The Psychological Impact of Thyroid Disorders: What to Expect?

The thyroid is an endocrine gland that is small, butterfly-shaped, and located at the base of your neck. This gland produces thyroid hormones that travel in the bloodstream and control various activities like metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, gastrointestinal motility, healthy menstrual cycles, and mental health of the body.

Hormones secreted by thyroid gland

The thyroid gland produces the following hormones.

1. Thyroxine (T4) – It is the primary hormone made and released by the thyroid gland which later converts into T3 when released into the bloodstream.
2. Triiodothyronine (T3) – T3 is produced in smaller amounts when compared to T4 and affects the body’s metabolism.

T4 and T3 hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism, temperature, energy levels, muscle and bone health, and brain development. The production of T4 and T3 hormones is regulated by the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary gland.

3. Calcitonin – This hormone regulates the levels of calcium and phosphate in the body.

Thyroid disorders and mental health

The common thyroid disorders that affect the mental health of an individual are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Hypothyroidism: The thyroid gland produces an insufficient amount of thyroid hormone.

Hyperthyroidism: The thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone.

The imbalance in thyroid hormones can affect the emotions and mood, depending upon the overactivity or underactivity of thyroid. Hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive thyroid leading to anxiety, nervousness, and irritability. On the other hand, hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid causing depression and unusual tiredness in the body. Other than these conditions, mental health can be impacted by thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms of thyroid disorders affecting mental health

The symptoms of thyroid disorders that affect mental health include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Irritability
• Nervousness
• Palpitations
• Loss of appetite
• Disturbed sleep
• Mood swings
• Short temper
• Short-term memory loss
• Difficulty in concentration

Causesof thyroid disorders affecting mental health

The mood and mental health can be significantly impacted by an imbalance in the levels of thyroid hormones. It is crucial to maintain these hormone levels in order to ensure overall mental well-being.

Apart from this, the side effects of certain medications like the use of steroids can heighten depression, and the beta blockers prescribed to regulate the heart rate may make you feel tired, depressed, and mentally less alert.

Sometimes thyroid disorders can cause changes in appearance like loss or gain of weight, loss of hair, and thyroid eye disease which can lead to mood swings and low self-esteem. Coping with a thyroid cancer diagnosis can lead to stress, making it important to seek assistance for mental health management. Additionally, inadequate thyroid medication intake can lead to hormone imbalances, further worsening psychological symptoms that affect mental well-being.

Diagnosis

Different tests like physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests are used to diagnose thyroid issues.

Physical exam: A simple, painless physical exam is performed by the healthcare provider to check for any enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Blood test: A thyroid function test is recommended to measure the levels of different thyroid hormones. These include:

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): The thyroid-stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland regulates the T4 and T3 hormones. The levels of TSH are low in hyperthyroidism and the levels are elevated in hypothyroidism.
• Thyroxine (T4): The levels of the T4 hormone help in monitoring thyroid disorders. The T4 levels are low in hypothyroidism and elevated in hypothyroidism.
• Free Thyroxine (Free T4): This test measures the T4 that eliminates the effect of protein that naturally binds to T4 and interferes with accurate measurements.
• Triiodothyronine (T3): The levels of T3 hormone help in diagnosing hyperthyroidism and its severity. The levels of T3 are low in hypothyroidism and elevated in hyperthyroidism.
• Free Triiodothyronine (Free T3): This test measures the T3 that eliminates the effect of protein that naturally binds to T3 and interferes with accurate measurements.

Some other blood tests include:

• Thyroid antibodies: this test helps to diagnose various autoimmune thyroid conditions.
• Calcitonin: This test helps to diagnose rare thyroid disorders like C-cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid cancer.
• Thyroglobulin: This test helps to diagnose thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis) and to follow up on the treatment for thyroid cancer.

Imaging tests: A thyroid scan or an ultrasound is performed to check for the increased size and shape of the thyroid gland.

Interpretation of the  

Deviation from normal levels indicates the following:

• A higher-than-normal TSH level or lower T3 and T4 levels may be due to conditions like an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), malnutrition, and severe acute illness.
• A lower-than-normal TSH level or higher T3 and T4 levels may be due to an overactive thyroid gland, which can be caused by conditions like Grave’s disease, toxic nodular goiter, or multinodular goiter, too much iodine in the body and taking too much thyroid hormone medicine.

Treatment for thyroid disorders improving mental health

Treatment is key in managing the psychological symptoms commonly associated with thyroid disorders. Seeking assistance from professionals and specialists is crucial in effectively addressing these disorders. Additionally, confiding in a trusted family member, friend, or connecting with individuals who share similar experiences can greatly contribute to improving mental well-being.

Effective treatment can be provided only when individuals are able to openly communicate their physical and psychological symptoms to healthcare professionals and seek assistance promptly. Non-drug therapies such as relaxation techniques or short-term psychotherapy can alleviate psychological symptoms. If symptoms persist despite receiving effective thyroid treatment, your healthcare provider may recommend consulting a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.

Lifestyle changes to support thyroid and mental health

Opting for healthy lifestyle changes can benefit thyroid health and influence the mental well-being of an individual. These changes include:

Exercise: Exercising at least three to five times a week helps to increase and maintain your muscle mass and boost your metabolism.

Managing stress: Finding healthy ways to manage stress like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing helps in improving mental health.

Intake of a healthy diet: Following a healthy diet rich in iodine, zinc, and selenium and consuming less processed foods and sugars improves thyroid health.

Maintaining sleep cycles: Prioritizing about 7-9 hours of sleep in the night helps to improve thyroid health and maintain your mental health.

Limiting intake of cruciferous vegetables: It is advisable to limit the intake of cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli as they can interfere with the production of thyroid hormone.

Foods that boost thyroid health

The foods that help boost your thyroid health include:

Roasted seaweed: Seaweed is a rich source of iodine that helps in the normal functioning of the thyroid gland.

Salted nuts: Nuts like macadamia, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, and intake of these nuts in small portions throughout the day helps maintain thyroid gland function.

Baked fish: Fish like salmon, cod, sea bass, haddock, or perch are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and selenium, which boost the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Dairy products: Dairy items such as milk, yogurt, and ice cream are rich in iodine, which plays a crucial role in preventing thyroid gland enlargement. Consuming a low-fat portion of yogurt and other dairy products can supply the body with ample iodine levels.

Fresh eggs: Including a whole egg in your diet can greatly contribute to your overall well-being. This is because eggs contain healthy amounts of selenium, iodine, and a range of other nutrients.

Fruits and berries: Fruits and berries have antioxidants that reduce inflammation and boost overall health.

Regular thyroid function testing and proper management of thyroid hormone levels are crucial for effectively stabilizing thyroid disorders. It is highly recommended to consult a healthcare provider and seek assistance from specialists in order to effectively manage the thyroid disorder and improve the . With appropriate care and treatment, thyroid symptoms can be effectively treated.

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