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depression
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thyroid
thyroid stimulating hormone
tsh
Being tired all the time?
By DoctorDidi
@DoctorDidi (7018)
India
June 12, 2012 8:57am CST
Do you always have the feeling of ‘being tired all the time’? Never neglect it and try to counter it with nutritional supplements and multivitamins. Rather visit a doctor and check your thyroid. A normal thyroid can start malfunctioning at any moment. The initial symptoms are so vague that they are easy to miss. There may be a tendency to be gradually over-weight, menstrual periods being heavier than normal, skin becoming dry, nails and hair brittle, constipation, muscle aches, lethargy and depression. As the symptoms progress, the gland gets over-stimulated by the pituitary in an attempt to produce the required amount of hormone. It responds by increasing in size. A swelling called a goiter may then appear in the front of the neck and then only you can personally notice it or your friends and relatives can bring it into your notice. So if you have the feeling of ‘being tired all the time’ off and on, please do not make any delay in consulting with a doctor. A mere blood test for estimation of TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) level can give a clue about your having a thyroid problem.
2 people like this
4 responses
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Jun 12
This is all good to know. My thyroid has been checked and it is fine. My problem is severe depression. Fatigue is a part of my life. Tired all the time. I am even called lazy. And I am way overweight. And I don't care. I have gotten to the point where it just doesn't matter. Wish it was my thyroid in alot of ways.
@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
12 Jun 12
I had the same problem, my thyroid checked out fine and I have been diagnosed with depression. I believe I can tell depression is a factor because on days when I feel better mentally I tend to have a bit more energy. Recently I started dragging read bad, even a stranger said I looked tired. My daughter said I seem different these last few days and I have been more irritable than usual. One thing that has happened is my husband (who I left a couple of months ago) has suddenly shown up in the area I just moved to. Now I see him almost every day. My energy has been going down since then. I have an appointment today to see if I can get a good medication for depression. Hope it works!
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
14 Jun 12
Depression is very common now a days. It may occur due to various reasons. One important cause is lack of success in life, if you start to believe that you have not achieved what you deserve in life whereas others have achieved all that what they do not deserve in life, you are definitely going to be a victim of depression. So if you have any such problem, you have to tide over it by your own mental strength or through the sympathetic help and guidance of your well-wishers but if you are really a victim of severe depression, you must consult with any reputed doctor in the field.
@celticeagle (189838)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Jun 12
@lumenmom-Wow! So like a bad penny HE's BACK! Can you change your routine any so you aren't so apt to see him. I would hate that!
@DoctorDidi- I have depression in my family.
@TrvlArrngr (4044)
• United States
14 Jun 12
I had my thyroid removed about a year ago. It had a goiter. I did feel better afterwards, mainly not feeling like there was something in my throat. Weird feeling. I am still tired - but not as much. Just remember to keep getting your levels checked so they can adjust your thyroid medicine.Once he added Vitamin D to my daily routine I felt even better. Seems I don't get out enough into the sun.
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
14 Jun 12
Had you total thyroidectomy or partial? Have you been advised by your doctor for avoidance of some food articles and inclusion of foods with high content of iodine? I would advise your family members to consume iodized salt, if it is not compulsory in your country.
@TrvlArrngr (4044)
• United States
14 Jun 12
I had a total thyroidectomy. I was never told to avoid foods with high iodine - why would that be? Thanks.
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
14 Jun 12
I have mentioned 'inclusion of foods with high content of iodine'. Not only you but also your family members should consume foods with high iodine. So in our country the government has introduced iodized salt for every one.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
13 Jun 12
Hi Doctor Didi, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism late last year. I was suffering from panic attacks, and my doctor suggested a blood test just in case I was suffering from a thyroid problem, and it turned out I was. I went on 25mcg thyrozine, going up to 100mcg, which is what I am on now. My last blood test early this year said I was responding excellently to the thyroxine. I just had another one a couple of days ago; waiting for the results. I've been suffering from fluctuating energy levels, and depressive symptoms for a long time now (I have a background of substance abuse problems), and don't notice any difference, although I find myself quite a deal slimmer around the waist. Also, the panic attacks have more or less completely disappeared. I never believed this would happen.
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
14 Jun 12
As you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you should have to continue the treatment throughout life and the dose schedule would depend on your blood tests as well as on the response of the existing medications you are taking.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
13 Jun 12
Thanks for the reminder. I noticed that sometimes I really do get tired easily, and I constantly want to get more and more sleep. Maybe I was lazy, or maybe some symptoms like what you described above just not healthy at all. I should pay close attention to it. I do want to get healthy, and I hate to be in bad condition when I get older. Thanks for the warning.
@DoctorDidi (7018)
• India
14 Jun 12
It may occur due to various reasons. But it is always wise to do a blood test for T3,T4 and TSH and also a postprandial blood sugar estimation to rule out diabetes.
