Anxiety

[Dollc86]

Hey guys,

I'm back again. Under the care of an endo since last July. Don't really speak to my gp about my thyroid now. Apparently my levels are all good. Finally got them to where he wanted them around May this year. Just now though the anxiety is starting to creep back and now I'm thinking I can hardly blame my thyroid for this, I'm wondering is it a separate issue now although it did start when the flare up started 2 years ago. I suppose my question is do any of you take meds for anxiety? Do they help. I'm terrified of having to take anything and not sure what to do! My mental health only started to get bad when all this started having covid making my thyroid go crazy says the endo. Have been hypo since 2014.

[greygoose]

Just because your levels are where your endo wants them to be doesn't mean they're where you need them. Such arrogance on his part! He's not inside your body, only you can know if your levels are right for you.

So, the first thing you need to do is get print-outs of your results, with the ranges, and post them on here.

I find it highly unlikely that you have suddenly developed a new health problem with exactly the same symptoms as you had with hypo. Far more likely that you need an increase in dose.

[Dollc86 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose,

Thanks for your reply, I don't have my last results, he says I should be between 1 and 2 tsh wise which I have been and actually felt good since he put me upto 125mcg Eltroxin. He does say its about how I feel and not about numbers so he's good that way. I just wonder is it all in my head. Very scary that I'm always going to be like this!

[greygoose in reply to Dollc86]

Well, it is in your head. Anxiety comes from your brain, which is in your head. But if you mean are you imaging it all, then no, I very much doubt it. I don't know how one would even go about imagining anxiety. That would be very weird!

Acutally, he's wrong about the TSH. The TSH should be where it needs to be when your FT4/3 are in the right place to make you well. It's not about the TSH. That is the least important number of the three. The most important is the FT3 because T3 is the active hormone that is needed by every single cell in your body and brain to function correctly. And, if there's not enough to go round, all sorts of symptoms can occur.

125 mcg is not an excessively large dose, so could very well be you need an increase. But, you need to know your FT4 and FT3 results to see how well you convert that T4 (levo) to T3. Could be you're a poor converter and your FT3 is low. So absolutely essential to get a print-out of the results so that you know where you are.

I very much doubt you'll always be like that. Once you get on the right dose for you - and it could be that your TSH is below range at that point - you'll be fine.

[Unfamaliar_Comet]

Hi, I’m new here and very much new to sorting out my thyroid medication so please bear that in mind with the below.

I have had anxiety for a while now and am taking an SSRI for that. I’m glad I do as it helps me deal with those symptoms. I know they can take time to work, or can have bad initial side effects, but I swear by them. They don’t get rid of the anxiety completely, just help me live with it, take the edge off so I can challenge my thinking. And I think that’s the key with SSRIs, they’re there to help not to get rid of the anxiety. Only facing up to it can do that, plus a good community or talk therapy helps too.

I don’t know what caused it to come on, was it my pituitary tumour, my thyroid meds being too low, or did it just progress because of everything that was going on with me? Hopefully it’s the former, but the SSRI I’m on has really helped. Hope that’s some help. Glad to answer any questions you have 🙂

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Increased anxiety for me signals that my thyroid meds are not optimal or key vitamins (folate, ferritin, B12 or VitD) may need adjusting. Have you had these tested recently? If not, I would look to test before considering anti depressants, as they may not be required. Obviously, if thyroid levels key vitamins are optimal, then do explore prescribed medication for anxiety.

[Sparklingsunshine]

There are natural alternatives to anti depressants. I'm not a fan either although truthfully I've never taken them for mental health, but for issues with Fibromyalgia pain and sleep. I've experienced a lot of side effects unfortunately so no longer take them. I think I'm probably unlucky though as I'm very sensitive to medications. Plenty take antidepressants and find them helpful and dont experience the side effects I did.

St John's Wort is a herbal remedy that raises serotonin levels. Its reckoned to be as effective as antidepressants in mild to moderate depression. And 5HTP is another natural remedy, works similarly to raise serotonin levels. People often take it at night as it can aid sleep.

Be warned that although they are natural remedies they are potent, can have side effects and you need to check there are no contraindications with any other medications you take. Lastly there are anti anxiety apps you can get that offer guided meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises and CBT. All very good for controlling anxiety.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

looking at previous posts and profile

You have Hashimoto’s and were left very under medicated by GP

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine at each prescription

You need actual TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 results

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)

Likely low vitamin levels with Hashimoto’s unless testing regularly and supplementing

When were vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Are you on gluten free or dairy free diet