Are these considered Hypothyroidism symptoms? Am I entitled to a blood test?

[O'Malley]

Hi,

Hypothyroidism runs in my family (my mother, Gran and Great-Gran) and I seem to have a lot of symptoms of it, but it's more like the less common symptoms I have rather than the 'classic' ones of constant tiredness, gaining weight and so on.

I'm a 26 year old female who has never had a baby. My main problems are bad mood swings (anger, crying and aggressiveness), depression, over sleeping and finding it hard to get up in the morning, apathy and irritability. I know it's not normal depression or PMT as it happens at any time of the month and I can be fine one minute and then completely different the next - it's like someone flicks a switch.

I also have some other symptoms such as heavy periods, tension type headaches, very cold hands and feet, being ditzy and forgetful, sugar cravings, anxiety, spots around my mouth (which I didn't even get as a teen), no sex drive, tender breasts etc and I bruise easily and have dry eyes and occasional light-headedness/feeling spaced out.

Does this sound like a thyroid problem, or could it be something else? I'd like to see my doctor about getting a blood test, but I'm worried he'll just dismiss it as depression or PMS. Am I entitled to a blood test if I request one, even if the doctor thinks it isn't a thyroid problem? I'm in the UK.

Thank you.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

With the family history, I would definitely test thyroid - usually a TSH and thyroid antibodies would suffice.  You may have a thyroid problem or there may be another cause of your symptoms -- make sure to describe the symptoms in detail to your doc.  If doing labs would also test liver,kidney and blood counts.

[maxigirl]

Sound like thyroid issues to me. When I was experiencing my most extreme symptoms I noticed that it was very similar to PMS- but more like PMSx1000! Irritable, lethargic, moody, etc..

Please get a blood test right away. And make sure you ask for an antibodies test along with TSH. I had a TSH in the normal range but elevated antibodies (hashimoto's) and I was passed off as a head case until I found a doctor who aknowledged that the root of my symptoms was thyroid. good luck. :)

[mshypo]

because of family history plus symptoms, it sure seems like a physician would investigate this for you.  I would be sure to ask for thyroid antibody testing and not only TSH, but Free T4 and Free T3.  I've know so many hashi's patients who had normal TSH and Free T4, but low Free T3, making them functionally hypo.  This may be a phenomenom that doctors are not picking up on since they rely so much on the TSH test.

[O'Malley]

Hi,

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice :) I'll be sure to mention what you've all said when I go to the doctor.

Thank you.