I have a hypothyroid disorder,does that effect your mood and anxiety?

[sunshine106]

I was diagnosed as having a hypothyroid 6 months ago,I have gained over 20 lbs.My doctor has prescribed me levothyroxine 75mcg's once daily which I take an hour before I eat in the morning.I was able to lose only 5 pounds and have been on a very strict diet and exercising daily.I have had dry patches appear on my face and now I am experiencing Horrible mood swings,I am happy only 1/4 of the day and miserable the rest of the day.I have no patience for anyone anymore and I cry often and it doesn't take much for me to start crying.Has anyone else experienced these side effects?I am suppose to have bloodwork done in 2 days to check my thyroid level..is there something else I should have my doctor check for?I am desperate for any answers or any kind of help anyone can offer.

[FTB4]

I would not withold any symptoms from your MD, In my case anti depressants just do not work for me, I just kind of mull through the depression when it comes and try to keep in mind that things are not as bad as they seem and knowing it's the thyroid that is causing it helps me to get through it, I don't get the depression all the time, it comes and goes, I don't know if I could handle it if I had it all of the time. Anyway tell your MD about your symtoms so he can advise you, some people can take anti depressants, but I would check the side affects of any of them first prior to taking them. Good Luck FTB4

[sunshine106]

Do you think that an anti-depressant in combination with levothyroxine is a bad idea?Or is it something that will be controlled once my thyroid level in under control? I am going to wait until my bloodwork comes back before I mention my other side effects to my doctor.If she doesn't adjust my meds I will definately make a point to tell her how I have been feeling.

[FTB4]

Your mood, anxiety and depression are all symptoms that I have too, the first thing my MD did was try to put me on Trazodone, although I found that anti depressants just make my depression worse, but once I found out that it was all caused by my condition (Hashimoto's) I am better able to cope with it, and just like you, it seems that it became worse after I started the medication (I still don't know why) and I still have my ups and downs, I try to keep a positive attitude and hope when I am at the right stage of medication the physical and mental negatives will ease up. I will be requesting my test results on the 9th of April, all I was given  was my TSH,  You could also have your Vitamin D & B levels checked, I know since I began taking D and Magnesium I have a lot less muscle aches and spasm's (Thanks to this forum) Also Vitamin B complex helps your body cope with stress. I don't know if this response helped at all, but good luck. FTB4  

[gimel]

Doctors are required to provide you a copy of the test results if requested.  Make sure you always get a copy for your records.  For information, the reference range for TSH used to be .5-5.0.  About 5 years ago the Amer. Assn. of Clinical Endocrinologists recognized that a lot of suspect hypothyroid patients were included in that data base. When these were screened out the range was revised to .3-3.0.  Unfortunately it seems that most labs and doctors have yet to adopt the new range.  Even your second TSH test was above the new range.  Some doctors don't normally test for free T3 and free T4, so you may have to insist on it.  Don't forget that you are the patient and you (and your insurance) are paying for the service.
When you get the new test results, and copies, please post results and reference ranges and let forum members respond.  

[sunshine106]

I am not sure the actual numbers as my doctor does not give me that information..she told me that they would like thyroid numbers to run at least 6 or higher and mine was only a 3.I have not seen the order form for the bloodwork that I will have on Thursday,she has filled it out and is keeping it in the office so it is there for the phlebotomist.I have been on meds for 6 weeks...my doctor has told me that I will have to have bloodwork every 6 weeks until my thyroid level is correct.I did feel better when I first started taking the meds but now it is like the meds are totally changing and I feel like a completely different person - for the worse.I am going to schedule an appt tomorrow and I will definately ask about the T3 and T4...Thank you so much for your help,I appreciate any help/advice I can get!

[gimel]

To better answer your questions, we need to get some more basic info from you.  Please post the actual numbers from your thyroid tests, along with reference ranges.  How long have you been on meds?  If your past tests did not include free T3 and free T4, then you should insist on those when you go in for testing in two days.  Free T3 is the most important because it is the most active component and mostly regulates metabolism.  Since you are having trouble losing weight, even with a strict diet and exercise program, then you really need to know about free T3.