Hypothyroid Anxiety:
Difficulties in replicating the circadian physiological rhythm of thyroid hormone secretion have also been mentioned as another possible cause of these differences in mood [28,39]. In most cases, women with hypothyroidism during pregnancy have Hashimoto’s disease. This autoimmune disease causes the body’s immune system to attack and damage the thyroid. When that happens, the thyroid can’t produce and release high enough levels of thyroid hormones, impacting the entire body.
Lin (2016) [23] and Giynas (2014) [41] also reported an increased risk of depression in patients with hypothyroidism, although the risk was reduced by taking levothyroxine [23]. Lin also points out that the risk of depression was higher in women [23]. Regarding anxiety, Bense’or (2015) found an increased risk of panic disorders in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism [21]. What is clear, however, is that both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism are known factors contributing to various neuropsychiatric symptoms and conditions.
Graves’ disease causes the thyroid to be overactive while Hashimoto’s causes it to be underactive. Stress alone will not cause a thyroid disorder, but it can make the condition worse. The adrenal glands, which are above your kidneys, can handle small amounts of stress well. When additional reading you encounter stress they release cortisol, which enhances various bodily functions. We always make sure to include resources and research papers from peer-reviewed scientific journals and research papers. These sources can often be found at the bottom of our published articles.
When you’re anxious, it might be more difficult to stick to your treatment plan and take the proper medication to control your hypothyroidism. This can create a vicious cycle in which your anxiety makes your condition worse, which only causes more anxiety. Hypothyroidism may also induce anxiety indirectly because of the other health issues it can cause, such as fatigue or joint and muscle pain. People may not be anxious due to the condition itself but may be concerned and upset about the way hypothyroidism is making them feel. They may include previous surgeries, the use of certain medications, an underlying genetic cause, or an autoimmune disease history.
Overt hypothyroidism has major effects on neuropsychiatric function, but patients with mild hypothyroidism may attribute unrelated neuropsychiatric symptoms to their thyroid condition. This review will summarize data on neuropsychiatric effects of hypothyroidism, and provide guidelines regarding the relationship between hypothyroidism and neuropsychiatric issues, and treatment indications. However when treated with thyroid hormone like cytomel, thyroid function is improved. Synthroid (levothyroxine) is the most common drug used for hypothyroidism. As a synthetic form of the T4 thyroid hormone, it can be used across a lifetime to maintain thyroid function. In the women in our sample, no significant correlation was found between TSH and HADS scores.
By Mary ShomonMary Shomon is a writer and hormonal health and thyroid advocate. The learn more here thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck.
Thyroid disease can cause, or be caused by, disruption in thyroid hormone production and regulation. An underactive thyroid is called hypothyroidism, this page while an overactive thyroid is called hyperthyroidism. All the while, you may experience hypothyroid symptoms, such as fatigue or weight gain.
Many people have attributed their anxiety to thyroid hormone imbalances only to find out that their thyroid is functioning properly. It’s easier for many to believe that their severe anxiety symptoms are caused by a physical problem, not their mental health. Yet even if thyroid problems run in your family it’s still more likely that your anxiety is not caused by your thyroid, but by other factors in your life.
Thyroid disorders are also caused due to hormonal, emotional and physical stress. This most often happens with hyperthyroidism, which is the production of too much thyroid hormone, because the excess hormone speeds up your metabolism. However, you can also feel anxiety if you have hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. One cross-sectional study found that 63% of 100 people with hypothyroidism experienced anxiety.
With too little thyroid hormones produced, mood disorders arise from the imbalance of neurotransmitters. The link between hypothyroidism and anxiety shows that thyroid disorders do not only affect the human body’s metabolism but can also affect mental health. However, before diving into the case subject, the central player must first be introduced ‘ the thyroid. Changes in hormone levels such as somatostatin and serotonin in the central nervous system can result in neuropsychiatric disturbances [15]. Existing research also implies that these pathways may influence the HPT axis, explaining the link between subclinical hypothyroidism and depression.
While you’ll still need to treat the underlying physical issue, anxiety treatment options can still be effective – at least for managing the anxiety. It’s generally forged over years of experiences, along with a combination of genetics and development. Yet in rare cases, anxiety can be caused by conditions that change the way your body operates – diseases or illnesses that create anxiety, even in those with no history of anxiety issues.
Read on to learn more about thyroid disease, its symptoms, and how it affects mood. Chartered psychologist, Dr Sue Jackson, takes a closer look at anxiety and strategies to help you manage this powerful emotion in your daily life. Just as there are many causes of mental illness, there are a multitude of reasons why someone might experience psychiatric symptoms. Thus the various tests and analysis can help you understand the anxiety disorder and get the right treatment for your condition.
To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first research carried out on anxiety and depression in levothyroxine-treated hypothyroid women and normalized TSH in Spain. A previous study conducted in Belgium had a similar conclusion with Nila and colleagues’ research about the connection between hypothyroidism and anxiety. The study compared the performance of 23 participants in a hypothyroid state in a cognitive battery test with 26 other people without hypothyroidism. The study showed that the 23 participants were more anxious and depressed than their counterparts with normal-functioning thyroids. It also showed that the anxiety symptoms of the participants also interfered with their cognitive performance. Since hypothyroidism causes the thyroid gland to produce not enough hormones, body functions slow down, causing the sufferer to experience slowed metabolism, weight problems, muscle weakness, and tiredness.
Also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, this condition is hereditary (passed down through a family). In Hashimoto’s disease, the body’s immune system attacks and damages the thyroid. This prevents the thyroid from making and releasing enough thyroid hormone. A primary cause is a condition that directly impacts the thyroid and causes it to create low levels of thyroid hormones. A secondary cause is something that causes the pituitary gland to fail, which means it can’t send thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to the thyroid to balance out the thyroid hormones.