Does my situation fit hypothyroidism?

[mchristm]

I apologize for the lengthyness of this article, but find it best to be thorough with medical inquiries.

   In 2001 (age 13), I was prescribed Prednisone for arthritic symptoms, and within six months I gained approximately 40 pounds. Increasing amounts of the medication quickly became ineffective. The highest dose I recall taking regularly was 20mg. Ever since, I have struggled with my weight.
   My normal body temperature regularly came out well below 98.6 (96.8-97.5) and I became very sensitive to the cold. I dieted and exercised extensively during my first two years of high school to no avail. My junior year (age 16) I began crash-dieting, and quickly progressed to restrictive eating wherein I regularly consumed fewer than 500 Calories daily. The only times at which I have returned to a normal weight and build for my body are when I have regularly consumed fewer than 800 Calories daily, though I know this is unhealthy and my BMI predicts my caloric intake ought to be double that. After I ceased my restrictive behavior I began regaining weight (approximately 10 pounds per year). While this weight gain has been frustrating, I have largely attributed it to beginning college.
   This past academic year (age 20) I remained steadily at 150lbs. Within the past month however, I have gained 15lbs. While I concede that my stress level may not have helped, my eating and exercise habits did not change significantly during this time and I have regularly undergone similar levels of stress without drastic weight gain. I have had a full menstrual cycle and am not pregnant. I have not begun or ceased any medications whatsoever. I have also become increasingly anxious/irritable, prone to headaches and acid reflux, and sensitive to the cold.
   I am very concerned about this sudden increase in weight, as well as irritated by my steady weight gain since being prescribed Prednisone, and was wondering if this might have a physical root in the thyroid.

[Super_sally888]

With your history of being on prednisone you should also be assessed for adrenal function, which can exacerbate thyroid issues.  Good that you will be seeing an endocrinologist for full assessment.

Keep up the exercise.  I would imagine it would be key to managing your weight in the circumstances.

Best wishes and let us know how you go.

[mchristm]

Thanks for your help and advice - I will most certianly contact the local Thyroid specialist / endocrinologist and set up an appointment.

[gimel]

Some of the symptoms you mentioned  certainly can be associated with hypothyroidism and should be checked out thoroughly.  I would suggest that you start by getting blood tests for your thyroid function.  Doctors always check for TSH, and usually total T4 or sometimes free T4.  You should insist that  free T3 and free T4  are included in the testing.  
The reason for this is that free T3 is the most active thyroid hormone, it is four times as potent as free T4 and largely regulates metabolism, along with other body functions.  Free T3 correlates best with hypo symptoms, with free T4 a distant second, and TSH hardly correlates at all.  So insist on the "Frees" being tested.
When the tests are completed, get a copy of the results and post them, along with reference ranges, for Forum members to review and comment.