Hi
Just wondering if any one on here has had panic/anxiety attacks and if there is any evidence of these being linked ot being hypothyroid. I had my first panic attack at 6.30am this morning, just after waking up, the first time in about 2 years. It is very frightening and distressing and I dont want them to start again as was pretty sympton free for the last few years. I am on 100mcg of levythyroxine daily.
Hi yes - the symptom that first made me see my GP 2 years ago was when I had a panic attack. I was then diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I have since suffered a bit with anixiety and panic attacks when on both too low and too high a dose of thyroxine/NDT. It's really horrible so I totally sympathise with you.
It might be a good idea to have a thyroid function test to see how things look at the moment, as you may need a dosage adjustment. xx
Thank you so much for your reply and good to know that others have had similar symptons. I had thyroid function test a couple of months ago but have not been back to Doctors since, they said they would let me know if there was a problem so I think I will make an appointment to double check what the ranges were.
Thank you again.
Ann
Hi norwood I started having them after three years on levothyroxine and nothing, but nothing, will convince me they are not caused by the medicine itself, rather than the hypothyroid state.. I have never suffered another attack since changing to NDT. They were ruining my life, awful things and I feel for you.
Many thanks for your reply. I am so glad you have not had any since you changed your medication.
Best wishes
Ann
I had them while undiagnosed (hypo) but have had none since diagnosis and treatment on a low dose of levo. I never feel overwhelmed by situations as I did before diagnosis. I hope yours are soon resolved.
It may be that you are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of living with a chronic illness during a period of adjustment. Sometimes the obvious cause to you , may infact be something apparently unconnected. (Like you may have just realised that your credit card is due for payment.)
It may be that your body has not yet learnt to produce the right balance of homones and has produced too much adrenaline which you have not used up over night.
There are definitely links to psychological symptoms which may manifest themselves as panic attacks and anxiety, and we may never know for sure what causes them, but we are able to acknowledge that we have those experiences.
Should you find yourself having these attacks then try to think about your breathing and take deep steady breathes. Walking can help as often it is the 'flight or fight' adrenaline which can cause these attacks. They are very real and can be managed.
It may be worth keeping a diary of such events so that you can see if there is a pattern to when these happen, should they happen again, and then you have something which you could discuss with your Doctor, should you feel you need to.
Hi, I've been on thyroxine for about a year and one of the main symptoms when I needed a dose increase was anxiety. May be worth getting your levels checked?
Hi
I was on a dose of 75 mg and started having panic attacks after about 18 months of treatment. I had no history of anxiety or panic attacks prior to commencing thyroxine. I have now been taken off thyroxine and have no anxiety or panis attacks at all. I realise that everyone is different but I am convinced the thyroxine was responsible. My endocronologist agreed and we are managing the hypothyroidism without medication currently. I totally sympathise as it was really affecting my work and life. Good luck.
Strange panic attacks...?
Panic attacks
Panic and panic attacks
What if anxiety and panic attacks have nothing to do with your thyroid?
Panic attacks, are they a separate issue to thyroid or adrenals?
