My plain experience with myself and other loved ones has been that decreased thyroid and/or adrenal function are often contributing factors to depression and other mental-health diagnoses.

Though the few psychiatrists I have come across do not think along these lines, I've had one psychiatrist tell me she has all her patients do a full thyroid function test and a full blood workup prior to prescribing psychiatric meds.

Thing is, most of the time the appropriate thyroid/adrenal testing is not done. The doctors will test TSH, and a few other items, most of which don't tell us the TRUE state of the thyroid and adrenals. (such as t3 uptake t4 and others)

So for the record, Free t3 and Free t4 and TSH and thyroid antibodies will give you a more complete picture of your thyroid function. T3 and t4 are not the same as FREE t3 and FREE t4.

As for adrenal function, a morning blood cortisol level below 15 is a red flag. A more accurate determination of adrenal functioning can be made via a 4x a day salivary cortisol test.

Anemia is another thing to be looked into when depression is present. As well as b12 levels and vitamin d levels.

Based on results, an appropriate course of action can be planned.

Been there, done that. My thyroid meds and adrenal meds work better than any psychiatric drug I have ever tried. And this time around, thankfully, no side effects.

And I won't say the endocrinology profession doesn't have its faults. I've had to work hard at getting appropriate treatment, after being denied it for long enough. Thank God for internet, where I was able to do hours of research so that I had the knowledge with which to advocate for my health care.

For those who are on AD's and other medications to help manage their symptoms, if it is helping you cope good for you; do whatever it takes to help you cope with life. I am not dismissing the judicious use of psychiatric medications. You may still benefit from a good thyroid/adrenal workup so that just in case those are not working at optimal level you can address that as well.