Doctor wants me to go back to work

[Mynx537]

Hi there.

I'm a 29yr old girl and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in May 2013 but diagnosed with Hashimoto's in Jan this year. I currently receive Levothyroxine but am not doing very well on it.

I have been signed off by my doctor for 3 weeks as having "anxiety symptoms" - which is partially true as I get OCD, depression, mood swings, trouble sleeping etc. but I have put that down to my illness.

This same doctor is now pressuring me to get back into work but I don't feel anywhere near ready yet and I'm not looking forward to seeing him next week to be given another lecture into me finding a job.

I'm still waiting on a claim for employment support for long-term health conditions but I've still not heard anything back. I'm not panicking exactly, but I just don't know where I stand at present. Most of the time when I go to the doctor now I feel like I'm wasting their time with my problems.

Thanks

Jo xxx

[Mynx537]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

Current thyroid hormone levels are just TSH readings (typical NHS labs) but I have previous ones going back as far as November 2011 if you wish to see them again.

TSH in January 2014 - 2.7 (0.27-4.2)

TSH in February 2014 - 3.6 (0.27-4.2)

Looking back I wished I'd never left my previous job but I was unaware of support that was put in place (through my employer) that I could have had. I think reduced hours was one adjustment along with working part-time hours. It was only after I left that I looked into it and found out.

I also have a lot of supplements to take and I'm feeling very overwhelmed by how I have to fit it all in. And I have been told today by a nutritionist that I'm lactose intolerant.

[Barb135]

I know you recently had another thread going, but I don't remember your current thyroid hormone levels.

Sometimes it helps to be working, because it can take the mind off how we feel.  I never missed any work, even at my most hypo, but that's me.  As horrible as I felt, I'm kind of glad I did have to get up and go to work or I'd probably have just stayed in bed all the time.

I think it's very hard, here, in the U.S to get employment support for hypothyroidism, since it's a condition that can be treated.