bipolar vs hypothyroid

  are they a test to be sure a person is bipolar and not hypothyroid and do they treat the chemicals in your body with the same medication can a hypothyroid test be sure thank you

[HFHS MD-JM]

_
Barbara,
This is in response to both of your questions regarding bipolar disorder
and hypothyroidism.  Bipolar disorder is a mood that excludes substance
(medication) and medical conditions (hypothyroidism) as a causative factor.
From what I can tell, you believe that you were diagnosed with bipolar
disorder a few days after being initiated on Levoxyl(a thyroid horomone)  
for hypothyroidism.  You are concerned that this caused your manic episode
however, this would be unlikely on a therapeutic dose of Levoxyl. There is no
specific test for bipolar disorder which is a clinical diagnosis.  Hypothyroidism
can be easily diagnosed with blood tests such as TSH and T4 that reveal
the level of thyroid horomone in your body.  Keep in mind that these
conditions can co-exist and respond to different.  Depakote is helpful
for bipolar disorder.  Levoxyl is helpful for hypothyroidism.  I recommend
that you discuss these matters further with your physician/psychiatrist
for further clarification.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords: Hypothyroidism, Bipolar