Severe anxiety - link to Thyroid?

[Tnb00]

Hi everyone,

Posting here as I came across the forum and everybody seems so supportive.

For the last 3 months I’ve been experiencing severe anxiety and derealisation. A sense that nothing is real, I don’t even recognise myself in the mirror. This came out of nowhere, I’m 32 years old.

I visited my GP who tested my Thyroid function and I got the following results:

Serum ferritin - 572 ug/l (range of 30-400)

Serum free T4 - 25pmol (range of 11-21.2)

Serum TSH - 0.68mlu/l (range of 0.27-4.2)

The Thyroid was dismissed and I’ve since started CBT Therapy and have been on Citalopram AD’s for 5 weeks but nothing is changing the feeling of derealisation.

Could it be that my Thyroid needs further examination?

thanks so much in advance

[greygoose]

Hi Tnb00, welcome to the forum.

Yes, your thyroid does need further examination, because those symptoms could very well be thyroid-related. But, it's doubtful you'd get it from your doctor at this point, having just done what he considers to be 'full thyroid testing'! It isn't.

So, you could get it done privately. You need:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin - and with ferritin you need CRP tested, which is an inflammation marker. High levels of inflammation falsely raise ferritin levels, so as yours is high, you need to know if that's the cause.

List of recommended private blood test companies here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Tnb00 in reply to greygoose]

hi grey goose,

Thanks so much for your response, I’ve just ordered the blue horizon gold thyroid test which seems to include everything you mentioned!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tnb00]

Test early morning and only drink water between waking and test

Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements

Stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before test

Presumably looking at ferritin range ….you’re male?

Your ferritin is high

GP should be doing full iron panel test to test for hemochromatosis

[Tnb00 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi slowdragon, I currently take Vitamin D and Omega 3 supplements. I’ll check the containers to see if they contain biotin ahead of doing the test.

Honestly I don’t know if ferritin is what I’m looking at, I’m just looking for some explanation that would explain why I’m feeling like I do at the moment because it’s effecting every aspect of my life.

I’m a male, yes. I’ll speak to my GP about an iron panel test though.

Thank you!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tnb00]

High ferritin (storage form of iron) can be due to inflammation so testing CRP will show if any inflammation prescribe

High ferritin can also be linked with being hyperthyroid

Ft4 is very slightly raised

More tests needed

[Tnb00 in reply to SlowDragon]

I’ve ordered a private thyroid test that covers CRP as well so should give more clarity.

Should the comprehensive test be able to definitely say wether this is a thyroid issue?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tnb00]

not necessarily …..but should give a lot more information

You might need ultrasound scan of thyroid too

And full iron panel test to see if only ferritin is high, or iron also high

[Tnb00 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you! I’ll update this thread once I know more, seriously appreciate your help!

[Anthea55]

Hi Tnb00,

Your feeling of derealisation reminds me of something similar which happened to me. It was when I was going through menopause (which I see won't apply to you!). I had all sorts of unpleasant symptoms. To cut a long story short, I went to a nutritional doctor who tested me and recommended supplements and changes to my diet. This took time, but my health improved greatly. By the way, this was long before I knew anything about my thyroid.

Unfortunately most doctors these days have very little training in nutrition. My nutritionist pointed out that if you sort out nutritional problems, then medical/other problems will present themselves more clearly.

I suggest that you consult a nutritionist.

BANT is the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine. Here's their web site.

bant.org.uk/

You'll see a link on that page to 'Find a Practitioner' which lets you find qualified nutritionists near you or anywhere you prefer.

I hope this helps.

[Tnb00]

Hi Anthea55 ,

Th ask you for your message - I’ll be sure to follow up on this as I’m at a loss at the moment and am willing to try anything!