Mental Health and Thyroid ANY ANSWERS? Pt 1

[dunb440]

I got bloodwork done last month cause I was feeling wayyyyyyy off again.

Got this same feeling about 2 1/2 years ago. Driving home from church and Just POW! I broke into a cold sweat and
I was in a total fog, couldn't function, think, get a grip, care figure out what I was supposed to be doing, NADA!
I just totally zoned, to the point where after a few days I was taken to the hospital as they thought I may have
had a stroke. Nothin.. it was all in my mind... (ahem)
over the next few weeks I regained my composure.
Never figured out why.
The hospital said I needed mental help, weeks later all was fine.
like nothing ever happened..

Then late last summer it hit me again, though this time I was aware of the feeling comming on again and delt with it.
It felt like food poisoning, just my whole body and mind wacked out. Nothing bad happening, just POW!

Went for a check-up - blood test.
here were the test results -

cholesterol 210 (0-199)
triglyc 64 (0-149)
hdl 4.2 (0-4.4)
ldl 147 (0-100)
TSH 8.57 (.35-4.94)
FT4 .73 (.70-1.48)
Nothing mentioned about concern over the numbers by the doc.
He said maybe I needed a councelor.
(BTW he is an awesome doc, i like him very much, just wondered how the 8.5 slipped by?)

Anyways, last month I got another attack, went for a work-up,
here were the new test Results;

cholesterol 237 (0-199)
triglyc 102 (0-149)
hdl cholesterol 52 (35-60)
ldl 165 (0-100)
TSH 11.82 (.35-4.94)
FT4 .67 (.70-1.48)

he started me on 50mcg synthriod & cholesterol meds.
I went back the next day and asked alot of qwestions and that we suspend the cholesterol treatment till
after the thyroid is in check. Everything I read said hypothyroid can wack out cholesterol levels because
body can't metabolize properly.
He agreed. (but was unaware of the connection...)

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The thyroid seems low -- would consider fixing thyroid then re-eval cholesterol before starting cholesterol meds.  So I agree with your current treatment plan.  Check thyroid antibodies to document whether this is hashi.

[dunb440]

ok,
so I wasn't happy with the general MD's apparent unawareness ad went to an Endo to confirm MD's findings.

Here are the results of that visit;

He asked about my symptoms, I told him that the main symptoms i had were anxiety and brain fog. He quickly dispelled that the Thyrois was to blame. he said thyroid flare ups may aggravate the symptoms, but its not related whatsoever..

He checked my throat and did an ultrasound and said thay my left thyroid gland was inflammed a bit, to take advil.

I told him since I started the generic synthroid a few days ago i have a very noticable clicking in my throat. He felt it and said it was again not related in any way.

I asked about T3's, etc maybe affecting me mentally, he laughed.

A few days His Endo-blood lab results came in
he said I showed a 15 ( scale .40-5.5)
Thyroid peroxidage 46 (range less than 35)

His assistant said just take the synthroid, you'll be fine.

Now the questions;
I am having severe mental anguish. I take 1mg of Ativan when I just can't bear it anymore...(almost daily)
If you had similar anxiety, confusion, loss of will, etc, can you tell me what worked for you? meds, drinking heavily, ANYTHING!

I seem to have lost my will for ANYTHING, halp! This is not me! I am (was) an active 46 yr old, i need to be me again! GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS PLEASE!

Are there any QUALIFIED sources or studies for the thyroid / anxiety connection?

bASICALLY, how do I get help ???

[venora]

First get an endo that doesnt laugh at you.Your TSH is way off and there is a big connection between mental health and wonky thyroids.I am bi polar and there is lots of documentation on thyroid and bi polar.Just google thyroid mental health anxiety and you will be amazed at the reasearch you can print up and take to your doc.
Good luck,Venora

[liazmom]

Synthroid did not help my anxiety at all, but Armour did! Takes a few weeks to kick in. I too felt like I couldn't take it. I hope you find something that works.

[Lake Lover]

Thyroid imbalance does make you crazy but one your levels stabilize you will feel better.

I have had similar symptoms while hyper but many people I know have experienced them hypo, like you.

Get hard copies of your lab's and keep track of your symptoms and the lab numbers and tests.

When you refill your generic 'synthroid' take your bottle in and make sure they give you the some manufacturer as there are several different generics and you need to stay on the same brand.

Be stong, it will get better.

[Suett]

This is CRAZY. . .  you need thryoid meds now  and possiibly Cortef. . . find another doc NOW!! This indicates very very hypothyroid!

Check out this website lots of good docs listed www.stopthethyroidmaddness.com.



Best wishes,
Sue

[goldy3]

Your doctor is wrong...you definitely can experience mental health issues when your thyroid is off...I am going thru a similar problem and I have no mental health history...I recently had surgery in February and within 3 weeks my TSH went from 4.5 to 18...let me tell you I am off the wall!!!! I had such extreme anxiety that I had to start medication...I am not an anxious person by nature and this was horrifying to me...my body could not calm down without the aid of an antidepressant that treats anxiety...I have also had bouts of depression since, extreme fatigue, headaches, nausea, weight loss,leg cramping, dry skin, hair loss,night sweats etc...I seem to be experiencing both hyper and hypo symptoms and my endo said it was indeed possible...I know it's frustrating because all we can do is play a waiting game...get a doctor who takes you seriously and discuss treatment for the anxiety as it can be quite debilitating if left untreated...good luck

[lazydog]

Hi.  When I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's my TSH was 8.5 and I was feeling very shabby indeed.  The head stuff was the worst symptom, however I got no relief from the head stuff - anxiety, concentration, depression, brain fog, vertigo etc etc - until 18 months after diagnosis when I began a combination of T4 (50mcg) and T3 (60 mcg).  

I began taking 50mcg T4, then 75, then 100....some symtoms improved - weight, headaches, insomnia - but the head stuff continued to get worse.  

My doctors wrote me off as a head case - ignored the fact that I had Hashimoto's and head stuff was well documented.  Finally I found a good doctor who understood thyroid disease and I started the combination medication.  Within a day ALL head stuff disappeared.  

[dunb440]

Thank you all for your support and suggestions. I AM taking charge in my health care.  I insisted my new endo  get free T4, Free T3, T3 uptake and thyroid antibody tests. these along with my other bloodwork should give us a clear picture and course of action. I am very hopeful at this point.
I just wish that my mind knowing that I have a definitive action plan and this will be a thing of the past once I get meds right, would help me snap out of oblivion somehow.

Thanks again everyone, I'll keep you posted.
next doc visit 4-28

keep your fingers crossed!
Glenn

[dontknownemore]

My doctor prescribed me xanax because i feel very unusual...I am only 20...and I felt completly normal until 1 day I got a horrible headache...but xanax takes care of my anxiety

[dunb440]

Are there any meds other than Ativan that help bring motivation & positive outlook back?
I'm REALLY struggling..

[lazydog]

Suggest T3 will make a lot of difference.  I used to take Xanax but now don't need anything but T3.