbers in the brackets to the side).

[fuchsia-pink in reply to Shani-01]

You're not that interested in "normal" - what you want is "optimal"

For example, the "normal" lab range for free T4 might be 12 - 22. If your result is 12.5 you will likely feel dreadful; if it's 19.5 you will feel much better - but both are "in range" and therefore "normal" and "fine" to a lazy GP ...

[Shani-01 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

I will post my results as soon as I get them I'm currently on Euthyrox 0.5mg

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See on your profile you say you have bipolar

Autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s can be misdiagnosed as bipolar

Or bipolar can be an effect of Hashimoto’s

Are you currently taking any levothyroxine?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies as well as TSH, Ft4 and Ft3

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Mental issues including Bi-polar and Hashimoto's

drknews.com/when-hashimotos...

holtorfmed.com/mental-illne...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

hypothyroidmom.com/miss-dia...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[DippyDame]

Yes!

thyroiduk.org/signs-symptom... might help.

Have you been diagnosed with hypothyroidism?

If not this might be a good starting point

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

You are legally entitled to request copies, from your surgery, of any tests you've had.

Post any results, (including reference ranges) as and when you have them and members will advise

Best...

DD

[Partner20]

Symptoms such as yours could be caused by undermedicated hypothyroidism, or several other conditions. As well as tests for thyroid levels that others have mentioned, you need at least an FBC (full blood count), an iron panel, and tests for folate, Vit.B12 and Vit.D. Once these have been done, the results may give an idea of what your issues could be, and what further testing might be required. Hopefully, you will find an answer soon.

[TSH110]

Yes all are classic signs and symptoms