Hypothyroidism and Anxiety/Panic/Depression

[Brightfuture22]

I am curious how many people in here have hypothyroidism and/or slightly elevated TSH levels? I had my blood drawn/tested this week and everything was good except for my TSH level, it was 5.38 and normal, according to the test, is 0-4.5. Now I have shown elevated before but my doctor didn't want to put me on meds for it because it was just barely raised. Now they are considering doing it, so I was just wondering if anyone in here has hypothyroidism as well? I read online it can cause/interfere with anxiety and depression.

Cheers,

💜 Ash

[Mike7777]

What is tsh?

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Mike7777]

It's a hormone your thyroid produces.

[Shanpa69]

Hi yes l have been experiencing the same with a slightly raised TSH level on a few occasions l took bloods this week and it’s returned raised again my GP will not start me on medication even though l am experiencing many symptoms which is making my life more challenging. I don’t know if your a member of the Thyroid group on HealthUnlocked if not it may be worth while asking this question there as well. I hope you manage to get an outcome which suits you as many Gp don’t understand how difficult it to live with Thyroid difficulties and how much it can impact on your daily living

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Shanpa69]

Thank you for sharing! I will look up that group and join. I have so many questions. I heard back from my cardiologist's assistant today and she said he does not want to start me on any meds. Idk how I feel about it, the "anxiety ridden, afraid to take any medication because of a fear of side effects" side of me is definitely okay with not taking meds. But I also don't want to continue with more and more symptoms if it's possible I can stop them. I hope that you feel better soon!

Cheers,

Ashley

[Shanpa69 in reply to Brightfuture22]

Hi Brightfuture 22 are you happy not to take medication? Are your symptoms manageable? My symptoms are bad fatigue hair loss weight gain irregular periods constipation hoarseness anxiety and depression which l have always suffered most of my life but if you do take medication it will be for life. it is worth joining the group the people there are very knowledgeable and give you an insight into what you need to do in regards to testing as just taking the TSH test which the NHS only offer is not effective enough they said you should have your T4 and T3 done as well but NHS don’t usually test and most people pay privately

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Shanpa69]

I just don't know what the symptoms of hypothyroidism is, and how they differ from my anxiety symptoms. I have a lot of what you said your symptoms are.

I did have my T4 tested and it was in normal range, that's why my doctor didn't want to start me on thyroid meds. Are there more tests that I can request? Thank you for your help!

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Brightfuture22]

There are many symptoms, especially if you have Hashimoto’s (the thyroid affects almost every process in our bodies). Depression and anxiety are right up there. As a matter of fact, right before I was experiencing intense anxiety. However, my TSH was 17 (and eventually exceeded 100 before it stabilized). Feel free to message me if you have any other questions. I have read up quite a bit on the condition.

[lillyofthevalley37]

Dopamine plays an important part in the thyroid system it tells the pituitary to tell the thyroid to make more thyroxine

And iodine is important for the thyroid to work I have a pinch of organic sea kelp on my toast every day

I would avoid going on drugs if I was you as most people feel rubbish on it - unless you have hashimotos which is an autoimmune thyroid condition

Deppression goes hand in hand with hypothyroidism

Do all you can to fix your thyroid before you go on drugs that means supplimenting with selenium ( or eating a few Brazil nuts everyday) vitamin b12 , iodine rich foods and vitamin d 3 and tyrosine (which will boost dopamine)

[Brightfuture22 in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

Is there a test for hasimotos?

you mentioned vitamin D, I am extremely deficient in Vitamin D. I am at a 14 and the normal range is 30-100. I wonder if that plays a part in my thyroid not working properly. My b12 was on the lower end of normal, I don't remember what it was but I think I was in like the lowest 10% of normal range.

Thank you for your help and kind words!

[thyroidmom84 in reply to Brightfuture22]

I have Hashimoto’s. I am in America, and it is estimated that between 70-90% of all hypothyroidism is caused by Hashimoto’s. Your doctor can do a blood test of your thyroid antibodies to determine the diagnosis.

[Brightfuture22 in reply to thyroidmom84]

Thank you for your reply! 💜

[Wwerty]

Yes I’ve always suffered with anxiety but was able to manage it and it never took over my life until 4 months ago when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and since then and trying to sort my meds out for that my anxiety is through the roof to the point I’m stuck in the house, I’m suffering with depression that I never had before, it’s not a nice journey to be on 😢

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Wwerty]

Oh no, I am so sorry you are going through so much wwerty! Have you found anything that helps, either your anxiety/depression or hypothyroidism? I hope that you are able to find a balance soon!

Cheers,

Ash

[Arniestal]

I have an underactive thyroid, this is the first time I have heard of it linked with anxiety and depression. As I have both I am very interested. When I was first given thyroid medication Dr said if I didn't have so many symptoms she wouldn't have given me it. But I really needed it and have been taking for ten years. Recently I've lost more hair which I thought was thyroid but levels OK. So I think I'll take selenium.

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Arniestal]

Thank you for sharing your story with me! I appreciate your information and I hope that you find relief form your anxiety/derpression/hair loss soon! 💜

[Hidden]

5.37 is not normal. It indicating that your thyroid function is low. I got really sick when this happened to me. I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. My primary Dr thought I was depressed and put me on a SSRI. Which caused me lots of other problems that I am trying to remedy to this day. Once I saw an endocrinologist my energy came back and I got back to a normal weight. But, a specialist might have more insight for you especially if you have any Hypo symptoms. Thyroid disease affects mental health and other metabolic functions so it’s good to check it out.

[Brightfuture22 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply, can you tell me what your level was at? Did you get a specific test done for the hashimotos? Does the meds you are taking for hashimotos help with the depression/anxiety?

[Hidden in reply to Brightfuture22]

Around 5.8. I was falling asleep during the day and I had to drink coffee to stay awake. I was also overweight and depressed. I was getting panic attacks but, I suspect it was the caffeine. Ultrasound is the test to identify HM nodules in you thyroid or if you are unfortunate enough to develop goiter from not treating it. Being at the right thyroid level will help anxiety and depression but, the correlation is difficult to determine. You want to return the levels to “normal” and see how that goes. I personally am working on lowering the level. I’m at around a 1.4 but I have lost more weight recently and I am definitely feeling hyper. I’m am at 100mg and I am thinking about dropping another unit. If you take too much it may make you feel nervous and anxious. Well I’m having GAD currently so it may have and effect on that currently.

[Hidden]

BTW thyroid meds don’t really have that many side effect unless you have the dose wrong. Too much can make you sick. But, they aren’t like Pychotropics or other medications that can have side effects. Thyroid medication is a replacement for what you are underproducing.