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What Causes Exhaustion And Low Libido Post Thyroid Supplement Withdrawal?
Question: I was formerly on a thyroid supplement from 1997-2002. Was removed off of supplement in 2002, when I was hospitalized in ICU and on a ventilator. The family physician has run two TSH tests since then and has come back normal. However, I am having a multitude of symptoms that could be related to hypothyroidism, the most bothersome: exhaustion; severe anxiety uncontrolled by medication; depression controlled by medication; forgetfulness, memory loss; sugar cravings, no sex drive.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying here. Sorry to learn about your symptoms.
Yes your symptoms do suggest a potential thyroid problem.
I see your TSH has been tested couple times and has come back normal.
Now there is an uncommon condition called Secondary or Central hypothyroidism,in which the TSH may be normal but the thyroid hormone levels are low. So it is worth checking Free T4 levels in the blood along with TSH again.
Also I suggest adding thyroid auto antibody tests too, which would give an idea if you are prone to developing an under-active thyroid. These would be
TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase) and Thyroglobulin auto antibodies
None of these tests require fasting and can be done at an time of the day
When I see someone like you in my practice, I order the following tests in addition:
CBC
CMP
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying here. Sorry to learn about your symptoms.
Yes your symptoms do suggest a potential thyroid problem.
I see your TSH has been tested couple times and has come back normal.
Now there is an uncommon condition called Secondary or Central hypothyroidism,in which the TSH may be normal but the thyroid hormone levels are low. So it is worth checking Free T4 levels in the blood along with TSH again.
Also I suggest adding thyroid auto antibody tests too, which would give an idea if you are prone to developing an under-active thyroid. These would be
TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase) and Thyroglobulin auto antibodies
None of these tests require fasting and can be done at an time of the day
When I see someone like you in my practice, I order the following tests in addition:
CBC
CMP
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Topiwala:
In years past when I was placed on the thyroid supplement, I was given to understand that I should never stop the medication. Is that correct? Also,
my forgetfulness, my memory loss, my anxiety and my depression has been attributed to the time I was on the ventilator and in a coma. Could all of these symptoms be severe if I have a thyroid malfunction?
Also, Dr. Topiwala, I have difficulty swallowing feeling as if I have a lump in my throat, which Drs have been attributing to my Colis Niessen Surgery. I am also nauseated all the time.
In years past when I was placed on the thyroid supplement, I was given to understand that I should never stop the medication. Is that correct? Also,
my forgetfulness, my memory loss, my anxiety and my depression has been attributed to the time I was on the ventilator and in a coma. Could all of these symptoms be severe if I have a thyroid malfunction?
Also, Dr. Topiwala, I have difficulty swallowing feeling as if I have a lump in my throat, which Drs have been attributing to my Colis Niessen Surgery. I am also nauseated all the time.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
As explained above, the antibody tests will inform us if there is a possibility of this condition being permanent or not.
There are circumstances where thyroid medication can be safely withdrawn and stopped.
Yes your symptoms suggest a thyroid problem, and testing in the manner described above can give us an idea if the thyroid is off.
Regarding the neck symptoms, it is best to get them checked out by an ENT doctor. The thyroid can cause difficulty swallowing but for this it has to be appreciably enlarged in size. This can be determined only on physical examination and by way of an ultrasound of the neck
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
As explained above, the antibody tests will inform us if there is a possibility of this condition being permanent or not.
There are circumstances where thyroid medication can be safely withdrawn and stopped.
Yes your symptoms suggest a thyroid problem, and testing in the manner described above can give us an idea if the thyroid is off.
Regarding the neck symptoms, it is best to get them checked out by an ENT doctor. The thyroid can cause difficulty swallowing but for this it has to be appreciably enlarged in size. This can be determined only on physical examination and by way of an ultrasound of the neck
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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