Severe mood swings caused by Hashimoto's??

[tomgirl41]

Hi, I've had hypothyroidism for 4 years now and have lately been having trouble with the return of symptoms, which I at first attributed to a need for a dosage change. I'm  most concerned about the severe, somewhat violent (not proud of the fact that I've thrown things and screeched at my family at the drop of a dime) mood swings of the last few days that come from out of nowhere. My husband has been a supportive saint throughout my hypo journey, but even this has been too much. I'm afraid that I'm irreparably damaging my relationship with my family and wonder if it's something other than the hypo condition. I truly don't feel like my normal self during these episodes. Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis bring on symptoms similar to these, which almost mimic mental illness in their irrational, sudden, unpredictable nature?  I'm feeling a little desperate for some advice and answers. Thank you.

[lizawren]

Yes, the mood swings are the result of Hashimotos, whether directly due to the inflammation, or indirectly, through screwing up your hormones in general.  I had the same experience, and my family endured my out of control, screaming behavior for fourteen+ years.  My grandmother, mother, and sister all had/have Hashimotos as well, with similar experiences.  For me the relief finally came when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had the remaining half of my thyroid gland removed.  I'm on 200 mcg of synthroid per day now.  It took about three months for my moods to stabilize, but my rages were 90% gone.  My gynecologist put me on prozac for a bit of residual irritability during pms times, and I now feel better than I thought was possible.  

It's been 6 years since the cancer, and I feel happy, hopeful, and, most importantly, I'm not abusing the people I love.  The relationships have been difficult to repair, but my kids and husband have mostly forgiven me.  I cannot tell you how many times I considered suicide pre-cancer. In my rare calm moments, I could see the damage I was doing, and it made me hate myself.  Thankfully, there was a light at the end of the tunnel for me.  I shudder to think of what my life would be like now if I hadn't developed cancer - truly a blessing in disguise!  

Good luck and big hugs to you - don't stop until you find whatever will work for you.  BTW, as far as I know, my thyroid cancer was unrelated to the Hashimotos.  It was most likely the result of a huge dose of radiation I received as an infant to correct a facial birth mark.

  

[ktmarie]

wow, I am sitting here in tears reading these.  I have Hashimotos and deal with extreme mood disorders and feel at times i have bipolar disorder.  PLEASE TO ALL OF YOU WANTING YOUR THYROID REMOVED>>>>>>DO NOT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You need to fix and preserve your thyroid.  Find a doctor who deals with auto-immune diseases.  Also, I recommend finding a NON MD doctor.  I see a neurological chiropractor and he lliterally has saved my life.  I do still have mood issues but not anywhere near as bad and I am still getting my disease sorted out. I was on thyroid medicine for 15 years and just found out less than a year ago abut Hashimoto's.  My GP said it was medically impossible for me to have it and said my thyroid panels were normal. Went to the chiro who knew off the bat what I had and ordered more extensive blood work which revealed the auto-immune disease Hashimoto's.  If you take synthroid or levoxyl, I bet you still have all the symptoms of thyroid disease.  Many who have this also are gluten intolerant and that can cause the mood issues.  PLEASE KEEP LOOKING FOR A DOCTOR WHO LISTENS TO YOU AND WANTS TO HELP YOU!!!!!!!!  I saw every kind of doctor there is and was on every anti-depressant there is with no luck before I found the doctor who helped me.  I am infuriated by the misdiagnosis which is why I am going back to school to be a chiropractor and help all of us out there being ignored and mis/under diagnosed.

[mommy2two2008]

I am so with you there!  My poor children have so far just taken it as mommy does not feel good.  I think my six year old is scared to death that his mommy not feeling good is like his mamaw having cancer and not feeling good.  It scares me to think that he may wonder if his mommy is going to die.  Then the devil of mood swings kicks in and I scream at the top of my lungs at some small thing and then I am sure he and my three year old thinks mommy is just nuts.  I wish they could just kill my thyroid now, but with no diagnosis I guess that is too much to ask!  I wish they could diagnose mine then I would at least be able to blame it on the correct thing.  Would love to live without my thyroid at this point.

[tomgirl41]

Thanks for the support.  I would love to be back to my old self.  I'm hoping my test results from last week come back and show that I do need a different dosage of levoxyl.  I worry that I can only say, "I'm truly sorry" so many times before my family gets tired of it all. So far, they've been very understanding, but it's very hard to explain to the kids that it has nothing to do with them; it's just me and my thyroid.

[laura1967]

I am with you on this one and going through major mood swings and impatience. I snap and hollar very easily and cannot handle an argument right now.
I feel for you and understand. The stress factor is horrible when you cannot handle it very well....thyroid problems stink....especially the mental stuff. Our poor families don't know what to think.
There has to be a time of healing???.......