hypothyroidism

I am plauged by panic disorder and have been for years following an attack of the flu(oversimplification?)I am also depressed.
No medication out of just about all has helped either disease.
I recently had a physical exam, and my doctor detected minor insufficiency of thyroid function, and placed me on "SYNTHROID".
Dosage:50 mcg, introduced gradually. I immediately noticed an increase in my symtoms (symptoms) of panic, so the doctor told me to cut the pills in half, which I have been doing for several months now, but panic is still present. My doctor ok'd me to start gradually decreasing my dosage down to zero, which happened a few days ago,
and now I notice increased depression levels together with lack of energy.
My doctor is very cooperative and wants to help, but is clueless as to what to do next.
This is the 1st time that my thyroid level has been checked, and based on the results of the synthroid, I've got to think that somehow the panic disorder and thyroid levels are related, and probably the depression also. Can you help me?

[HFHS MD-JM]

Paul,

    Thyroid dysfunction has been linked to depression, most commonly when there is an insufficiency(ie hypothyroidism) and also to anxiety disorders(panic disorder) generally when there is an excess of thyroid horomone.  I don't know what your levels are but you are right that they may be related.  There is also the possibility that you have two different problems, a thyroid problem in addition to a anxiety disorder.  It would be helpful to have a psychiatric evaluation to clarify this issue further.  It would be important for the psychiatrist to have access to your thyroid study results at the time of your evaluation.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords:  Anxiety, thyroid disorders