Mood swings & burst of anger: This has happened a... - Thyroid UK

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Mood swings & burst of anger

Humphre profile image
32 Replies

This has happened a few times over the years, that I've been drinking nothing ott but 3-4 glasses of wine & suddenly out of nowhere I'm upset shouting at hubby for no apparent reason🤦 I've been very good of late not to drank too much. (Just recently back on 125mcg daily instead of eod as my moods were dipping & tiredness 3 pm slump still waiting for blood results & due ACTH stim test next month.)

Had lovely afternoon & spoilt it hubby not as understanding as I would like & difficult to explain. What I'm asking has anyone suffered this? & what did you do that helped vitamin/mineral wise I know I will have to stop alcohol tried in past & I felt left out.

Thanks also needed to sound off as I'm in the dog house😥

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Humphre profile image
Humphre
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32 Replies
Star13 profile image
Star13

could it be hormone related? Does this happen at certain times of the month for instance or are you getting into peri menopause?

As for being left out there are loads of low alcohol or substitute drinks available now, especially in the summer and as someone who can’t drink cos of medication I take some with me when I go to parties so I know they are there. People are more understanding than you think. Be kinder on yourself ….and hubby!

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to Star13

Thanks for the instant reply! I'm nearly 70 so possibly hormonal but only happens roughly 6-8 monthly not regular at all. Peri menopausal🤔I'll have to look that up was in my late 50's for menopause. I'm looking into extra vitamins to boost me up.Yes I'm usually the one to drive if at a party but find a lot of low/non alcoholic drinks are too sweet or blow me up so usually water🤣 I'm just going to have to find my willpower 🤞 thanks for your thoughts.

Regenallotment profile image
Regenallotment

oh yes, the filter falls off with wine for sure. Ive been quite obnoxious in the past for sure.

I’ve discovered I’m allergic to sulphites. I feel absolutely awful within minutes of drinking wine now. I’ve tried expensive sulphite free and it is better but I don’t really enjoy feeling tiddly anymore.

I’ve almost entirely given up alcohol, I’ll have a very occasional vodka soda.

instead I’ve discovered Trip CBD and Goodrays CBD. I get the mellow and grown up drink without sugar and they seem to suit me. 🌱

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to Regenallotment

Cool I'll look into those😋 never thought of sulphides usually I've been ok then throw a wobble but it's happening a tad to many times be better for my health anyway. Thank you

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at previous posts

Your hypothyroidism is autoimmune (please add that you have Hashimoto’s on your profile page)

Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

If not get tested BEFORE trialing gluten free

Gluten can cause mood changes

drugs.com/medical-answers/9....

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.

Most common by far is gluten.

Dairy is second most common.

A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential

A strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential due to gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and may slowly lower TPO antibodies

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first as per NICE Guidelines

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng20/c...

Or buy a test online, about £20

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet 

(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially) 

Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial

With loads of vegan dairy alternatives these days it’s not as difficult as in the past

Post discussing gluten

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Humphre profile image
Humphre

Thank you I received this advice from you early on in my journey & I took note not celiac but have benefitted from gluten free, odd occasions I've have gluten without a problem but perhaps I've gone too far just lately 🤦 I tried dairy free for 6 months but gradually reintroduced still to be careful only small amounts no overload so I've not been helping myself. Thank you for useful updates which shall of course read through.I don't have pepsin in my stomach & take Betaine HCL at every meal sometimes extra if I've struggled with wind/bloating/cramps which seems to help. Take loads of vitamins which make a difference. Looks like a rethink thanks 😁

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Humphre

I found as soon as I went strictly gluten free anxiety just vanished

If I (very occasionally) get accidentally glutened eating out……will feel fed up, moody and depressed for about a week or so

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to SlowDragon

Yes I must be more vigilant were glutens concern but I think problem lies with alcohol 😐 appen the sulphides anyway I'll try again & hopefully not be nasty to my hubby🤦thanks

Zephyrbear profile image
Zephyrbear

“… hubby not as understanding as I would like…” I’m sorry, but why should hubby have to compensate for your lack of control? If you know alcohol does this to you, why do you bother with it? There are plenty of other, just as nice, substitutes that won’t spoil what was a nice afternoon and make everybody’s life miserable.

This condition affects so many aspects of our lives but, when we come across a particularly nasty effect from something like alcohol (which is NOT essential to our wellbeing) it’s easy enough to cut it out especially if it means everybody gets to be happier for it.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to Zephyrbear

Thanks for your criticism & yes I do know better not to drink at all which I tried various times. Not always easy with my family & lifestyle plus I find some of the alternatives disgusting/sugary. I'm mindful that my hubby doesn't understand the full impact of my symptoms & sometimes can make out like it's all in my mind. These outbursts don't happen often, I think it might be to do with change in recent dosage which might have to change again as the endo cock-up the last most recent blood test, so I'll have to start again. I also think as I'm getting older my body is changing. For 20+ years I've just solider on, since finding this site I have gained lots of knowledge still putting it into practice.

JoJoloveschocolate profile image
JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Humphre

I can’t tolerate alcohol at all these days and I think it’s definitely related to hashi/hypo. I’ve given it up completely as any amount makes me drunk very quickly and then totally knocks me out! One drink started to feel like ten! It sounds to me like your mood was affected by the lower dose you were on, and also now you have the increase to contend with too until it all stabilises again. I think like you said your hubby maybe doesn’t understand the full impact of the illness and also changes in dose etc…how it all can affect mood and emotion. Maybe alcohol is the trigger but maybe the underlying issue is the illness/treatment being a bit unstable again. Before my last dose change I was irritated by everything and had emotional outbursts. My hubby is more understanding these days since I showed him some info on hashis/hypo about the effects on all the different systems of the body. I don’t think he realised how much was affected by the thyroid. Partners do need to be more understanding. It’s a difficult illness to navigate, really hard trying to get everything in balance and keep it level.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to JoJoloveschocolate

Interesting I'll be sure to be careful from now on had changed my drinking habits & amount over the last few years & Regenallotment re sulphides so I'm still learning. I need also to bring hubby on board be more up to date.Thanks

JoJoloveschocolate profile image
JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Humphre

Anytime I find anything interesting about hashis/hypo I show my hubby now and he really takes an interest and can empathise more. He can’t believe some of the issues with care and medication etc - shocked him I think. I’ve been understanding and supportive about his diabetes for years so I reckon it’s the least he can do.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to JoJoloveschocolate

Aw bless, I do discuss articles with him but I'll broach this lastest episode & the lovely ideas from this group👍

radd profile image
radd in reply to Humphre

Humphre,

Elevated testosterone can cause anger outbursts, and is one of the few hormones that can increase in older women. Have you any of the other associated symptoms such as a hairy chin or receding hairline?

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to radd

No hairy chin as yet hair line has receded but started growing back so no idea what's happening endocrinologist is looking into that 🤔well it was discussed so we'll see but thanks for heads up😊

Farrugia profile image
Farrugia in reply to Humphre

If you're discussing hormones with an endocrinologist then maybe you could ask about HRT. I was frequently furious before I started HRT, it made such a difference to me. A lot of doctors will be reluctant to start prescribing HRT to women nearing 70 but I recently read an article by Dr Louise Newson about how she prescribed HRT to a woman in her 70's who had terrible mental health issues and the HRT was transformational for her. You could look on the Newson Health website or on her Balance-Menopause website - she talks a lot about how low hormones post menopause affect us mentally and emotionally. I've definitely had to cut right down on alcohol too, especially wine.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to Farrugia

Thank you I'll look into that 👍

humanbean profile image
humanbean

I used to, occasionally, lose control of my temper. It was so bad that I frightened myself!

One thing that helped enormously was eliminating gluten and optimising my basic nutrients.

I stayed off gluten for five years but then relapsed and have never succeeded in giving it up again. I do still keep my nutrients at good levels. Thankfully the anger problem hasn't come back, so I think for me personally it is/was improving my nutrients that helped.

I gave up alcohol about 15 years ago and have never gone back to drinking it, but I never found that giving it up had any effect on whether or not I lost my temper.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to humanbean

Thank you for that I know I need to improve my nutrients plus the endo messing about hasn't helped I think & I've to see what happens with the cortisol test so many hurdles. Again I'll need to find will power to abstain see how it goes🤔perhaps I need to reinstate milk thistle been taking for months but ran out thought I'd have a break heyho see how we go.😊

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply to humanbean

i have often frightened people (and shocked myself) with sudden outbursts of anger that just well up from nowhere (usually the shouting kind rather than the punching kind) .. fortunately for everyone this only happens sporadically.

honestly dunno what causes it. but i suspect it's largely "hormones" (and the fact that i don't say if something is bothering me for far too long , until it boils over)

it's not booze in my case~ i used to be able to drink in my youth before i went hypo, nowadays 2 small gins will have me sneaking off to bed feeling like i've drunk 9 whisky's, but whenever i've 'lost it' i've always been stone cold sober.

many yrs ago i did connect it to my contraception... i had that Depo-provera injection (progesterone only ~ lasts 3 mths), and within 24hrs from having it ,out of the blue i'd hit both my children.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to tattybogle

Aw I'm amazed how many suffer from this trigger, mines shouty too yes I'm drinking less than my youth/middle age thought I was ok with what I drank on Sunday 😱so wrong at least I'm getting wiser so long as I remember ----hormones & messing with my dose 🤞soon sorted.

arTistapple profile image
arTistapple

Hilary Mantel had a really good observation on this. Unfortunately when I was clearing out, I threw her quote out. Something along the lines of, presumably when our balance is out of kilter, hypothyroidism or for whatever the reason - “I feel an overwhelming anger build suddenly …”

It’s an anger able to overcome our natural inhibitions (me saying this). I find the only person who gets in the firing line is my husband - or at least mainly because my social life is non existent! Alcohol as we know is a ‘natural’ suppressor of inhibitions.

This does not negate our rightful anger and frustration. However perhaps it’s something that needs to be expressed at a time when our inhibitions are a bit more protective of someone who genuinely tries to be on our side; even if it’s impossible for them to truly appreciate our plight.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to arTistapple

Mines the flick of a switch even after the outburst I've no idea why, happen your right inhibitions to come to the surface with alcohol I need to be more resilient in good drink intake 👍

Espeegee profile image
Espeegee

You know what, I drank socially as much as many people. I then went on holiday and after drinking had the worst hangover. I vowed never to drink to excess again and I haven't. In fact some wine tipped me into AF, sure way to spoil an evening, so I hardly bother at all. I don't miss it and have swung the other way a bit, why do people believe they have to drink to enjoy a social gathering. When we're out with friends now I stick to water and it's amusing watching people slowly getting drunk, slurring words and then struggling to stay awake. I tend to feel a tad righteous. It took them ages to accept I wasn't going to drink alcohol, they're used to it now. I won't ever go back, I have at max 2 glasses of wine, suits me fine.

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to Espeegee

Excellent willpower I'll just have to try harder I'm learning more so will take one day at a time(never drank Mon to Thur anyway) just cope with weekends times are changing. Thanks for your story.

serenfach profile image
serenfach

When you lose your temper at a speeding tractor with the driver giving you the finger, do not jump out in the road and start swearing in Welsh (and some old saxon words!). I very rarely see red, but this time I was ready to take on the tractor driver who was on the phone too. I am old and female but at the time I was the incredible hulk!

Phoned the police who suggested I sent them an email. I nearly lost it again!

I moved to straight tonic with ice when out. People thought it was a G+T so did not bother me. I like tonic water luckily as some brands are not sweet. Worth a go?

tattybogle profile image
tattybogle in reply to serenfach

me too serenfach, i may sometimes have one 'real' one to start , but after that , a nice quality tonic water and ice with a slice is what i drink ~ not sweet and sickly , everyone else thinks it's gin so that deals with the "go on ... have a drink ", it costs nowt, and i don't feel unwell as a result .

Humphre profile image
Humphre in reply to serenfach

Oh my😳 yes I like tonic 👍I'm going to pop to Tesco see if I can get Trip as suggested anniversary weekend away coming up so I must behave 🙏

JoJoloveschocolate profile image
JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Humphre

I’m looking at Trip now too! Like the sound of them. Thanks to Regenallotment for the Trip tip!

Regenallotment profile image
Regenallotment in reply to JoJoloveschocolate

You will be all zen and calm before you know it 🙏 peace ✌🏼🌱

Humphre profile image
Humphre

🤞🙏

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