Weight gain and depression

[Sue4983]

Hi there

I don’t normally post on here very often because I havent been officially given a diagnosis and I am currently saving up to get some private tests and my doctor won’t do them but has anyone got any advice regarding weight gain and thyroid problems I finally got the courage up to weigh myself today and I can’t believe I’ve put on another stone and a half in the past year ! Thirty years ago I had De Quervains and was told by a specialist that he thought I would have problems with my thyroid in later life He was definitely right !

I had a virus back in January last year ( don’t think it was COVID but similar symptoms ) and ever since then my neck hurts feels swollen with extreme fatigue and a cough that comes and goes . I do have Rheumatoid arthritis as well so never really feel very well anyway .

I am trying to convince my GP that my high cholesterol high blood pressure and weight gain is all connected and is linked to my thyroid but she doesn’t listen .

I don’t really know where to go from here other than get the tests done and was wondering if there was any time on here who has been on a similar position

Just feel I have got to do something now especially with this weight gain as this will be dangerous with my RA and I don’t want to take the medication for cholesterol and blood pressure that they’re asking me to take on top of my RA medication

Many thanks for reading I know it was long winded

[tattybogle]

You might point your Gp to this article in GP 'Pulse' magazine.. re. cholesterol/thyroid connection. It might contain something on BP too , but can't remember. healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

[Sue4983 in reply to tattybogle]

Thank you I will have a look at that

[radd]

Sue4983,

If you have RA and had De Quervains you are susceptible to Hashimotos, and that’s if your first attack wasn’t Hashimotos to start with.

Attacks can occur many years apart or frequently depending on your thyroids health and the trigger. Ask your doctor to test thyroid hormone levels and thyroid antibodies TPOAb & TGAb, and post results complete with ranges for members to comment. When doctors are uncooperative members use private testing.

Because it is possible you have had this condition for many years and are showing other complications associated with long term low thyroid hormone such as depression, weight gain, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, it would be prudent to test ferritin, Vit B12, folate and Vit D. These are considered the four important nutrients required for good thyroid function and the four that suffer most with low thyroid hormone.

[Sue4983 in reply to radd]

Thank you that was my suspicion as well .I will have to get private tests as my doctor just won’t listen to my point of view I have just moved to a new area so this is a new GP and although she seems very pleasant she still wouldn’t budge on the thyroid subject only testing thyroid function . I will definitely get tested this month and post the results on here

[Hidden]

Another hormone condition to consider is Cushing's syndrome, high BP, cholesterol & weight gain are all symptoms of it as well. The weight gain tends to be round the tummy leaving skinny arms & legs.

[Sue4983 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I’ll bear that in mind although my legs and arms aren’t really skinny .Weight seems to be more evenly distributed .

[NIKEGIRL]

Hi. Would you consider changing doctors. I think you are knowledgeable but if your dr is not listening to you then I suspect she will dismiss any blood work you will present her. I would look for a second opinion from another dr

[Sue4983 in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Many thanks for replying I’ve only just joined this GP practice and because of Covid I’ve only had a telephone appointment with her at the moment.I think I’ll get the tests done first then try to see her as I think it’s easier to get your point across in person .

[NIKEGIRL in reply to Sue4983]

Yes it is always easier in person. It is hard changing drs. We changed drs about 9 months ago for our son. Our new dr is very good with me. There was 6 months with him where I felt he didn’t listen to me but now we get along. I was taking carbimazole for Graves or not as the case may be. When I changed to PTU he saw a whole different side of me where I complied on the drugs and became more myself. I think you are in a tough spot. It’s just a very exhausting disease and when I feel tired anyway it just makes it harder

[Sue4983 in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Yeah thats very true I get so tired sometimes I feel that I haven’t got any fight left in me especially with the RA as well ! Thanks again anyway

[NIKEGIRL in reply to Sue4983]

You have to keep hustling. If u do nothing g u get nothing