Under-active Thyroid & weight loss

[Peaceseeker]

Hi folks, I've just been to the quacks to get a repeat prescription of an anti depressant I've been on since last year, I mentioned to him that I feel really tired all the time, to the point where given the opportunity I could happily go back to bed right now and probably not get up til tea time (!) I thought it was maybe a side effect of the pills, but he suggested that I get some bloods done to check my thyroid. Having just done a wee surf to find out what the symptoms are I can't believe that no one has thought to test me before! I'm actually hoping that it is what the problem is, that means at least I can do something about it (and my weight!) at last.
I just wondered if anyone here has been tested, what your original symptoms were and whether or not your results were as expected? I know I eat too much and exercise too little, but if there is an underlying problem that has been effecting my metabolism and motivation it could explain why I'm finding it so tough!!

[Noise Stopper]

Never been tested Peaceseeker but my best mans other half was, and weight gain and problems with metabolism were big symptoms. As a short term measure try taking Kelp tablets from a health food store, as apparently they are very good for this sort of thing according to my ex the nutritionist.

Ian :nfh1:

[er 59]

hi peaceseeker

i have an under active thyroid the symptoms are usually slow in showing and it can take years before someone picks up on it

like you i suffered extreme tiredness also pains in the lower legs when walking muscle spasms and weakness dry skin and i felt the cold oh so badly thinning hair and deepening of the voice are also common it can also cause your menstrual cycle to be heavier than normal
because you have a slow metabolism it is difficult to lose weight even when you follow a healthy diet

oh boy that sounds a barrel of laughs bet you are sorry you asked now :(

if there is anything else that you would like to know feel free to ask and check with family in my case it runs rife two of my daughters have been put on medication one of them is only 20 bless her
i lost three stone within two months of being started on the medication :thumbs:

[Peaceseeker]

Thanks for that folks, I can relate to a lot of those symptoms, except the hair, the voice and the periods (but I'm on the pill, so they are virtually non-exsistant!)I suppose I'll just have to wait and see what the outcome is, in a lot of ways I'm hoping that it is what the problem is then I can stop telling myself I'm just lazy and greedy!
No one in my family has this, unless they've kept it incredibly quiet!
:rolleyes:

[er 59]

hi peaceseeker

just read your reply and noticed good old google had put this link at the top of the page

http://coconutdiet.com/thyroid_health.htm good luck with the tests

take care :)

[StoneHenge]

My mum has a thyriod problem which she now has to take thyroxin for, for the rest of her life. It meant for her, one moment she was tired as, next she was hyper, she put on half a stone one week, lost it the next. It was all over the place!

It's well controlled now, so thankfully she was able to loose her weight and has kept it off, so it will make a big difference if that's what it is.

Good luck! :thumbs:

[Peaceseeker]

Thanks for that Banana, I have heard of PCOS but I don't have a hairy face (YET!!) I'm going to have a good chat with my Doc (seeing as he's the first one to suggest these tests in all the years I've struggled with my weight!)
I've never heard of Syndrome x - sounds like a Sci-Fi film! I shall look into it though!
:)

[mazza]

Yeah, I got my thyroid tested cos I have persistent fatigue, hair dropping out, can't shift weight, weird appetite (fluctuates between really hungry to not interested at all in food).

Blood test revealed a borderline underactive thyroid, I don't have to take thyroxin at the moment, but will do in the future.

The problem with these symptoms is that they can be applied to lots of conditions, including depression so it's hard for the GP to decide what's going on.

Another thing to consider is something like post viral fatigue syndrome (PVFS) or ME or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). These are all conditions that come under the same banner, so if you still feel so tired all the time and your bloods show nothing, then it could be ME/PVFS/CFS. (I have CFS) . With these conditions, if you exercise it makes you feel heaps worse so much so that you can be incapacitated for days or even weeks afterwards. So this is a characteristic of the condition.

Glad you are getting a blood test, then you will find out one way or the other - hope all goes well for you. (let us know!) :clover:

[Peaceseeker]

Thanks, I'm being checked out for anemia and diabetes also.
I've been to the doc's before with tiredness, a long time ago, and they put me on iron tablets as they thought I was anemic, but they left me a bit "bunged up" It's a bit chicken & egg really because I assumed this was all part of the depression, it just refreshing to have a doctor that's prepared to check everything out as he said, there is little point in upping my AD's and then finding out it's been my thyroid all along!
To be honest I've felt pretty cr*p for at least 12 years, so it will be nice just to be able to rule out all physical causes!
Thanks for all the info, if nothing else I'm feeling a bit more positive now!

[Peaceseeker]

I spoke to the doc's receptionist this afternoon, my results are back and I DO have an underactive thyroid! At last a reason for feeling like poo poo!
I've an appointment to see the doc next week to discuss what happens next.
Thanks to everyone for your imput!
:thumbs:

[er 59]

hi peaceseeker



Its the news that you were expecting then hopefully they will start you on the thyroxine and you should feel better soon

Its a great relief when you find out what was causing your symptoms so although i wouldnt wish illness on anyone im glad you know for sure :)

[mazza]

Oh what a relief to know a reason for your symptoms. I am so glad that your GP did this for you and now you will get treatment that will really make a difference!

Let us know how you get on :) .

[coppernob]

Hi,sorry to hear about your health problems but it's good you know what the problem is.I had an over active thyroid problem after the birth of my third child a good few years ago now,which is the opposite of your syptoms, I lost loads of weight, hated the heat,shakey and palpatations all the time.I was like this for about three years and then it cleared up but my Auntie had to have her thyroid removed. I think it's something to do with lack of iodine.Hopefully, you'll start to feel better once the drugs you've been prescribed start working, take care,CN

[Peaceseeker]

Thanks for all your support guys!
It's a great relief to know that I do have a physical problem, and I'm not just a nutter! At the moment I don't know how bad the problem is, but I'm looking forward to getting back to my "old" self again, and hopefully ending the anti depressants.
Having given it some thought, I can actually trace some symptoms back as far as nearly 20 years! I only wish I'd had the gall to ask to be tested for this years ago :(

Dibuzz - it might be worth asking the doc if there are other tests that can be done for your thyroid, after doing some research on the net it appears that blood tests are not always 100% reliable.
:blink:

[Peaceseeker]

Not to late at all!!
It's good to hear other people's stories as I'm pretty new to all this, and also it might help someone else if they think they may have the same problem!

:thumbs:

[er 59]

hi peaceseeker



forgot to say if you are prescribed with thyroxine ask your gp for an exemption form as you will no longer have to pay for prescriptions (i hope this apllies in scotland)

[Peaceseeker]

Thanks for that, yes I will as I'm sure it does apply this side of the border!