Mental health

[Gracefulgiraffe]

I have been and still am suffering severe mental health issues and gynae problems too. Does anyone else suffer from both as well as thyroid problems too ?

[jimh111]

Not both, because I'm male! I found that when I was hypothyroid I became very irritable and prone to a touch of ADHD as well as having severe working memory problems. Hypothyroidism is known to cause gynae problems, including heavy periods and reduced fertility as well as loss of libido. Severe hypothyroidism can lead to 'myxoedema madness'. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety.

In a recent post you gave these results Serum TSH level 4.77miu/L (0.27-4.2), Serum free T4 level 13.5pmol/L(12.0-22.0). I belive your levothyroxine was increased from 75 to 100 mcg. This is unlikely to be enough. When treated with levothyroxine most patients need their TSH closer to 1.0 and an fT4 around 18 or 20. Some patients also need some liothyronine (L-T3) but it is very difficult to get a doctor to prescribe it now due to cost. I would ask for a review of your levothyroxine and another increase in your dose.

I wouldn't expect severe mental health issues with your hormone levels. If you have depression it's worth noting that some antidepressants do not work until the patient is given liothyronine. It's not clear whether this is because the antidepressants do not work without liothyronine or whether the patient simply needs liothyronine to resolve hypothyroidism and the antidepressants aren't needed.

[Gracefulgiraffe]

All the doctors are very confused atm. I have had mh for years long before thyroid problems. My gynae problems have been getting worse not better. I also have pcos and migraines for years too. I am taking a lot of tablets for different things oh and menieres and gout too ! Feel physically and mentally exhausted. Just feel like giving up

[greygoose in reply to Gracefulgiraffe]

You may think you've had them long before thyroid problems, but how do you know when your thyroid hormones started? It comes on slowly, and you don't immediately start having symptoms that doctors associate with thyroid. So, by the time you manage to get diagnosed, you could have had a struggling thyroid for years and years.

Is your thyroid being correctly treated? That's the most important thing to know, because low thyroid can cause complete devastation in the body. Do you have a copy of your last blood test? If so, post it here, with the ranges, and let's have a look. It's important to know what they've been testing, and exactly what the results were.

[wowserclo]

Acute mental health problems as a result of hashimotos / hypothyroid. Chronic cognitive problems / anxiety/ depression and brain fog

[KatherineM_PBC]

Hiya. I can sense the desperation in your message :-(. I'm hypothyroid and have a condition called PBC. This last year I've had chronic migraine which has taken my mind off the first 2!!! Until I was itching today which is a reminder of my PBC and I sunk into quite a low today too. So, late at night when I probably should be sleeping, I'm on here looking for support like you. I do hope you have a better day tmrw, when you read this you will realise you have gotten through another day :-). I would speak to your GP and tell them you feel overwhelmed, perhaps they can offer you something to make you less anxious and upset too. Thinking of you x

[Gracefulgiraffe in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

Because of my cptsd and bpd the later of which they now think has been mos diagnosed and they now think is bi polar I have been assessed 3 times in 10 days. Just managed to stay out of hospital with help from HTT . My gp says I’m probably under medicated from thyroid but because of everything else going on has postponed my blood test till November.

[Gracefulgiraffe in reply to KatherineM_PBC]

Just wanted to say thanks for responding. Didn’t know what pbc was so looked it up. Hope you feel better soon too. x

[silverfox7]

As every cell in our body needs the thyroxine to work properly anythingcan happened and so symptoms can be very diverse. That. An mean from time to time we. An. E diagnosed with something else because of the symptoms. Your doctor is probably right and it could be that your dose isn't optimal. So always make sure you regularly get your thyroid tested and then if you need help with understanding what is happening post them on here for more help. Don't forget the ranges though as they differ from lab to lab so omeithout them we would just be guessing

[eeng]

A lot of medication can interfere with the absorption of thyroid hormones. You need to find a way of taking the thyroid hormones at least 2 hours away from everything else you take. Many people take their Levothyroxine at bedtime, others who wake up in the night take it then.

You need to get your doctor to check your iron, ferritin, Folate, Vit B12 and D levels, because they are very often low in people with thyroid problems, and unless they are at healthy levels (e.g. middle of the range) your thyroid meds won't work properly.