[jitters]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/he...er=rss&emc=rss

In patients with depression, anxiety and other psychiatric problems, doctors often find abnormal blood levels of thyroid hormone. Treating the problem, they have found, can lead to improvements in mood, memory and cognition.

Now researchers are exploring a somewhat controversial link between minor, or subclinical, thyroid problems and some patients’ psychiatric difficulties. After reviewing the literature on subclinical hypothyroidism and mood, Dr. Russell Joffe, a psychiatrist at the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, and colleagues recently concluded that treating the condition, which affects about 2 percent of Americans, could alleviate some patients’ psychiatric symptoms and might even prevent future cognitive decline.

Patients with psychiatric symptoms, Dr. Joffe said, “tell us that given thyroid hormones, they get better."

Has anyone here been treated for hypothyroidism even through your test results were technically normal? It's my understanding that the current tests aren't sensitive enough to detect hyper/hypothyroidism in certain individuals, which means there may be a segment of the population walking around with untreated thyroid disorder who believe they're suffering from "treatment resistant depression".

I wonder how to best broach this subject with a physician. I imagine that it's going to take some time before the medical establishment gets on board with this new approach to treating patients with symptoms of thyroid disorder who have clinically normal test results.

[bluemountains]

I'm treated for hypothyroidism. Unfortunately I still have depression. I also take cymbalta and wellbutrin. I was treated for depression first and I was very hopeful when I began the thyroid medication that I would finally feel well, but it hasn't happened yet after three years of thyroid med adjustments. I have been on depression meds for nine years and the dosages/meds have had to be changed five times.

My psychologist has suggested that I talk to the family dr. about the research you talk about because maybe I am still not on a proper dosage. My grandmother, mother, qne sister all had/have the same problems. None of us were/are able to get off of the psych meds, so maybe I have some other physical issues as well.

Perhaps you can talk with your therapist/pdoc to find out how to approach your physician??? My reg. dr. is very interested to have records sent concerning my mental health so that she can prescribe accordingly.

[fruithippie]

When I was 13 I had my thyroid completely removed due to hyperthyroidism and some other issues. They said I had had it since very early childhood it was just undetectable until then. Anytime I've mentioned a concern with diabetes or sleeping problems or some emotional problems (they ask you to tell them everything that is wrong because it could be thyroid related) she always brushes it off. I had to make her give me a glucose test once. I've also been how I am my whole life. Maybe my thyroid is the reason. Thanks for the article.