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Autoimmune disease

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Original poster

Hypothyroidism or Depression?

33 replies

outnumbered77 · 19/12/2017 09:59

I've been feeling rubbish for a long while now and keep having to go back to the doctor. Main thing i've been treated for is low ferritin, but he's keeping an eye on my thyroid. My mum has hypothyroidism. Latest TSH is 4.33 with T4 13.8 which he says is 'normal' so now he's prescribed me anti-depressants. I'm just not sure I need anti-depressants, and think maybe my thyroid needs treating? Really don't know what to do.

OP posts:

LadyGAgain · 19/12/2017 10:12

Have they checked your T3? I suffered with mild PND but as it dragged on and on I got a referral to an endocrinologist (I am already hypo-thyroid) and they introduced T3 as well as the T4 I've been on for 20 years. Mood lifted, brain fog disappears, over all outlook on life became more positive and I felt like I was living again. Hope you get some answers OP.

LadyGAgain · 19/12/2017 10:13

Sorry I meant to say, it wasn't mild PND. It was this hormone imbalance...

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 19/12/2017 11:01

Thanks, no they don't appear to have tested T3. Should I go back and ask for this to be tested?

OP posts:

WhentoD · 19/12/2017 17:21

I thought high end of tsh range with low end of ft4 range indicated hypothroyism. Your levels are very much like mine when i was diagnosed. At that level, when you are symptomatic, some GPs will trial levothroxine. Your ft3 could well be under range (mine was) and low ferritin is very often a problem with hypothyroidism.
They checked my antibiodies for hashimotos which showed it was autoimmune. Have they tested yours? It would be easier to request a trial if you have positive antibodies.

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 19/12/2017 18:08

Thanks. I think he said my antibodies were 10 which is normal? Just don’t want to start on anti depressants if my problems really lie elsewhere.

OP posts:

timeistight · 19/12/2017 18:25

Do you have the ranges for those results? It's easier to interpret them if we can see where in the ranges you fall.

Having said that, your TSH is over 3, so your thyroid is definitely struggling and I suspect you are actually hypo now abd the ADs are a red herring. Often offered and rarely effective if you are not actually depressed in the first place.

The good people on the ThyroidUK forum on www.healthunlocked.com can help you navigate this maze.

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 19/12/2017 18:36

Thank you. Don’t have the ranges unfortunately but going go back and ask for a second opinion.

OP posts:

LadyGAgain · 19/12/2017 22:55

Thyroid has often flummoxed the nicest of GP's I've discovered over the last 25 years. Go back and ask for further tests as per PP and T3 for sure. Good luck!

WhentoD · 20/12/2017 12:49

You won't have a clear pictute without testing ft3. Try blue horizons or similar as GPs can't get the lab to test ft3. Be good to get your folate, vit d and b12 all tested too.

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 20/12/2017 14:43

Saw a lovely doctor today who really listened and has written to endocrinologist for further advice. Will put anti depressants on hold for now.

OP posts:

LadyGAgain · 20/12/2017 23:53

Great result OP,
We're all with you. Please let us know how you get on.

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 10/01/2018 09:33

Well having gone back for a review she hadn't actually sent the letter to endocrinologist yet, said she didn't think my thyroid was the cause of my low mood, and recommended taking the tablets.
I'm to go back in a month and she apparently will send the letter. Feel a bit fed up but maybe I do just need the anti depressants. There's so much stigma attached to them which doesn't help but I suppose I take iron tablets to fix my iron levels so why shouldn't I take the anti depressants to fix my mood.

OP posts:

WhentoD · 10/01/2018 16:42

It seems a shame to go on antidressants before ruling out you thyroid. But gps do tend to treat symptons rather than the cause. My endocrinologist says a tsh over 2 is a sign that the thyroid is struggling.

Ekphrasis · 12/01/2018 06:47

A level like that is creeping towards being in the subclinical zone. I hope you get to see an endo - incidentally if you said you were ttc you'd have to start thyroxine as your level should be below 3 and below 2.5 during pregnancy, which is in the NICE guidelines.

Abitlost2015 · 12/01/2018 06:52

Go back in a month and get the referral, your GP needs to show s/he has trialled something before asking the specialist to see you

Ekphrasis · 12/01/2018 06:53

What antidepressants were being offered? Sertraline can confuse the thyroid further, just to be aware.

It's very common for women to be put on anti ds before sorting out thyroid. I was but wasn't tested as i was so young. They didn't help as I was actually ill and I just got progressively weaker. However, some people do find them helpful to help the Low mood aspect of it. In all honesty though, I do suspect it's thyroid as pp say. Keep working with the gp and you could request t3. It is possible to get that tested - the issue is that it can fluctuate over the course of a day and so isn't as accurate. However with a t4 of 13 it's likely to be low.

Ekphrasis · 12/01/2018 06:55

Yes and gp will have to do full range of bloods before referral too, inc iirc t3.

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 22/01/2018 13:46

Bit of an update. Telephone appointment with GP today to say she's heard back from the endocrinologist and they've suggested a trial of thyroxine medication to see if it makes any difference to the symptoms! I'm to stop the sertraline and try the thyroxine and then re-do blood tests in 8 weeks. Haven't picked up the prescription yet so don't know what the dose is to be.

OP posts:

Ekphrasis · 22/01/2018 14:24

Hurrah!

Sorry remind me how long you've been on sertraline please?

Please remember that thyroid things can take a bit of time to get right. However, I'm sure you'll start to feel a bit better soon even on 25.

Please remember, if it's 25 and you're still around Tsh 2.5 perhaps in two months, you could as the gp to consider doing 50 one day and 25 the next, alternately. Or if it's 50 and you go too suppressed drop to 25/50.

Eg x3 50 per week, and x4 25s a week.

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 22/01/2018 14:27

Only two weeks on sertraline so far.

OP posts:

Ekphrasis · 22/01/2018 14:29

Ah that's ok. If it had been longer it might have confused results but I forgot you started it after the blood test. Fingers crossed for you and awesome result!

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 22/01/2018 14:30

Thank you, will let you know what happens

OP posts:

EggsonHeads · 22/01/2018 14:33

On what basis were you prescribed antidepressants? Low mood isn't enough to diagnose depression. You must show at least five symptoms and a some of them like weight gain and lack of energy can overlap with hypothyroidism. Have you had anything besides low mood? Weight gain, hair loss and brittle nails are tell tale signs of hypothyroidism.

Ekphrasis · 22/01/2018 14:38

Things haven't changed in 20 years tbh.

I'd lost a lot of weight and was sleeping all the time and struggling to keep up with University life. Burst in to tears at the gps and was handed the Prozac.

Original poster

outnumbered77 · 22/01/2018 15:51

Eggsonhead- low mood combined with a vague survey. I have trouble losing weight, tiredness even with iron treatment and actually my nails are more brittle.

OP posts:

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