Can Hypothyroidism affect your emotions?

[joannec123]

This may sound like a really stupid question but lately its as though I have no emotion towards anything, even my partner. its horrible. my libido has gone too?! could this be related to my recent diagnosis of Hypo? or am I just putting everything down to it now??

[Moggie]

It can effect our emotions BIG time. From no stop crying one minute to rages of temper the next (and every other emotion in between). Get your levels right and your emotions level out to.

Moggie x

[kala3 in reply to Moggie]

Hi Moggie, I have raging emotions, the no-stop crying to rages of temper, going to the depths of despair, depression, i'm on 125 mg levothyroxine and 125 mg lamotrigine for the mood swings. My Doctor keeps telling me my results all normal, been banging my head against the wall for over seven years trying to get doctor to listen, Have got to the stage where i wonder if it's worth carrying on with the meds,

[Moggie in reply to kala3]

I'm afraid you don't have an option as to stop your thyroid meds would be very dangerous and definitely the wrong thing to do.

Have you had any of the vital vitamins tested that your thyroid meds need to enable your body to use them properly (VitD, B12, Ferritin, Iron and Folates), if so please post results in a separate question, along with your latest thyroid results (don't forget the ranges) and people will be able to advise you as to whether things need looking at.

Moggie x

[joannec123 in reply to Moggie]

But this emotionless, blank, not caring feeling is horrible? is this really down to the thyroid do you think then?

[babycatcher7572]

Hi....those blank feelings and loss of libido were the symptoms which worried me most before my hypo diagnosis.i couldn't give a stuff about anything at all.very difficult to smile. I was only interested in sleeping so loss of libido didn't matter then. I think these symptoms are very common in hypoT. It should improve when levels are optimal x

[joannec123 in reply to babycatcher7572]

Oh thanks so much for replying and telling me this. im going mad with it all to be honest. My partner and I have been arguing about me not "Giving a damn" I know I do, but I just cant get any feelings ?! or get any kind of libido I hope it improves. ive only been on the levo for 10 days and only 25mcg to see how I get on. You cant believe that one organ can affect so many parts of your body, especially the brain/moods etc.. I really snapped at my young daughter yesterday which I never ever do. feel really bad about these lack of feelings at the moment. Yes, sleep is all you do think about!

What were your results like when you first got dg? mines borderline on the bloods. (T3/T4) Thanks x

[babycatcher7572 in reply to joannec123]

You may wish to read thro my past blogs...they certainly will not cheer you up but will give you an insight into how mentally tortuous this condition is.it took over 12 months and a change from one very useless Gp before another started me on levo. Its great you've started it but it is a low dose and will probably need further increases before you start to feel better so hang in there fir now and don't be too hard on yourself. You are ill . One of my most difficult tasks was getting hubby to accept and understand this.get him reading.

these were my initial bloods

tsh 0.3-4.2. 6.3

ft4. 12-22. 16.4. feb 2010

April 2019

tsh 4.3

ft4 15.5

then i was told all normal ....go change my life....

sept 2011

tsh 10.98

ft4 16.2

ft3 (hurray!) 4-6.8. 4.8

levo just made me toxic. My bloods showed a bottom of the range ft3 and stayed that way for a long time but of course all normal. It was dr p who agreed with me when id suggested i wasn't converting the t4 to t3 and started t3 with levo.

im feeling much better but still not quite right.my cognitive functioning still isn't fab.dr p wants me to try NDT next.....and so my journey continues x x

[T3sortedme in reply to babycatcher7572]

Just a thought. T4 did not help me (got to 120mg T4 and TSH 0.02 but felt no better) so Endo added T3 and I got improvement. After reading Paul Robinson's book I realised I could be one of those whose faulty chemistry changes T4 to reverse T3 (rT3) which blocks access of normal T3 to the cells. Endo was reluctant but let me stop T4 over a couple of weeks and like magic I became well (and have remained so). You may well be different to me but worth looking out for reducing T4 and finding you improve!

[T3sortedme in reply to T3sortedme]

PS I am a guy but I also get the same, very reduced libido! It is more than just tiredness as that has mostly gone now.

My general emotions are fine since just T3. I have a wonderful and understanding wife who has helped me through 5 years of being tired, uncommunicative etc. You really both need a good understanding of the illness and the realities of how it makes you both feel. You need to recognise that it is the illness, not you that is the problem. That can help you get alongside one another in working through it. I developed coping strategies e.g. when I had no energy and could not work or take part in simple family life and felt very low, empty and useless, I would find one positive thing to do each day that was within my ability. That helped me feel more positive and able. Hope that helps!!

[Moggie]

I couldn't have put it better than Babycatcher has - she is spot on with her answer but if your T4 and T3 are not looking good then its no wonder you a feeling the way you are. Are you on thyroid meds and if so have you had all the vitamin tested that I mentioned to Kala? It is not as simple as popping a little white pill and everything will get better, its more complicated than that as the little white pill working properly depends on other things in your body being right.

Moggie

[joannec123 in reply to Moggie]

Hi again, my TSH was 2.3 (0.35 -4.5) Free T3 4.1 (4-8.3) Free T4 11.1 (10-24) that was about three weeks ago, so she said as im borderline HYPO she will try me on the Levo 25mcg to see if it helps, which im hoping it will do, the funny thing is, I felt better for the first 5 days taking it, now I feel really bad again, really tired, gritty/puffy eyes/cold headaches, etc etc.. I have about 20 symptoms of hypo! Im guessing this is the first line of medication to try the Levo at a low dose , then up it gradually if it is helping... then if it doesn't help at a higher dose then you have to look into the other stuff everyones mentioned here about T3 and T4 not converting etc... is this linked to Hashimotos? just that someone mentioned to me on here that I may have it cos my IgA was HIGH ?? 4.34 My GP never mentioned anything about that I just read it on my copy of all my bloods....

She hasn't tested me for B12, even though I asked her to. but seems to have done lots of other stuff.

[Boronia]

Yes I have those lack of feelings too and drives my partner and adult daughter mad too because it comes across very cold and uncaring which is so not my usual state. It also worries me as it sounds like depression yet in another weird way I dont feel like Im depressed. Most of the time I prefer to be left alone-am tweaking supplements & NDT dose but not as good as I'd like yet-hang in there....we have to have hope we can feel better x

[joannec123 in reply to Boronia]

Thanks for replying, yes that's how I feel too. never knew thyroid problems were this bad!! x

[antonia26]

God this sounds like me and my doctor keeps telling me it cause i.m tired and i.m tired cause i have a family to look after .i can't get anywhere with my doctor at all they got answer for everything after many years or borderline results they now say its normal and won.t retest until another 6 montha and only doing one test last results where 2.2 and abnormal was 3.1. I also had a baby 8 wks before i had my bloods taken.

[joannec123 in reply to antonia26]

Hi, please don't give up, my first GP I saw did my bloods but just tested the standard TSH level which is what you have put I think.. mine was 2.3 so she said it was bang in the middle so all normal!

I didn't believe it as I have so many symptoms and a strong family history so I saw a different Dr and told her id been on this site! and that could she check my T3 and T4, she was hesitant as she said its expensive - all down to money as usual!! but cos of my symptoms etc she said shed ask the lab. in the end they did them and they cam back borderline - see my post above. HYPO. so now Im trying levo. only been on them 10 days. Its more than just feeling tired isn't it? I know. Do you have any other symptoms? good luck x Jo

[Moomin333]

I think peoples levels are individual. After all the amount of levo that people take if they've had their thyroid removed or has "died" is different. My neighbour who's daughters thyroid has died, she takes 200mg and I, who had my thyroid removed has been various amounts of levo, currently on 75 and now it's too low, loads of symptoms, so back to the doc to say "ok let's put it back up." The highest amount I've been on was 175 when it was 1st removed, then 150, 125, 100, and now 75. Fed up yes I am. My husband is loosing patience now.

[tegz]

There's a downward spiral to UAT where the libido is reduced due to the effect on testosterone [women need this as well as men -though a lot less].

UAT can reduce Test. but also Test. is needed to help with de-iodinasing [can't remember the path- D2?] so there is a vicious circle set up which can also include the adrenals [on balance] as endocrine glands all work together.

Whether this is tied in to inability to convert T4 is not clear- as not enough research is done on real patients [I wonder why?]

I felt worse on Levo 25mcg and glad to get off it.

TSH stuck at 2.2 now [has been over 4.0]- and seeing Bristol clinic soon I may have borderline adrenals.

[Peacefullbliss]

I had over a number of years become unable to manage my anger. My anger felt like it was beyond my control. On top of that I had terrible brain fog and my memory began declining. My head was a mess. I was really not myself. I read Dr K's book Why Isn't My Brain Working?: A Revolutionary Understanding of Brain Decline and Effective Strategies to Recover Your Brain's Health

amazon.co.uk/dp/0985690437, and started taking supplements. I discovered from his summary that I was having problems with dopomine and serotonin. I also started working on my adrenal fatigue. Started taking vitamin c, e, b and magnesium and also nutri adrenal extra. These two steps changed things for me hugely! Sorting my adrenals has helped balance my hormones. The brain supplements have taken away brain fog and restored my memory. My angry outbursts have substantially reduced. My mind is clear. I feel like myself again.

[Thyroidseb]

thyroid.about.com/od/bookss....

have a look at this and maybe send it to your other half? X

[joannec123 in reply to Thyroidseb]

thanks, x

[joannec123]

Hi, omg youre so young to have this bless you. I feel the same towards my partner as ive said above. Ive started on a very small does of Levo and feel better, but not much emotion wise, so gonna go see my GP and maybe up my dose. Do you take any meds yet? x

[joannec123]

I so feel exactly the same as you about my partner, sometimes I cant even be bothered to see him/talk to him and I only see him weekends as he works away! I used to get so excited seeing him etc... its horrible. I started to feel better fairly quickly on 25mcg but my gp said wont kick in until 6 weeks, so hold on in there. I just had some bloods redone today as ive been on it 6 weeks tomorrow.... so will see what they come back like, I think I need an increase too.... Hugs x

[joannec123]

I know, keep posting and I will keep in touch, it does help knowing theres other people in the same boat. Im seeing a different GP whose not quite as amiable as mine, but hoping she will up my dose on Monday, ive been really tired today!! x

[joannec123]

Hi Nicole, how are you doing now? any better? ive been on the Levo for about 10 weeks now, im better but not my emotions!! I feel very disconnected still, like you, and im so worried I'm not going to return to my usual self?! I have no emotion towards my partner still and its just a nightmare. getting Flushes and itching still too, the other GP was of no use, and infact, didn't think I should be even on this low dose of 24mcg!! as I am only "borderline" she suggested I get my bloods redone mid Jan including Eostrogen level as ive had a full hysterectomy....

[joannec123]

Sorry to hear that. Luckily my usual GP was the one who did start me on Levo..am hoping she will increase it. Ive started B12 tablets today, but in the past I haven't been able to take any B supplements as they give me tingling in hands etc.... I think levo takes about 6 weeks to kick in and that is a very low dose (same as me) I did feel better quite quickly but nows it's dipped again...Well, hope we get sorted in the New Year! x

[joannec123]

Hi, not the best news , but my partner and I have split up over New Year I couldn't cope with having no feelings anymore and decided im better on my own at the moment, but its prob the wrong decision but the only one I know right now

[jacob1234]

Hi Everyone,

My girlfriend was diagnosed with Hyper and potentially graves disease at the end of last year. She began taking medicine which then lowered her levels to extreme hypo. She is now on the opposite medication to raise her levels.

We were both so deeply in love with each other and have both never been happier than when together ( she still says that). We always talked of being together forever and hated being apart. However towards the end of last year i noticed that she was off with me which i thought were symptoms but then it got to the stage where she thought it was weird if she came over to my house, saw me and doesn't want to see my parents etc so we have gone on a break. I have been immensely understanding as i know its not her and i love her so much, so i am more than prepared to stick with her and support her until she is better. The only concern is that shes unsure whether its because of this disease or if its natural feelings? i just think its too much of a coincidence that she has this disease which causes lack of emotions and then she loses feeling for me? she says that she hasn't had the feelings for a while but we also believe that she has had this disease for a while.

I just hope more than anything the feelings come back but I am very scared that they are not going to we both deserve each other as we were soul mates.

You are not alone!

[joannec123 in reply to jacob1234]

Hi Jacob,

Sorry to hear that. Your story is identical to how I am feeling about my partner. But, again I reckon I have had HYPO for a while too. Even though we have now split up and I haven't seen him for over a week, I cant cry or feel anything!! its horrible and very weird. I loved him so much I just don't understand it all.

I hope your GF feels better and gets her feelings back for you as you sound like a lovely man x

[joannec123 in reply to joannec123]

ps, did her libido go? as mine has!? that's awful too

[jacob1234]

Hi Joanne,

She says there is nothing more she wants than for us to be back happy but she doesn't have the feelings right now. We are both going to keep our fingers crossed and wait and see but i don't know how long it is going to take?! she still talks to me loads/everyday and we meet up. she cries everyday and i am the only person she tells her problems to.

yes her libido completely went and is gone, i didn't know if it was just her but she changed from the early days! I am fairly confident that in time her emotions will return, she will miss me and we can try and start again!

Hope you get back to yourself soon x