Do I have Hashi's? Antidepressant question also

[bloodflowergrl]

I have been diagnosed as mildly hypothyroid on and off the last 6 years (though symptomatic in retrospect for 10 years). I am 32 now. At those hypothyroid times I have taken Levoxyl and had decent symptom relief until now. About 4 months following the birth of my first child I started to feel especially terrible. My TSH was a little high and I started Levoxyl again-75 mcg. However, I am still feeling very fatigued and depressed. I have been taking the Levoxyl for about 6 months (my son is 20 months old now)and my labs are "in range" per the endocrinologist I just saw for the first time.

1) I asked for a copy of the labs and things look good except TPO is 115. Does this indicate Hashi's? The doctor never said anything to me about it?

2) My thyroid function was never evaluated by my OB beyond a first visit check. He did not know I had hypothyroid in the past. Should I be concerned as my 20 month-old son is developmentally delayed in speech/communication.

3) Are antidepressants useful if symptoms are because of thyroid issues? It's tough to tell if it's depression/thyroid or both.

[lazydog]

Hi.  I was depressed too after birth of my 2nd son and turned out due to Hashimoto's.  I did not get any relief whatsoever from T4 only meds.  When I began T3 (60mcg)/T4 (50 mcg) combo all the depression, anxiety etc went away completely.  

My son was delayed compared to my daughter.  However, I have had them both tested and son not Hashi's but daughter is with extremely high abs.

If you are concerned, maybe have them checked - it can only assist with early identification.  I wish I'd been diagnosed earlier and had daughter diagnosed earlier as she now has many symptoms at 13yo.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Yes, the hypothyroidism is due to Hashi.  

Hard to know if any developmental delay is due to sub-optimal treatment of hypothyroidism during pregnancy.

If the thyroid treatment is optimal (TSH around 1) and there is still depression, anti-depressants may be helpful.

[Julie65]

You might really benefit from adding Cytomel to your levothyroxine (or switching over to Armour.)  I have Hashi's, which is likely what you have.  I really struggled with depression while on Synthroid.  Was switched to Armour and after a short time, depression resolved. (I didn't need to take any anti-depressants.)