Thyroid and Mental Health (desperate)

[ErraticAspie]

Hi,

Since my diagnosis with Hypothyroidism, I have had, at best erratic relief of some symptoms with varied dosages of Levothyroxine (more likely, I have learned to cope with the massive life altering consequences a bit).

However, recently I have been having mental health symptoms. agitation, stress, anxiety about a whole host of everyday things that are completely ridiculous,health anxiety, as well as all of the other cognitive symptoms. This is making life very difficult to live and I do not know what to do. I have comorbid Autism that has conditioned my life but never impacted me like this. Anxiety has always been severe with me but since Levothyroxine, has increased by several orders of magnitude, and only increasing recently. Seen a GP who told me that my symptoms aren’t treatable and offered me an SSRI. He won’t refer me to other experts. I am desperate.

[shaws Administrator]

I'm sorry you are having unpleasant symptoms at present, and most - I think as I'm not medically qualified - is due to not having a doctor who is sensible and who ought to know clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism. The majority of GPs seem to have little knowledge of how to diagnose/treat a patient who has symptoms.

I would definitely change the doctor from the one you have consulted and if you state your area asking if anyone has knowledge of a good doctor/endocrinologist who may help you to relieve your symptoms.

If you click on my name you will see the struggle I had to get diagnosed but - with the help of other members - I am now well and symptom-free.

Do you follow the method to get the best result?

For your next test make the earliest appointment and do not take thyroid hormones until after your blood draw. You can drink water.

Always get a print-out of your results for your own records and you can state them on the forum

[Forestgarden]

Hi there, I understand your feelings of extreme anxiety and how it can completely take over your life. I was diagnosed with Graves in 2013, but had been living with hyperthyroid symptoms for at least a year before I knew what it was. I could barely function I was so gripped with anxiety about everything and anything. Firstly, have you had your bloods done? What are the tsh, free t4 and free t3 results? Are you taking your levo at the same time each day, on an empty stomach, with only water, and at least an hour before any other food or drink?

[arTistapple]

When is this utter disrespect to end? Yes it’s doctors ignorance. Yes there are (unnecessary) financial implications for funding. Yes the research needs to be done or at least completed. However the longer I watch all this, to me, it’s the basic level of disrespect for women and any poor male of the species who is unlucky to also experience thyroid problems. I have no doubt at all that this disrespect is far wider reaching. It seems that ‘expendable’ people are everywhere at the moment. My sense is that this is central to e.g. hypothyroidism. Our inability to just get on with life without constant negotiation with ‘self’ is a pain. It’s not recognised. Simply put. It’s just not right and I intend not to be expendable. Tough talk!

ErraticAspie we must understand that what you describe is very much part of the picture of thyroid issues. When I am having mental issues, I try very much to hold on to the fact that it’s the illness and not me, causing it. As far back as I can remember it’s been ‘my fault’. Sometimes it’s hard to hold on. The forum is a lifeline. I have not used the Wren Project but it looks knowledgable, perhaps now is the time to give it a go.

The forum is our common ground but we remain individuals. Take heart. Contact the Wren Project and think about the rest of the advice in your replies.

[Insomania]

I am on different treatment (Armour NDT) but I can absolutely concur the effect of undertreated thyroid on mental health.

When the dose increases I feel great, then it tails off as I’m ready for a dose increase. Last week I felt so agitated, anxious and panicky it felt like my body was vibrating. I could not sleep. Dose increased and equilibrium has returned. Not 100% because I’m not yet ‘optimum’ but getting there.

I had such a rubbish time with the NHS over two years, I was offered anti-depressants at every appointment. I get NDT from a private thyroid doctor (telehealth) and I feel listened to at last.