Overactive thyroid and general anxiety disorder

[Sal888]

I suffer from general anxiety disorder and for the last few weeks I had been losing weight and had really bad tremors, I kept running to the doctor telling her I felt worse than I ever had and explained weight loss and shakes. She put this down to anxiety that I have suffered from for over 3 years. I mentioned thyroid as I had suffered two years ago but went into remission - I get thyroid checks every few months. Anyway the last one I had was 6 weeks previous and I was told it couldn’t possibly be thyroid because 6 weeks isn’t long enough to have thyroid changes, I had my thyroid test results today and my thyroid has become overactive again. I guess I wanted to know if anyone can give advice on why it has went to overactive so quickly?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you got any blood test results you can add?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto's. (hypothyroid- under active)

Hashimoto's frequently starts with a period of hyperthyroid type symptoms

Graves' disease (hyperthyroid- over active) needs TSI or TRab antibodies tested

It's extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Ask GP to test thyroid antibodies and vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

If TPO or TG antibodies are high this is usually Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease). Though they can also be high with a Graves

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's and Graves

Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.

So it's important to get ALL antibodies tested at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Sal888 in reply to SlowDragon]

I had tsh 0.01 ft4 44, that was the only bloods I had taken, I had been seeing Endo and was told a few years back that it was more than likely graves. I have now been referred back after today’s blood results, I was put back on carbimazole 10mg and to be honest I think it’s quite a low dose but I’m not sure it’s just others seem to have a starting dose of 20mg

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sal888]

Ask GP to test vitamins and antibodies

Or test privately

[Cat4health]

It can happen quickly once the autoimmune response is in place. Did your tsh come up before? I'm sorry to hear you've relapsed. If I were you I'd seek treatment for your GAD as that is undoubtedly contributing to the autoimmunity

[ling]

Hi Sal, I'm writing because I'm really sorry u are feeling so badly. I've gone through the severe weight loss before so I know how freaky and stressful it is.

Since u are back on carbimazole, that should take care of the hyper. To help with the weight loss and tremors, please dial back on physical and mental stressors as much as possible. If possible, a complete time out to rest up and relax, will definitely help. These steps will help make the weight loss stop sooner. And I believe the tremors too, as your body and mind regains normality.

Best wishes.

[asidist]

hi sal88, im much more familiar with research around factors surrounding underactive thyroid functioning, but fwiw i know thyroid functioning is very sensitive to environmental/dietary factors. in addition to/as part of getting vitamins and minerals in order, many people find gluten and/or dairy to be problematic to their thyroid functioning, esp when autoimmunity is involved. research suggests gut health greatly affects thyroid functioning - partly why elimination diets are often recommended (though perhaps more for underactive thyroid?). research also seems to indicate that stress/lack of sleep and exposure to chemicals/bacteria/viruses/parasites can also affect thyroid functioning, though i don’t know to what degree. it can be difficult to figure out (esp because endocrine disrupting chemicals are somewhat ubiquitous) but thought worth mentioning in case any of those ring a bell for you.

hope that helps and you are able to feel better soon

[Purple500]

The vitamin B12 helps with anxiety.