Thyroid Problems and Intrusive Thoughts Explained

You can help balance your blood sugar by reducing your intake of carbohydrates, and increasing your protein and fat intake. A low-carb or ketogenic diet (a low-carb diet where the body breaks down fats for fuel instead of relying on carbohydrates) could be beneficial for some. You should speak with your doctor if a hormone imbalance coincides with more frequent or distressing intrusive thoughts. They’ll work with you to discern whether a medical intervention might help you rebalance your hormone levels and reduce the impact of these thoughts. If you’re experiencing persistent intrusive thoughts or suspect you may have a thyroid problem, it’s essential to seek professional help.

The Link Between Steroids and Anxiety: Understanding the Effects and…

It has been reported that OCD is more common in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases than in healthy controls 10. Although the relationship between autoimmune thyroid diseases and OCD has been shown, there are onlya few studies concerning associations between antithyroid antibodies and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) or OCD 11. In a study comparing patients diagnosed with OCD and depressive disorder, no difference was found between the groups in terms of thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) and anti-TG levels 12. Only one study with a limited number of participants showed a positive association between anti-TPO levels and OCD subscales in the Symptom Check List-90 scale (SCL-90) 13.

• These diet principles that are supportive of Hashimoto’s will also support the brain because they include the crucial nutrients listed above.
• To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the associationbetween circulating thyroid autoantibodies and OCS severity in patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders.
• On the other hand, this study has the advantageof being the first study that evaluates the serum levels ofthe most important thyroid antibodies and their correlation with OCS severity com-prehensively.
• Having a high-quality air filter and water filter can help reduce your overall exposure to heavy metals.
• Before I met my husband, I had lost a loved one to a sudden, unexpected death.
• After graduation, Emilie completed a postgraduate pharmacy residency at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center in Virginia.

The study included 145 patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis or Graves’ disease and 42 healthy controls. Thyroid function tests and serum thyroid autobody levels (anti-thyroglobulin TG, anti-thyroid peroxidase TPO, and anti-thyroid stimulating hormone TSH) of the patients were measured. The socio-demographic data and OCS of the participants were evaluated with Dimensional OCS (DOCS). There is research showing a connection between poor blood sugar control and OCD. I have also found that, for many, T4-only medications sometimes simply do not work well, so I often recommend clients with anxiety, mood disorders, or OCD symptoms change their thyroid medication by adding a T3-containing medication.

The Conventional Approach to Anxiety

In some cases, additional tests such as thyroid antibodies may be necessary to diagnose autoimmune thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease. The main limitation is that it is a cross-sectional study and the antibodies were measured only once. The study was conducted with a relatively small number of participants for assessing antithyroid antibodies. Al-though some antibodies such as anti-TG may be frequently positive in the general population, the antithyroid antibody levels of the control group could not be mea-sured. As antithyroid antibodies are very prevalent in the population, the concomitant occurrence of OCS and antibody positivity may be due to chance.

So, is thyroid medication better than antidepressants?

She did well at first, but with her symptoms still unmanaged, she dropped out again. A subsequent diagnosis of metastatic thyroid cancer brought her to her lowest point. To learn more about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and evidence-based treatment options, visit NIMH’s OCD brochure.

I slowly began swapping out everyday products that contained harmful ingredients, for less toxic options. Explore key milestones, discoveries, and the impact of NIMH-funded studies on mental health. DOCS, Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale; Anti-TG, anti thyroglobulin antibody; Anti-TPO, anti thyroid peroxidase antibody; Anti-TSH, anti thyroid stimulating hormone antibody; SE, standard error; CI, confidence interval. Alternatively, you can opt for a full thyroid panel which includes tests for TSH, free T3, free T4, and two of the thyroid antibodies (TPO and TG).

Its prevalence is about 0.3−1.5% and it is observed 10−15 times more frequently in females 1. Another important disease of the thyroid gland is Graves’ disease, which is also the most frequently observed autoimmune disease inthe general population. Graves’ disease is mainly observed in females between 40−60 years old and mostly presents with symptoms of hyperthyroidism 2. It occurs due to autoantibodies developing against thyroid stimulating hormone receptors (anti-TSH) on the surface of thyroid follicular cells. It can be triggered by factors such as stressful life events, infections, and birth based on genetic predisposition 3.

• Similarly, addressing thyroid imbalances has been shown to improve OCD symptoms in some individuals, highlighting the intricate connection between OCD and thyroid function.
• We know that magnesium plays an important role in the brain, where it helps create strong neurological pathways.
• FT3 values normal in 121 (83.4%), low in 8 (5.5%), and high in 11 (7.4%) of patients.
• This is why I’m so excited about my new book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol!

Understanding OCD: A Complex Mental Health Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) are commonly seen in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between OCS and antithyroid antibodies. These symptoms underscore the profound influence thyroid hormones have on our mental state. The impact of thyroid dysfunction on mental health is so significant that it can sometimes be mistaken for primary psychiatric disorders, leading to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.

Disgusted and Overwhelmed: Understanding the Link Between Overstimulation and OCD

Lead can be found in old paint, pipes, and some cosmetics, and chronic lead exposure has been linked to hypothyroidism. 29 Lead can impact thyroid function by blocking iodine uptake and affecting thyroid hormone production. The patients were evaluated with a semi-structured interview by the psychiatrist. Patients with any synthroid composition psychiatric diagnosis (including psychotic disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, and OCD) or using illicit substance or psychotropic drugs were not included in the study.

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If you have a disorder with your breasts or prostate, the first thing you should do is check your levels of iodine, again salt is not enough. From a neurobiological perspective, OCD is believed to involve dysfunction in the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit of the brain. This circuit plays a crucial role in decision-making, habit formation, and the regulation of anxiety and fear responses.