How to best support My Hashi husband

[Wife2HashiMom5]

My husband of 16 yrs. was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 3 yrs. ago.  We have 5 children and I believe even though he is taking Armor Thyroid, DHEA, Vit. D, and other supplements he is getting worse.  He is depressed, has horrible outbursts of anger, abusive verbally and physically, forgetful, tired all the time and struggles with horrible night terrors.  I'm looking for answers as to how best to support all sides (ie. my husband, my kids and myself)  He had a horrible upbringing and we believe his mother also struggled with the thyroid disease/diabetes.  He was born 2 months premature and has been sickly all his life.  What are ways to men who struggle with this disease feel supported?  How do you help children understand why their Dad is screaming at them all the time.... How do I as a wife keep from setting Him off..?  I do not know what his levels are because he will not go to a doctor because it costs money.  I am working as hard as I can and looking for many ways to bring in money and not spend money other than the dire basics.  He has agreed to have his DNA tested hoping to find the root causes for his whole system.  We won't find out the results till after 1/13/15.  We just need help for the whole...trying to stay together as a family and help the whole family.  When someone is this ill, they need someone to stick with them through thick and thin.  But one has to fight to help the ill heal, learn a new normal and reteach the children what normal should be so everyone can heal and thrive.  So I only need answers...what is the latest research for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis both conventional and unconventional?  Is there help for spouses and children?  What are tests for early detection in children?  Are there better diets?  

[flyingfool]

Hashi's is progressive. And unless his thryoid has already been rendered useless, then over time the amount of thyroid hormone produced by his thyroid gland is or has likely reduced. Thus he needs to ensure that the medication dosage is increased to compensate for this loss of hormone.

Also is taking DHEA something new?  Is there or has there been a medical tested need to supplement with DHEA?

Reason why I ask is that DHEA can cause aggressivness.  And many weight lifters etc who take DHEA have reported getting overly aggressive and potentially even violent. This would be similar to "roid rage" that occurres when athletes take steroids to gain weight/strength.

So my first thought would be to try to stop or reduce taking the DHEA and see if that helps.

Depression etc are consistent with being low thyroid.

Also has he been tested for the amount of Testosterone?

Just thoughts that crossed my mind.

[Totie]

He has to go to the doctor.......

As far as physical and mental abuse, I don't know, NEVER heard of thyroid causing those episodes......

I know it causes depression, irritability, but nothing that would warrant physical abuse...to me that is a totally underlying issue......

[goolarra]

DNA testing? For what?  That sounds like a total waste of money to me.    

Please post your husband's recent thyroid labs with reference ranges so we can assess where he stands.  

The answer to all your questions is to make sure he is properly medicated, which means symptom free.  Obviously, he is not, or he wouldn't be having all these horrible symptoms.

So, please post some information and let us see what looks like is going on.

How much Armour is he taking?