Personality disorder and thyroid issues. - Thyroid UK

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Personality disorder and thyroid issues.

Jovb36 profile image
8 Replies

Hi guys, I have posted before because I thought that I may have bipolar but after seeing my phyciatrist today for the first time she believes that I actually have a mixed personality disorder (Borderline/anxious). It is such a relief that after 20 years of being on and off meds and all my ups and downs I can actually put my finger on it and say 'yes, this is what it is!' She also noticed that I had have a goitre in my neck which is a swelling of the thyroid gland. I've had blood tests before but nothing was detected, and a biopsy taken from nodules within the thyroid gland which were not cancerous, however this Dr is convinced that I have an underactive thyroid which needs fixing asap! It would make sense as I'm constantly tired, no energy, overweight, PCOS etc...with all of this also contributing to my low mood. I was wondering if anyone here has been diagnosed with a personality disorder before and if anyone has had thyroid issues that have been undetected...like I'm guessing mine has been for all this time.

Thanks in advance guys xxx

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Jovb36
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Jovb36,

It's not uncommon to have anxiety and depression when undiagnosed hypothyroid and some people have experienced full blown psychosis. There is also a connection between autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) which causes 90% of hypothyroidism and PCOS.

Ask your GP to test your thyroid function and antibodies. Arrange the blood test early in the morning when TSH is highest and fast (water only) as TSH drops after eating and drinking. Ask your GP receptionist for a printout of your results with the ranges (figures in brackets after results) a couple of days after the blood draw and post them in a new question and members will advise.

Jovb36 profile image
Jovb36 in reply to Clutter

Thank you so much. I will be researching and investigating further. Ive always had this swelling in my neck, just thought it was normal? However when I had a wisdom tooth removed the anesthetist told me to get it checked out as they had problems getting the breathing tube down my throat and then the phyciatrist picked up again on it today. The phyciatrist told me that when I had a biopsy on the thyroid gland nodules even though my GP told me that they were cold ( and nothing to worry about as not cancerous ) that would indicate that the thyroid is not working properly and in my case is probably underactive! She told me today to start taking iodine which my elevate some of my symptoms and that she was going to write to my GP so that the correct tests can be carried out ASAP. I'm hoping that it is the thyroid to be honest then at least I can take meds to regulate it because I can't go on like this, however I will be really pissed off because every doctor I've ever seen has either dismissed it, not noticed the goitre or has told me that I don't have a thyroid problem as my bloods are fine...apparently! I have also been taking Metformin for my PCOS as the GP believes that I am insulin resistant...however it's made no difference to my weight or periods at all, infact I think it makes me worse as it's zapping my energy 😩 Again thanks so much for your response, I'll keep you updated with how things go xxx

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Jovb36

Jovb35,

Nodules don't usually affect thyroid levels so it is entirely possible your thyroid levels were normal a few years ago. Things change though so you should certainly have your thyroid levels and antibodies checked now.

I would NOT take iodine. Iodine has been used to reduce thyroid levels in hyperthyroid patients and if your thyroid level is low it is the last thing you need. Iodine can also trigger and exacerbate autoimmune thyroiditis.

Jovb36 profile image
Jovb36 in reply to Clutter

The last set of tests and the biopsy that I had was around 6 years ago so you're right things could well have changed so best to get it looked at again I guess, can't hurt. As for the iodine I'm not going to start taking it or anything else until I've had tests and diagnosis...if there is one that is xxx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Suggest you ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells.

Also have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's, the most common cause of being hypo. NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG.

Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out

When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.

Usual advice on this test, (home one or on NHS) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water)

TrishaD profile image
TrishaD

Read Magnesium Miracle

Greenwall profile image
Greenwall

It does not surprise me that you have been "labelled" wrongly all these years. I know of 2 folk who had labels such as "depressed", "bipolar" and "personality disorder", but it turned out to be aspergers. Docs are trained to look for these "mental health labels", but not alternatives. So, if anyone has had a "label" for a long time, then I suggest they investigate alternative diagnosis. One doc admitted that even in the 90's they would not have thought of an alternative diagnosis.

Jovb36 profile image
Jovb36

Thank you so much for this post it's been really helpful. I'm researching lots now and I'm on the case xxx

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