Can Low Thyroid Cause Anxiety

Lower Lactate And Increase Carbon Dioxide With Bag Breathing

While there are many things we do to stimulate energy production, it takes time to restore healthy oxidative metabolism.

So, anything we can do to protect ourselves during the process is helpful.

A healthy, high energy metabolism requires sufficient carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide both stimulates energy production while also decreasing lactate, which impairs brain energy.

Bag breathing is something that we often use multiple times a day to raise blood levels of carbon dioxide.

Simply breathing comfortably in and out of a paper bag through your nose can help.

It shouldnt be forced or uncomfortable. Take as many breaks as you need.

While this builds up carbon dioxide levels, you will lose it over time as you breathe.

So, bag breathing for a few minutes multiple times per day is most effective.

Hypothyroidism Is When The Thyroid Does Not Create Enough Thyroid Hormone Causing Many Symptoms Can Hypothyroidism Cause Anxiety Then

Anxiety is a frustrating condition of internal turmoil, frequently followed by anxious conduct. It is the subjectively repulsive sentiments of fear over expected occasions, such as the inclination of fast approaching death. Anxiety is not the same as trepidation, which is a reaction to a genuine or visible threat. It is an inclination of dread, stress, and uneasiness, normally summed up and unfocused as an overcompensation to a circumstance that is subjectively seen as menacing. Some health conditions can trigger anxiety and it’s essential to get the underlying condition treated.

What Causes Anxiety In Hypothyroidism

Why are people with hypothyroidism more likely to develop anxiety? “One theory is that simply having a physical problem like hypothyroidism can increase anxiety,” says Cheryl R. Rosenfeld, DO, a spokesperson for the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists , partner at North Jersey Endocrine Consultants, and adjunct clinical associate professor of medicine at the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York City. “Symptoms of hypothyroidism include poor concentration, decreased memory, and difficulty performing daily activities all of which can be anxiety-producing.”

Not getting proper treatment for hypothyroidism can contribute to anxiety, as well. Levothyroxine is a common treatment for hypothyroidism, but if your dose is too high, it can directly lead to anxiety and cause symptoms like rapid heartbeat and shakiness, which can make anxiety worse, says Rosenfeld. And if hypothyroidism is not treated, symptoms like dry skin, sensitivity to cold, hoarse voice, and mood swings will persist. Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause heart issues like a weak pulse or heart failure, which may provoke further anxiety.

Anxiety can also make it harder to stick to your hypothyroidism treatment if it causes you to forget to take medications or causes problems going to the doctor or sticking to a healthy lifestyle.

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Suppress Stress With Progesterone

Progesterone is probably the most anti-stress hormone that your body produces.

Research studies show that with an adequate dosage, progesterone alone can effectively shut down the bodys stress response.

In animal experiments it has been shown that animals can live normal healthy lives even after the removal of their adrenal glands, as long as adequate progesterone is present.

Experiments also show that progesterone is very effective at relieving anxiety.

I have found it to be very effective with clients.

The quality and delivery mechanism of progesterone can make all the difference.

This is why I use molecular progesterone oil with my clients.

Neck And Throat Discomfort

Discomfort in either the neck or throat is a possible indication of a more serious thyroid condition. An enlarged thyroid causes swelling of the neck and results in difficulty swallowing, breathing or difficulty speaking. While these are symptoms of thyroid disease, they may be related to other serious conditions. Our recommendation to those who are experiencing neck and throat discomfort is to consult a physician as soon as possible.

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Ways To Improve Anxiety By Lowering Adrenaline

If you suffer from hypothyroidism, then you also suffer from elevated adrenaline.

They go hand-in-hand.

This is because your body compensates for your hypothyroidism by over-producing adrenaline.

While this does play a secondary role in anxiety, not all hypothyroidism sufferers will develop anxiety.

But, you are much more susceptible.

So, whether or not you suffer from anxiety, the recommendations below will still help you.

Below youll find four simple ways to reduce adrenaline, which I commonly use with my clients.

Boost Your Selenium Intake

Many people associate iodine as the most important nutrient to get when dealing with Hashimotos, but selenium plays an incredibly important role. Selenium works to help protect thyroid cells and can help convert inactive T4 to T3. Getting enough selenium can not only help with thyroid health but may help reduce the anxiety that comes along with thyroid issues as well. Try adding just a couple of Brazil nuts to your diet per day to make sure you are getting enough selenium. This supplement is what I use with my patients.

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Fatigue And Trouble Sleeping

Another symptom of a dysfunctional thyroid is fatigue. The feeling of fatigue even after getting 8 hours of sleep at night, waking up intermittently throughout the night, having anxiety before falling asleep or napping for long periods of time during the day are all common indications of a problematic thyroid.

First A Little About Thyroid Disease

When your thyroid is not functioning optimally, you can feel dull, tired, constipated, gain weight, have dry skin, hair can become dry and even fall out, muscles and joints might ache, periods become irregular, you might have fertility problems, brain fog, sugar and carb cravings , high cholesterol , and a host of other large and small symptoms.

• One in eight women will be diagnosed with thyroid disease during her lifetime

• The most common form is Hashimotos, an autoimmune condition

• Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems

• As many as 15 million women have an undiagnosed thyroid problem

• It is affecting girls as young as 6 years old, largely as a result of toxins

Did you know that most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature but can be reversed if caught early through comprehensive testing not usually performed by most primary care doctors?

Hashimotos is a progressive autoimmune condition that results in the destruction of the thyroid gland and leads to hypothyroidism… and in some cases, to other types of autoimmune conditions.

The autoimmune trigger usually occurs years before the condition is diagnosed but knowing what to look for early on can often times help us reverse the condition.

Women often ask whether or not Functional Medicine can get them off of their medication. The answer to that question is it dependsso read on.

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Do You Have Parathyroid Disease

In classic cases, hyperparathyroidism shows up with elevated levels of calcium in the blood.

Too often, though, patients are told that elevated calcium is not significant.

It always is and should never be ignored. But, the even tougher part is that many doctors do not know that it can also show up with normal levels of blood calcium.

Key Insight: Because PTH is not routinely used as a screening test, a doctor can completely miss hyperparathyroidism in someone with normal calcium levels unless they are suspicious enough to dig deeper.

If calcium levels are:

• Elevated and the parathyroid gland is working correctly, it will lower its production of PTH. PTH will be low and the calcium is high for some other reason.
• High and the PTH is normal or elevated, the parathyroid glands are not working correctly.

Here is where it gets tricky. For 20% of people with hyperparathyroidism, their calcium levels are not elevated.

If someone has high-normal levels of calcium and they have good parathyroid function, their PTH should be low.

If not, they have primary hyperparathyroidism.

What To Do When Youre Dizzy

Dizziness tends to come unannounced or suddenly. You may be working or doing something and suddenly start feeling unsteady and weak. As seen throughout this post, having a thyroid-related disorder can, indeed, contribute to dizziness. The question is what to do when this happens? You need to sit or lie down immediately to lower your chances of falling down, especially if you also have vertigo. In cases of vertigo, the most useful thing to do is to lie down in a dark, quiet place and close your eyes.

If you experience dizziness quite often, there are many ways to make these episodes more tolerable, lower their intensity, or even prevent them. These tips will help you handle lightheadedness in a more effective manner:

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What Is Dizziness Actually

We come across the term dizziness all the time, or we often feel dizzy, but have you ever wondered what it is actually? Dizziness is a term that refers to an array of sensations such as feeling woozy, faint, unsteady, or weak. Sometimes people feel like their surroundings are spinning around them and say theyre dizzy, but in fact, thats just a form of dizziness called vertigo. Lightheadedness is one of the most common reasons why people schedule an appointment to see their doctor or health care provider.

It is worth noting that dizziness is not a standalone disease or health condition, but rather a symptom that occurs due to a wide range of health problems. Thats exactly why dizziness is not something you should ignore. Multiple diseases can make us feel dizzy, but your doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and find the root cause.

Hypothyroidism And Anxiety : 4 Ways To Take Your Foot Off The Anxiety Gas Pedal

Have you ever experienced that your anxiety significantly worsens during times of high stress?

Well, youre not alone.

In Part 1 of this Hypothyroidism and Anxiety series, we covered the Hypothyroidism-Serotonin Anxiety Cycle.

That dangerous serotonin cycle is, for the most part, the underlying cause of anxiety.

Yet, there are other hormonal factors at play as well

most notably, adrenaline.

Keep in mind that serotonin does directly activate your adrenal glands.

So, over time, serotonin itself does drive adrenaline higher.

Yet, when adrenaline rises, it acts as a gas pedal to your emotional state.

Imagine this

Youre looking out the open door of a plane at 12,500 feet with a parachute strapped to your back.

Thats enough to make anyones adrenaline shoot through the roof.

If youre not prone to anxiety , this increase in adrenaline will often result in a sense of exhilaration and excitement.

Many people feel great when they are on an adrenaline-high.

However, if youre someone who is prone to anxiety, this increase in adrenaline will, more often than not, increase your anxiety 10-fold.

Instead of jumping out of the plane, youre more likely to breakdown in fear, thinking of everything that could go wrong after you jump.

When youre already prone to anxiety, adrenaline acts like a gas pedal, accelerating your existing anxiety to a higher level.

This is why beta-blockers are often prescribed for anxiety treatment.

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What Happens After Surgery

Nothing, really.

Good surgeons are able to leave healthy parathyroid glands intact. It is helpful to get enough calcium after surgery so that they do not have to work too hard.

Once the first few weeks have passed, the remaining glands pick up the slack for those that were lost and the calcium balance is normal again.

Nourish Your Adrenal Glands

When the adrenal glands and brain are misfiring it can make you feel like you’re in a tailspin. Employing the lifestyle therapies in this article can help ease anxiety, along with incorporating nutrients for thyroid health.

Consider B5, found in shiitake mushrooms, and vitamin C, found in red bell peppers, can provide your adrenal glands with what they need to function.

Eating regular meals can help support adrenal health as well. Avoid skipping meals, especially if you find yourself feeling hangry. Intermittent fasting may be fine for you, but be sure to listen to what your body needs.

Consider a blend of calming herbs like Passion flower and Ashwagandha, along with the amino acids phosphatidyl serine and L-theanine to help bring the chill into your evenings. Adrenal Calm is what we use in my clinic because it contains nutrients to support healthy cortisol levels and calm the mind in the evenings.

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Types Of Thyroid Imbalances

There are a number of different conditions that affect the thyroid, but two of the most common problems are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

• Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, happens when the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones. It tends to affect women more frequently than men. It can occur at any age, but it also tends to be more common in adults over the age of 60.
• Hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid, happens when the body produces too much thyroid hormone. Many people who have an overactive thyroid experience some type of anxiety symptoms. However, research also suggests that depression is also very common, affecting as many as 69% of people with hyperthyroidism.

Other types of thyroid disorders and problems include Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, goiter, and thyroid nodules.

Do Thyroid Issues Cause Panic Disorders

• The Thyroid Gland and You

An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, according to the American Thyroid Association. However, 60 percent are unaware of their condition, and some believe their thyroid issues can cause panic disorders. Women, more than men, are affected by thyroid problems.

Some symptoms of an overactive thyroid can cause people to feel like they are having a panic attack. Keep reading to learn more about how this condition may cause panic disorders.

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Anxiety And Hormones Before Your Period

Now heres where that anxiety-hormone connection comes in.

What is left behind in the ovary once the egg is released is the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is responsible for secreting progesterone for about 2 weeks following ovulationregardless if the egg is fertilized or not.

Progesterone in balance hits a womans brain with a sense of calm and deep sense of love and connection for the world around here. It does this by stimulating GABA receptors, which puts the shush on neuroexcitatory neurotransmitters.

Is Your Thyroid Causing Anxiety

If you are suddenly experiencing anxiety when you never have before, it may be due to thyroid dysfunction. Conversely, if youve already been diagnosed with underactive or overactive thyroid function, dont be surprised if you begin having bouts of anxiety.

While anxiety is widely known as a mental health disease, when it comes on suddenly without any history of anxiety, it may be caused by a physiological issue such as hypothyroidism.

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How To Treat Low Thyroid Function Naturally

Most doctors agree when a patient comes in with symptoms, they are prescribed medication such as Ritalin and Adderall for low concentration. But what if there was a way to treat your thyroid naturally? When we see patients in our office, the first thing we try to do is find the underlying cause of their issues. Why do they have this condition? Why are you experiencing brain fog, anxiety, depression, and fatigue? There is usually some problem in the body that is causing the issue. Typically, we run a complete set of labs to determine if you have a thyroid issue.

What Does The Thyroid Do

As part of the body’s endocrine system, the thyroid secretes hormones that help regulate energy levels and metabolism. Normally, the thyroid regulates various functions by releasing steady levels of thyroid hormones.

Problems with this gland, however, can result in a thyroid imbalance that can affect the body in various ways. Thyroid imbalances can also contribute to mood problems such as depression and anxiety.

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How Common Is Anxiety

Saying Im anxious isnt the same thing as actually having anxiety. That said, anxiety is more prevalent than most people think.

In 2017, the National Institute of Mental Health reported that about 19.1% of American adults had some form of anxiety disorder in the past year. Similarly to depression, occurrence of anxiety disorders was more common in women than men with a ratio of 23.4% vs. 14.3% respectively.

Numbers show that 31.1% of American adults develop some type of anxiety at one point or another in their lifetime.

According to the available data, GAD affects 6.8 million adults or 3.1% of the US population, but only 43.2% of affected patients receive treatment. About 6 million people or 2.7% Americans have panic disorder while 15 million people have SAD.

In addition, 7.7 million adults have PTSD while 2.2 million adults have OCD. Keep in mind that numbers could be higher since many people dont seek doctors help for symptoms they experience.

Is Hypothyroidism Really A Big Deal

The thyroid plays a central role in our total health, and when it slows down, as it does in hypothyroidism , it can lead to a host of symptoms and some serious problems.

Untreated Hashimotos and hypothyroidism can cause:

Impaired thyroid function can also have a devastating impact on fertility, pregnancy, and motherhood, and is often an undetected source of anguish, loss, and struggle because it can cause:

• Fertility problems

• Increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth

• Higher risk of developing prenatal and postpartum depression – making what would otherwise be a beautiful time in their lives potentially traumatic.

• Higher risk of developmental problems and autism

If this resonates with you, request a free 20-minute consultation to see if Functional Medicine might be right for you.

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How To Manage And Treat Anxiety

The good news is that both hypothyroidism and anxiety are highly treatable. According to Solomon, proven ways to manage anxiety include:

• Working with a therapist
• Doing mind-body exercises such as yoga
• Meditating or practicing other mindfulness techniques
• Taking hypothyroidism and anti-anxiety medications as prescribed

Solomon is especially fond of teaching her clients mindfulness as a way to counter anxious thoughts. Watch your thoughts just observe them. Then ask, Is this thought true? Is it overly negative? she suggests. Then ask yourself, Can I replace this thought with something more positive?

In some cases, treating hypothyroidism alleviates anxiety completely although this is mostly when anxiety symptoms came on suddenly as a result of too-low thyroid levels, Solomon says. But it many cases, hypothyroidism and anxiety need to be treated concurrently, though treating one will help ease the other.

If you have both hypothyroidism and anxiety, be sure to work with your doctor to monitor both conditions. Initiation of treatment and adjustment of thyroid hormone dose should be guided by both laboratory testing and symptoms, ideally by a supportive and understanding healthcare provider, says Rosenfeld. People with anxiety or panic disorder may require more frequent thyroid laboratory testing, as it is difficult to distinguish between thyroid dysfunction and mental health concerns, she adds.