After 5 Years

[joung]

I posted before, but included some links, and that is prohibited, apparently.
At any rate, after 5 years of trying at least 8 meds (mainly SSRIs) for my unipolar depression, I finally came to discover I have hypothyroidism, and that was causing my lack of energy, libido and chronic depression.
Please, if you haven't already, please insist on getting a full thyroid panel test, NOT JUST A TSA test, which your doctor may claim is sufficient; IT IS NOT.
Testing of your thyroid MUST include the following:
1) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
2) Free serum thyroxine (fT4)
3) Free triiodothyroine (fT3)
4) Reverse T3 (rT3)

5) Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG)
6) Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO)
Anything less than this is simply unacceptable.
It is well documented that the evaluation of only TSH is inadequate as a means of testing your thyroid. If you have been told by your physician that your thyroid is fine and have not had the above tests ordered, then think again.. your physician DOES NOT have all the facts. Unless your physician is attempting to diagnosis you with a crystal ball, then demand that she order the most comprehensive thyroid panel.
I have been on T4 and T3 (Armour) for 3 days now, and feel better than I have in many, many years.
My depression is lifting, and it is amazing. I am not prone to 'placebo' effects, and have tried many, many meds, including SSRIs. My problem was my thyroid.
I only wish I had insisted on a full panel thyroid test many, many years ago.

[potor]

I agree completely! I, too, am hypothyroid, and had a doctor who didn't want to test me because I was severely underweight! He tested me, and (though VERY underweight), had a thyroid, which had completely shut down! I was hypothyroid and within several days felt MUCH better! When I miss my Synchronic, my moods shift, my energy levels drop.... My depression hits my full throttle! Most everything hinges on my thyroid.... and I can feel it happening almost right away.... the endocrine system controls most everything... and boy, I sure feel it happening to me. If you think you have thyroid problems (and bipolar disorder and thyroid problems many times run hand in hand) get your doctor to test you! Become PRO-active in your own medical testing.
It sure made a difference for me. That was more than fifteen years ago in my case. And I wasn't diagnosed as bipolar until ten years AFTER I was diagnosed hypothyroid. For me.... my Synchronic is MORE important than my mood stabilizers... but all play an important part in my well being. Good luck!

[betly]

There is research showing that T3 is essential to properly help lift depression that results from thyroid malfunction. In other words, T4 is not sufficient.
By adding as little as 5 micrograms of T3 to an existing regimen of T4 and/or anti-depressants, great clinical improvement can be observed.

[pope]

Most docs will test for this the first time you see them. If not, suggesting it would not be out of line, and could be accomplished through a medical doc. Mine checked for thyroid and diabetes, then did a liver panel once I had been on Cymbalta, per my request.