Symptoms of Hypothyroid?

[worriedwart182]

So I recently have been getting this horrible brain fog. It's so bad it makes me depersonalized. I have no emotions and I have lack of desire in anything. It is so bad it is interfering with my school work. Typing this post is actually a hassle.

Earlier this year I went on a drastic diet change(stupid I know)

I also went on a vigorous exercise regime and lost about 70 pounds in about 5-6 months. This symptoms started towards the end of my dieting. I feel stupid to even do something like that and I just want to be better. I am currently awaiting my blood test results, and I should be getting them tomorrow. I was diagnosed with chronic depression. They put me on wellbutrin for the time being while I await my test results. I am also seeing an internist tomorrow because I seem to have a pain in my right ribcage after I eat or at night before I go to sleep. I also have trouble sleeping. I am so tired of feeling like this. These symptoms make my depression worse. I feel like my thyroid may be out of wack and I just want to change that. I do not think my doctor did a full thyroid panel, but would the T3 test normally show abnormalities with symptoms like these? I am not gaining any weight, but I am not loosing any either. I actually put on a little bit of weight these past couple of weeks, but thats becuase of my depression and my eating habits during that time. I am eating clean foods and never eat any sweets, I noticed that when I did I feel even worse. I shouldn't say sweets, but 'junk' food.

I should also mention that earlier today when I went to the store I tried a sample of their juice(I had an empty stomach at the time) after about 15 minutes I began to have horrible brain fog and I had pain in the right side of my ribcage. It subsided after about an hour, but the pain came back after a meal as well as the brain fog. I am currently in the fog right now and I cannot stand it anymore. I am not sure if it is my thyroid or gallbladder or a combination of both.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[worriedwart182]

Here are my levels from the test

TSH: 1.1
T4: 1
T3: 53

I believe my t4 total is low and I know for a fact my t3 is low. Does this conclude hypothyroidism?

[worriedwart182]

I have been perscribed liothyronine by its self. Not for a weight loss supplement, but to get my t3 levels back up. After my 2nd dose I feel way better. Almost to the point that I do not need the wellbutrin. I'm going to continue the wellbutrin, but I may ask to get off of it because I feel like all I need is the liothyronine.

[Barb135]

If you take the medication daily, you have the bottle that has the name on it, right?  If it's levothyroxine, it's a T4 med, if it's liothyronine, it's a T3 med which is almost never prescribed by itself and should never be used for a weight loss supplement.

I remember you from the Weight Loss and Dieting Community.  Your fear of weight gain requires counseling.

[worriedwart182]

The medicine is liothyronine I believe. Ill talk to her about further testing when I see her.

I'm afraid of the weight gain with hypo :(

[Barb135]

The T3 sounds like it might be Total, rather than Free, which as I said before, testing for Total is obsolete and of little value. That could mean that your doctor isn't quite "up" on thyroid issues, but we'll remain hopeful for the time being.

Is the medication they gave you, levothyroxine?  

I will be interested in seeing what other tests might have been done and what the results were, when you get them.  Be sure to post reference ranges with results.

Also good that you are getting the gall bladder ultra sound.  Will also be interested in that result.

[worriedwart182]

Yes I have bad constipation. I have to take miralax daily. I do feel fatigued as well.

I recieved a phone call today saying that my thyroid levels were low. I asked which one seemed to be low and they said that my T3 showed a level of 54? I am not sure what that means. They put me on some medication at 25 mgs to start out with.

I went to the internist today and he said my gallbladder may not be working properly. I have an appointment for an ultrasound for my gallbladder on thursday morning.

I will try to get more information about my thyroid levels tomorrow. I will request a hard copy of the results and will post them tomorrow. My doctor seems very knowledgeable in treating my symptoms. Although I have only seen her once she is the only doctor to even suggest getting my thyroid checked out.

[Barb135]

Brain fog and depression can be signs of a thyroid issue, but they can also be caused by other things. The pain could cause some brain fog, depending on its level.   Thyroid conditions would not cause rib cage pain.  

It would be good to get an ultra sound of the gall bladder to be sure.  If there are gall stones, a stone can block the bile duct, which is what happened to me.

When you get the thyroid results, be sure to ask for the reference ranges, since ranges vary lab to lab and we'll need to see where your levels fall within the ranges your lab uses.  Ranges are most important for Free T3 and Free T4.  In case, you aren't aware, your doctor is obligated, by law, to provide you with a hard copy of your lab report. It's always a good idea to get a copy for your own records.

T3 will tell a lot, but it would need to be Free T3, not total, which is what so many doctors tend to order.

Do  you  have other symptoms of a thyroid condition?  Such as weight gain/loss, constipation/diarrhea, fatigue, etc?

[worriedwart182]

So brain fog and the pains in my right rib cage as well as depression are symptoms of a bad gallbladder?

I'm not trying to sound mean in anyway, I'm actually asking.

I'm seeing the internist tomorrow and will give you all the results as I find out. I'm hoping they can do an ultrasound on the gallbladder tomorrow to get as much info as possible.

I will try to get my thyroid levels tomorrow. They will be given to me over the phone so I'm going to try my best to get the numbers instead of them just saying you're fine or you're thyroid is out of wack.

[craigdog]

I completely sympathize. I did a software upgrade on aug 30 and was surprised how easy it was. I tried it again today and mentally could not do it. I sat there for 6 hours like an idiot and finally gave up. I'm useless. Trading in my laptop for a broom soon. Good luck to you!

[Barb135]

You should get checked for gall bladder issues, because that's what your symptoms indicate.

We can't tell you anything about thyroid, without seeing actual results, with reference ranges.