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]

Okay, back for another response.

Food reactions can change in intensity... but they seem to have gone away the most with treatment for anxiety, depression, and what is likely ADD.  

Here are my lab results:


TSH 6.870 0.358 - 3.740 uIU/mL
FREE T4 0.73 0.76 - 1.46 ng/dL
T3 FREE 3.10 2.18 - 3.98 pg/mL (serum)
VITAMIN B12, SERUM 473 211 - 911 pg/mL
VITAMIN D 1,25-DIHYDROXY 47 25 - 66 pg/mL
MAGNESIUM 1.5 1.8 - 2.4 mg/dL (serum)

[Barb135]

Many people react to the fillers/binders in the medication.  I'm still inclined to think you should have been started on a smaller dose and worked up more slowly, in order to let your body adjust.

Do your food sensitivities come and go, or are you sensitive to some foods all the time?

You said "Strangely, though, when I switched between stimulant medications--from generic Dextrostat to generic Adderall--the strange side-effects of the thyroid medication go away."  Do you take the medications at the same time?  It may be best to leave a few hours between them, if possible.  

Tinnitus can be caused, or made worse, by thyroid issues.  Once you get your thyroid levels optimized, for you, that may ease.  

[bobwhitequail]

I also get sensitivities to many common foods and drinks--not just food dyes.  I don't know anyone with this kind of thing.  

Oh, and did I mention tinnitis (ringing or hissing in the ears)?  It's not likely thyroid related, but caused by TMJ problems my doc says.  

[bobwhitequail]

I have thought of the sensitivity to the pill as you have, flyingfool.  But the doc says it almost certainly is caused by the anxiety disorder, part of hypochondria with regard to this issue. Strangely, though, when I switched between stimulant medications--from generic Dextrostat to generic Adderall--the strange side-effects of the thyroid medication go away.  

I get sensitivities to lots of things--meds that don't work often not only do not help, but make me feel anxious.  

[Thyroidnightmare1613]

The last year my fiancé has also been getting the many diagnoses, such as bipolar, depression, anxiety attacks, past drug related damage. We found out 8 months ago his thyroid levels were at 20 something. He was prescribed synthroid which had been working great and his anxiety and what they called "rage attacks" had almost disappeared. The last month symptoms started back up and his levles went from 3.5 to 10.8 in a matter of a few months.. Even though they had even raised his synthroid levels the time we were last in when he was at 3. We see the doctor tomorrow. I am extremely concerned With the affect his thyroid has on his mental well being.

[Barb135]

No, when I said "printed copy" of your labs, I simply meant don't accept just a verbal report from your doctor or a nurse, because they will often just say things are "normal" without giving actual results.

Yes, selenium is very important; it does help in the conversion of FT4 to FT3. I take 200 mcg/day - at bedtime.  I often get Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), which is related to akathisia, but it doesn't necessarily coincide with taking the selenium.  I do find that my FT3 levels tend to be a bit higher when I take the selenium consistently.

If you haven't been taking your thyroid medication on a regular basis, your  body won't have a chance to get adjusted to the medication.  

To produce adequate vitamin D, the sun must hit bare skin; not layers of clothing.  That's one reason why many people in northern areas are deficient.  Even being outside on a cloudy day can contribute to SAD.

Interesting link on selenium.  I'd run across it once before, but read it thoroughly. This time I did.