PrimalSympathy
01-16-2004, 04:32 PM
I have had symptoms of Bi-Polar almost since I was a child. I could never ever sleep as a child. Only recently was I diagnosed with Bi Polar with Hypomania after I finally went to a Shrink and was going manic after a doctor put me on high doses of anti depressants and I was going days without sleeping. My question is: Are there any diseases or moreso deficientcies (sp?) that can mimic or cause Bi-Polar or depression? I want to make sure that I really have Bi Polar and depression and there isn't something I am depleted of that is causing all of this. I am going to request blood work. What should I be tested for??
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wobbly
01-16-2004, 05:07 PM
You should have your thyroid tested--in fact this is a standard test they do whenever somebody is admitted to a psych unit, because thyroid problems can cause/mimic depression and/or mania.
Ask them to check your TSH, Free T4, and Free T3. This is the only way to get a complete picture of what your thyroid is doing.
Hope this helps.
Ask them to check your TSH, Free T4, and Free T3. This is the only way to get a complete picture of what your thyroid is doing.
Hope this helps.
thickman
01-16-2004, 06:24 PM
You should have your thyroid tested?
Excuse my lack of knowledge... What is a thyroid? Men and women have it?
Excuse my lack of knowledge... What is a thyroid? Men and women have it?
wobbly
01-16-2004, 07:31 PM
Excuse my lack of knowledge... What is a thyroid? Men and women have it?
Yeah, everybody has it. It's a gland at the base of your neck, and you wouldn't believe how many things it influences. Just for example, some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can be:
-Feeling cold all the time
-Puffiness around the eyes
-Constipation
-Joint aches
-Depression
-Wanting to sleep all the time but never feeling rested
-Tripping over words due to enlargement of tongue
-Problems with short-term memory
And those are only the ones I had! Fortunately, thyroid hormone replacement takes care of all symptoms. You just have to have a blood test every so often to confirm that you're getting the right amount of meds.
Hope that's not too long/boring an explanation!
Just out of curiosity, did your doc have you get your thyroid tested before starting treatment? When I was in the hospital, that was the first thing they did.
Yeah, everybody has it. It's a gland at the base of your neck, and you wouldn't believe how many things it influences. Just for example, some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can be:
-Feeling cold all the time
-Puffiness around the eyes
-Constipation
-Joint aches
-Depression
-Wanting to sleep all the time but never feeling rested
-Tripping over words due to enlargement of tongue
-Problems with short-term memory
And those are only the ones I had! Fortunately, thyroid hormone replacement takes care of all symptoms. You just have to have a blood test every so often to confirm that you're getting the right amount of meds.
Hope that's not too long/boring an explanation!
Just out of curiosity, did your doc have you get your thyroid tested before starting treatment? When I was in the hospital, that was the first thing they did.
thickman
01-16-2004, 07:41 PM
I never had a thyroid test in my life.
I better go see my family doctor... Just in case...
I better go see my family doctor... Just in case...
PrimalSympathy
01-16-2004, 08:03 PM
Yeah, everybody has it. It's a gland at the base of your neck, and you wouldn't believe how many things it influences. Just for example, some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can be:
-Feeling cold all the time
-Puffiness around the eyes
-Constipation
-Joint aches
-Depression
-Wanting to sleep all the time but never feeling rested
-Tripping over words due to enlargement of tongue
-Problems with short-term memory
And those are only the ones I had! Fortunately, thyroid hormone replacement takes care of all symptoms. You just have to have a blood test every so often to confirm that you're getting the right amount of meds.
Hope that's not too long/boring an explanation!
Just out of curiosity, did your doc have you get your thyroid tested before starting treatment? When I was in the hospital, that was the first thing they did.
Hey!
I had a thyroid test a while back, and it came back negative (meaning I was ok) BUT.....They didn't test Free t3 and t4. Why is it that docs seem to think those tests arent important? My Boyfriend had major Thyroid problems, and even still the docs didn't think the t3 and t4 tests were necessary. Also, I am also suffering from Bulimia along with my Bi-Polar, and I was wondering if maybe this has left me deficient in something. I know bulimia depletes your body of a lot, but could it deplete me of something that could cause bi polar and depression, speaking in the purely physical sense?
Thanks so much!
-Feeling cold all the time
-Puffiness around the eyes
-Constipation
-Joint aches
-Depression
-Wanting to sleep all the time but never feeling rested
-Tripping over words due to enlargement of tongue
-Problems with short-term memory
And those are only the ones I had! Fortunately, thyroid hormone replacement takes care of all symptoms. You just have to have a blood test every so often to confirm that you're getting the right amount of meds.
Hope that's not too long/boring an explanation!
Just out of curiosity, did your doc have you get your thyroid tested before starting treatment? When I was in the hospital, that was the first thing they did.
Hey!
I had a thyroid test a while back, and it came back negative (meaning I was ok) BUT.....They didn't test Free t3 and t4. Why is it that docs seem to think those tests arent important? My Boyfriend had major Thyroid problems, and even still the docs didn't think the t3 and t4 tests were necessary. Also, I am also suffering from Bulimia along with my Bi-Polar, and I was wondering if maybe this has left me deficient in something. I know bulimia depletes your body of a lot, but could it deplete me of something that could cause bi polar and depression, speaking in the purely physical sense?
Thanks so much!
wobbly
01-16-2004, 09:18 PM
I wish to h3// I knew why some docs think TSH alone is enough. There's no way that's true!!!
I'm not sure about the bulimia and bipolar, but I do know bulimia messes with your electrolytes (balance of chemicals in your body). I was anorexic while in college and dabbled in bulimia, but not very much. Both of them really wreak havoc on your system. I hope you're getting treatment for your bulimia too.
I'm not sure about the bulimia and bipolar, but I do know bulimia messes with your electrolytes (balance of chemicals in your body). I was anorexic while in college and dabbled in bulimia, but not very much. Both of them really wreak havoc on your system. I hope you're getting treatment for your bulimia too.