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Thyroid issues?
- Thread starter Claire_from_Canada
- Start date
Depression can be one of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid Claire. But there's other symptoms associated as well. Wondering if you've been experiencing any of the following which may be indicative of hypothyroidism:
Just as a thought, certain prescribed medications may cause the thyroid gland to become underactive.
Best of luck anyhow, hope you'll be able to find the root cause of this and so be able to start appropriate treatment if required.
- tiredness
- being sensitive to cold
- weight gain
- constipation
- depression
- slow movements and thoughts
- muscle aches and weakness
- muscle cramps
- dry and scaly skin
- brittle hair and nails
- loss of libido (sex drive)
- pain, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hand and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- irregular periods or heavy periods
Just as a thought, certain prescribed medications may cause the thyroid gland to become underactive.
Best of luck anyhow, hope you'll be able to find the root cause of this and so be able to start appropriate treatment if required.
Hi Claire
I have an underactive thyroid. It was picked up 21 years ago after the birth of my first child. It's been managed all this time by my GP but I finally have an appointment with an endocrinologist in January 2018 so it will be interesting to see what he says.
In addition to the tests @Ash600 mentioned, it's important to also test T3. This is the active thyroid hormone our bodies use. It is converted from T4 which is like a storage hormone. Many people find their bodies do not convert T4 into T3 adequately so no matter how much levothyroxine you're prescribed (synthetic T4, standard treatment for hypothyroidism) you don't get the benefit.
I have an underactive thyroid. It was picked up 21 years ago after the birth of my first child. It's been managed all this time by my GP but I finally have an appointment with an endocrinologist in January 2018 so it will be interesting to see what he says.
In addition to the tests @Ash600 mentioned, it's important to also test T3. This is the active thyroid hormone our bodies use. It is converted from T4 which is like a storage hormone. Many people find their bodies do not convert T4 into T3 adequately so no matter how much levothyroxine you're prescribed (synthetic T4, standard treatment for hypothyroidism) you don't get the benefit.
The following link will also provide more detailed information as well
http://labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/thyroid-function/tab/glance/
http://labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/analytes/thyroid-function/tab/glance/
For the past decade and a half my thyroid has been under-performing. Like Ash and Lulabelle said, it is important to get it checked as it does have a large impact on many aspects of your health. Out of all the medications I take, the medication for my hypothyroidism is the single most important one I have (not including insulin), even above the lexapro for my depression.