Am I hypothyroid?

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone, My name is . I'm 26 y/o. I am joining this group to hopefully

exchange experiences and support with thyroid issues. I am not certain that I

have hypothyroid, but identify with many of the symptoms

..

My last blood test a year ago revealed TSH of 2.68 and FT4 of .61, which was

within range.

My main concern is hair thinning and loss. I have also had acne my whole life

that hasn't responded to treatment. I recently tried spirolactone 200mg for the

hair loss and acne, but it didn't do anything for the hair loss and made the

acne worse.

The more I researched the causes of hair loss I came across hypothyroid. I

immediately identified with being cold; as anyone in my family can attest to…I

am known for always being cold. I moved to a warm climate as soon as I turned

18!

I also identified with the depression symptom. I had extreme mental health

issues from ages 15-22 that did not respond to treatment. Since then, I have

learned to manage my life in a way that minimizes my depression so I can lead a

somewhat " normal " life.

IBS is something I've struggled with since a child, but have accepted it as part

of life. Hypthyroid or not, my body is very sensitive.

My husband and I are from different sides of the world and travel a lot. Almost

every time we travel, I get sick and we have to extend out stay! Even if it's

only a weekend trip. The cost of re-booking flights and booking extra hotel

nights is adding up.

Other symptoms: migraines, mood swings, bouts of nausea, puffiness in one side

of my face (sometimes, not always, but others close to me notice!)

It has been difficult to keep a job and friends for the same reasons. My mental

and physical health are unpredictable. I hate committing to anything. Also my

stamina is low.

I am not sure about hypothyroid because the past few years I have been able to

keep a healthy weight and I don't have dry skin. Also I have been on birth

control for many years (yasmin) and have a normal period.

I have ordered a complete blood test and will do the basel body temp test as

soon as I get my period.

Thank you for reading about my situation, and I hope by sharing experiences we

can help each other.

[Guest guest]

Hi

Welcome to the forum!

> Hi Everyone, My name is . I'm 26 y/o. I am joining this group to

hopefully exchange experiences and support with thyroid issues. I am not certain

that I have hypothyroid, but identify with many of the symptoms

Your instincts could well be right.

> My last blood test a year ago revealed TSH of 2.68 and FT4 of .61, which was

within range.

Do you have the range of the FT4 test?

> My main concern is hair thinning and loss. I have also had acne my whole life

that hasn't responded to treatment. I recently tried spirolactone 200mg for the

hair loss and acne, but it didn't do anything for the hair loss and made the

acne worse.

Apparently, hypothyroid people can have problems converting betacarotene to

vitamin A. Low vitamin A can be linked to acne (and quite a lot of other

things)

http://www.hertoghe.eu/patients/index.php?option=com_content & view=article & id=99 & \

Itemid=137 & lang=en

You may also be interested to read that bowel problems can be linked to vitamin

A deficiency, too, as well as thyroid of course. (Please see the same link)

> The more I researched the causes of hair loss I came across hypothyroid. I

immediately identified with being cold; as anyone in my family can attest to…I

am known for always being cold. I moved to a warm climate as soon as I turned

18!

Another big clue there then...!

> I also identified with the depression symptom. I had extreme mental health

issues from ages 15-22 that did not respond to treatment. Since then, I have

learned to manage my life in a way that minimizes my depression so I can lead a

somewhat " normal " life.

Mental health problems can be thyroid, and adrenal too. I have found thyroid

and adrenal support (hydrocortisone) has kept me much mroe stable.

>

> Other symptoms: migraines, mood swings, bouts of nausea, puffiness in one side

of my face (sometimes, not always, but others close to me notice!)

It might be worth looking at this website

http://www.hertoghe.eu/patients/index.php?option=com_content & view=article & id=131\

& Itemid=89 & lang=en and this questionnaire http://blog.saravanan.org/?p=40 -

just click on edit to be able to fill in the questionnaire -- the results will

be on the 2nd tab of the spreadsheet

> It has been difficult to keep a job and friends for the same reasons. My

mental and physical health are unpredictable. I hate committing to anything.

Also my stamina is low.

i had similar complaints before being treated for adrenal and thyroid and

various vitamin and mineral deficiencies. things stil aren't perfect but are

better.

> I am not sure about hypothyroid because the past few years I have been able to

keep a healthy weight and I don't have dry skin. Also I have been on birth

control for many years (yasmin) and have a normal period.

i don't know anything about yasmin or birth control or how this'd affect your

thyroid. acne can be linked to thyroid as can fatigue and feeling cold all the

time. my feet are like blocks of ice without thyroid.

> I have ordered a complete blood test and will do the basel body temp test as

soon as I get my period.

Please post the results, with reference ranges....

Chris

[Guest guest]

Hi

My last blood test a year ago revealed TSH of 2.68, Range: .34-5.6

FT4 of .61, Range: .50-1.60

Thank you so much for responding. You shared a lot of great information that I

will check out after my class today.