Underactive Thyroid

I have been having severe diarrhea for about three weeks to a month now. I went to the doctor about a week ago and I explained my symptoms to him. He ordered that I get blood tests done as well as take some stool samples. I got those done right away and I saw the doctor today. I found out that I've been fighting some kind of infection in my bowels. He could give me antibiotics for it but it seems to be clearing up on its own so he decided to skip the antibiotics. I was glad of that because me and pills of any kind don't get along too well.

While at the doctor today, I also found out that I may have an underactive thyroid. I have to have another blood test done tomorrow morning to confirm whether that is the case or not. If I do have an underactive thyroid then I will have to take thyroid hormone pills.

When I got home from the doctors, I did some research on my own about underactive thyroids. Apparently with underactive thyroids you can gain weight, be depressed and be always tired.

I have noticed that my weight fluctuates. One day my jeans feel super tight and other days they are loose. One day I noticed my tummy has more of a roll to it and other days it seems flatter.

I have definitely been depressed over the last three years now due to a family situation that never appears to be letting up. I have been stressed right to the max and just when I think things can't get any worse, they do. I read that stress causes havoc with your immune system and therefore can cause problems with your thyroid.

I am worn right out too and have been for the last three years. Right now, I am at home with bulged discs in my back. When I lay down to sleep at night, my back pain flares up so I can't sleep because of the pain. What I have been doing for quite awhile now is waiting until I am so exhausted that I fall asleep right away, pain or no pain. I usually go to bed around midnight and am back up again by 5:30 in the morning.

It will be interesting to find out if in fact I do have an underactive thyroid because even though I do have problems with my weight, depression problems and the fact that I am tired all the time, there are also other reasons for all those symptoms. I can't say for sure whether I do have underactive thyroids but I guess I'm about to find out.  

 Auguts 26, 2009 - I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid about 6 weeks ago now. I am taking medication for it now. The medication I am takng is called Synthroid. I'm not so sure if the medication is helping me or not because I have had been having so many health issues. I've been having severe stomach and bowel issues and a middle ear infection. I also had a bladder infection which I took antibiotics for. I have definitely not felt 100% at all for quite some time now.