feeling depressed

[Sady001]

hi all, my doctor constantly uses my hypothyroidism as an excuse for depression even though my readings are ok. Why do doctors always use this as an excuse and has anyone else experienced this cop out?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

How long have you been on this dose

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

And do you have autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto’s usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Always test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Please add most recent results and ranges

[mandy-white in reply to SlowDragon]

Which company is best to get all these tested please.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to mandy-white]

Get copies of your existing results from receptionist at GP surgery

see exactly what has been tested…..far too often only TSH is tested which is completely inadequate

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

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

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

If you don’t know if have autoimmune thyroid disease you need thyroid antibodies tested …..use Medichecks or Blue horizon

If you already know you do have high thyroid antibodies…..then Monitor My Health test is cheaper option

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

come back with new post once you get results from receptionist and new results

[mandy-white in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you . I have hashimotos and just had all my thyroid bloods done. All OK. I can't ever remember having my vitamins and foliate done though. So would like to pay to get them done. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to mandy-white]

please write a post of your own with recent results

Or come back with new post once you get full thyroid and vitamin results

[mandy-white in reply to SlowDragon]

OK. Thank you.

[humanbean]

Why do doctors always use this as an excuse and has anyone else experienced this cop out?

Oh, definitely. Many times.

Hypothyroidism does cause depression, but there are reasons for it that can be fixed e.g. being under or over-dosed on thyroid hormones, having too little T3, having low nutrients, having low or high cortisol.

Your doctor is not curious and appears to have decided that his only job is to get your TSH in range. But that isn't enough, and will leave a lot of people feeling unwell.

If you get copies of your blood test results from the last 2 or 3 years then post them on here in a new post, we can probably help you to feel better than you do.

Personal anecdote... I was severely depressed for most of my life. Then I discovered my iron was low. I improved it without the help of my doctor and I'm not depressed any more. For other people the reasons might be different - but you need test results to know what you might be able to improve.

[Sparklingsunshine]

You can add, PMT, pregnancy, post pregnancy, menopause and health anxiety into the mix as well. All part of the rich tapestry of being a woman when dealing with doctors. They are easy, lazy excuses for medics who really can't be bothered to find out the real cause. I often wonder if men are fobbed off as frequently.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Your doctor may say your results are 'OK' in that they fall within the 'normal' range. That doesn't mean that the dose you are on will make you feel well or is correct for you.

Please get a private blood test that will show FT3, the NHS will not do this so sadly we are forced to pay for this ourselves. It's worth it to find out what is going on and pinpoint why you are still having hypo related issues.

What were your latest results with their ranges please? I'm sorry you are going through this.

[shaws Administrator]

If your GP states that you have depression tell him it could be due not having sufficient T3 in your blood and ask for Free T3 and Free T4 at your next blood draw.

endocrineweb.com/thyroid-wh...

Remember to not take thyroid hormones before a blood test - which should be at the very earliest appointment - fasting (you can drink water). Take thyroid hormones after the blood test.

[shaws Administrator]

I hope you find the following link helpful:-

Today, it is well recognized that disturbances in thyroid function may significantly affect mental status including emotion and cognition. Both excess and insufficient thyroid hormones can cause mood abnormalities including depression that is generally reversible with adequate thyroid treatment. On the other hand, depression can be accompanied by subtle thyroid dysfunction. Overt thyroid disease is rare in depression. One to 4% of patients with affective disorders are found to have overt hypothyroidism while subclinical hypothyroidism occurs in 4% to 40% of these patients [2]. Furthermore, thyroid hormones are reported by many authors to be an effective adjunct treatment for depression.

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