Under stress, your body releases the hormone cortisol. Too much cortisol can interfere with thyroid hormone production: It can stimulate the thyroid to work harder to create sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. Also, when stressed, you're more vulnerable to autoimmune thyroid conditions (eg, Hashimoto's thyroiditis).
“Too much thyroid hormone or too little thyroid hormone can result in increased anxiety, and suffer panic attacks,” he says. “With a low thyroid, you can feel sluggish and slow. You also can have anxiety.” Thyroid disorders can include abnormal growths around the thyroid gland.
Cortisol, the main hormone produced in response to stress, can suppress pituitary function and keep the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from being released, thereby inducing hypothyroidism, according to Dr. Wasser.
On the other hand, serotonin insufficiency, which is frequent in those who suffer from depression, has been related to changes in the HPT axis such as suppression of TSH release [17]. Depression is associated with neuroendocrine disturbances such as thyroid hormone disorders.
Anxiety Symptoms to Watch For
If you've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, anxiety symptoms to monitor yourself for include: Insomnia. Feeling “on edge” a lot. Muscle tension.
Yes, thyroid disease can affect mood. Common thyroid disease symptoms that affect mood include anxiety or depression. In general, the more severe the thyroid disease, the more severe the mood changes.
Thyroid disorders can have a noticeable impact on your energy level and mood. Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed. Hyperthyroidism can cause anxiety, problems sleeping, restlessness, and irritability.
Depression, Hypothyroidism, or Both
One problem that can complicate diagnosis is that depression and hypothyroidism share some of the same symptoms. Low mood, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, decreased libido, and weight gain are common symptoms of both.
Research into the mind/body connection showed that patients with anxiety, depression, and other psychiatric disorders often possessed abnormal blood levels of thyroid hormone. Oftentimes, common psychological problems parallel physical disorders, as well.
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
If you are suddenly experiencing anxiety when you never have before, it may be due to thyroid dysfunction. Conversely, if you've already been diagnosed with underactive or overactive thyroid function, don't be surprised if you begin having bouts of anxiety.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive) can cause difficulty sleeping. View Source due to arousals from nervousness or irritability, as well as muscle weakness and constant feelings of tiredness. An overactive thyroid may also lead to night sweats and frequent urges to urinate, both of which can disrupt sleep.
The study found that people with anxiety may also have inflammation in their thyroid gland that can be reduced by taking the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, ibuprofen.
Usually, most people who have thyroid conditions find that once they're properly treated, the symptoms, including anxiety, go away.
Autoimmune hypothyroidism can begin suddenly, but in most people it develops slowly over years. The most common form of autoimmune hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto's disease. This can sometimes cause the thyroid to shrink over time.
Yes, dizziness is a symptom of a thyroid problem. Thyroid diseases³ or thyroid abnormalities sometimes manifest as dizziness. A high heart rate, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness are all possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
With thyroid fatigue, you may feel like you can't get through a day without a nap. You may sleep more than usual but still feel completely exhausted. You may not even have the energy to exercise. At times, you may fall asleep during the day or very quickly at night.
The lack of thyroid hormones can cause disturbances in your metabolism, including your heart rate and body temperature. Fatigue, sensitivity to the cold, constipation, dry skin, and unexpected weight gain are among the main symptoms.
Cruciferous vegetables – Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts can inhibit the production of thyroid hormone. This is especially common in those who have an iodine deficiency. Digesting these vegetables can block the ability to absorb iodine, which is needed for normal thyroid function.
Eye problems, known as thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthalmopathy, affect around 1 in 4 people with an overactive thyroid caused by Graves' disease. Problems can include: eyes feeling dry and gritty. sensitivity to light.