Depression drags on long after the Thyroidectomy: Anyone else?

[bakes77]

Six years ago, I had a complete thyroidectomy. Diagnosed with Graves Disease two years prior, we couldn't get my thyroid under control, I had been off the charts hyper- (too high) and awfully hypo- (too low.)

To this day, I can't fight a constant sense of depression and anxiety. This was never a problem prior to my thyroid going nutso. My doctors had said "Oh you're just depressed" but I swear that SIX YEARS seems too long to be purely "just" anything, no?

I tried Cytomel in various forms, but it doesn't seem to help much. I am miserable.

I remember, in the first two years of treatment before the thyroidectomy, whenever I would go hypo from the meds, I would get incredibly (unreasonably) anxious and obsessive. It seems like, since my thyroid switched that voice on, I can't turn it off since.

Over the past 6 years, I've changed everything in my life that could be external, and the dark cloud remains. It often seems unreal (overexaggurated), and haunting because I can't shake it.

I would LOVE to hear if anyone else has had this problem, and if so, what they've done? I've tried tons of  psych meds but my body reacted badly to ALL of them.

I pondered trying Armour, but haven't done it yet.

Any thoughts? Am I alone in this?

[bakes77]

I took Cytomel and it increased my heart rate - I just felt hyper, rather than stable/normal. I could tell its effects, tho, and being hyper turned off the haunting anxiety, but I wasn't sleeping well, etc.

Perhaps I should try a lower dose of synthroid and then the cytomel wouldn't impact so strongly...?

I do think the Cytomel dose has the potential to fix a lot of it, but it's tough to regulate.

To Venora, yes I was diagnosed bipolar too (apparently thyroid & bipolar can be common) but it didn't seem to fit -- my problems were mostly anxiety not mania. I tried some meds but it didn't work too well; I just felt foggy, mentally.

Thank you to the others for the suggestion on Vitamin B 6 and 12 / complex -- I will go to the store today and purchase.

If anyone else has had trouble with mental balance since surgery, I would love to hear, just for knowing/wondering I'm not alone. THANKS.

[Venora Moonwind]

Sometimes an antidepressant is needed such as celexa or lexapro I am bi polar as well throidless so I take celexa and zyprexa. I take vitamins as well but sometimesthe anti depressent is needed .
Love Venora

[Smilerdeb]

I found a Mega Vitamin B a lifesaver.
Worth trying.
Pyroxine (B6) is the main B vitamin to helkp with anxiety and depression but with thyroid problems, it is also good to take a B12.
Well to be totally honest with you......I thought....'What the he//. I am gonna take a MEGA one to get ALL the b's lol.
And I am doing great on one tablet a day.
The dosage is up to 3 a day but Vitamin B can be toxic in high doses or for long periods of time and they do suggest a weeks break here and there, so I take 1 a day.

[stella5349]

NO you are not alone. but you have to find out what you are lacking.

There is a wide range of deficiencies that can contribute to what's happening to you. Some things you can try are trial and error or SUCCESS!

I can't answer if a med change will be the only thing that can help you.

I was Graves and had my gland ablated out. SImply I have no function as you.

A few things pop out that are common in people with no thyroid function in deficiencies.

Vit B's ( complex)
Magnesium
Selenium
ZInc
Vit C
Vit D

Along with those - other glands can be effected if you thyroid function is not optimal with your meds.

Adrenals can shut down.

As for the hormones needed specifically for no thyroid function - Some find that they are not converting their specific thyroid medication correctly. The FT4 hormone is not converting into the FT3 needed to relieve them of their symptoms.

Usually in this case - Cytomel added to their T4 meds can help - but you state that did not work. What was your experience?

If adding T3 Cytomel had not positive outcome- Armour thyroid may - or may not be what you need.

Either way - you need to dig further in testing for deficiencies or try certain things above that may assist you getting back on track.

If anxiety and depression are the major issues - try looking at the Vit B - magnesium and selenium as some support.

A SUPER good Vit B though - not OTC Walgreens brand.