After a bipolar diagnosis, this patient was prescribed eight different psychotropic medications and received a dozen electroconvulsive treatments.
After six months of support for Hashimoto’s, her symptoms resolved and she is now drug-free, with the exception of thyroid hormone medication. Was her bipolar disorder simply misdiagnosed Hashimoto’s?
I receive many amazing stories from people around the country whose lives were turned around by proper care for their Hashimoto’s. However this story of a young woman who spent most of her thirties on psychotropic drugs and underwent more than a dozen electroconvulsive treatments while under anesthesia really struck a chord. Her story, as told by her naturopath, follows.
Could Hashimoto’s flare-ups have started her down a path of psych meds and electroshock treatments?
“My patient Jeanette, 42, had been diagnosed seven years earlier by her family physician with bipolar disorder. She had manic episodes of staying up late at night, buzzing with energy and working on various projects, and shopping to excess, spending money she and her husband didn’t have. After these energy surges she then would crash and fall into fatigue and depression. A friend suggested she might have bipolar disorder and she brought this up with her family doctor, who prescribed her two psychiatric drugs and referred her to a psychiatrist. However her diagnosis was never re-evaluated and she eventually ended up on eight different medications, including lithium and drugs for depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and insomnia.
During her seven years of treatment she had also been hospitalized six times for complications due to her medications or for manic episodes. During the last hospitalization she had her gallbladder removed and was diagnosed with high blood sugar and Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune thyroid disease, and placed on thyroid hormone medication. Prior to seeing me she received twelve or thirteen electroconvulsive treatments under anesthesia during a six-month period, as prescribed by her psychiatrist.
Uncontrollable tremors and flat affect
When Jeanette came to my office her hands and legs shook uncontrollably, the result of a tremor that had developed recently. She also had a flat affect, meaning she showed no emotion and her overall mood was dull and low. She also said she struggled with extreme fatigue.
Given the precarious nature of her mental health and that fact that she had had so many hospitalizations, I thought it prudent to start very slowly with her case management.
Going gluten-free and dietary changes
Because of her Hashimoto’s diagnosis, the first thing I did was put her on an autoimmune diet and remove gluten from her diet. I also asked her to remove dairy and sugar and add in healthy fats, lots of vegetables, and to eat more frequently to keep her blood sugar stable. I supported her nutritionally with essential fatty acids (including emulsified fish oil), emulsified vitamin D, nutrients for insulin resistance (since her blood sugar was high her last time in the hospital), and gallbladder support to give her the digestive support she needed since her gallbladder had been removed.
Gut detox and adrenal support
Immediately she started to notice improvement in how she felt. After following the diet for several months, I put her on a gut detoxification program with a hypoallergenic detox protein powder. I started her on adrenal adaptogen herbs and nutrients as her salivary adrenal panel showed an increase in cortisol and night. This means she was more awake and night when she should be tired, which indicates a dysfunction in the brain’s sleep-wake cycle. Adrenal adaptogens address this.
Supporting serotonin
I also gave her nutritional compounds to support serotonin activity based on the results of a neurotransmitter assessment. [Note: Serotonin is a brain chemical responsible for feelings of joy and well being. Serotonin activity can become compromised in hypothyroidism.] She also continued to work on stabilizing her blood sugar with a lower-carb diet and by eating regularly to avoid drops in blood sugar.
Dramatic turn around and now med-free
After starting this protocol she felt so much better she decided to stop taking all of her medications, unbeknownst to me. But as it turns out her tremors disappeared completely and she now sleeps great. Whereas before she was emotionless and dull, she is now a bubbly, sweet, and energetic person. Since going off her meds, however, her TSH has slowly climbed and she will begin taking thyroid hormone medication. We will have her progress gingerly with the dosage so as to avoid over stimulating her metabolism.
She currently feels great. In fact, she says she feels “completely normal.” She and her husband rejoiced recently when she became angry and argued with him. For seven years she had been so emotionless she never even got angry, and the return of her anger was a sign of improving health.
We’re not out of the woods yet. Although I do wonder if her bipolar diagnosis wasn’t simply misdiagnosed Hashimoto’s, given how common that is, we remain vigilant of her symptoms and have a holistic psychiatrist on standby.
Nevertheless, I feel fortunate and grateful to have learned this information from Dr. Kharrazian, Otherwise there would be no help for people like Jeanette.”
Padeen Quinn, ND, Portland, Oregon
Why Hashimoto’s is mistaken for bipolar disorder
Could eight medications, six hospitalizations, and a dozen electroconvulsive treatments under anesthesia all have been the result of misdiagnosed Hashimoto’s? If so, how many other people are enduring the same kind of misguided treatment?
It’s possible her bipolar symptoms were symptoms of Hashimoto’s, and unfortunately such a mistake is common today given the medical misunderstanding of Hashimoto’s. When autoimmune Hashimoto’s flares up, the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. As the thyroid tissue is destroyed, it spills excess thyroid hormone into the bloodstream. This causes symptoms that can easily be confused with the manic episode of bipolar disorder, such as hyperactivity, irritability, and an inability to sleep.
When the immune attack dies down, more thyroid tissue is lost and the person returns to a hypothyroid state that frequently includes depression and fatigue, which can look like the depressive state of bipolar disorder. Also for someone who has gone a period of time without sleeping much and operating on overdrive, a crash it to be expected.
Studies on Hashimoto’s and bipolar
Studies back up the connection between bipolar disorder and thyroid disorders.[1] A 2009 study showed a high rate of Hashimoto’s disease in those with bipolar disorder compared to the control group.[2] Additional studies have shown that outcomes in treatment for bipolar disorder are poor unless a thyroid condition is treated.[3] Bipolar is not only the mental disorder mixed up with Hashimoto’s. Research shows a significant correlation between the presence of thyroid antibodies used to identify Hashimoto’s and mood and anxiety disorders, including depression.[4] Subjects with Hashimoto’s disease show higher frequencies of lifetime depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorders and social phobias.[5] Complicating the issue is the fact that lithium, the drug used to treat bipolar, suppresses thyroid function.
Why serotonin support often helps in hypothyroidism
For Jeanette nutritional compounds to support serotonin activity also appear to have helped her greatly. Serotonin is an important brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, responsible for feelings of well-being and joy. This explains why poor serotonin activity is one of the most common culprits in depression. As it turns out hypothyroidism can decrease serotonin synthesis and the sensitivity of serotonin receptors,[6] giving one of the symptoms of serotonin deficiency.[7] This can manifest as depression, seasonal affective disorder (becoming depressed with lack of light), inner rage, paranoia, and a general loss of pleasure in life. Whenever I get a patient with high TSH and low T4, markers for hypothyroidism, I always assess whether poor serotonin activity is an issue.
Addressing poor serotonin activity is beyond the scope of this article, however it is a topic that will be included in my next book on brain chemistry. In the meantime, please work with your practitioner if you feel you suffer from poor serotonin activity.
After six months of support for Hashimoto’s, her symptoms resolved and she is now drug-free, with the exception of thyroid hormone medication. Was her bipolar disorder simply misdiagnosed Hashimoto’s?
References
[1] Chang KD, Keck PEJR. Differences in thyroid function between bipolar manic and mixed states. Biol Psychiatry. 1998 May 15;43(10):730-3.
[2] Kupka RW, Nolen WA, et al. High rate of autoimmune thyroiditis in bipolar disorder: lack of association with lithium exposure. Biol Psychiatry. 2002 Feb 15;51(4):305-11.
[3] Cole DP, Thase ME, et al. Slower treatment response in bipolar depression predicted by lower pretreatment thyroid function. Am J Psychiatry. 2002 Jan;159(1):116-21.
Frye MA, Denicoff KD, et al. Association Between Lower Serum Free T4 and Greater Mood Instability and Depression in Lithium-Maintained Bipolar Patients. Am J Psychiatry.156:1909-1914, December 1999.
[4] Carta MG, Loviselli A, et al. The link between thyroid autoimmunity (antithyroid peroxidase autoantibodies) with anxiety and mood disorders in the community: a field of interest for public health in the future. BMC Psychiatry. 2004 Aug 18;4:25.
[5] Carta MG, Hardoy MC. A case control study on psychiatric disorders in Hashimoto’s disease and euthyroid goitre: not only depressive but also anxiety disorders are associated with thyroid autoimmunity. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2005 Nov 10;1:23.
[6] Kulikov AV, Zubkov EA. Chronic thyroxine treatment activates the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor in the mouse brain. Neurosci Lett. 2007:416(3):307-309.
Bauer M, Heinz A, Whybrow PC. Thyroid hormones, serotonin and mood: of synergy and significance in the adult brain. Mol Psychiatry. 2002;7(2):140-56.
Kulikov AV, Jeanningro R. The effects of hypothyroidism on 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors and the serotonin transporter protein in the rat brain. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2002;31(4):445-9.
Kulikov A, Moreau X, Jeanningros R. Effects of expiremental hypothyroism on 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A receptors, 5-HT uptake sites and tryptophan hydroxylase activity in mature rat brain. Neuroendocrinology. 1999:69(6):453-9.
Tejani-Butt SM, Yang J, Kaviani A. Time course altered thyroid states on 5-HT1A receptors and 5-HT uptake sites in rat brain: an autoradiographic analysis. Neuroendocrinology. 1993;57(6):1011-8.
[7] Sullo A, Brizzi G, Maffulli N. Serotonin effect on deiodinating activity in the rat. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2003:81(7):747-51.
i am shazia noreen from pakistan, i am too much worry about my disease…. my blood tests r good n healthy but my guitar scan test is not normal its diffuse guitar… n i still have all symptoms ..like constipation, headache , depression, n cold hand n feet…. all these … my doctor suggest me a medicine is Thyroxine of two tablets i m using still 4 weeks but there is no improvement…. i am much worry plz tell me any solution
thanks regards…
shazia noreen
pakistan
islamabad
waiting of your reply….
you probably need natural dessicated thyroid made from either pigs or cows. if the prescriptions in your country don notn require a dorctors signature you can possibly buy it at a drug store.
goiter is when your thyroid swells up, in order to try to get more iodine from the blood. Natural thyroid is made from the tyroid glands of certain animals and has iodine in it which the body needs and uses.
start with a small milligrams dose 2 times a day.One brand name is Armour, another is Naturethroid, another from Canada is Erfa.
perhaps you can obtain it Thyroid medication of natural dessicated thyroid, from Turkey? I do not know where the4re is a supply in your area.
People living in Pakistan are generally very low in iodine. Did your doctor suggest that you eat iodized salt or seaweed? Low iodine may be part of the problem. Also, low selenium is probably part of your problem. It is also at very low levels in the Pakistan people. You need selenium to turn your thyroid hormone into its active form (T3). The active form is what your body uses. You also need iron and zinc to turn your thyroid hormone into its active form. Have the doctor check the minerals iodine, selenium, zinc and iron. He can also order a test for your active thyroid levels (T3). The problem could be birth control pills or shots. These interfere with your active thyroid levels.
Do not use corn oil in your cooking. Oils like corn oil interfere with the release of thyroid from the gland. Use butter instead.
Carolyn is right. Switching to one of the dessicated thyroid medications might help. Armour thyroid and Naturethroid contain some of this active thyroid form (T3), but the Thyroxine does not. You could also ask your doctor for a supplement of T3, but this is expensive. The Naturethroid and Armour are not expensive.
Ask your doctor to check your progesterone levels. If needed, you can rub some natural progesterone cream on your skin. Doing this will help reduce the thyroid gland size. However, given you live in Pakistan, I suspect that your main problem is a lack of both iodine and selenium.
Thank you for your excellent article. I don’t have bipolar disorder but have recently been suffering panic attacks. A recent test showed low thyroid and I suspect Hashimoto’s is to blame (more tests to follow).
The thing that amazes me is the inability that most doctors have to even consider that my thyroid levels may be causing my panic attacks. I have now had both my MD and my psychologist tell me that only hyperthyroid patients MAY experience panic attacks but not someone who is hypothyroid. And my MD didn’t even want to send me for a thyroid test before diagnosing anxiety. I had to insist that the test be taken based on research I’d done individually.
I am a 40 year old woman who has never had a panic attack in her life before a month ago. And yet neither doctor said “hmmmm…there might be a medical reason for this.” I had all of the symptoms of low thyroid function (sudden weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, etc.) and yet the only diagnosis my doctor even considered was anxiety caused by depression. Infuriating!!!!
I am a 32 yr old male with Hashimoto’s.
The last 12 months of my life have been nothing short of a living hell. Starting around this time last year I began experiencing itching throughout my entire body. I went to the doc and he told me I was fine, but my TSH was elevated. Somewhere around < 6. He also ran a thyroid pyroxidase test to check for antibodies that attack the thyroid. The test was elevated and I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism. However, the doc did not treat me. He thought my condition was "too mild" and needed to be watched closely. I thought nothing of it until I started to have sexual dysfunction, cognitive issues, hair loss. Confused, I went to an Endocrinologist and he ran a Testosterone test on me. And sure enough my testosterone was low. He started me on Clomid to get the testosterone flowing again. Short story, it worked, but after stopping the Clomid, I started to have severe panic attacks, ice pick headaches, and I went to the ER 2 times because I thought I was having a heart attack. At the hospital they definitely told me I was hypothyroid, but they dismissed my panic attacks as Generalized Anxiety, and declined to acknowledge that the Thyroid and the panic were indeed linked. Let me tell you something people. Its all linked. The human thyroid gland has an effect on every tissue in the body on a cellular level. If you are having thyroid issues, your symptoms can be broad and non specific.
And so, after 1 year of pain and torture, with a TSH < 9.0 both my Endo and I have decided to start on synthroid. Its been a few weeks and the headaches are gone, the panic attacks are less, but I'm still having bouts of Cycling. (Ups and Downs) that often mirror Manic Depression or Bipolar Disorder. I have been to see a psych and she has offered to put me on bipolar meds. I have opted to wait until I see what the synthroid does, and if it will knock out the cycling symptoms. This has been the biggest test of faith in my life. If you are out there and you are going through this, please, hang on and get some help. It may take some time for the meds to work, but I assure you, you're not going crazy, you're not losing touch with reality. Your body is taking you on a roller coaster ride that only modern medicine can put down.
Keep Calm and Carry On,
J
Synthroid could have fillers that you could react to and not allow you to finally feel well. You need to consider the natural Dessicated Thyroid NDT types. Your post was from some time ago so possibly you have already made the switch.
Hey Jeremy, I think if you want some real help go on to health unlocked its an Amazing site that will definitely help and support what your going through.
Hello,
I have a question for the administrator about Oxycell. How does oxycell pass through the skin, fascia, muscles, etc to get to the thyroid gland when applied topically?
Thank you,
Rohina
My son has been experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder when I mentioned that he had been diagnosed with HAshimoto’s the psychiatrist blew me off. After two months of meds for bipolar I made them do a Thyroid test. Sure enough his numbers were off and they started Thyroid medication. I am taking him off other meds to see what happens. Thanks for putting info out there that confirms my beliefs.
Sara – I know what you mean! I gave my doctor a list with all my symptoms on it (about 16 of them – all of which point to Hashimotos) and because depression was on there his response was ‘These symptoms are all caused by depression’. I know it’s the other way around in my case and am yet to find a doctor who can diagnose me correctly without hmmphing at my self-research. I also think it’s incredibly sad that there may be a LOT of people out there who are being treated for bipolar and suffering the consequences when there’s a good chance they don’t have it.
Helpful article, helped me with my panic attacks Thankyou so much.
Thanks for this nice article it was just what i was craving for today! I even have big own blog on hypothyroidism still and if you have got the prospect please take the time to check it out as I have some very fascinating information on these topic’s.
Amazing….
I recently saw a functional medicine doctor who was wonderful. Unfortunately, I cannot afford the program and it makes me sad. I’m trying to do all the research I can on this.
I was diagnosed in 2006 with Hashimoto, though my lab work back to 2000 showed all the signs. I have not felt good in YEARS. Everytime I went to the doctor I was told I’m just a busy working mom and that I need to rest more and exercise more! I also lost a child in 2000, so they throw that in there as well…”I’ve been through a lot”! My TSH were never below 4 since 2000…they were up to 9.7 at one point and I was told I was fine. Take my synthroid…never felt better. Finally, I could not take it anymore. The doctor I saw really opened my eyes…I just wish I could afford his program. I did go gluten free and my last lab work showed a TSH of 1.2!!!! I was amazed. It has never been in range. Taking supplements, though I am not sure they are all the right ones. Since gluten free, I have no more abdominal issues, and my body aches and pains are gone. They were affecting my daliy life.
I will continue to research andpray for the best, but I’m still in complete awe!!!
Hello,
I apologize in advance for any extraneous information that does not apply to you. Due to my current level of pain and/or cognition I have had to develop a sort of “form” email. Typing often exacerbates my pain and my headaches decrease my level of cognition. Developing a “form” email insures the details do not get left out.
I am emailing you today to try and get help from someone willing to review my case. I am doing this after a rather exhaustive search for a qualified doctor here in the state of Colorado.
Six years ago, at the age of 38, I suffered several bouts of audio hallucinations. I had absolutely no previous history of any mental health issues other than mild bouts of situational depression.
I do, however, have a long history of hypothyroidism. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 25 years ago. I was not definatively diagnosed with Hashimotos until two years ago when I developed a small but painful nodule on my thyroid. It was biopsied and diagnosed as Hashimotos. I now realize I have been suffering with the symptoms of this disease pretty much all my life and am quite upset that no doctor prior to that time did the proper bloodwork to determine the autoimmune nature of my condition
This, despite the fact I have a strong family history of multiple autoimmune diseases. My mother has Graves disease. My grandmother had Hashimotos. My brother has type I diabetes. My uncle had Crohns disease and and several members on my mothers side have Lupus. I also have a cousin with Graves disease. I have actually left out a few, believe it or not, because I don’t remember the particular autoimmune disease the family member was diagnosed with.
I believe a prescription drug called hyosciamine, that I was prescribed for IBS, actually precipitated my initial onset of psychosis but doctors neglected to connect the dots. Hyosciamine,as it turns out, is highly hallucinogenic. Hypothyroism is a contraindication of the drug and I am hypersensitive to almost every drug I’ve ever ingested. So it isn’t much of a stretch to figure out what precipitated the hallucinations, in hindsight. I also had an elevated TSH at the time. I can’t make heads or tails out of my CSF results but they are mentioned, specifically, so they may have been off. My CAT scan appeared normal.
I have since found, through my research, that all of those issues should have alerted medical proffessionals that my psychosis was a medical emergency not a psychological condition.
Unfortunately, they ignored or neglected to connect these issues and threw me to the psychiatric wolves, as it were.
It took months for my hallucinations to resolve. My guess is that as my thyroid leveled out and the hyosciamine left my system, my psochisis resolved.
In the meantime, I was placed on several psychiatric drugs which I repeatedly told my psychiatrists were making me worse. Even when my mother discovered that hyosciamine could be the cause, my psychiatrist at the time did not hospitalize me. I was just told to stop taking it. They continued to prescribe antipsychotic medication though. Those medications rendered me virtually unable to cognitively function to take care of myself.
Ultamately, I ended up being declared mentally disabled and placed under involuntary administration of antipsychotics because I kept taking myself off of them. These medications have caused a multitude of medical complications but my psychiatrists still refuse to review my medical records. I am now reviewing them myself because I have difficulty remembering what actually happened.
I am currently seeing an internist an endocrinogist a neurologist and an ear, nose, and throat specialist for my medical issues. Those issues are: confusion and cognition issues that seem to coinside with pressure-like migraine headaches; muscles that seem to stick in the contraction phase and will not release ( I am actually seeing a massage therapist for this and my massage therapist says she’s never seen anything quite like it); joint pain; nerve pain; fatigue; ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo.
To go back to my cognition issues, I assure you, this is not manic-like racing thought. It is more like mu brain cannot find the information. It feels like trying to think through sludge. At times I cannot comprehend written language or use a calculator to balance my checkbook.
My internist will not release me to go back to work until I have resolved some of these issues. I also have a referral pending to a cardiologist for multiple bouts of chest pain, heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
My research indicates there are two types of Hashimotos encephalopathy and I appear to be suffering signs of both types. I also have read that right sided neurological issues are common. My migraines are more painful on the right side and the muscle and joint pain is worse on the right. I had just assumed that was because I am right handed and use that side more frequently.
In addition, I have discovered that hypothyroidism predisposes me to neuroleptic malignant syndrome, seritonin syndrome and drug sensitivity. I believe that is why the antipsychotics and antidepressant are causing an increase in the severity of my symptoms.
I have presented all this information to my neurologist, internist, endocrinologist and ENT specialist and, while they all agree with me that all of that information is pertinent, none of them feels qualified to diagnose a case of Hashimotos encephalopathy.
I have also contacted a neuropsychiatrist here in Colorado, who doesn’t appear to think she is qualified to deal with my case. There are no autoimmune specialist or neuroendocrinologist. The neuroendocrinology lab here in Boulder told me to contact the doctors who’ve diagnosed previous cases.
My last antibody levels were elevated. They were about three times normal. My T3 level was low but my TSH was within normal range. Because of my symptoms my endocrinologist chose to lower my Synthroid. It made no sense to me but what choice do I have but to follow her advice? My symptoms are not improving. I am due for another blood test in a couple of weeks. Basically, my doctors are of no help to me, at this point.
By the way, I don’t believe my antibodies were even tested in the emergency room when I first presented with psychosis. I have yet to receive a full copy of those medical records.
I have lost my marriage, custody of my children and my dignity over this. Is there any chance you know of someone who would be willing to review my case and if so what medical/mental health information do I need to get for them?
I do have a small amount of money left from my divorce settlement but, obviously, at this point medical, expenses are exceptionally high, so I also need an estimate as to what this will cost. In addition, traveling to another state may be difficult but I can certainly try and figure it out.
As I stated before I am on mental health disability and Medicare does not pay for the specialists I appear to need to consult.
My current mental health diagnosis is bipolar but my research clearly indicates that is likely wrong given all the factors in this equation. I have never accepted that diagnoses and up until the age of 38 never showed a single sign of having anything like bipolar. I had a very normal exhistence. I have repeatedly stated that fact to both medical and mental health care proffesionals.
Any help or guidance you could offer would be greatly appreciated. I am frankly exhausted and overwhelmed by my inability to find qualified medical proffesionals in my state willing to review my medical records. With all my health issues and the fact I never know when I will lose my ability to cognitively function enough to be able to continue to seek for help this, it is beyond stressful.
Thank you for any help you may be able to provide.
Wendy
hi wendy my story is sooo close to yours I am in tears, I feel your pain! please read the book stop the thyroid madness and find your self a doctor who will treat your symptoms and not the numbers… a naturopath is a good place to start one with an M.D. or D.O. I will be praying for you and I hope you have found some answers and a medical team who is willing to help you!
How has your health progressed. Great post. Love your research finds.
Hello Wendy, Try to find the underlying cause to all the madness. I am doing this for myself and my son, having symptoms of both bipolar and hypo/hyper thyroidism, but never responding well to head meds. You should research iodine deficiency, along with flouride/bromide toxins. Consider conducting an experiment using natural cures, such as by taking Iodoral (iodine/iodide) tablets ($36 for 180 tabs at iherb.com) (or Lugol’s drops ($11)(messy and tastes funny)) and/or Raw Thyroid ($16 for 90 caps, also at iherb.com) made by Natural Sources; and Raw Thyroid is also available OTC at vitamin shops. (Approx prices are given, because you wanted a cost estimate). I have not seen Iodoral sold in stores, but it can be purchased at many on-line shops. The Raw Thyroid capsules cover all the bases (TSH, T4, T3, enzymes, etc) and are made from freeze dried thyroid glands and adrenal glands from toxin-free organically raised cows from New Zealand). Read reviews on all of these supplements. Research dosage levels. Research testing for iodine deficiency; for example, you can paint iodine tincture ($3 for small bottle at a pharmacy)on your skin and see how fast it fades or have blood tested for iodine level($150). Iodine is good for hypo and hyperthyroidism. Iodine must compete against toxic flouride/flourine and bromide/bromine entering thyroid via our diets. Iodine also knocks other heavy metals out of our bodies (heavy metal detox). Again, experiment on your own body using natural things first. Doctors are only educated guessers. Some stop self-educating themselves or lack interest in non-pharmaceutical knowledge. They wear white coats, not white robes. They are not gods. They are “practicing” physicians trying their best guess. Be your own health advocate. Educate yourself on a subject more than a doctor. Research. Research. Research. Then try safe experiments with cures that are as non-synthetic and non-toxic as possible. If blood tests show “normal” levels, but you still have signs of wacky thyroid, try those somewhat natural cures anyway (I am trying Iodoral and Raw Thyroid: 3 of each per day, for one week, and then reducing to 2 of each per day for several weeks, and finally reduce to 1 Iodoral only… unless any bad side-effects along the entire trial). For stress reduction, take magnesium citrate (NOT Mg OXIDE) before bedtime (research magnesium deficiency related to allergies, nerves, sleep, migraines, etc). If you want to save money on the blood test process, you can avoid the doctor’s office and order lab tests online (in many states) via dotcoms like privatelabs.com and labsmd.com (all working with LabCorp offices around the US). There are likely other online-lab-order-dispensers and lab office chains out there. Read reviews on them; I have not ordered tests online yet, but will do next week for my son. This way, you can (more affordably) periodically test your thyroid functioning (TSH, free T3, and free T4; $78 combo price via privatemdlabs.com and LabCorps offices). You can also rule out possible causes like anemia or blood sugar problems via this cheaper periodic testing. One final summary note: the iodine and magnesium deficiency in most people’s diets, combined with competing toxins and stressful lives are causing a wide range of health problems in many people. Just as vitamin C deficiency caused scurvy, iodine and magnesium deficiency may now be causing a range of mental and physical disorders. (You mentioned stress at the end of your letter, so I mentioned the magnesium… to help steady your nerves and produce better sleep). Good luck!
Wendy ….. You mentioned one of your symptoms was “muscles that seem to stick in the contraction phase and will not release”. I am not a doctor so you can take this for what it is worth, but that is a classic symptom of a neurological disease called “Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy”. There are 2 types, Type 1 and Type 2. It’s an inherited disease that gets worse every generation so it goes undiagnosed until someone gets a severe case. Also, very often, it goes undiagnosed because the symptoms vary from person to person a great deal and they can be somewhat vague. There are certain trademark visual clues and tests that a decent neurologist should pick up on, like if a person makes a tight fist say for 10 seconds or so and then cannot quickly release their hand. That’s not normal. Unfortunately, the definitive test is a DNA test and currently there is no cure but there is help. You can go to the http://www.mda.org website and click on diseases to learn more. Again, I am not suggesting you have this disease, and the contractures (myotonia) could be caused by other medical issues. But if there is a chance and you want to investigate it further, you can look up the local MDA clinic closest to you and they could help in locating a neurologist that takes all insurances including public assistance. I hope you come back to this site and see my post. Good luck.
This same thing happened to me. The doctor said “you must have grown out of it!” after I told him my symptoms disappeared after 25 years when I began to self-treat for Hashimoto’s with natural thyroid hormone.
I go by my symptoms, not the TSH test he kept running by itself.
I take 2 3/4 grains Thyroid-s from Thailand (Armour is no longer any good), and he wanted me to take 1/2 a grain of Synth-crap.
I had a hysterectomy and oopharectomy and my health started to decline.. I kept teling my doctor’s<
" I might be a tad depressed as a RESULT of my exhaustion, I am not Exhausted as a RESULT of being depressed. I fought and fought until one week I was running on 2hr's sleep. I could not fall asleep even with sleep, nerve and muscle relaxer aide's..I went to see my ENDO at the time who prescribed me PROZAC and I flipped out..I got so scard at my gp's office the next day I allowed him to get me in to see a PSCHYCIATRIST..I was so "flat" I don't remember my oldest son's H.S. graduation. I know I was there but I can't recall being there. I was having involuntary muscle movement's with the medication,I pranced as if I were a horse. Gained 60 lb's became insulin resistant and a mirad of other commplecation's set in..
The Pschy doc finally mentioned ECT I freaked as he stated"how humane it is now and I was on so much clonopin they could put a horse to sleep on it." :/
I refused telling him it made no sence to me as the "children I use to work with that had seizures take med's to no siez and how do you exactly know which "chemical's" my brain will stop making or start making to get those"connection's" back?"
He sent me to my now gp who helped me get off all thos med's scary tho one step away from ect.
I was on synthroid and my tsh level went up to 11 and thyroid was swollen due to a mishap in dosage. I started researching Pubmed any and all site;s and starting seeing how the Endo Ass. themselve's have lowered the range for testing..I went back in to see my doc who agredd to the test I would like run and to switch me to Armour.
I still don't have a "diagnosis" as of yet my test were run on 10/13 and my antibodies are in the 100's. the as I refer to them "snotty" nurse and phlebotomist were rude and condesending even asking me,"are you diagnosing yourself?" 'No, I said, "the science is diagnosing me." I was not questioning their knowledge but the lack of indept test's they were running..I needed my life back and could or can not 'WAIT' for science to catch up…I already MISSED 6 YR'S OF MY LIFE SIX YEAR'S…and my lab still uses the 5.50 range. The doc won't even treat I was told unless your TSH is 3.5??? Really I said well according to the Enco Ass, the range's have been lowered.
calling 1 week ahead of time to assure the lab had everything they needed for my test, which they assured me they had..I WASTED everyone's time that day as surely they did not have the 'TRANSPORT vial for my RBC MAGNISUM TEST.. After going downtown in my city to the main lab, the girl still did not use the correct vial, I had to return the next day, according to the lab my doc now has all the lab result's. I quesiton it however as the nurse said she was going to leave them on his desk if he has even seen them? I have Hasimoto's an autoimmune as both antibodies are as I said in the 100's and the range is <=60 that no one from there has even attempted to call me to advice me what to do.
I am felt better on the 3rd day of Armour making sure to crush the caplet's and disolve them under my tonge. The placebo effect you ask? NO I ANSWER, why? Because my son's and husband remarked on observation how that glassy undefined foggy look was absent and my "all there' look was present…
SCARY I WAS ONE STEP AWAY FROM E.C.T…
In closing, MORE DOCTOR'S OF THE "COLLECTIVE MIND" OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY NEED TO SPEAK UP (even with fear of admonishment or loss of license as WELL AS THE ENDOCRYNOLIGIST'S OUT THere bye the way I left a comment on their FACEBOOK PAGE asking why my lab is still using old ranges and never got a reply hum" their CREED IS
**** FIRST,,, DO NO HARM…I was harmed bye MISDIAGNOSIS AND I CAN NEVER EVER GET THOSE 6 YRS BACK..SOMEONE BESIDE THE SICK AUTOIMMUNE DISEASED PERSON SHOULD BE LEADING HER BESIDE'S HERSELF…
Alto I am glad I am leading myself look what the medical "professional's did? NO THANK YOU….
i am blessed and feel vendicated bye this artical so many especially women are told,"it's all in our head's" WELL YES IT IS AND WE KNOW HOW TO HELP US IF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WOULD JUST STEP ASIDE AND LET US HEAL …
Thank you…
Just to let you know also your tempature tell’s alot about your health..Mine for the past six year’s now that I go back and look were never above 92, that should have sent up a red flag or sign of infection or something but yet again no,, now I take them 3x aday with BP..My bp is lowering and my temp sometime’s even measures 98.6/
never been so happy to be “normal” in my life 😉
WENDY, search (I will not type it as I am afraid my post will be delted or such who know’s) thyroid advocate’s..You STORY HIT’S SO CLOSE TO HOME…they have patient to patient advice and IT WORK’S…I AM SO MUCH BETTER after my diagnosis of MENTAL DISORDER’S…This advocate wrote a book has yahoo groups and a facebook page, SHE IS ALSO A THYROID PATIENT…people helping other people when the MEDICAL COMMUNITY WONT//
Stay away from shrinks psickiateists psychiatrists whatever the hell they are called. They do NOT comprwhend the Thyroud Gland. They do NO research. All they care about us pushing mind altering Drugs that Worsen the thyroid and make people worse. Abilify spikes blood sugar levels and leads to both sugar diabtes and Parkinsons disease by completely blocking dopemine receptors in the brain. I bet anything the gal patient in the case example above had been put on that evil drug. Shrinks/psickiatrists (pun Intended!!) Get paid Huge amounts of money for pushing pharmaceutical psychotropic “one size fit a ll” drugs. Psickiatrists (yes pun definitely intended)”should be Sued for misdiagnosis and malpractice. If hashimoto sufferers musdiagnised wirh bipolar or any other insipid label sued such Morons for further damaging our thyroids and causing us side effect drug hell, they would be out of work forever. Good riddance. They musdiagnosed me n put me thru hell for over twenty years. Do not be one of their victims. Maintain. A healthy diet, take supplements: zinc, magnesium, biotin, D3, Calcium, iron, selenium, daily multivitamin, avoid gluten and soy and Any food or beverage or snack you suspect you have an allergy too, have s regular exercise program, get plenty of sunshine and rest. And Stay Away from thyroid -damaging greedy materialistic Ignoramus Idiptic drug pusjing shrink/psickiatrists.
PSickiatrists are a Big Joke. They do absolutely NO research and get angry when their patients do and happen to know more than the psycho shrinks do. They need to take their crappy drugs they refer to as “meds” so they can experience drug side effect hell and messed up damaged thyroids. For twenty years I had a thyroid that continued to undergo abuse because of those greedy scriptcrazy writing Idiots. Now I am armed with research and knowledge about thyroid and how it works, nutrients and thyroid hashimoto nutritional defeciencies… I am getting better and healthier and especially since avoiding psickiatrists like the plague they are.
I actually had 3 different psychiatrists urge me to get a test for Hashimotos. I was so sure I had bipolar disorder that I didn’t get the test right away. Eventually I gave in. They were right! I have Hashimotos and Armour thyroid works wonders! I still have to take something to support serotonin (which is affected by Hashi’s). But I am definitely not bipolar!
Dear Dr. Kharrazian,
I read your wonderful book about Hashimoto Thyreoiditis.
Where can I buy your “hypoallergenic detox protein powder” and the other Supplements?
I am looking forward hearing from you.
Kind regards
Ursel Kiefer
Ursel – Dr. Kharrazian formulates for Apex Energetics, which is the company that makes and sells the supplements. Apex’s products are available via practitioners; if your practitioner doesn’t have an account, you might ask them if they are willing to do so. Here’s the link: https://www.apexenergetics.com/.
I am going though this exact same scenario. diagnosed as bipolar w severe anxiety and put on all kinds of medications. Severe Hashimotos eventually turned into thyroid cancer and so my thyroid was completely removed a couple years ago. since discovering hashimotos, and seeing a natural practitioner, I’ve had to remove all the antipsychotics, and have gotten off half of prozac.. how quickly was this lady able to “stop” her medications? I am tempted to just stop my doses of prozac but am nervous of any withdrawal symptoms. I am being supplemented w amino acid therapy which may negate the need to slowly withdraw
Deb; I’d strongly discourage you from stopping your Prozac quickly, and if/when you wean off of it, do it with the supervision of the healthcare practitioner who prescribed it. I don’t know how long it took this woman to get off her meds, but I have heard many stories of people getting off psych meds using functional medicine and functional neurology principles to assist in the process. If your practitioner is not a functional neurologist, I’d suggest seeking one with whom your prescribing psych doctor will work. A FN practitioner will not help you with it unless your prescribing doctor is on board. If your prescribing doctor won’t work with a FN doc, you could seek one who will. There are FN practitioners who are practiced in getting people off psych meds, but it takes some time (6 months, a year, longer) and very carefully working in concert with the doctor who prescribed them. Check out this referral list (some of them will work remotely): http://thyroidbook.com/practitioner-locator/. You might also contact Dr. Brandon Brock at the Cerebrum Center in Dallas.
Good luck!
Good Stuff.I feel very infromative to present the people must change their portion sizes, making better choices, exercising regularly.The lab tests online help you to avoid waiting for time outsider cabin of a doctor. The patient can get more benefits with an online facility. Check it your Lab Tests Online and keep it your body healthy.
Our body is equipped with a powerful set of tools for resisting invading microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Unfortunately, these set of tools, or the immune system, sometimes goes awry and attacks our body. These misdirected immune responses are referred to as autoimmunity. In case you are experiencing any abnormalities in your body, go seek autoimmune specialist ASAP.
This exact same thing happened to me. I was hospitalized in the mental wing 3 times for manic/paranoia episodes. Never had issues previously in life with bipolar and it does not run in my family. I started questioning why my numbers were so off with my thyroid while I was hospitalized and read up on these issues. Finally went to an endocrinologist and bingo, I have Hashimotos along with several goiters on my thyroid. Now that I have been on Synthroid, I feel amazing and I no longer am on any other meds including the psychiatric ones they had me on. I also take my vitamins/supplements, eat healthy, workout 5 days a week and sleep like a baby now. I pray more doctors pay attention to this! How tragic to miss this and just think you have mental issues for life.