ADHD & Thyroid Disorders : Hey everyone, I’m new... - Thyroid UK

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ADHD & Thyroid Disorders

RelaxedRhino profile image
8 Replies

Hey everyone, I’m new here!

I have a diagnosis of ADHD and am meant to be taking ADHD medication for it, however, I have recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. After doing some research I’ve seen some articles saying you can’t take certain ADHD medications while having a thyroid disorder?? Does anyone have anything they’ve read or know that they could share?

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RelaxedRhino
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8 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

Hi RelaxedRhino, welcome to the forum. :)

How was your hyperthyroidism diagnosed? Were your antibodies tested? If so, which ones?

The reason I'm asking is that there can be several reasons for hyperthyroidism - i.e. suppressed TSH and very high FT4 and FT3 - but doctors don't tend to know the difference. So, it's very important to know exactly what was tested and what the exact results were. If you don't have that information, ask at reception for a print-out of your results, or access to your results on-line. Then, post them on here - results and ranges - and we can help you understand them. You must be certain that you're on the right medication. :)

RelaxedRhino profile image
RelaxedRhino in reply to greygoose

Hey GreyGoose,

I’ve got some more results on the way but for now:

Cortisol - 745

TSH - 0.43

T4 - 13.5

T3 - 3.8

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to RelaxedRhino

Sorry, but we need the ranges for those results. Otherwise, they're meaningless because ranges vary from lab to lab. But, those results certainly don't look hyper. I'm guessing they're all in-range.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to RelaxedRhino

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Without ranges these results are meaningless

But these look like HYPOthyroid results …NOT hyperthyroid

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested 

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once for Hashimoto’s (autoimmune hypothyroid disease)

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

See EXACTLY what GP has tested before starting any medication

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms, before becoming increasingly hypothyroid

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease 

And also with hyperthyroidism (Graves disease )

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am

This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test 

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

ADHD and thyroid

adhdonline.com/is-it-adhd-o...

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to RelaxedRhino

Any updates on the results ?

Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

Welcome to the forum RelaxedRhino,

So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg when you were diagnosed, ongoing symptoms, prescribed medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH 

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody tests- these are particularly important for a correct diagnosis of hyperthyroidism/ Graves. I was initially diagnosed as having the latter, but following advice here to further test antibodies, I found I’m actually hypothyroid with Hashimotos.

It’s also important to have key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12), as optimal levels support thyroid health, so do ask your GP to test these in the first instance.

StanleyThyroid profile image
StanleyThyroid

Hi RelaxedRhino, I take elvanse in the morning and levo last thing at night. I have not noticed any impact and asked my clinician who said there wasn't an issue. I would be interested to see what you find out.

Serendipitious profile image
Serendipitious

RelaxedRhino,

I've also recently been diagnosed with ADHD. I have Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism. I'm taking bupriopion around 9am and my Levothyroxine at about 7am. Not sure if I've noticed a difference. I've only been on it for about a month and not sure that's enough to see a difference. Where did you read this?

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