[matcha2]

My therapist is saying that it is likely that I am Schizoaffective and not Bipolar, because you cannot be both. She thinks that my Bipolar symptoms were linked to my Thyroid. I do not see my Psychiatrist until September to conform that I am officially not Bipolar, and that the symptoms were from my Thyroid.

Does anyone have this experience? Did you get a detailed test of your Thyroid? Because apparently the ones Doctors give in physicals are not very detailed, they have to order a special test (that you will have to request). It has been recommended that people with mood related mental illness get their Thyroid thoroughly checked because Thyroid imbalance is common in these cases. The Thyroid can make matters worse, or in some cases be the entire reason for the Bipolar symptoms.

Does anyone know how a Doctor handles a case in which the Thyroid was causing Bipolar symptoms? Do they have to continue medication if their Thyroid is balanced, in case the Thyroid becomes unbalanced?

I was Bipolar for 10 years, and I just assumed that the Doctors did a Thyroid test. For 10 years my medication was trying to prevent imbalance in the brain, when it was due to my Thyroid.

I am also now reading that Thyroid problems can also be misdiagnosed as Schizophrenia, so I am starting to question if I am Schizoaffective as well. I am doing research into the topic, because it sounds too good to be true.

[Travelinglady]

Hello, matcha, and welcome to Psych Central! I take a thyroid pill and my level is normal now. Because my thyroid is not working right, I will have to take the pill the rest of my life. Thyroids don't just heal themselves, alas.

I can see how thyroid problems could lead to depression, but I am not sure they could cause other types of mental disorders.

[SnakeCharmer]

The first symptoms of thyroid disorders are often depression, anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia and sometimes mania. But there are also other physical signs and symptoms that a good doctor can pick up, even without blood tests.

The tests you want to ask for are T3, T4, and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone.) If the physical exam and blood tests come back abnormal, the doctor may also order an ultrasound of the gland and maybe a few other tests. I have a complicated thyroid disorder that required blood tests, antibody tests, ultrasounds, radioactive iodine uptake tests and two more scans. None of the tests hurt.

Treatment is one pill a day. But, unfortunately, I wasn't able to stop taking any of the meds I take for my other co-existing conditions. The benefit was that I started feeling a lot better. When the thyroid got straightened out, it allowed the other meds to keep the other conditions under control.

Where I live, it is now common for psychiatrists to do thyroid and nutritional testing. But this is a recent development. Ten years ago, it was very uncommon.

I hope the doctor and your therapist help you get your problem figured out as soon as possible.

[avlady]

i agre with snake charmer, the same thing is with me.

[matcha2]

Thanks, there is so much to learn. I am seeing my Primary Care soon to request seeing a Thyroid Specialist. A test was done over a year ago that found my Thyroid out of balance, and I was only told Synthyroid would help me lose weight. This is why my Therapist thinks my Bipolar was linked to my Thyroid, because I am on a pretty high dose of Synthyroid.