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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if underactive thyroid causes clinical depression?

35 replies

Tobythecat · 04/09/2017 18:36

I've always had symptoms of an underactive thyroid (mental fog, thin hair/hair falling out, lack of outer eyebrow, dry skin, depression, problems regulating temperature etc but for the last 2 years I've had this awful depression usually accompanied by brain fog for the last 2 years. My life has changed completely and I should be happy, but this awful depression is back and I don't know why. I have had blood tests in the past and they were always borderline or they said I was at risk of becoming hypothyroid. My last TSH was 6.5 but they didn't seem concerned.

I'm on antidepressants and I've tried a few different ones and changed doses, but this depression still rears it's ugly head for no fucking reason. I have been practicing buddhist techniques for a year and meditation, but it's so hard to do and I'm so sick of feeling despair.

AIBU to demand to see the doctor tomorrow (emergency appointment) and demand they start me on a low dose of thyroxine? I don't want to be fobbed off with another blood test and told it's borderline again. What shall I do?

OP posts:
Moose23IsHungry · 04/09/2017 18:39

Yes thyroid can definitely affect your mood, especially with high TSH levels like yours

If the doctor is no good, see a private endocrinologist- it will cost a bit but get them to write a letter to your GP with a treatment plan. That's what I had to do.

It also can be related to miscarriages and caused two of mine - keep in mind if you want to become pregnant.

I hope you feel better soon.

MsMommie · 04/09/2017 18:41

Yes. Depression, even excessive anger, can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid.

shockshockhorror · 04/09/2017 18:45

Yes, it was my biggest symptom along with tiredness. Totally relieved now I'm on the correct dosage. See another doctor and explain how awful you feel. It took a few doctors before I found one who didn't fob me off.

I hope you feel better soon.

KellyMarieTunstall2 · 04/09/2017 18:50

Yes absolutely. Once you are medicated your mood will lift and you may not need antidepressants. I feel best when my tsh is 1ish. I echo the pp who mentioned that its linked to miscarriage too so be mindful of that. It can also affect vitamin and mineral levels, low ferritin and b12 etc. I hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
Tobythecat · 04/09/2017 18:59

I have made a list of my symptoms and I will show it to the doctor hopefully tomorrow if I can get an appointment. I can't afford to go private. If I do start treatment, how long until the depression lifts?

OP posts:
Lissette · 04/09/2017 19:10

I'm being investigated for an underactive thyroid at the moment. I'm not depressed at present but when I had Graves disease 10 years ago, I was severely underactive first then overactive. That time I was depressed when underactive.

FeedMeAndTellMeImPretty · 04/09/2017 19:19

Yes, I was fobbed off with anti depressants and told it was PND for months before they'd even test my thyroid. Luckily one day my GP was off and the locus agreed to test it - he called me back in the day the results came back with a sky high TSH. I feel crap over 2 ( think it was over 200 if I recall correctly!)

Over 5 they should be taking you seriously with all those symptoms, but I know a lot of people have had to wait until it goes over 10 to get treatment.

Have a read of Stop the Thyroid Madness (I think there are 2 versions of the book - one for patients and one for professionals, but also website) and also look into joining the FTPO groups on Facebook (For Thyroid Patients Only) where you can get lots of support on gut issues, adrenals, vitamin deficiencies etc. It seems daunting when you are suffering with brain fog etc but if you can do some research you can become your own advocate.

FeedMeAndTellMeImPretty · 04/09/2017 19:20

*locum not locust Grin

PollyFlint · 04/09/2017 19:40

It certainly can cause clinical depression, although plenty of people have clinical depression with no 'cause' at all. You say you 'you should be happy' and you 'don't know why' your mood is low - but that's the case with many people with depression and they don't all have thyroid issues.

However, as you've said, the thyroid thing is certainly a possibility, so it's definitely something to discuss with the GP if your thyroid tests are borderline. It can often take quite a while to get the dose right for thyroid medication though, so I wouldn't expect instant results and it probably isn't really an emergency, so I'd make an ordinary appointment rather than an emergency one. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

ragz134 · 04/09/2017 19:43

Yes, when mine was under treated I had depression symptoms, took citalopram for 6 months and it settled, along with dose being adjusted. I always said it was the thyroid, doctor wasn't sure but it fits as I had the same depression before I was diagnosed.

Allfednonedead · 04/09/2017 19:46

Thyroid issues cause so many MH problems. I have a diagnosis of bipolar II that the last psychiatrist I saw said was almost certainly wrong and all my symptoms were down to my thyroid issues (Hashimoto's disease).
Anything about 2 for my TSH and I'm a mess, but if it goes too low, I get hypomanic.

Unfortunately, most GPs aren't very clued in about the subtleties of thyroid issues - fair enough, but it would be nice if it were easier to get to a good endocrinologist.
Keep bothering them.
And yes, look at STTM for backup.

Ttbb · 04/09/2017 19:48

Yes it does. I've seen it happen to two people who were very close to me. It's a terrible condition if left untreated.

Namebot · 04/09/2017 19:49

Have a look at the NICE guidelines. I believe it is stated that if tsh is above 5 but below 10 a trial of thyroxine would be appropriate for patients with symptoms.

I would be unable to function either a tsh of 6. Brain fog and depression are symptoms of an underactive thyroid.

user1498726699 · 04/09/2017 19:55

My GP (actually several different ones over 10 years) would not give thyroxine when I had 'normal' range blood tests despite me insisting that I would sign a disclaimer. It is the RULES you see. My last one showed a TSH of 15 and I'm finally on medication. DD is amazed I am starting to sprout eyebrows Grin but the low mood has not improved 10 weeks in. Mind you I have a lot to be depressed about so no wonder!

Hopefully a private doc might help you OP if you get no joy with the NHS. I have never had the spare cash for that or I would have seen one years ago.

Original poster
Tobythecat · 04/09/2017 20:05

Thank you for the replies. I just feel awful and can't go on like this - the depression is really bad. I'm going to try and see the doctor tomorrow and hopefully he/she won't fob me off!

OP posts:
PacificDogwod · 04/09/2017 20:10

Ask to have your TSH, T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies checked.

I would (and have) agree to a trial of thyroxine, but with a fixed RV period:3 or 6 months.
If you did not feel any better after few months on thyroxine than you felt off it, then I'd explore other causes for how you are feeling (because there are potentially many).

Over-treating with thyroxine can have serious health effects also, so should not be done lightly.
But giving it a go if you have tried ADs and all other bloods are normal is worth a go. All I ask my patients is that they keep an open mind about it - thyroxine is not a wonder drug and cannot cure all ills.

Good luck.

Danceswithwarthogs · 04/09/2017 20:21

I developed under active thyroid (hashimotos) after first child - vague symptoms - including lack of energy, light headedness, constipation etc that doc initially wanted to blame on lack of sleep/breast feeding(!?) I pushed for bloods (am a vet so felt a bit more confident arguing the medicine and not being fobbed off) which diagnosed it. TBH GP wasn't terribly knowledgeable about how to manage things, took ages to get dose right and kept saying that a tsh of 5 was normal when to conceive you really need it below 2.5 (hence probs with infertility and mc). Antithyroid antibodies can be relevant too.

I would get info from reputable source such as thyroid UK and go armed to doctors... much better than Doctor Google!!

TheEdgeOfGlory266 · 04/09/2017 20:25

I had depression after I had my son and the first thing the Dr did was check my thyroid. It was defo out if whack and my thyroxine dosage has steadily crept up over the last 2 years. I know when my dose needs changing because of how my it affects my mental health.

LikeARedBalloon · 04/09/2017 20:30

I have an underactive thyroid (hashimotos) and one of the first signs that my levels aren't right is an overwhelming feeling of despair and depression and self hatred 🙁 I was diagnosed 10 years ago and can now tell early on when I'm starting to 'slip' and get my levels checked and take a bit more care of myself...adjust my diet, up my vitamins etc.
For info, I'm on 150 mg of thyroxine each day.
Good luck OP and push for a second opinion from another doctor. I can remember crying in relief when I finally found one that listened to me and took my symptoms seriously Flowers

ChefsFloozie · 04/09/2017 20:47

Hope no one minds the hijack but could I ask some advice.

My DH has these periods of 'absence' where he's very dopey and brain fog like. I think it's psychological but reading this it might be worth getting his thyroid checked.

I'm tempted to go private so wondered what exactly people would recommend getting tested as there's a lot of variation in what can be tested. Thank you!

Usernom1234567890 · 04/09/2017 20:55

If you're sent for another TFT bloods, remember to go first thing in the morning and Not later in the day. TSH levels follow a circadian rhythm and are highest in the early hours of the morning.

Original poster
Tobythecat · 04/09/2017 21:28

Usernom - interesting! The depression is terrible in the mornings and sometimes lifts around lunchtime. It's almost always gone by late evening.

OP posts:
PacificDogwod · 04/09/2017 21:42

Depression can have a diurnal variation as well.

Get checked out, I suspect further blood tests (not just TFTs) are likely a good idea, and keep an open mind about what it might turn out to be. Could be thyroid, could not be thyroid.

Original poster
Tobythecat · 04/09/2017 22:03

Thanks Pacific. What other blood tests shall I ask for?

OP posts:
Usernom1234567890 · 04/09/2017 22:12

FBC
Iron stores (ferritin levels)
B12 & Folate
Vitamin D