Depression and thyroid problems

I found this information today and thought it was worth sharing. I have thyroid disease/hyperthyroidism (with nodules) and the similarities between the way I feel and function and many points in this article are quite interesting.

http://www.ngdf.org/cms/modules/files/uploads/7699.PDF

Someone may say they're depressed but have never had thyroid problems or thyroid symptoms. A person can have sub-clinical thyroid problems that a doctor very well might not even pick-up on.

I, for example, have major thyroid symptoms even though my test numbers are normal with medication. On paper my thyroid is "normal" but it does not function normally by any stretch of the imagination.

Many (perhaps most) thyroid patients also have mental health issues.

I have hypothyroidism and when it is not controlled, I know that my depression is much worse

I am hypothyroid, and know that when my numbers are off, my mental health suffers. When friends complain of feeling anxiety or depression, my first recommendation is that they have their thyroid checked.

My thryroid always test normal, but my Pdoc has put me on Cytomel 50mcg ( T3 ) and I have noticed a shift in my mood.
Plus I am not chilled and my morning temperature has gone from 35.6 to 36.2 (normal 37C). I know this as a few times I felt feverish and my temp was 36.8
Just found out my mother and grandmother have/had lower than average body temp and good mental health.

Thanks for the information, as this medication is new 3weeks to me.
G1

Queen, I'm glad that you posted this!!!
The past 3 years have been hell for me...depression, antidepressants, therapy & psychatrists! My Pdoc recently said to me to go for a check with my pcp and I did. Boy was I surprised when my blood work came back!

Good post!! After years of feeling "off" if not totally depressed and exhausted, my doctor found suspicious nodules on my thyroid. Long story short, I had a total thyroidectomy and am on synthroid. If the synthroid is off AT ALL, I suffer the worst mood swings ever! I guess throid and thyroid pills can contribute to many issues.

Here here!!! good post!
I have Subclinical Graves= hyperthyroidism; it runs in my family. My grandmother died before I was born; she was only 53. They didn't know how to treat it then. She died of a "Thyroid Storm".

It imitates BP. Unfortunately, many doctors would prefer to label people BP; as opposed to doing a Thyroid Function Test.

It has explained much to me about my bouts with depression.---thanks for the post!!Pax-theo

What's so sad or maybe frustrating is that a person can present every hypothyroid or hyperthyroid symptom and their blood tests still not indicate a problem. Think of how many elderly people suffer from a wide variety of mental health issues that could possibly be thyroid related but the few lab tests they get don't even check for that possibility.

Thyroid problems in the elderly, even when they are diagnosed, are apparently seldom treated - most can't endure surgery, medications can make other health problems worse, etc.

I've recently joined a wonderful thyroid forum-style website and it's amazing how many members talk about how their mental/emotional issues changed dramatically once they received an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

theodora, sudden elevation in BP and heart rate with palpitations 24/7 sent me to the doctor 2 years ago this summer. My internist swore up one side and down the other that I was bound to have heart disease, that my symptoms were classic when it came to women having heart disease. She acknowledged that my blood tests and thyroid tests indicated slight (at the time) hyperthyroidism but wouldn't have it any other way than I had heart disease and depression.

I immediately saw a cardiologist and had all the nuclear tests, echocardiogram, etc., and he said my heart was strong - my symptoms were stemming from being hyperthyroid.

I went back to the internist who seemed quite irritated with me for wanting a referral to see an endocrinologist but thank goodness I kept pushing. I saw the cardiologist 2 weeks ago to get his O.K. for thyroid surgery (I now have multiple nodules) and he repeated his original diagnosis, that my heart is fine.

I am so hopeful that getting off the wild ride that hyperthyroidism has had me on since 2009 and maybe the stability of thyroid hormone replacement will dramatically help with my other health problems.

Thank you sooo much for this thread!!!

So, is everyone gonna get out there and ask the proverbial "stupid" question when they are diagnosed??? There ain't no such thing as a "stupid" question!!!!!

Come on folks!! Lets do so?

Shall we rid ourselves of the myth that Doctors are infallible??? Just read what Queen of Chaos has related to us all!!!

Do you know that the Endocrine (hormonal) system is intricately interwoven with the Nervous System? Do a study--what are "endorphins"? You know, "Exercise can help you out of your depression"--why? It stimulates feel good hormones........

Ah shut up theo!! No. We just might put the Mental Health Field out of business!!!.........How many people do you know who do not have "Bipolar", "Depression", "Mania", "Anxiety".............ugh...shut up theo. fine. ------pax--theo

I have been wondering about this as I had read that one of the signs of a thyroid issue is hearing a heartbeat in your ear, I have that. And I have had an increase in all the moods they talk about in this article. But I also have PTSD, now I am wondering if the increased mood and depression and lack of appetite is thyroid.

I have very little appetite, but I am not losing weight, which I should be considering I don't really eat much.

I don't see anything in the article about lack of appetite.

But my T says that could be from depression. And I do have bouts of crying as well.

Thanks for posting this, I am just not sure where or what to do next as it seems that physicians tend to dismiss this diagnosis.

Open Eyes