Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Underactive Thyroid

156 replies

Pupness · 25/05/2005 09:27

Hi Mumsnet - I had been feeling extremely tired and just put it down to being a new mum. But DS was six months! So had some blood test done and was told last week that my thyroid is running very low and that I must start Thyroxin straight away. It started last Thursday and initially felt a lot better but today I have been feeling v down which is just not me and I am beginning to get v anxious about not giving the little one my best. My memory is awful too. Has anyone experienced this - feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster and trying too hard to be the perfect mum but just feel like sleeping all the time.

OP posts:
honneybunny · 03/02/2006 09:52

Hi Yossa, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I don't think it is mad of you at all to hope that it is your thyroid: to be able to stick a label on your symptoms will be a big relief. And if it is your thyroid then at least it will be treated v.easily with thyroxin.
I have recently sent both my parents to have their thyroid function tested: both my brother and I have hashimoto's thyroiditis, and since that apparently is partially heriditary I thought it had to come from either mum or dad. And I was right: my mum turns out to have it too. She had lightly increased TSH value and the GP wants her to come for a retest in 3months to see if see needs treatment. My mum was sooooo happy to finally know what her tiredness, depression, weight gain etc came from..... Her GP had initially put it down to menopause. Poor mum!

Surfermum · 03/02/2006 10:18

I am just being tested, having asked my GP for a blood test. I had one blood test in Nov which was at the low end of normal and am having another in a couple of weeks. My GP said my symptoms could just be "lifestyle" and I had to agree with him as I am the unfittest (is that a word?!) I have ever been since having dd. I am now back swimming and trying to exercise when I can I can't say I've noticed any difference in how I feel. I am really hoping that my levels have dropped and I can get this sorted with some Thyroxine.

yossa · 14/02/2006 09:36

hi. Had a letter from gp this morning saying i need a fasting blood test as my glucose was 8.4. What the hell does this mean? Is it diabetes they are concerned about. said all other tests were normal. any ideas?

yossa · 14/02/2006 09:36

hi. Had a letter from gp this morning saying i need a fasting blood test as my glucose was 8.4. What the hell does this mean? Is it diabetes they are concerned about. said all other tests were normal. any ideas?

honneybunny · 14/02/2006 10:01

Hi Yossa,
8.4 for a random blood glucose test is on high side: it should really be under 7.0. Can you remember if you had something to eat just before your bloods were taken?? If you eat upto 2hrs before your value can be much higher (I found 7.9 if test is done 2hrs after eating). I guess GP just wants to rule out diabetes. This is what I found:

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria for diagnosing diabetes are met when any of the following results have been repeated on at least two different days:
** A fasting blood glucose level is 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher.
** A 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test result is 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher.
** Symptoms of diabetes are present and a random blood glucose test is 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and frequent urination (especially at night), unexplained increase in appetite, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, erection problems , blurred vision, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. So some of the symptoms are similar to those of low thyroid function.

Be sure not to eat or drink anything 8hrs before your fasting test, as this may influence results.
It's good to know all other tests were normal. Do you know what else they tested for?? I assume thyroid function, anemia etc...(?)

Anyway, gotto go now: I actually have to go for a tyroid function test myself today for postnatal checkup (baby is 8.5wk old), and I have the feeling something is a bit off, as I have v.dry skin, cold, thirsty, tired. We'll see.
And good luck to you!

yossa · 14/02/2006 19:53

thanks honeybunny. my test was about 8.45 in the morninh tbh i cant remember what i had eaten, probably toast as i tore round the house trying to get the kids ready for nursery as it was one of my work days. as hey were doing multiple blood tests i wasn't advised to fast but assume as glucose was the only one that came back high they now want a test specific to that and with no food in my system. have test week next monday as all the pensioners with all day book the early appointments so they can get to the post office to queue at 8.45! Then have appt with the doctor the following thursday. will kust have to wait and see. thanks for all your help

New posts on this thread. Refresh page