DR. IZABELLA WENTZ, PHARM D

Thyroid Pharmacist

Root Causes of Depression & Hashimoto's

Root Causes of Depression and Hashimoto’s

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP. on May 25, 2015

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I’ve met quite a few brilliant doctors who are working tirelessly to change the world over the past few years! One of my favorites is Dr. Kelly Brogan, an MIT-educated, board-certified psychiatrist, who doesn’t recommend antidepressant medications. This is because Dr. Brogan had her own health crisis with postpartum thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s. This health crisis led her to become an integrative physician focused on helping people treat the root cause of their conditions. This doctor healed herself and has taken her experience to help others heal from depression and mood disorders, naturally.

Her health crisis and approach are also why I think of her as a kindred spirit. Dr. Brogan reached out to me in 2014 to tell me how much she loved my book, Hashimoto’s the Root Cause, and I have been a huge fan of her work ever since! She is the first person who comes to mind when someone asks me to recommend a doctor in New York, although she is now working on a waiting list.

I was excited to learn that she shares her approach in a book focusing on treating depression and mood disorders naturally.

Kelly_Brogan.jpg
L-R Dr. Susanne Bennett – Holistic Allergy Specialist; Dr. Hyla Cass – Integrative; Psychiatrist; Dr. Kelly Brogan – Integrative Psychiatrist; Dr. Izabella Wentz – Thyroid Pharmacist

Psychological Symptoms in Thyroid Disorders

After fatigue and weight, mood alterations such as depression, agitation, and anxiety are the most common symptoms in people with Hashimoto’s. These symptoms could be due to alterations in thyroid hormone, as well as due to the autoimmune process itself.

Hashimoto’s causes a breakdown of the thyroid gland, which can rush thyroid hormones into the bloodstream causing a transient hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms of agitation, anxiety, and even psychosis can occur …anyone who has experienced symptoms of hyperthyroidism can describe how terrible this feels.

Once the thyroid hormone is cleared out, the person may be functionally hypothyroid, and they may have symptoms of depression, apathy, poor mood, and brain fog. One person wrote, ” I feel like I’m sitting on the sidelines of life, watching everyone else enjoy their journey, wondering if I’ll ever have my zest for life back.”

Additionally, people with bipolar disorder (as well as depressive and anxiety disorders) were found to have a higher prevalence of antithyroid antibodies. To further complicate the issue, lithium—a medication used for bipolar disorder—can trigger Hashimoto’s.

Doctors in the know will take a deeper look at the role of thyroid medications; uninformed doctors will disregard these symptoms as being related to thyroid function and will offer people antidepressants or a referral to a psychiatrist!

Progressive psychiatrists will test all of their patients that present with new onset depression, anxiety, and mental health symptoms for thyroid disorders and will often be open minded about prescribing thyroid medication.

Unfortunately, despite all of the research that’s out there, these types of psychiatrists are a minority, and some patients have been misdiagnosed (even hospitalized) with “bipolar disorder” or “schizophrenia” when in fact they were suffering from thyroid imbalances.

Although I don’t often talk about depression, I have personally and professionally seen the impact that the thyroid can have on mood as well as how depression can destroy a person’s life.

I battled with depression before my Hashimoto’s diagnosis and have lost friends and loved ones to depression and mental illness in my early twenties.

How I wish I knew then what I know now. It breaks my heart that some of the kindest and most amazing people I used to know are no longer around to enjoy the beauty of this world and that others are not living their lives due to the dark cloud of depression hovering over their heads.

Too many people are suffering needlessly—even after taking antidepressant medications. As a pharmacist, I know many people that have been helped by antidepressant drugs, but I also know others who didn’t see a benefit (the STARD trial showed only 30% of people were “responders” to most antidepressants). Sadly, I also know people who took mood-altering medications and had adverse reactions to them.

While I’ve seen people who were helped by mood altering medications, as a pharmacologist, I can tell you that antipsychotic medications, such as Seroquel, Risperdal, and in particular Zyprexa, are the “dirtiest” drugs out there.

They’ve traditionally been used for schizophrenia but are now being used for depression as well. I’ve seen people gain hundreds of pounds in the course of a year, become diabetic, lethargic and withdrawn and develop irreversible, involuntary movements and painful muscle contractions from using these types of medications. From 2008-2011, the majority of my recommendations as a consultant pharmacist were to reduce or taper antipsychotic medications for clients due to the horrible side effects and lack of perceived benefit. From 2012 on, one of my job descriptions was to help reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in the elderly.

When the root cause of depression or a mood disorder is due to the thyroid, people with lifelong psychiatric diagnoses have been able to recover after receiving proper thyroid care.

A note from a reader

“One year ago, I was feeling anxious, depressed, and like I was going crazy! I was sent to a psychiatrist and prescribed Seroquel [an antipsychotic medication] and clonazepam [an anxiety medication]. 5 months later, I read your blog and went to my primary care doctor and demanded testing for Hashimoto’s. I wasn’t going crazy, I had TPO Antibodies well into the 600 range. I am being weaned off of the psychiatric meds and I immediately changed doctors. Thank you, Dr. Wentz, or I would still be spending thousands on a psychiatrist. And my TPO is slowly coming down.”

However, some people continue to have these symptoms despite taking medications like Synthroid, Levothyroxine, or Levoxyl.

The chances are that people may have these symptoms because they are not optimized on medications. A survey of over 2000 Root Cause readers found that as far as medications and mood, getting the TSH between 1 and 2, and in some cases under 1, helped a person improve their mood symptoms.

However, not everyone can be optimized on a T4 medication alone. One of the biggest signs that a person with thyroid disease is not converting T4 to the active T3 properly is depression. Additionally, medical studies have shown that up to one-third of people who fail antidepressants report feeling better once started on Cytomel® (a T3, thyroid hormone).

If you are still having symptoms of depression while on your thyroid medications, consider talking to your doctor about switching your medications. Around 60% of the Root Cause Readers surveyed reported improved mood after switching medications to a T3 containing medication like Nature-Throid, WP Thyroid, Armour*, or compounded T4/T3.

While doctors in the know have long known about the impact of thyroid hormones on mood, new research is showing that the presence of thyroid antibodies—even in euthyroid Hashimoto’s—can be associated with symptoms! Some people continue to have mood alterations even with “perfect” thyroid medications and thyroid hormone levels. New studies have connected depression, distress, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and anxiety with a high titer of TPO antibodies. Higher antibody levels are associated with a lower quality of life, even in those taking the thyroid medication levothyroxine.

If you have any family members or friends who have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders, please encourage them to have their thyroid function checked—especially TSH, TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodies, and TSH receptor antibodies.

A-Mind-of-Your-Own

If you’re struggling with depression, please know that while it may seem hopeless and like there’s nothing you can do to get better, these thoughts and feelings are the furthest from the truth. Hopelessness is a side effect of the disease process. Mood is temporary. Depression can get better, and in fact, I’ve seen hundreds of people recover from “hopeless” depression, anxiety, panic attacks, etc. by addressing their underlying root causes. You can get better too! Help is on the way!!

If you are suffering from depression, please know that you ABSOLUTELY can feel better! Even if you have “failed” antidepressants!

According to Dr. Kelly Brogan, the best way to heal the mind is to heal the whole body. Dr. Brogan shatters the mythology that conventional medicine has built around the causes and treatment of depression. I’m excited to share with you that Dr. Brogan has a book called A Mind of Your Own: The Truth about Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies to Reclaim Their Lives.

If you are suffering from depression or another type of mood disorder, please pick up a copy of Dr. Brogan’s book.

In the meantime, some of the things that have helped people with thyroid-related depression boost their mood include starting a selenium supplement, going on a gluten free or Paleo diet, acupuncture, sauna therapy, massage (80% reported this boosted their mood!), and adrenal adaptogens, so try one of these out as you wait for your book to arrive!

P.S. Please share this article with anyone you know who is battling depression.

*Note: While Armour Thyroid does not have any gluten-containing ingredients, it is not tested for gluten content, and cannot be certified as gluten-free. Armour does contain sodium starch glycolate, which can be derived from wheat or corn.

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Comments

    • Gerri- Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.
      HASHIMOTOS AND THYROID CANCER
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-thyroid-cancer

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  2. For years I struggled with depression and anxiety issues without even knowing they are thyroid related! Changing my diet has helped me so much over the last six months. I sleep better, feel better and rarely have bouts of depression or anxiety. Amazing what paying attention to what you eat can do right?
    Reply

  3. Jill, I was just going to write something similar! I recently dropped gluten and dairy from my diet and I feel a lot better. Still not always 100%, but a lot better! My husband and oldest daughter (12) both pointed out that I seem more “upbeat” after taking them out of my diet. 🙂
    Reply

  5. Help. 60 yr old female, diagnosed 15 years ago on pain pills etc for 2 in jury’s the past 7 years. Just found out I’m type 2 diabetes. Very depressed . Told I’m fine on levothyroxin of 1.15.
    Reply

  6. My thyroid been out since September 25 2013 and I can’t seem to get it level. I’ve been on different meds, I’m tired all the time and never any energy. Please help me!!!
    Reply

  7. You speak alot about hypothyroid but i have been diagnosed with hypo. I have alot of the symptoms i read here. Ive had gone to see a homeopathic dr out of state who prescribed natural thyroid and vitamin D drops as my blood tests were very low. Its been 5 weeks and i still dont feel any better. Im depressed, anxious and hard to get through my days. I just am at the end of my rope
    Reply

  9. I would like to know also if you can get Hoshimotos after a double thyroidectomy due to Thyroid Cancer?
    Reply

    • Ashley- Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  10. I also add 50 mg. of Iodine and that was really good for me. It made all the difference in the world. You have to take the companion supplements as well or you will get sick. I love that I found the Iodine Protocol!
    Reply

    • Marygrace- I’m very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto’s. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is a different mechanism. It’s like pouring gas into an engine that’s on fire… that’s essentially what’s happening in Hashi’s, thyroid inflammation, and adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, animal and human studies. I have spent 4 years researching this and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let’s fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my book. I have a whole chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.

      AMAZON
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  11. I’ve been battling a severe depression and having major anxiety on and off everyday. It’s dibilitating. I’ve heard about going gluten free but we are a single income family and I find it to be very expensive. Is there any suggestions you can give me. I’m desperate.
    Reply

  12. Michelle: Going gluten-free does not have to be hard. When you want something sweet, make delicious smoothies out of fruits for you and the family. You can make potato salads, bean salads, omelets with vegetables. I actually don’t eat grains, but I get my carbs from things like potatoes, beans, and fruits. Always wash your beans well before you soak them to prevent gluten-contamination. Try to buy whole foods instead of packaged foods because many packaged foods can be gluten-contaminated.
    Reply

    • Agnes- You may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You’re able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out. 🙂

      http://rootcauserecipes.com/

      Reply

  13. I’ve been watching the depression sessions and was so upset that I missed your interview. I’ve been suffering with depression the past several years and treated with Wellbutrin, the only med that slightly works for me. I was also diagnosed hypo 20 years ago, but was just recently told it was Hashimotos. I voted like crazy to get you back on todays Encore Day, so when I saw you were on I couldn’t be happier. What great information you gave. I took 2 full pages of notes, and cant wait to receive your book. All your amazing information, coupled with a wonderful new Dr. is giving me so much hope! Everything is finally making sense, and I am setting a goal to become one of your success stories! Thank you for your hard work and all you do to help so many people!
    Reply

    • Lenore- Thank you so much for your support. I’m looking forward to hearing your progress on this page. Make sure to take the book slow, take notes, highlight, and establish a baseline when making changes. 🙂

      Reply

  14. My symptoms are: depression, apathy, fatigue, heart palpitations, slightly dry skin

    Do you think I should get a blood test to see if I have a thyroid problem? I’ve been struggling for years with the depression and the other problems with nothing seeming to help but I haven’t experienced any weight gain, sensitivity to the cold, constipation or muscle pain like most other people seem to.

    Reply

  15. Is there more information out there regarding the use of Levothyroxine as a prophylactic treatment for Hashimotos patients that are euthyroid? I have only been able to find one study that yielded some positive results, albeit only a study run for a year. I am hoping to avoid if at all possible, going into overt hypothyroidism and maintaining my thyroid levels balanced early on in the process.

    Reply

  16. My teenage daughter is hypothyroid and takes medication. Her TSH levels have improved. Now she is suffering from depression and fatigue, she is not herself, says she cannot control her head, cant take it anymore, cries a lot and doesnt want to go to school. I feel for her that she is suffering and I want to help. Is it common that with improving TSH levels depression is triggered? She used to be a happy girl.

    Reply

  17. Thank you for this information. My boyfriend has Hashimoto’s and depression. I was struck by this sentence: “One of the biggest signs that a person with thyroid disease is not converting T4 to the active T3 properly is depression.” Do you happen to have any sources on that? It might help to convince his doctor. Thanks a lot!

    Reply

  18. I was diagnosed with hashimotos in 10/2014, 8 months after my first child was born. I went and still am gluten free and for the most part dairy and nightshade free. My Tpo was 220 when diagnosed and am at 72 now. I am on 65mg nature throid and my TSH is in the 3’s and T3 is at the higher level. I am primarily paleo and do AIP off and on. I’m feeling lack of energy and lack of interest and started getting anxiety attacks 8 months ago. Should I order the 94 allergy test? Wondering if I am eating something that is a trigger? I just want to feel normal again. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Robin – thank you for following this page. Did you know that reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity, in particular, has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well-known risk factor for Hashimoto’s), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten?

      Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts, and pain by eliminating the foods they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful.

      FOOD SENSITIVITIES AND HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/food-sensitivities-and-hashimotos

      TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs

      Reply

  19. Hello Isabella. I’m 23 and was diagnosed with euthyroid Hashimoto’s 6 years ago. Do you really think my depression, which break out a year ago could be linked to euthyroid Hashimoto’s? All the doctors I have seen told me that being euthyroid, my depression is not linked to my thyroid. Could you suggest me supplements please? Thanks, Julie

    Reply

  20. In all of your articles and comment responses regarding unyielding depression in spite of good TSH, FT3 and FT4 levels, I have yet to see you (or Dr. Kelly Brogan) write anything about the implications of RT3 and whether that is a contributing factor for ongoing depression. I have been suffering with this as well as weight issues since the year prior to my Hypothyroid diagnosis in 2003, with worsening depression despite “good” TSH, FT3 and FT4 which my endocrinologist deems “the best she has ever seen them, so my depression is due to something else, and has no further suggestions.” She does not test for RT3 nor has she tested my 24 hour cortisol or other adrenal hormones. There is only one functional medical practitioner where I live in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and besides putting me on an elimination diet (which has also not helped), he does not seem to know much more than I do. The last 7 years have seen me lose my job, my income, my sanity, and relationships. My life has been taken from me and I have no quality of life. I am at the end of my rope. If you could provide any insight, it would be very much appreciated. Thank-you in advance.

    Reply

    • Tanis – Thank you for following this page and I’m sorry to hear that you are struggling.

      When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I felt so alone. My doctor didn’t think it was a big deal, and none of my friends or co-workers had it. It wasn’t until I started to research online that I found others who were going through the same thing.

      A couple of years after my diagnosis, I found Hashimoto’s 411, a closed Facebook group run by Alice Berry McDonnell. This group is amazing! It is comprised of an army of highly motivated, smart, supportive women and men (now 45,000+ strong), and each of them sharing ideas of what worked for them, things they were planning to try, and offering support to one another. The comfort I received from knowing that there were others going through the same challenges as I, was enormous.

      https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/

      Ask questions. Post your thoughts. Scan the files. It is an absolutely amazing resource. Best of all it’s kept private from spammers.

      Reply

  21. I dealt with depression, alopecia areata and back pain since I was a teenager.In 2006 I was diagnosed with celiac disease and hashimotos and put on a gf diet and natural thyroid hormones (armour,compounded, nature’s throid and wp).Now,after my third child and 8 years of non stop nursing ,especially at night,my doctor put me on compounded synthetic t4/t3 slow release because new research says that people with hashimotos don’t do well on natural thyroid. I can’t find this info anywhere, and all I know is that I am getting worse.Been on a paleo diet and things got worse,like me developing carpal tunnel syndrome, mctd,shortness of breath in a daily basis for 1 year and a half,excruciating back pain that stops me from moving, alopecia areata coming back,depression and so on
    I have been taking stress response by gaia,selenium and other things with little help.Really don’t know what else to do.I’m still 20 lb overweight even though my tsh went down.While my tsh went down,my antibodies went up from over 500 to over 700 now being on a grain and dairy free diet.While on natural thyroid my mind and body were so much better, but now supposedly are not good for me.My doc told me he could loose his license if he would prescribe that to me,which I know is lie. Question is why?

    Reply

  22. 20 yrs ago my mom was diagnosed with depression, and was prescribed prozak. And over the next 6 months she went on and off. She felt horrible off and horrible on, but the doctor kept saying she needed it. And after she admitted that she felt suicidal on it, he said you need more……my mom committed suicide :'( and 20 yrs later I am her age and found an amazing natural path doctor, so that I don’t go down the same road. And actually avoided doctors for so many years living miserable, but afraid of the same diagnosis. I am currently being tested for hashimoto’s and celiac (going off gluten changed my life) Anyh

    Reply

    • Anyhow, I really believe that my mom struggled with this. Losing someone to suicide, isn’t easy. Both my brother’s have turned to drugs to cope. My younger one died 2 yrs ago from drugs, and my older is in the struggle losing everything.

      Thank you for your dedication to educate ♡

      Reply

    • Michelle – thank you for following this page and for sharing. I am so happy you are taking charge of your heal and I’m looking forward to seeing your progress on this page. <3

      Reply

  23. How does one know which diet to try?
    Would I just check my Antibody levels once a month for improvement and then move onto the next diet if it doesn’t?

    I understand some people get better from diet alone, but do most need Thyroid medication for Hashimoto’s?

    How do you know if your medication dose is too low or if it just isn’t the right one for you?

    How do I know if I need selenium vs a diet vs other things?
    This seems very complicated with so many possible treatments that it’s overwhelming where to even start.

    Reply

    • Max – thank you for following this page. The most common triggers in Hashimoto’s are: nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), stress, an impaired ability to get rid of toxins and in some cases, infections. Optimizing your health starts with food. Figuring out which foods nourish you, and which ones cause you harm is the single most important thing you can learn in your health journey.

      I’ve found that recognizing and eliminating reactive foods can be a life-changer for most people with Hashimoto’s.

      Reactive foods trigger an inflammatory response in the GI tract, leading to malabsorption of nutrients (gluten sensitivity in particular has been implicated in causing a Selenium deficiency, a well known risk factor for Hashimoto’s), and can also produce intestinal permeability whenever they are eaten.

      Most people will see a dramatic reduction in gut symptoms, brain symptoms, skin breakouts and pain by eliminating the foods that they are sensitive to. Some will also see a significant reduction in thyroid antibodies! An additional subset of people will actually be able to get their Hashimoto’s into complete remission just by getting off the foods they react to, normalizing their thyroid antibodies, and some even normalizing their thyroid function! Here are some articles which I wrote:

      BEST DIET FOR HASHIMOTO’S AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/best-diet-for-hashimotos-hypothyroidism

      TAILORING YOUR THYROID DIET
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/tailoring-your-thyroid-diet-to-your-needs

      DAIRY AND HASHIMOTO’S
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/got-hashimotos-you-may-want-to-reconsider-dairy

      Reply

  24. One more thing:
    Why do symptoms start?
    As in, if we had Hashimoto’s for a while, why would symptoms start when they do?
    I’ve always eaten the same, so it wasn’t from a sudden shift of diet.
    Did my body just reach a tipping point?

    Reply

    • Max – Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

      We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this. Sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition. Here are the links to my books:

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://amzn.to/2DoeC80

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

      Reply

  25. In 2016 I was diagnosed with both Hashimotos and FSH muscular dystrophy..it’s been a hard road both trying to find someone to help with my thyroid and also accepting the fact I now have a different future with my MD..I struggle with a lot of pain especially at night and also insomnia among other symptoms but those being the main ones..I am at a loss cause when I talk to drs the one question I always get is are you seeing anyone and somehow it always ends up with you have all the signs of depression and I think we should put you on antidepressant..I get frustrated cause I do have a lot on my mind and I’ve always worked in healthcare so that may make it worse but I know I need to start taking the right steps as far as diet to start the healing for my thyroid but just frustrating that every dr just wants to throw antidepressants at you and not just understand that I’m 35 and have health issues that will create a lot of havoc and a muscle disease that I will have forever..what do I say or do to make doctors understand and willing to help me in the right way?

    Reply

  26. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease in 1982 at the age of 12 and by then my thyroid had already been completely destroyed. My personality is that of an introvert. I have been plagued with waxing and waning anxiety and depression through out my teens and adult live but basically told to “suck it up” in most cases or just called too sensitive. I was diagnosed with psoriasis in 1982 as well.

    My family doctor diagnosed me with General Anxiety Disorder last year and put me on Paxil because of overwhelming conditions at work. I found most helpful (it cleared up my psoriasis!) but it does come with some nasty side effects. Literally last month I learn there is a link between Hashimoto’s disease and anxiety and depression.

    Could I have had General Anxiety Disorder undiagnosed for the better part of 35 years cause by Hashimoto’s?

    Reply

    • Richard – thank you for reaching out and sharing your journey. <3 Anxiety symptoms are very common in people with thyroid disorders. Here are some articles which might help:

      HASHIMOTO'S AND ANXIETY
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/hashimotos-and-anxiety/

      AUTOIMMUNE THYROID DISEASE AND ANXIETY
      httpa://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/autoimmune-thyroid-disease-and-anxiety

      ARE YOU GOING CRAZY OR IS IT JUST YOUR THYROID
      httpa://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/are-you-going-crazy-or-is-it-just-your-thyroid

      Reply

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