I was diagnosed with under active thyroid over 10 years ago. I am on 150mg of thyroxine.I have started feeling. Depressed, anxious, tired, memory loss.
I've had my levels checked by the doctor.
He says they have been stable for 2 years, they are in range and he just says I'm suffering depression. Strange that I'm saying this because I do feel depressed but I really don't believe I'm suffering depression. I know that doesn't make sense.
So I asked him if he could give me the figures. 2 years ago my results were 0.34. Now they are 0.43.
Can anyone shed light on this. Is that stable? Could this be my issue? I do not what to take antidepressants if the issue is actually to do with my thyroid
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Donlbz
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I will leave the knowledgable stuff to the administrators. However I would really like to mention what you say about being ‘depressed’. Off course the symptoms can be due to being (highly likely) under medicated but you say “I do feel depressed but I do not believe I’m suffering depression”. I hear what you say and I agree very much with your version. If I recall my psychology reading correctly, it is my understanding that there were two forms of depression, endogenous and reactive depression. Endogenous was thought to be more genetic and reactive depression more directly affected by circumstances; a stressful event of some sort - a response to grief for example. However nowadays it would seem that any dividing line between the two is virtually rubbed out. The depression that comes about with hypothyroidism itself easily falls into both old versions of ‘depression’ and then safely into the contemporary. It’s classic really. There is a genetic component for many people who suffer hypothyroidism and there is a reactive depression to having the condition itself. It stops us physically being able to fulfil basic needs never mind ambitious needs and wants. It is said/understood that frustration and righteous anger, suppressed, is the underlying cause of ‘depression’. I think that whilst there is anything we want to do but can’t do, we are not depressed as such but suffering the many depths of this condition. Ask yourself if other symptoms have crept back unnoticed. Are you less able to handle your daily duties? Is having a shower becoming a procrastinating issue again? Is there dirt you are aware of around your house but just can’t/don’t do anything about it? Are you frustrated by issues/paperwork you were able to do but have lost the knack for again? Heed SlowDragon and hopefully you will be feeling better soon.
Depression is a symptom, not a disease. And very often a symptom of hypothyroidism. But, doctors love to 'diagnose' depression in thyroid patients because it makes like easier for them. It relieves them of the pressure to do anything about it!
TSH is a very bad indicator of thyroid status. It really doesn't tell you what your levels of FT4 and FT3 are. Could be that they are low, or that your conversion has got worse over the years and your FT4 is high and your FT3 too low. But, the TSH will not tell you that. You need full thyroid testing.
Thank you so much for all your replies. I'm so glad that I have reached out and got some answers.I am 46 yrs old.
After much upset today from my phone call with the doctor and the advise on here I have decided it is time to pay for some blood tests. So at lest I can see what is really happening
Great idea, I would suggest getting one with sex hormones too as you are very likely feeling the affects of those dropping off and that drags you down slowly too 😉
Not everyone gets the classic menopause symptoms, there are lots of more subtle signs, aching joints, brain fog, sensitive stomach, IBS, bladder issues, tinnitus, hair loss...
It is where we all need to start off on our own way back to better health.
The TSH was originally introduced as a diagnostic tool to help identify a person suffering with hypothyroidism and was never intended to be used once the person became a patient and taking any form of thyroid hormone replacement as then you should be monitored on your Free T3 and Free T4 results and ranges ideally to have both these vital hormones, balanced within the ranges at around a 1/4 ratio T3/T4.
T4 - Levothyroxine is a storage hormone and needs to be converted by your body into T3 the active hormone that runs the body including your physical, mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being, your inner central heating system and your metabolism.
Your own ability to convert the T4 into T3 can be compromised by non optimal levels of ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D and inflammation, antibodies, any physiological stress - either emotional or physical - depression, dieting and ageing can all contribute to down regulation of T4 to T3 conversion.
It's a bit like a jigsaw puzzle without a picture, at the moment as we have very little to go by but once you start reading up on here, bit, by bit, you will see the relevance of the basics and your own journey back to better thyroid health begins.
For all things ' thyroid ' including the private companies who can action the relevant full thyroid panel go to Thyroid UK the charity who supports this amazing forum and simply start a new post with the results and ranges once you have them and you will be given considered opinion and you will take another step forward and become your own best advocate as all of us have had to do before you.
I find the least stressful arrangement is to order a nurse home visit to draw the blood - t's a little more expensive and I guess dependent on where you live and the facilities local to you.
I believe between them Medichecks and Blue Horizon cover most of the country and can arrange this ' extra ' service, which you only need to do no more than once or twice a year
Donlbz, Welcome, you've come to the right place Great advice and support here.
Due to my own recent experiences and questions and ponderings, I'll repeat SlowDragon's question to you included in her advice:-
Do you always have the same brand of levothyroxine? Has the brand been changed at all? If it has, have you noticed a change in your physical/mental/emotional being? a change you might be able to link into any brand changes?
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