Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Crying. I just feel like crying. I was just diagnosed with hypothyroidism last week after going to the ER with chest pain. It was luck they even found it, but a roller coaster either way. For about 6 mo now I have been struggling with major depression symptoms: fatigue, lack of interest, decreased motivation, losing interest in things I love, retreating from the world etc. I am in counseling and I go 1-2 times per week. I just started synthroid last week. Some days I feel better, and then days like today I wish could just be over. I'm only 23 and this whole thing was pretty unsuspected. I've been on a few different meds and doses of antidepressants also :(
Sorry for your recent diagnosis, but you have found a place that can help you get through the bad times.
It takes 4-6 weeks for the medication to start working. So hypothyrodism isn't a quick fix. With each increase, you will feel better. Make sure your doctor requests Free T3 and Free T4 labs. They tell you on a cellular level what's going on.
You will feel better! We've all been there!
See, it's not like taking an aspirin for a headache, it's more like managing insulin blood levels - we have to keep an eye on the readings (Free T3 and free T4) and we have to keep an eye on our symptoms (symptoms diary), and with the help of our doctors...we adjust our medication. It sounds hard now because you are in the throws of thyroid induced depression, and honey, it is HELL. I once told someone that I felt like someone had ripped my soul out. It felt that black, dark, and horrible. I saw no hope. Thing is: It wasn't "depression" in the sense that clinical depression is diagnosed. It disappeared like a black cloud once my thyroid levels were optimized.
You are not alone, and while it may not seem like it: you are lucky! Many of us suffered for 10-15 years before we were properly diagnosed. You are young, and you're getting help NOW, so you'll have a full...and yes, happy life ahead of you. I promise!
While you're in the throws of this...some of this info will be hard to absorb, but hang in there, book mark this thread...and come on back and read it, K? It will change your life as it changed mine, I just know it:
http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/thyroid-resources/discussions/messages/17754063
The information in that thread was curated by some of our more experienced members - one of which changed my life by educating me. I hope we can do the same for you!