Hypothyroidism and personality change

[rufus123]

My wife has hypothyroidism and over the last several months her medication has changed and she was given the wrong dose. She told me she originally had hyperthyroidism but it turned to hypo. She is currently taking levotyroxine. Her personality has changed and she has disengaged from me and or kids. She spends nearly every other day away from home drinking with a girlfriend from work and nearly no time with the kids. I do not believe she is seeing another man. All her friends and family can see she has a problem, but she will not listen to anyone. Our marriage is in jeopardy and I don’t know where to turn. Her sister made an appointment for her to see an endocrinologist but she canceled. She is only seeing a primary care physician. Can all this be from her illness?

[redheadaussie]

If she is drinking alcohol as often as you say , she is probably not eating correctly and losing weight. I think the only fair thing you can do is go see her primary care physician, and tell them of your concerns. They may then call her up to come for a visit. It sounds more to me that something else is concerning her. Having a thyroid disorder can be mentally debilitating and often it is hard for even those close to you to understand. Not that I am saying her behaviour of drinking with her friend is excusable, it isn't. I think perhaps though there is more here than what meets the eye.
  I think also that maybe a get together of all the family and friends in a loving way to sit her down and get her to hear you all express your concerns to her. Often this kind of help leads to anger on the part of the person hearing it, but they often can't avoid the confrontation and actually relent. I hope that would work for you.
Good luck.

[rufus123]

Thanks Neeke - She has all the signs of depression. Her mom was at the house last night when she came in after drinking and told her not to be around the kids in her condition. They argued a bit and my wife just told her that she is really skewed up and doesn't know why. Her meds have been really messed up over the last few months and I'm affraid her levels have been up and down. Not sure when she had the last test - she does not often tell me when she goes to the doctor. She will not admit that it's her thyroid or depression caused by her thyroid condition or just depression for any other reason. She has lost so much weight - from a size 8 to a size 2 (sometimes a size 0). She will not eat. I thought people with Hypo gained weight??

[Neeke]

Your wife may have a degree of depression which can be caused by hypothyroid but if she's medicated and has been for a couple of months would the depression still be bad enough to make her choose to go drinking with a girlfriend instead of spending time with her husband and children?

Everybody reacts differently to depression.  Currently my TSH is at 14 and I just started medication yesterday - my depression takes the form of no motivation, to get up and go to work or do house work, cry at the drop of a hat and sleep.  Being around people and drinking is the last thing I want to do but as I said everyone is different.

Personally, if I were you I would be looking at whether or not there are any other underlying issues going on in case it's not all being caused by the hypo.

Good Luck
Neeke