Thyroid anxiety - how bad can it get? How did you feel?

[Holidays4]

I have been on 75mcg levo + 10 T3 for 7 weeks. Upped levo from 50/75 to 75mcg daily. I already have anxiety and depression but my anxiety since increasing has really increased. I wake up in the morning shaking all over and throughout the day it gets worse where I feel in a constant state of panic, sweating and don't know what to do with myself. It also makes me feel like I can't cope with anything. I get on my treadmill for 30 minutes doing a brisk walk but it doesn't make any difference. I also feel like I'm detached or is this brain fog.

I'm taking magnesium at night and L-theanine, both of which should be relaxing and luckily I am sleeping ok.

I'd really appreciate hearing others experience of anxiety and whether it gets to this extreme level.

Thank you.

[tumrum]

I could have written that post myself, only difference being I don't sleep well. Been going on for months and hyst found out that my FT4 is Above range apparently the lab only tested TSH and because my hypothyroid is due to a pituitary adenoma TSH is not a reliable marker. As for the anxiety mine has been horrendous, panic attacks, generally feeling agitated, unable to eat some days as its so bad and unable to sleep yet feel exhausted. Not fun at all.

[Holidays4 in reply to tumrum]

Hi tumrum

I’m so sorry you are going through the same too. I get panic attacks too. It really makes me feel like I just can’t cope with anything. I take medication to sleep. Have you tried magnesium and L-Theanine at night? I find it hard to eat too and have to force myself. Are you going to reduce your dosage to see if reducing your T4 level will help.

I really wish you all the best and hope we can both get rid of this severe anxiety.

[tumrum in reply to Holidays4]

Thank you for your lovely reply and I agree hope we can beat this. Yes I take magnesium glycinate and it helps at but sometimes I'm so wound up it doesn't really help I will maybe try the L-theanine. I'm going to try not taking my thyroxine 2 days a week for month to see if my anxiety gets any better. I don't want to go to my GP as I've been so many times and they just keep saying it's anxiety, I take sertraline for anxiety but this is a different level of anxiety and I only got anxiety now and again before. I'm due a review end of May so hopefully if things settle I will get a lower dose prescribed. Hopefully you might settle as you have only just started and may be worth getting your bloods checked again I a week or so. I'm in the UK but have decided to use a private company so I can keep check on my levels in future. Good luck. Incidentally I have taken levothyroxine since 1993 and had a good experience with it till now.

[Holidays4 in reply to tumrum]

I know what you mean about feeling wound up, I feel like that all the time. I've forgotten what it feels like to be relaxed. Yes, try the L-theanine alongside the magnesium, I think it works slightly for me but I only feel relieved of the anxiety after taking my sleeping medication.

That sounds like a good plan with your levo, it'll be interesting to see if your anxiety reduces and your T4 level comes down into range.

Yes, I've been to my GP several times too, I keep telling her I have never had anxiety until starting Levothyroxine. I'm also on Paroxetine, anti depressant, but it doesn't help either the depression or the severe anxiety.

It's strange how you have been taking Levothyroxine for so long and it's only now that you have the severe anxiety. Let's hope it's just because your T4 has gone over range and once you reduce and stabilise things will get much better. Good luck and I'm keeping everything crossed for you.

[tumrum in reply to Holidays4]

I have been on it a long time, I'm 74 now and have reduced kidney function, not on any medication but it likely affects how medications are cleared.

[Holidays4 in reply to tumrum]

That’s strange, I too have decreased kidney function, it’s been getting worse and states stage 3 kidney disease now. I thought once the thyroid is treated kidney function should improve. I also have high creatinine levels. Yes, I wonder if that affects how medications are cleared. I also read fear comes from the kidneys.

[tumrum in reply to Holidays4]

I'm also stage 3 and have been for a number of years, possibly caused by chemotherapy for breast cancer 20 years ago. As they reduce the dose of some medication for CKD it seems feasible that ot could build up in some circumstances

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Increased anxiety 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.

My anxiety also spikes if I adjust thyroid medication too quickly, either upwards or down wards. I know adjust super slowly, eg adding 12.5mcg Levo or 5mcg Lio (alternate days at first, then daily once well tolerated). I never adjust Levo and Lio at the same time.

[Holidays4 in reply to Buddy195]

Hi Buddy195

I'm sorry you also suffer with the anxiety and it spikes with dose adjustments. I have been like you and increased slowly, going backwards sometimes before increasing again. I was hoping things would settle soon but have not had the anxiety as bad as this spell.

I know my key vitamins are not yet optimal so that may help once I get there.

Are you able to have periods of time without any anxiety?

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Holidays4]

Yes, when my thyroid medication and key vitamins are optimal, my anxiety levels are generally manageable (without medication in my case). I have found ways that help me cope with flares (eg time outdoors, mindfulness, breath work, journaling etc).

Definitely try to work on key vitamins. Following advice from SlowDragon really helped me improve mine.

[Holidays4 in reply to Buddy195]

Yes, I’m trying with exercise, the treadmill and force myself to go swimming even though I’m shaking all over. I can’t even concentrate to watch tv or read so it’s hard to distract myself. You sound like you have good coping skills. If only it would disappear.

I’m going to keep going with the supplementing and maybe once all the vitamins get to good levels things will improve.

Did you have anxiety before being diagnosed? Mine only started after taking Levo which is strange. Does your anxiety make you feel like you’re not yourself?

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Holidays4]

No I only started with anxiety when I developed a thyroid condition. My GP initially diagnosed’health anxiety’ and offered antidepressants when in fact I was undiagnosed with hypothyroidism.

Don’t overdo it with exercise- little and often may be better than longer runs and swims.

[Obsdian]

A month back I would have pulled out my teeth if someone let me... just from starting t3. Then it just went like someone flipped a switch.

[Holidays4 in reply to Obsdian]

That's great news! Did you have the anxiety before you started the T3?

I'm really pleased you are free of the anxiety now.

[Obsdian in reply to Holidays4]

No, the anxiety came from adding t3, so I guess that qualifies as a thyroid medication increase.

[Holidays4 in reply to Obsdian]

Yes, thankfully it sounds like you have settled on it now. That’s great.