Thyroid Hormones and Blood Sugar Linked to Major Depressive Disorder Severity

[helvella]

I think this article is interesting.

But it is concerning that someone could invert, distort, pervert the research and do things like:

🔸 Infer that without thyroid hormones, blood sugar, lipid levels being out of range, the person isn't suffering.

🔸 Miss that all the problems with thyroid testing (individuality, lack of test harmonisation, test interference, timing and previous dose issues, effects of other diseases and medicines, etc.) will apply - and more - when used in the context of MDD.

🔸 Imply that thyroid hormones, blood sugar, lipid levels being out of range means someone has MDD.

🔸 Forget that lipid levels are at least substantially dependent on thyroid hormone levels.

🔸 Assume that simply restoring in-range thyroid test results sorts MDD.

🔸 Fail to realise that someone can have other issues alongside MDD.

These are fears of misuse - but with hope that they do not happen.

Thyroid Hormones and Blood Sugar Linked to Major Depressive Disorder Severity

·June 19, 2023

Summary: A new study provides crucial insights into the potential relationship between thyroid hormones, blood sugar, lipid levels, and their effects on Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Researchers explored the intricate roles of these biological markers on MDD prognosis, the probability of suicidal behavior, and potential treatments. The findings show an association between abnormal thyroid hormone levels, disturbed blood sugar and lipid levels with severe MDD symptoms and suicidal tendencies.

These insights could revolutionize mental healthcare, enabling individualized treatments and improved prevention strategies.

Rest of article and onward links here:

neurosciencenews.com/depres...

[Mammaelf]

I struggle so badly to loose weight. My levo is below my level for my current weight but my exhaustion is gone, so reluctant to mess with it. Any ideas for a sustainable healthy diet? X

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Mammaelf]

Please start a new post to ask that. Otherwise any answers you get will end up mixed in with any comments on this post. It can be very confusing!

You need to click on the blue Write button to start a new post.

The blue Write button for starting new posts

[BB001]

Thank you for posting. So apparently I have a major depressive disorder because they 'Imply that thyroid hormones, blood sugar, lipid levels being out of range means someone has MDD'! I don't have MDD just poor conversion of T4 to T3 and my T3 was too low when on levothyroxine.

Edit: this was tongue in cheek, to show how rubbish their thinking is.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to BB001]

That is more my fear than the current reality.

[arTistapple]

After your thorough review helvella, you just are not enticing me to read this!

[bookish]

It is interesting but also concerning, and where are the B vitamin markers, homocysteine etc.

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

[buddy99]

Very interesting. Recently I read a pubmed publication that claimed that being depressed sets one up for autoimmune diseases. So this seems to go both ways. Does one have Hashi's because of depression or is one depressed because of Hashi's. I see both possibilities. There is still so much work to be done.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to buddy99]

Have to say, my view is to look for organic issues right up front.

If found, then (hopefully) treatments can be supplied. Which seems a reasonably good thing to happen - at least, at first glance. Things are rarely wholly obvious and simple!

It appears that there are some genetic factors which provide an environment in which autoimmune diseases occur - a predisposition.

That implies depression in those not predisposed cannot then cause autoimmune disease.

I'm not at all keen on mental issues being seen as direct causes of physical diseases. Though, obviously, some behaviours within mental issues can cause or worsen diseases.

[buddy99 in reply to helvella]

There is probably never just one cause and effect for most issues. And then epigenetics is now thrown into the mix. That's why making a fast medical decision and sticking to it is rarely good for chronic diseases, I think. And one-fits-all also does not work very well. It just can not be simplified with good results.

[Gingernut44]

Could their self indulgence drivel get any worse

[Lulu2607]

You are right helvella . Scientists need to be aware of how their findings might be used. A common problem. A link/correlation/association etc is not the same as experimental findings ie not proof. Media is particularly guilty of sensational reporting of findings from studies as proof of something when it isn't. The findings of this study could be useful in flagging up potential issues with a patient that means careful monitoring may be needed. It doesn't mean they will definitely occur. The downside is that incorrect negative assumptions might be made about individuals based on how the findings are reported and used. It also creates mistrust of scientists.