OCD/Obsessive tendencies worsening on NDT

[Nibs94]

Hi all,

I was initially on NDT 1 grain for 6 weeks and have now been on NDT 1 and 1/4 grain for 3 weeks.

My husband and I have both noticed an extreme increase in obsessive/OCD related behaviours. It was all at bay and has been for years until this increase in the NDT. My PMDD also went from being two days to two weeks. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

It's the only thing that's changed in the past 2-3 months.

I'm wondering if the NDT has maybe pushed my TSH through the roof which is resulting in my OCD going crazy, it was still high only grain 1 NDT and my endo increased the dose in hopes that my TSH and T4 will stabilise. I plan on testing my levels next week to get a better picture but I know the meds usually take about 8-12 weeks to kick in.

Just curious if anyone else has had similar experiences and what they did to remedy it?

Thanks.

[Regenallotment Ambassador]

Hi Nibs,

Sorry to hear you are struggling, it can be so debilitating and isolating. One of the wonderful things about this forum is the ability to share and compare. I hope this helps to reassure you.

When I am over range FT3 I get 'catastrophising' thoughts, highly anxious, playing over doom scenarios on a minute by minute basis, its exhausting. I find it very hard to 'be present' when I am like that.

When I had CBT with an incredible therapist a few years back around my diagnosis, he explained something that stuck with me. My historical traumas which no doubt contribute to my autoimmune condition lead me to fall back into patterns of fight or flight, ever vigilant, ever ready, the catastrophising is my 'training' and preparation for the apocalypse that my subconscious is expecting around the corner. So now when I catch myself mid 999 rehearsal I can actually stop and look at it and figure out what is triggering it. Think about it and the planning and ruminating melt away. I get back to now and family and conversations much faster.

Could something in addition to changing thyroid hormone dose be triggering these reactions in you? I'm wondering about sex hormones? I don't know your age, could you be perimenopausal? Apologies if not, just an idea.

When you say your TSH is high... do you mean its low? Is it suppressed?

I've had 3 medics (not Endos) tell me my TSH is high recently and I've said no, its suppressed... its low the normal range is 0.2 to 4.8 and mine is 0.07 due to taking T3. If it was high I'd need a dose increase, and I don't its under the normal range, that makes it low.

If they think your TSH is low/suppressed you really need to know what your FT4 and FT3 are to find out if you are over replaced, but you won't know till you've stuck out your increase for 6 weeks. It could be that your increase is too much in one go for you, I have to make tiny adjustments (I'm on T4/T3 combi).

To find out FT4 and FT3 you will most likely need to test privately, although Endo should run this for you if you are on NDT. I use Monitor My Health, Medichecks and Randox, they all have their benefits and drawbacks, some cheaper than others, some have offers - I tend to chop and change between them.

[arTistapple in reply to Regenallotment]

Lovely and heartwarming description Regenallotment of ‘mental’ issues. Thank you.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Increased anxiety (including OCD behaviours) has been the worst symptom of having a thyroid condition for me and it is always worse if thyroid medication or key vitamins (ferritin, folate, vitamins B12 and D) are not optimal. Like Regenallotment ive found CBT helpful in dealing with adverse symptoms, but understand this therapy is not for all.

[Nibs94 in reply to Buddy195]

Do you think testing to see if I'm over medicated at 4 weeks is worth it or do I just wait till I get to 6 weeks? I suspect I am definitely over medicated as the anxious and OCD behaviour was calm before I increased this dosage and I've never had it this bad before.

I've just started CBT but at the same time I know that if I'm over medicated the CBT won't be enough to sort the anxious/obsessive behaviour.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Nibs94]

If you are worried about being over medicated, and this is affecting you physically and mentally, I personally would cut back on your dosage, until adverse symptoms pass. You can then restart medication at a lower dose. Always retest 6-8 weeks after being on a consistent dose.

I don’t have knowledge of NDT, but would suggest dropping the dosage to your previous level.SlowDragon may be able to offer advice on this.

[Jazzw]

Which NDT are you on? They aren’t all created equal and just like levothyroxine, there can be be variations in fillers etc.

[Nibs94 in reply to Jazzw]

I'm on a compounded NDT so none of the branded ones. This is due to me being sensitive to fillers.

[elwins]

I just do private blood test every so often as doctors only do TSH. You sometimes get special offers on prices.