feeling really down

[Petrahorse]

I’m looking for some help with feeling very down and fed up. I noticed my mood dropping from the start of this year and I don’t seem to be able to pick it back up. I’m thinking of starting some antidepressants but not sure how they will work along side my 75mg levothyroxine. I’m a Hashimotos sufferer for some years. Formally diagnosed in 2021. High Antibody levels which I have been unable to reduce. Gluten free for almost a year. 55 years old. Any tips or thoughts from people would be appreciated. Just can’t be bothered to do anything. 😟

[TiggerMe Ambassador]

Do you have your latest results?

Have you continued to supplement your Vit D which was on the low side on your last results?

Also could be that you'd benefit from adding a little testosterone? 💪

[Petrahorse in reply to TiggerMe]

I have just sent off a blood test to Medichecks. Who is the best person to prescribe the testosterone please?

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Petrahorse]

Ah good, your GP can test and prescribe testosterone if you say you are having libido issues... regardless of how relevant that is, it's the magic word😉

[Popscicle in reply to Petrahorse]

Are you menopausal? The perimenopause and the menopause itself Hv many symptoms in common with hypothyroid disease include low mood, apathy, anxiety, tearfulness, poor concentration, brain fog etc. It might be therefore that low oestrogen is contributing to your symptoms. When youve got time look up Louise Newson Balance App - which lists all the symptoms and you can see if you identify with any.

[Hedgeree]

Hi Petra horse,

Do you know your current vitamin D levels? If low that can really affect your mood.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

75mcg is only one step up from starter dose

You may need higher dose

Which brand Levo are you taking

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 tested

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

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease or when on inadequate dose

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test 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

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[greygoose]

Don't worry about your antibody levels. They fluctuate all the time. And, even if you did manage to reduce them, it wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't make you feel better.

What you need to do is optimise your thyroid hormone and nutrient levels. You sound under-medicated at the moment, and that will certainly cause the effects you describe.

Take heart, it does get better when you've got all those fluffy yellow things in a row. 🤩🐤🐥🐤🐥 (OK, so they're chickens. Whatever. )

[Khami]

Hi Petrahorse , before you start any anti depressants I’d make sure you are treating your thyroid issues at optimum levels as this alone can cause depression. Get one thing right at a time, before you try anything else.