Hyperthyroid depression

[ja4ne]

My GP said I had thyrotoxicosis last October, since then I have become very depressed, my GP does not seem to know if it is connected, has anyone else experienced this, any thoughts welcome

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Can you share your most recent thyroid blood test results, as your medication may need adjusting. What are you currently taking/ dosage?

My mental health is significantly worse if thyroid medication or key thyroid vitamins (folate, ferritin, B12, vit D) are not optimal. Please remember when medics say bloods are normal/ within range, this may not be the same as optimal.

[ja4ne in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you for your reply, recent thyroid tests TSH <0.02 (0.30-4,50), T4 24.7 (11-22), T3 10.1 (3.1-6.8), TRAB <1.0-1.8). I have not had any thyroid medicine since last October.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to ja4ne]

Have you been offered any medication to get FT3 and FT4 within range? Have your levels fallen or risen since your last test?

[ja4ne in reply to Buddy195]

I am waiting to see an endocrinologist, I was referred last October and blood tests then until the end of January have just dropped a little.

[Den_And in reply to ja4ne]

Seems an extraordinary long time to wait to to get an Endocrinologist referral. Your Hyperthyroidism status needs urgent specialist attention to determine treatment & formally diagnose underlying Hashimoto’s etc. After 6-months of no Thyroid medication your body is still saying please don’t give me any more because your T4 & T3 are flooded. They urgently need to get these down !!!!!!!!

[ja4ne in reply to Den_And]

Thank you for your reply Den, I am due to see an endo soon.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Have you ever had antibodies checked?

Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) needs to be confirmed via positive TRab or TSI:

TRab

TSH receptor antibodies

TSI

Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin

TPO & TG antibodies may be Graves or Hashimotos.

 TPOab

Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies

TGab

Thyroglobulin antibodies

[ja4ne in reply to Buddy195]

They checked TRAB which is <1.0 IU/L (1.0-1.8),

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to ja4ne]

I would push for TPO and TSI to be tested. I was misdiagnosed as Graves, so understand importance of correct antibody tests.

What are your key thyroid vitamin levels?

[ja4ne in reply to Buddy195]

I will ask if they will do TSI, Folate is >20.0ug/L (2-5), Ferritin 91 (23-400), B12 969 ng/L (197-771), Vit D 91 (25-150nmol/L,

[greygoose in reply to ja4ne]

Well, your TRAB is negative. And your Frees are really high enough to be Graves'. So, if I were you I'd push for TPO antibodies because you could very well have Hashi's with those Free levels.

[ja4ne in reply to greygoose]

Will ask if they will do tests, it was with my GP not knowing if depression is linked to thyroid problems and saying about antidepressants that I was concerned.

[greygoose in reply to ja4ne]

That is concerning, yes. They should know that it is. But they do love to prescribe antidepressants! I think they get some sort of financial incentive for doing that. But, then again, they really don't know much about thyroid.

And, if you do have Hashi's, you need to know.

[ja4ne in reply to greygoose]

It is concerning as I feel they would make me worse, thank you for your reply.

[greygoose in reply to ja4ne]

You're welcome.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

I was offered antidepressants too. So thankful to members of this forum such as greygoose who pushed me to question my diagnosis and get correct antibodies tested. I have Hashimotos (but more hyper than hypo symptoms) plus TED.

[ja4ne in reply to Buddy195]

Glad you got to know what was wrong, I am in touch with my GP in a fortnights time and see the endo so will ask about tests.

[JuSa44]

Absolutely. I read that the thyroid hormones impact every cell in the body and therefore all our physiological functions. My hyperthyroidism has made me feel very unhinged and depressed. Being unwell, so buzzed up and hyper, is very upsetting and it is only natural for you to feel down. I feel as if my current Graves relapse has given me PTSD. Have you checked your hormone levels and are you in the normal range yet?

[ja4ne in reply to JuSa44]

I had my last blood test at the end of January, my GP said next full blood test will be September, she said about antidepressants for depression as she does not know what has triggered it.

[JuSa44 in reply to ja4ne]

Wow that seems crazy to wait so long between blood tests. Just that alone would make me depressed! I hope you feel better soon!

[ja4ne in reply to JuSa44]

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ja4ne]

I had my last blood test at the end of January, my GP said next full blood test will be September

Next blood test should have been 6-8 WEEKS later …..very very poor care from GP

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Depression (& anxiety) is very common with thyroid dysfunction.

I think it would help if you put a history in your profile.

Your previous post mention you were on NDT & a thyroid scan show you had nodule.

You stopped replacements months ago, dr should have frequently retested levels.

Many use private blood testing companies to gain a full picture in 1 go.

You can order a kit online and sample can be taken by fingerprick test at home, (extra fee for clinic visit / home visit venous draw) sample posted back & results available online often very quickly.

Sample recommended to be taken at 09.00 fast overnight, (for those taking replacement, it should be delayed until after draw) avoid biotin 3 days before test.

See link for private companies with discounts with many packages & options.

thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

Medichecks thyroid advanced is as good option, includes function, key nutrients & TPO & TG antibodies.

[ja4ne in reply to PurpleNails]

Thank you PurpleNails for your information, I have got an appointment to see Endo next week so I think she will want blood tests done.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

My GP said I had thyrotoxicosis last October

Why

Looking at previous posts you are hypothyroid and on replacement thyroid hormones

Exactly what were you taking last October

Levothyroxine or NDT

How much

Exactly what are you taking now

Never ever agree to dose reduction based on just TSH

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

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

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

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

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

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.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

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, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

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

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

Being hypothyroid CAUSES depression

If you were on levothyroxine/NDT and now stopped taking you will rapidly become hypothyroid

Bloods MUST be taken 6-8 weeks after any dose change

If you were over medicated (perhaps unlikely) dose should only ever be reduced in very small steps

[ja4ne in reply to SlowDragon]

I was taking a small dose of ndt until last October, I thought this must have pushed the T3 and T4 up so stopped taking any, the blood tests in October were T4 26.4 (11.00-22.0), T3 11.5 (3.1-6.8) and at the end of January were T4 24.7, T3 10.1 same ranges so had just dropped a little, TSH was still <0.02. It seems to be since I had covid and three vaccines that the numbers have changed. I am a bit puzzled of how the numbers have changed so much. I see an endo soon so I will be having blood taken then.