I think I have a thyroid problem?

[Scarface94]

I have been depressed since the age of 15 and I'm 20 now. My depression isn't caused by circumstances, because my life isn't bad. I've lost interest in things I used to enjoy, I'm always bored. I also have dry skin/hair, blurry vision, constipation, always feel tired, difficulty concentrating, terrible memory.

What kind of questions is the doctor going to ask me, and how do I bring it up? I'm going in on the 18th for something completely unrelated, but I want to bring it up in hopes of getting on medication. Can I get on anti-depressants for a thyroid issue?

Any advice is appreciated.

Also, I'm a 20 year old male

[gimel]

No, getting your thyroid levels adjusted to optimal for you, will be beneficial overall.  

[Scarface94]

Oh and another question I forgot. I'm currently going through a growth spurt, and I'm just wondering if these meds could stunt my growth since they change your hormone balance? Could they interfere with puberty hormones like that?

[gimel]

Thyroid med is inexpensive, especially if you use generics.

[Scarface94]

Thanks for all your help!

One last question, is medication for this stuff really expensive? My mom gets vicodin with a $15 copay I'm not sure if that means I can get this stuff so cheap though. I'm under my dad's insurance plan

[gimel]

If you think you might have trouble, you can make a copy of this link that lists typical symptoms of hypothyroidism, which includes yours.  With that in hand it would be pretty difficult for the doctor to ignore.  Then say that you need to be tested to confirm/rule out the possibility, and that you need the tests mentioned above.

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

Once you are diagnosed it is usually not difficult to get enough medication to start.  I think that it would be a good idea for you to become more knowledgeable about hypothyroidism so that you can help guide your doctor in the right direction.  You can get some good insight from this link written be a good thyroid doctor.  

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

[Scarface94]

Do I just ask him to do all those tests? and will he do it right then and there? I hope he doesn't try to just shoot it down and say something like "You're fine, I doubt those are related to hypothyroidism" Is it easy to get on medication for this issue or will it be a pain in the butt to get it especially since I'm so young?

Another symptom I forgot to mention is that I get cold easily.

[gimel]

First, you shouldn't get on anti-depressants if there is a possibility of it being thyroid related.  I say that because depression is one of the symptoms that can be related to hypothyroidism.  The other symptoms you mention are frequently related to hypothyroidism.  So I suggest that when you see the doctor, you should emphasize all your symptoms and that they are frequently related to being hypothyroid and that you would like to be tested for that possibility.

Then you should ask to be tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not Total T3 and Total T4), along with TSH.  I would also suggest tests for the possibility of the most common cause for diagnosed hypothyroidism, which is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  Two tests are required for that, Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies, and Thyroglobulin antibodies, often shown as TPO ab and TG ab.  

When test results are available, don't just accept the doctor's assessment.  Please let us help.  Just get a copy of the lab report and post results and their reference ranges and members here will be glad to help interpret and advise further.