Hypothyroidism & ADHD /meds

[PastelOak]

Hello, community!

I’ve suffered from hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) since childhood, and after many years of poor response to Levothyroxine, successfully moved onto treatment with Natural Desiccated Thyroid almost ten years ago now. Switching to NDT was life-changing, and has really improved my stamina and helped reduce depression symptoms and brain fog.

However, I was recently also diagnosed with severe adult ADHD, which I’m now taking medication for (methylphenidate /Concerta XL slow release). The ADHD medication has significantly improved the way I feel emotionally and has allowed me to focus, having a huge impact on reducing my almost paralyzing anxiety.

Today I came across an online study and an article stating its thought that between 48% and 79% of children with thyroid problems also have ADHD; apparently there is a connection between the two. This is all news to me, and I’m hungry to learn more!

Are there others here with hypothyroidism and ADHD? Which did you have diagnosed first? How do you treat both conditions, and have you experienced any issues or side effects from taking these two medications together?

I’ve started taking my ADHD slow release meds in the morning to an empty stomach, then about 1-2 hours later, after breakfast, I take my NDT, which I’m splitting to two doses (I take the second dose at lunchtime).

I’d be curious to hear your advice and experiences relating to the best approach in taking these two meds at the most effective and safest times.

Lastly, does anyone here know about the impact of NDT /thyroid hormones on ADHD brain? Are there known interactions between methylphenidate and thyroid meds?

Many questions, but appreciate hearing all kinds of thoughts and experiences around this topic.

Thank you! X

Purple

[greygoose]

I don't have any personal experience of ADHD, nor of the medication you are taking. But, are you saying that you take your NDT immediately after breakfast and lunch? That will probably affect its absorption. And all medication should be taken at least 2 hours away from thyroid hormone.

I thought you might be interested in the following thread/article about ADHD. I seen it mentioned on several list as being a symptom of hypothyroidism. And that would certainly seem like a possibility to my mind. So, the question is: are you adequately medicated for hypo.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu......

I think the discussion that follows this post is rather interesting, and the possibility of it being linked to hypo is certainly raised. But I think Toss3 was either a troll or a doctor, and has never been heard from since! Probably just joined to make those comments.

Can I ask you how your ADHD was diagnosed?

[Capan24]

I don't take ADHD medicine now. But when I did I took it in the morning and took my thyroid medicine at night. I still take my thyroid medicine at night because it is on an empty stomach and I don't have to worry about not eating and it interacting with any other supplements. My father had add, both my brothers, and both my children were diagnosed with adhd. I was diagnosed later in life around 35, though I always knew I had it. I never noticed any interaction between the two medications taking them this way. I have been on many ADHD medications in the past, adderall, concerta, and Vyvanse. I was diagnosed with hashimoto's in 2006 at age 46. I took the medication mainly to help me focus at work because I was a nurse. Now that I'm retired I pretty much embrace my ADHD and I'm not on medication.

[asidist]

Hi there, not sure I have much of help to add to the discussion unfortunately but did want to ✋as another thyroid patient (hashi's induced) with a Dx of moderate-severe ADD. I previously researched the connection between the two and am aware of it but of course now not able to remember much of what I read🙄

I find it very difficult to separate most symptoms in terms of which are ADD-based and which are due to general cognitive difficulties/brain fog from Hashimoto's, and am not sure to what degree it's possible to separate the two. The most problematic for me are executive functioning issues.

Personally I've resisted getting on medication over the years, and had high hopes that getting thyroid levels in order would reduce the issues enough to allow me to manage without meds (I had struggled but gotten by before things went awry thyroid-wise), or that good thyroid levels might even more-or-less resolve the issues, but after too many years of pursuing improved thyroid levels, have about given up on that. (Also not sure I want to go back to "getting by" but being rather miserable.) So, have been considering seeing a psychiatrist and starting on meds soon.

It's so helpful to hear your ADD meds reduced your anxiety by helping you focus, thanks for noting that. I was a bit worried they might increase my anxiety, but hopefully will have the same experience as you. I do remember distinctly when trying cocaine a few times (can we say such things on this forum?) in somewhat younger years, I felt incredibly calm and clear-headed and "normal" for the first time, vs feeling energized or hyper, and that was one more reason at the time to consider getting evaluated for ADD.

Re timing, I take my first dose of thyroid hormones several hours before waking (on days I don't immediately pass out again after turning off my alarm, lol) so if I start ADD meds, I assume that would work well for then taking those upon waking, and a second dose of thyroid hormones in the afternoon.

Hope more members chime in.

[Shoey1]

I have both and am just starting off trying to combine meds.

I got the adhd diagnosis first, about 12 years ago, but decided to ignore it until last year. I took methylphenidate for a short while back then but can't remember much about what it did and didn't do. I felt very conflicted about the diagnosis and things weren't as understood as they are now.

I got the hypothyroid diagnosis about 3.5 years ago when we were going through ivf abroad. I'd had issues since puberty which all came on at once and I was convinced were linked but my GP was incredibly dismissive over a number of years. We went through ivf here 3 times with no success and no reason given. It was immediately picked up there ( I think the diagnosis threshold is lower) and was given levo. It was life changing. I'd been feeling so awful for so long I didn't really know any different, now I can barely believe I managed to keep going.

Now I have a 2.5 year old and although I'm feeling much more alive on NDT (swapped over a few months ago and it's better than the levo for me) the organisational difficulties persist. I don't want them to impact my son so I put myself back into the system for an adhd meds appointment. Had an appointment today and was prescribed short acting methylphenidate which I pick up tomorrow. Unsure of how to stagger the doses of NDT ( 2x a day) with the methylphenidate and food/caffeine intake. Any suggestions gratefully accepted!

Looking forwards to any further info that is supplied to your op.

[Insomania]

I am only now at 49 starting to come to terms that I may have ADHD. There is autism and ADHD across three generations of my family, my mum, dad, brother, my three children, my brothers three children.

It’s difficult to do a short story on the learning curve I’ve been on but the headliners would be therapy for childhood trauma, perimenopause and hypothyroidism. There has been, what I can only describe as, an unravelling of coping mechanisms! Now my thyroid is better treated with NDT (getting towards optimum) and my vits and minerals are optimum, I can really see my executive functioning challenges, working memory is non existent, organisation, sensory issues, movement stims, I’m rarely ‘still.’ Coming to terms with a lifetime of masking (as a child, to stay safe). Whew it’s big. I haven’t yet started ADHD diagnosis process but I will do.

There are other physical health conditions that link with neurodevelopmental conditions which may end up in years to come being markers, e.g. epilepsy, eating disorders, Hypermobility, EDS, etc. Thyroid issues do seem common in ND community. Though I believe my thyroid issues started in pregnancy, 7 years ago.