How the Thyroid Impacts Mental Health

When my mom was in her 30's, she found herself feeling completely worn out, tired, and not herself. After discussing her symptoms with her doctor, she was diagnosed with depression and began taking antidepressants in hopes that it would help her find some relief. While the medications helped relieve symptoms for a couple of years, she eventually started showing signs of thyroid disease. After testing, it was determined that my mother's underactive thyroid was the culprit for many of her symptoms - including the symptoms that were first diagnosed as depression. My mom is now happy and working on her thyroid health with her doctor, but it had me wondering how many other people had a story similar to hers. 

Can the thyroid really impact mental health that much? 

The thyroid listens to signals from another gland that is found in our brain, called the pituitary gland, which is controlled by the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for helping to control internal body functions such as body temperature, salt and water balance, and sex drive. The hypothalamus also influences the pituitary gland, and in turn, the thyroid. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the hypothalamus sends TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH), to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland receives this message and produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormones (TSH) that stimulate the thyroid to produce more T3 and T4. 

This process, of course, is assuming that the thyroid, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus are healthy and functioning properly. When one of these glands’ functions are compromised for any number of reasons, a variety of health concerns – both physical and mental, could arise. 

Let's take a look at the most common thyroid disorders and how they can affect both physical and mental health.

Hyperthyroidism - Those with hyperthyroidism produce and release too many thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. The Cleveland Clinic states that an overactive thyroid gland can lead to the following physical and psychological symptoms: 

Hyperthyroidism can is rare but can occur in individuals that have a family history of thyroid disease, a medical history of anemia, type 1 diabetes, or primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease). The risk of developing hyperthyroidism is also higher in women, people over age 60, and women who are pregnant or have just given birth. 

Hypothyroidism - Hypothyroidism occurs because the thyroid is underactive and doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. According to the Cleveland Clinic, both physical and mental symptoms of hypothyroidism include: 

You're at a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism if you have a family history of thyroid dysfunction or thyroid conditions, have developed thyroiditis, or have an iodine deficiency. Those with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid, are also at a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism. 

In general, the more advanced the thyroid condition is, the more severe the mental health symptoms are. The significant physical changes that occur with thyroid problems can also negatively impact one's mental health. Changes in weight, skin, and hair, and even eye health due to thyroid diseases can all negatively influence self-image and mental health. 

Other Ways the Thyroid and Mental Health are Connected

While the thyroid and thyroid hormones have been found to have a direct link to mental health concerns and accompanying symptoms, sometimes thyroid treatments, medications, and other conditions could further harm one's mental health. 

• Bipolar Disorder - The symptoms of bipolar disorder are similar to both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, which can lead to misdiagnosis and further thyroid damage. Those that are bipolar experience depressive episodes that closely resemble the signs of an underactive thyroid, as well as manic episodes that can be compared to an overly active thyroid. Some studies have even found that those with hyperthyroidism are more likely to develop bipolar disorder. Additionally, bipolar patients have often been prescribed lithium,  an antipsychotic, which can damage the thyroid and cause low thyroid hormone levels, according to the American Thyroid Association. 

• Postpartum Depression (PPD) - After birth, some women develop postpartum thyroid disease, a condition that causes the thyroid to become inflamed after the baby is born. Women that have tested for antithyroid antibodies (antibodies that accidentally attack the thyroid) are at an increased risk of developing PPD. 

Tips to Improve Your Thyroid Health

While a variety of factors play a role in the thyroid and mental health, taking care of yourself is one of the best preventative steps you can take to help ensure both your body and mind are healthy and happy. 

To give your thyroid (and your brain!) a boost, make sure to: 

• Talk with Your Doctor - No amount of online research or talking with friends is going to give you a definitive answer about your symptoms, only trained professionals and testing can do that. Be honest with your doctor about your symptoms and family medical history so that they can work to properly test, diagnose, and treat you - for thyroid or mental health reasons!  

• Eat a Balanced Diet - Eating a well-balanced, healthy meal is good for overall health as well as thyroid health. Healthy eating helps prevent harmful inflammation in the gut that could lead to a potentially damaging immune response. With that being said, there are certain foods to look for that could help boost thyroid health! Find foods packed with iodine, selenium, and fatty acids such as Seaweed or nori, Nuts, Fish (such as salmon, cod, or sea bass), dairy, and eggs.

• Avoid Certain Foods - Avoid foods made with trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and refined sugar to avoid harmful inflammation. Additionally, cruciferous veggies such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, watercress, bok choy, and brussels sprouts contain a chemical called goitrogens and can impact the production of thyroid hormones. 

• Try a Thyroid Supplement! - If you're worried your lifestyle choices and diet aren't having enough of a positive impact on your thyroid health, consider adding a dietary supplement to your routine! Look for reputable brands like 1 Body, that transparently share ingredients and manufacturing processes so that you know exactly what's going in your body. Be sure that your thyroid supplement contains these main ingredients: Iodine, Selenium, Ashwagandha, Iron, and Bladderwrack.