SAD, ANXIOUS AND TIRED? IT'S DEPRESSION, RIGHT? GUESS AGAIN!

Your doctor did your “thyroid test” and it came back normal. You have had a bunch of different symptoms that come and go…sweating, hair loss, constipation, no energy, unexplained weight gain and sometimes you may feel a choking at the base of your throat. Your periods may be unusual. You may have a history of “baby blues” in past pregnancies. If you have all or just a few of these symptoms, the standard thyroid test called a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) may miss detecting thyroid problems.
We suggest a good physical exam of the thyroid. Depending on your exam and/or your symptoms, we then test a TSH, free T4 (thyroid in the blood stream) and thyroid antibodies. Sometimes we also do a free T3 (another thyroid hormone in the blood stream). If we detect thyroid antibodies (substances that reflect attacks on the thyroid gland) or if we measure an enlarged thyroid, then we advise a thyroid ultrasound. Up to 50% of people have an enlarged thyroid with nodules. Up to 5% of these nodules may have cancer. Getting a complete work-up may help you to find cancer. Fortunately, thyroid cancer tends to be slow growing and is usually easily treated. If suspicious nodules are identified, a FNA (fine needle aspiration) may be recommended. If the thyroid does not have worrisome nodules but is enlarged, even if the thyroid blood tests are normal, thyroid medication can be helpful for patients with symptoms.

Reference AACE “Thyroid Nodules”…