To Carolyn or anyone who knows,

Depression anxiety runs in my family. My aunt and mom were diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I know the program says to get your thyroid checked...is this linked to depression/anxiety and does thyroid medicine help reduce depress/anxiety symptoms?

Mom says I should get blood work done. Although I already did about 4 months ago and it was fine. Although she's had blood work in the past that missed this condition too.

Any info would be great!
thanks,
Gina

Hi, Gina,
First, let me say two things:
1. Get a full set of thyroid blood tests, including TSH, T3 and T4. My levels change about twice a year, so they can fluctuate.

2. Hypothyroidism can definitely be a contributor to depression, though it is only one factor and resolving it may not resolve the depression.

Second, let em say a lot more things (lol):
I am a great example of what hypothyroidism can do! Both my parents are hypothyroid and 5 of the 7 kids. The 2 girls became hypothyroid right before onset of puberty, the boys around 40 years old. Girls were depressed in adolescence, boys around 45. A trip, huh? Interestingly enough, it was my dad, not my mom, who had chronic depression. My dad and my sister and I also have RLS (see RLS posts here). As to treatment, I think that the current hormone replacement is critical for proper metabolism, but I don't think that it will necessarily cure associated depression. That is the experience of my family and me. I don't think you could successfully treat depression without treating hypothyroidism, but I don't think hormone replacement will always fix the associated depression and you may need antidepressants.

I do have one brother whose depression was resolved when he began a different thyroid replacement regimen. Many doctors are not open to it. Regular hormone replacement (Synthroid, Levothroid, etc.) is only one of the thyroid hormones - T4. The alternative treatment is to decrease the amount of T4 and add some T3 (which is metabolized into T4 in the body). I absolutely think there is a connection with the thyroid gland and depression, we just don't get the entire picture yet. If it turns out you are hypothyroid and the regular treatment does not help you, absolutely find a doctor who will try the alternative treatment for you. Though it did not do anything at all for me, it was an amazing fix for my brother, and amazing fixes are worth trying!!!!

I am here doing this program, hoping that I can get rid of the anti-depressants, but if the depression is biological and associated with hypothyroidism, I guess we'll see what happens. I don't think they have all the science of the biochemical connections figured out yet, so we're kind of on our own in terms of making decisions about treatment. I am sure everyone will have an opinion, but do your homework before you make your own decision.
Cheers,
Artie

Thyroid is definetly something that you want to keep check on -- not only for Depression but also for many other problems. I had no idea how much effect the thyroid has on the body until I started having the problem that I am having now.

My concentration and memory are worse (although it has never been great)- I have no energy and tired all the time - my hair is dry and coarse and literally breaking off- my skin is so dry that it is cracked and bleeding in places I didn't even know could bleed - My muscles and joints ache -- headaches etc..........

Please make sure that you keep check on thyroid -- it is very easy to have checked and easily treated for most.

I have ALL the symptoms of hypothyroid nearly, to an extreme too. But I have had a lot of trouble with doctors concerning this. My primary said once that my thyroid level was kind of low, but not in the clinically low range, and has refused to check it since, and all the other doctors I've seen have said it's fine, even though I looked at my bloodwork and couldn't find TSH, T3, or T4 anywhere.

So I recommend you be aggressive if you do choose to have it checked out. I've heard that it can be difficult to "catch", in addition to the possibility of doctors not taking it seriously.

Hi Gina,

Wow! My knew my thyroid was so off, and still I had to beg my doctor to check it. My anxiety and depression were made much worse by not having my thyroid treated. Even now, 7 years later, I am trying to get my thyroid levels at a point where I feel good again.

Someone told me about this wonderful website:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

It's really informative.

Read first the page about "Symptoms of Hypothyroidism" or something to that effect. Amazing stuff.

Even if your TSH levels are so-called "normal," you could still be hypothyroid.

Hang in there. We're in it together!

wow. thank you all for your comments!
I just got back from the dr. yesterday to request a hypothyroid test, since like I mentioned my grandma, mom and aunt have it along with depression. My mom just started taking Synthroid and is feeling unbelievably better.

The dr. had done a blood test on me this past Nov. and said since my test was "extremely normal/perfect" that it would be a waste of money to run a blood test again. I was willing to pay the money and told him of how family members have it, but still he felt I was ok. I really show no signs other than depression, and rapid heart/anxiety. Wondering if I should get a second opinion? He was really encouraging about the MWC Program I told him about..he said "your doing the right thing....if you want me to check your blood in Nov. we can do that but right now it's a waste of time/money".

I am improving with the program, I finished the 15 weeks and am doing the program again. I am on week 4 now.

Only lingering symptoms are: racey heart, mild anxiousness, eye twitching in one eye, weird pressure on the bridge of my nose. But I do find I'm doing things I used to do and starting to look forward to things instead of dreading them.


God Bless,
Gina

Hi Gina,

I'm glad the program is working for you. I thinks it's great, although I stopped at Lesson 5 and need to get back (my second time).

Regarding the perfect test results, did your doctor test only TSH? If so, and your still symptomatic, but "normal" then you need more tests.

Like Arti posted above, you need to get free T4, Free T3, and higly-sensitive TSH.

Also, test for thyroid antibodies, and ferritin.

According to the website:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

also it's important to test your adrenal function. All the information is on that site. I'm still learning. I have been taking only T4 (Levoxyl -- just like Synthroid) for 7 years and I am still having hypothyroid symptoms, even though my TSH test is still in NORMAL range.

I read that the TSH blood test is helpful for some, but doesn't catch many people who need extra thyroid hormone. Doctors who use only this test are a bit "stuck in the past," in my humble opinion.

Good for you for taking charge of your own health and well-being. I've found that I have to... I have to know so much before going to the so-called expert doctors. With me, so much has been missed. Luckily, I make it a point to stay on top of it all now.

Doctors are great, I respect what they do, but they aren't all-knowing!

Good for you! Keep insisting for these tests if you still have hypothyroid symptoms.

But, one more thing... Your symptoms also seem like they could be 1) hormonal (hormones other than the thyroid), 2) inter-dose benzodiazepine or SSRI withdrawal, or 3) maybe it's just how your anxiety manifests itself physically?

Are you taking medications? You may want to investigate possible inter-dose withdrawals if you are.

Good luck, and hang in there, Gina!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: HSP Woman,

Gina,
How wonderful that the program is working so well for you!!! It's awesome isn't it?!!!!

It is recommended that you complete the program a second time through. Good for you!

I had the same lingering symptoms, and they're now gone.
Praying for you that the anxiety is the cause.
You already seem to be tackling that and will keep seeing positives as you go along.

A second opinion is a always an option, and medically, usually a good one. Hopefully just to put your mind at rest.

Think of the positive side too. What if it has nothing to do with your thyroid? What if as you progress further with the program the rest of the symptoms dissipate? Just might.

Prayers and hugs to you.