[Zorah]

Since I have been on thyroxine I seem to be having more problems with dissociation. Does anyone have any suggestions? The pathologists insist thyroxine dose approx. correct.

[darkeyes]

I've been on Synthroid, almost 2 years, it has helped.
I'm not sure if it addresses T3, T4, or just TSH, but different thyroid meds. work in these areas and some not in others.
See what your tests revealed as far as what was it that your thyroid was underproducing or overproducing, this may help pin point exactly what thyroid med. is what you need.
I read in some internet thyroid sites, about this and some books I have here at my home.
Amazing how just thyroid meds. can address some forms of depression. . . it seemed to have helped boost the efficacy of my other meds.

[Zorah]

Thanks darkeyes. My T4 levels are reasonable but no T3.They say stress can prevent the reaction to T3. It is not possible to get them in combo here. I do think if we could get the treatment right I would at least feel a little better. In 2003 when I first went on replacement (very small dose, I have had to bring it up slowly) my weight dropped to 6 stone. I belong to Thyroid Australia &amp; while you get a lot of good advice, getting your doc to take any of that &amp; act on it is another matter. All complicated by the fact that they can not blood test me regularly, because of another health issue. Peace, Dawntreader. <font color="purple"> </font>

[darkeyes]

I know, times before my tests showed, "within normal limits" but I was having every symptom, and yet they refused to give me Synthroid, the joke is in a couple of months, tests showed I needed supplementation.
So many books, and internet websites say what I feel, if a person, as an individual is having the symptoms, what wrong is it to try meds. rather than sending them for all tests, I'd rather try one thing, then go on to another if no results occur. I had already lost so much hair, focus, etc.
that I think if my doc would have just realized "within normal range", for thyroid, is not always normal for everyone, I hope they update the thyroid function blood tests done at the lab(s).
My present doc, did request TSH levels, stating this tests gives a more exact idea to what is happening, too high of levels TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) indicates hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid function) which is common in middle aged women as well as the young.
If tests indicate low levels of TSH, hyperthyroidism can be the culprit, weight loss, or unable to gain weight (wish that was my case, ha!ha!) besides a lot of other symptoms, hyp and hyper thyroidism both have quite a lot of symptoms, but I won't start listing them, cause I am sure all that you have been going through, they must of given you some of those free pamphlets at the doc's office, that explain or at least list the symptoms.
I wish you lots of luck with this, I know how frustrating this gets.
One of the books I bought about thyroid disease, comes from the UK, the title is "Thyroid Disease the facts", I found this an informative book. The authors names are:
R.L.S. Bayliss and W.M.G. Tunbridge
Published by : Oxford University Press
If you can find this where you live, the info might help, and may help your doc understand more.
Can't hurt, give it a try.
Again, I wish you lots of luck, and let us know of the outcome.

Take care,
DE

Hi Dawntreader & darkeyes,

Gosh you guys seem to be so much more informed about your thyroid difficulties than me. I have Hashimoto's disease- dx- at 28 years old- so I've had it for 14 years now. I'm not aware of some of what you're talking about- except the correlation of low-thyroid and depression.

In March of 2000 I decided I probably didn't need to take synthroid anymore (I believed the doctors had made up my problem and I really didn't have it) and I hated having to have my blood levels checked every year- so I, myself- went off the med. At that time I never heard of low-thyroid being connected with depression. I was off of medication for 3 months then had an appointment with my physician for blood work- a few days later, he called me and I went to his office. I didn't tell him ahead of time I quit taking the meds but he saw the test results. He asked me "What's going on?"- then I told him I quit taking synthroid. He got very angry at me and said that my body can't be without this medication, and that my levels were off the charts.

Boy!! Six months later I was diagnosed with clinical depression and have been batteling with it ever since.-- A connection?? I'm thinking there must be something here -- with thyroid and moods.
I do have other issues like PTSD-from childhood and various other personality disorders- which probably also contributed to the depression- but I often wonder if the low thyroid was the thing that put me over?? Gee, hope you don't mind my rambling on!!.....

Anyway, dawntreader- Sorry I don't have any suggestions, I just wanted to say that I can understand your struggle. Hope it levels out for you soon! Good luck!

Mandy

[darkeyes]

Got to run, but just wanted to add, yes, hypothyroidism, does contribute to depression, confusion, hair loss, weight gain or inability to lose it, low libido, fatigue (the biggy) and so many more problems sluggish thyroid causes.

I personally noticed a lightening of depression, about 2 months after begining Synthroid.
Word of advice, if you need the med, take it, don't mess with it on your own.
I wish you lots of luck with this,

Sincerely,

DE

[Zorah]

At least my hair has finally grown again. But I agree don`t go off thyroid replacement if you need it. If you have been hypothyroid &amp; undiagnosed for a long time you may need to start on a small dose &amp; work up. I gave mine up once but I think problem was that I was started on too high dose. It doesn`t work to go off it coz it controls most metabolic processes. There are a couple of things that can cause anti-body production during thyroid treatment. Make sure they do a proper dx.
Does anyone know why they only replace T4 &amp; T3 when thyroid gland (when working) produces either 12 or 16 enzymes (forgotten which) ? This is one of the reasons we have problems I think.