For me it was hyperthyroid first - then hypothyroid. I think there are lots of people - medical professionals included - who don't really understand the full impact of hypothyroid. In fact, you see that on TV or the media sometimes - someone will be talking to an overweight person and joke, "Yes, I know you have a "thyroid" problem" - like that's some made up excuse for their weight issues.
My hyperthyroid was treated because my heart was beginning to enlarge because it had to work so hard to try to keep up with my metabolism (I was very thin then - that's the one thing about it I miss
!) I thought I was going crazy at the time - my memory was even worse, I'd get winded just walking up a flight of steps, my hair was falling out, I would choke constantly, my periods were almost uncontrollable. Then after treatment, I gained 40 lbs in 3 months! This is all about 7 years ago and I am just now starting to take it off.
Hopefully the crazy woman who took away your meds was someone 40 years ago and has long since retired. And, that you find a doc that will really pay attention to what is going on with your body. If your thyroid isn't functioning properly and you're not treated for it, it can have serious consequences for your long term health. Aside from depression and the consequences of being overweight it can, at its most extreme, lead to death. Sadly, the symptoms most people have just seemed like you're getting old. Since I am anyway, I don't need anything to make that worse.