Post Natal Depression or Underactive Thyroid?

[Overtiredmum]

Over the last two to three months I have become increasingly depressed, to the extent I look in the mirror and completely hate myself. After having DS last year, I gained loads of weight, I managed to lose nearly two stone in the following months, gained about half a stone over last Christmas and have been on a diet ever since then. However, my weight and size has stayed exactly the same, irrespective of what I eat or how much I exercise. This is what has made me think, together with how low I am feeling, made me think that maybe I have an underactive thyroid. I can have a couple of good days, followed by a day of constant crying and feeling really low about myself. Today was one of those low days, what triggered it was weighing myself. I managed to lose 4lbs last week, which I thought was great, but sticking rigidly to my diet again this week and I have put 2lb back on! I would rather stay at home because I am so paranoid about my weight and am frightened people are laughing at me. I am not excessingly overweight, maybe three stone and am a size 16, but I used to be a size ten. I know I will never be that but I would just love the clothes that U have in my wardrobe to fit me and I feel and look good in them. I used to be so confident and now I shy away. My DS is about the only thing keeping me sane. Talking to my best friend today, who is also a HV, she thinks I may have PND. I must admit I didn't realise this would be possible with a DS of 16 months. Comparing the symptoms of the two, I feel more likely to be the thyroid, but could I just be in denial, and why would PND stop be from losing weight? Any advice/help would be appreciated.

[piglit]

Will watch this with interest. I know exactly how you feel OTM. {hug}

[Overtiredmum]

Thanks piglit.

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[lemonAIIEEE]

Why not just go to your GP and ask for a blood test of your thyroid levels? That way you'd know for sure. If you do have an underactive thyroid it could be contributing to your weight problems, as well. It's not an expensive test so most GPs are quite happy to get it done if you have relevant symptoms.

If your thyroid levels come back as normal then it is quite possible that you have PND, but I'd get the thyroid issue ruled in or out first.

[zippitippitoes]

Ask for a blood test for thyroid function from your practice nurse and if the result is negative then see the gp for advice about dperession.

[Overtiredmum]

Have an appointment with my GP on Tuesday morning, but just wondered whether anyone else had experienced PND 16 months after giving birth. I feel very alone at the moment, although of course, I know I am not.

[lemonAIIEEE]

What you are describing does sound very like underactive thyroid, though. My MIL and SIL both have underactive thyroid, and my brother's had his removed and zapped entirely since he got thyroid cancer, and that's just what they are all like if they forget to take their medication.

[Overtiredmum]

Thanks Lemon. Its very strange to feel this way, because I am very happy in my life, although I do get tired as I am at home with DS all day and then go to wrok at 5pm and finish at 11pm, so my days do feel pretty long, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love DS to bits and my DH is being very supportive. I am scared in case GP thinks I am over-reacting, which is why my DH wants to be there too. He thinks that although I am not gaining weight, I am keeping it at bay because I am dieting (or rather, trying to diet). It is definitely helping to talk about it though, so thanks

[Overtiredmum]

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