Hi...new with a question

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
Hi...new with a question
11
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 4:21pm

Hi All,


I was hoping to get some insight here.  I have been struggling with depression off/on for as long as I can remember.  Seven months ago I went off my anti-depressant and was doing fine up until two weeks ago when I had to go back on.


I had bloodwork done for my thryoid and as usual my T3 came up abnormal according to the lab range.  My doctor and one specialist said that my levels are 'normal' although I feel anything but.  I've been doing some research and found a correlation between T3 levels being low and depression and that treatment with Cytomel in addition to an antidepressant can help the problem.  Just wondered if anyone knew anything about this or has experienced it.


My levels on 3 separate tests are:


TSH:  2.83, 1.73 and 3.33 (normal according to lab report)


T3 uptake: 26.2, 25.9 (abnormal low according to lab report)


T3 total:  215 (abnormal high according to lab report)


Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!


 


P.S.  One thing I've noticed recently is that my hair is falling out ALOT.  Can this be a symptom?



Christine


"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"




Edited 10/13/2004 4:26 pm ET ET by starente

Christine

CL

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2004
Wed, 10-13-2004 - 4:45pm
hello - welcome - I just "joined" this group yesterday myself. I take both Cytomel and Levothroid, as well as Prozac when I need to - I also suffer from depression - while there may be other contributing factors, a "messed-up" thyroid certainly is a major cause! The hair loss you mentioned is also a symptom. Hopefully, you will have doctors who listen and are willing to help get you well - for me, it has taken a combination of endocrinologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists, psychologists, gyno and my "regular" doctor to get things to a level where I can function as a human being. (And I went through two endos before I ended up with one I have now - you have to hunt around for someone you're comfortable with - and who "gets" it!) As you are already discovering, you need to do alot of research yourself - best of luck to you!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 9:06am

Hi again!


Can anyone tell me what I should look for in a specialist?

Christine

CL

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 10:04am
I go to an Endo/Metabolism. I can't say one is better than other. You just need to find a doc who will listen to how you feel rather than go by just test results.

My endo thus far I cant say I love. I am trying to wait and see what happens. I dont want to jump the gun, it doesn't mean I will be better off somewhere else. I am hyperthyroid, I am getting surgery. Then obviously I will be hypothyroid and have to try and get the right amount of medicine. He told me about 6months to a year is when I will START to feel better...I will gain a little weight... sigh! You want an Endo who will test your TSH, your Free T3 and T4, not just your TSH.

Good luck! I'd say just find a doc you like and go from there!!!

April

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2004
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 10:41am
I completely agree! As I mentioned before, it took me a number of endocrinologists until I could find one I could sort of deal with - she isn't great, but she's the best I've found so far - she's endo/metabolism, which honestly, I think is important but not vital. My regular doctor - whom I've had for about 15 years - is the one I rely on the most. She keeps everyone else in the loop; she listens to me; she knows I'm not crazy! Finding that kind of doctor is a rarity - that type of relationship is certainly just as important as finding the right specialist. If you have someone in your corner who is willing to fight for you (which mine has to do in order to do the testing I need - my HMO does not like tests out of the ordinary) and who will listen to you that is a treasure.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2004
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 8:59pm
I've seen three endocrinologists since I was diagnosed in March. The first one was a jerk (talked to me as if I were a slow six year old), the second one, with whom I just had one consult while I was in the hospital, I really liked but he doesn't take my insurance and I can't afford to pay him on my own, but I'm really comofortable with the third one.

He's educated me about Graves's disease, answers my questions very patiently, and respects my decisions about my own body (I told him I don't want to be rushed into surgery or iodine treatment as long as the medication seems to be controlling my hyperthyroidism and he agrees with me).

I think any endocrinologist is qualified to treat thyroid disease, but you kind of have to trust your gut instinct about how well you trust them and how comfortable you feel with them.

Diane

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 10-14-2004 - 9:14pm

Hi Christine,


Welcome!


Just a note about the hair falling out....that can be a sign of a thyroid disorder.


Although

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 9:14am

Thanks everyone.

Christine

CL

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 1:47pm
I havea goiter. My thyroid is 2x's its size, which isn't terrible. I can notice it is bigger on my right side. Makes my neck stick out weird there.


iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Fri, 10-15-2004 - 4:59pm
Hi Christine - just wanted to add my thoughts to your post! The fact that your T3 is high shows that you are producing more thyroid hormone than you can use - which seems confirmed by the slow uptake results - which may be the reason why your T3 is high! When you go to the doctor in January, they will do all new tests but you have every reason to be concerned so it's good that you're going to be seeing someone that you know is good. Goiters are very common with hypothyroidism so it isn't anything to be overly concerned with - but your doctor will check that out, as well.

There is a very strong connection between depression and hypothyroidism so you are right on target with that one. It is sometimes difficult to find a doctor that understands this, though, so start accumulating information that you can take with you to your appointment. It really helps when you have some info to back up what you say. I hope this helps! Hang in there til you get to see the doctor. I know that can be a really long wait and it's hard! Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2004
Mon, 10-18-2004 - 9:00am
Thanks Cathy.

Christine

CL

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