I went to the doctor with symptoms of depression and he prescribed Prozac. But he also took blood and there was some indication I might have a somewhat underactive tyroid gland. I had raised tyroid stimulating hormone (5.75) but normal T3/T4. Subsequently, I've had a negative thyroid antibody test result. So, does that mean the tyroid is normal? I presume so.
I have no problem with the diagnosis of depression and the Prozac seems to be working - I'm concentrating better, sleeping more normally and I don't wake up wanting to die. My wife also assures me that I'm a nicer person to live with.
However, is there a food or a supplement that might give the old thyroid a boost and me a bit more energy?
I've cut back on alcohol, which wasn't excessive anyway. I'm increasing my training (which I'm enjoying again) to get my weight down. I'm about 85kg - and 1.9m tall - but I run much better when about 79kg.
But I still feel tired and running sometimes still feels an effort. Suggestions?
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The only things I'm leaving out in an effort to lose weight are refined sugars, very fatty stuff (I love cheese) and cutting back on alcohol - I still like a few beers on Fri/Sat.
In which case why didn't GP suggest replacement - could you get it rechecked. I was underactive for years and suffered with depression/exhaustion etc
As soon as treated I felt much better and can't say I've felt depressed since.
I'd ask your GP
SS - I like the hypothesis that runners are symptomatic at a lower level!
Another blood test in a few weeks time is entirely sensible.
i was only subclinical originaly and the Docs debated wether to treat or not, 2 years down the line and i am on 125mcg.
I have an underactive thryoid following my first pregnancy (8 years ago) and now take 100mcg a day. I was so relieved when it was diagnosed and those 'magic white tablets' started working! After about 3 weeks I felt so much better and have had very few problems since. Hope you get your dose sorted quickly Ian and start to feel welll again.
It seems to be the kind of illness that creeps up on you and it is only when you get better that you realise how ill you were, if that makes sense.
My next challenge is to get my dose increased because I am expecting my third child and feel that my energylevels are falling again and I am slowing down mentally and physically(more than I would expect for pregnancy). just don't feel right (and it is not just being pregnant!)I have had a blood test and it is in the 'normal range'. so no joy so far.
I have read that in USA they automatically increase thryoxine by 1/3 at the start of pregnancy, whereas here you have to wait to get ill ( and risk developmental delays etc with babe)it seems before this is addressed...I am quite worried about this and feel rather powerless. Can anyone help?
Sorry to ramble and hope you all continue to feel well/get well soon.
(The book I read it in is called 'Pregnancy and conception over 35' by Dr Laura Goetzl published by DK page 19!)
I don't really have any other symptoms apart from the depression, tiredness and feeling that I'm having to work very hard when I run (but that may be due to the extra 6kg I'm carrying - I eat like a pig when I'm low).
My skin was getting rather strange on my forearms - a bit rough looking and dry but that may be due to the Prozac or the sun. My heart rate is usually fairly low - it can drop to 40 when I'm completely at rest but I just thought that's because I run about 50 miles a week normally.
I'll give it a few more weeks and call back in on my GP to see whether he wants to repeat the test. After all, the Prozac is working so it might just be that.
Yes, and we are very lucky to have doctors and nurses on the forum. Thank you all again.
I was however bumped up to 200mcg prior to conception and throughout pregnancy.
I managed to stay on that dose for 4 yrs until they spotted it :-D
I've had to fight for the best part of three years to get to the 100mcg I'm on now - and only got that after my lovely GP diagnosed me as having CFS (despite me marathon training) and referred me to the CFS clinic who talked to me said 'your thyroxine levels are too low, what's the problem?' and wrote to my doc to say the same. All of a sudden I wasn't a depressive looking for an excuse and whingeing all the time but someone who needed double the dose I had been kept on for two years! I'm still only 1.67 so room for manouvre but I don't feel bad enough to fight again just yet.
Ian - do you find that you're mentally tired too, a kind of foggy brain? Difficulty remembering things or concentrating?
I'll give it another week or so and if the tiredness is still troublesome I'll pop back to the GP for a bit of a review. I'm very lucky to have a triathlete for a GP so at least he hasn't said 'don't run so much'.