Endocrinology and benzodiazepines

[cannotrecall]

My mother has been suffering with hypothyroidism for a few years now, we aren't quite sure when it started because like many cases she initially was misdiagnosed with depression and anxiety. Her psychiatrist treated her with a variety of medication but he finally settled on lorazepam, which relieved very many of the symptoms. She then got diagnosed with hypothyroidism and has been on Synthroid for most of her treatment time but her levels have fluctuated and she often experienced intense anxiety for weeks. Due to no psychological problems she stopped her psychotherapy and 3 years later ran out of her Lorazepam (what dependency?). Her endocrinologist wont prescribe it.

I have been doing research on hypothyroidism and anxiety lately and found that even the DSM IV clearly states that anxiety is a significant symptom in hypothyroidism, and if I understood correctly patients actually lack their own GABA-benzodiazepines.  So  my question is if patients are treated for lacking hormones regularly, and if people far less needy get prescribed medication far more addictive, WHY won't endocrinologists treat anxiety ridden hypothyroid patients with benzodiazepines??

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Controlling the thyroid levels is the key - if the anxiety truly was from hypothyroidism alone (usually not the case) then BZDs would not be needed once the thyroid is corrected.  The more common case is a combined thyroid problem and anxiety problem -- endos are not experts in mood disorders and leave those meds to psychiatrists typically.