Strange thyroid problems

[bobwhitequail]

For about as long as I can remember I have been irritable, anxious, depressed, sometimes fatigued, and frequently had a hard time focusing.  Then, over the years came the diagnoses of Schizoaffective Disorder, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD, and Idiopathic Hypersomnia.  (The ADD is questionable because of the overlap of symptoms with other disorders, but I really think I have it.)

Although in the long run, I know doing without this hormone will cause serious problems of fatigue and depression.... when my thyroid went underactive and untreated for a while, I felt better able to focus and less anxious... but that extreme hypothyroidism caused some major problems; for instance, I think I vomited once or twice because of that and probably some of my sleepiness was because of it during that time.  

But these days, if I skip my Levothyroxine, I can focus better, feel less anxious/obsessive, feel less irritable, less depressed; I start to get stomach pain, muscle aches, and joint aches.  Didn't happen this morning because I didn't have the pills, but did happen this afternoon after I got the Levothyroxine from the pharmacy.   Honest.  The pattern is not going away.  My primary care doctor says it's an imagined thing caused by my anxiety disorder(s).  I am pretty convinced it is not caused by that.  

[bobwhitequail]

No, he didn't talk about getting the thyroid antibodies tested.  Is that costly, too?  

[Barb135]

Did you talk to your doctor about getting the thyroid antibodies tested?

[Barb135]

You're right - consistency is the main thing, although taking levo with food or drink, other than water, then waiting the specified time, could cause you to need higher doses of med.

I'm guessing your magnesium deficiency has a lot to do with your symptoms.  I wonder what your calcium levels might be, since magnesium is essential for the absorption of calcium.

Many of us have been pegged hypochondriacs and/or diagnosed with depression, anxiety, etc because of our thyroid or related issues.

[bobwhitequail]

Yup, I knew that the TSH was too high, FT4 too low, and Mg too low.  

I take the thyroid med at the same time as the Seroquel when I get up in the morning, with quite a bit of water.  I drink quite a a bit of coffee over the next 60 min or so.  That's the way I've almost always done it since starting Levothroxine.  For while I would skip... but from what I have heard from pharmacists, pretty much the most important thing is to take it the same way every time.  I am doing that now since the medication does not seem to be causing reaction.  

[Barb135]

Your TSH is too high and your FT4 is too low, indicating hypo. Your FT3 looks good right now.  While your vitamin B12 and D are "in range", they could stand to be bumped up a bit.  I have to keep  my B12 level right at the top of the range in order to feel well.

Your magnesium is also too low.  Magnesium deficiency can affect your stomach, your brain, muscles, etc. You should supplement with a good brand of magnesium citrate. Do not get magnesium oxide.

Are you taking all your medications at the same time, or eating right away?  Thyroid medication should be taken on an empty stomach, with a full cup of water, then nothing to eat or drink for 30-60 minutes.  You should wait at least a couple hours before taking other medications as they may inhibit (or enhance) the absorption of your thyroid med.

[bobwhitequail]

Oh, and I was not sure serum was, but now I know that serum = clear liquid remaining after blood clots.