affinity

Hi, you might remember me as Siri* or Affinity.

I started posting here 2-3 years ago (I think). I've been diagnosed
with Social Anxiety, Major Depression and a few other anxiety
disorders since I was twenty-three (possibly sub-clinical from age
eigh**** to twenty-one). I am currently twenty-seven years old.

Anyway, I've just been diagnosed with thyroid disease (today), which
might account for what I thought was a shift towards OCD and Anorexia.
Having lost over 15% of my body weight in the last six months, and a
further six pounds in the last two weeks, I was starting to get a
little worried. Also the fatigue, racing body (paradoxically) and
crazy/intrusive thoughts have not been all that pleasant, to say the
least.

Anyway, the point of my post is that while I may, or may not, have
some underlying anxiety disorder, I *do* have a ****ed up thyroid (not
yet sure if it's Graves', Hashimoto's, or something 'else'). Which
means that I need to take hormones for the rest of my life; but I
figure the danger of hair-loss and liver disease is better than my
heart suddenly stopping. The mental anguish of thyrotoxicosis isn't
fun, either.

To anyone who is suffering anxiety and/or mood disorders; either by
medical diagnoses or self-decree; get thyself to a doctor and have
thyself a thyroid test (simple blood test). It may just save your life
and might offer you the 'key' to the way you're feeling.

It's a *fact* that thyroid disease mimics anxiety and depression/mania
and it can be just as fatal. For more information, check these links:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles.htm
http://www.endocrinologist.com/thyroid.htm
http://www.the-thyroid-society.org
http://www.endo-society.org/
http://www.thyroidfoundation.org/
http://www.studentbmj.com/back_issues/0300/education/62.html

richard james

This is very true. This is one of the first things I had done to find out
what was wrong with me. It is a simple test. I don't have Thyroid problems
but at least I never have to consider it.

Richard

affinity

Richard James <um@err.com> spake:

[Angst and possibly incorrect clinical details--always ask yer GP]


My anxiety stuff didn't actually lead me to a GP who seemed aware of
the possibility until last year. I had an abnormal thyroid test result
back then, but that was not enough (in itself) to lead to a diagnoses.

Subsequently, I missed the follow-up. NOT a good idea.
<d'oh!>

crissy

Not too long ago when I was in my twenties my doctor diagnosed me with a
thyroid problem, put me on medication. Then he retired and sent me to
another doctor, unfortunately when the time came to re-new my medication
this new *asshole* doctor wouldn't re-new the meds for me. He said that I
don't have a thyroid problem. I went to different doctors and had the test
done several times and the tests came back normal every time. Strange
because my Dad has a thyroid problem and has been on these meds for most of
his life. I actually did feel better back when I was taking them.

Crissy

affinity

"Crissy" <not_giving_in@notrealemail.com> spake:


From the little I know, thyroid problems can and do have a genetic
component. There's a debate within the thyroid community regarding the
accuracy of tests and the unique ways in which thyroid disease can
present itself in different individuals. Have you actually had a
thyroid antibody test? This is not just measuring the level of TSH
(thyroid-stimulating hormone) in your body, which apparently is not
always accurate, but looks to see whether your body is having an
immunological response against your thyroid gland.

I'm by no means a doctor, but I would recommend getting in touch with
an endocrinologist. Explain the difference between how you felt on and
off medication, that might offer some clue.

Further reading:

http://www.thyroid.org.au/Information/NormalTSH.html


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