Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

[Guest guest]

Folks,

I'm going to post here a long document that I've posted at several Body

Dysmorphic Disorder sites. It's personal...but I wanted you folks to read it...

or

at least scan it. And one reason is because some folks are paying

attention...and are ordering Armour because their doctors aren't helping them!

And I've

invited them to this forum to learn about low thyroid So just wanted yall to

know what was going on. I've told folks this is the best thyroid forum on the

web...so yall have a lot to live up to. But yall are really the

greatest. Okay...here goes:

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease (autoimmune thyroid disease) with

hypothyroidism in February 2004. I began taking Armour Thyroid, a desiccated

thyroid extract and within weeks, I realized my BDD symptoms were substantially

lessening. And after two weeks of taking this thyroid hormone, I stopped

taking anti-anxiety medication that I had taken for 10 years because it was no

longer needed.

Since I knew another member's son also took Armour Thyroid for

hypothyroidism, I was curious as to whether there was a link between BDD

symptoms and a low

thyroid condition. I began researching and the information that I found both

amazed and stunned me because I found that every BDD symptom has been listed

somewhere as a low thyroid symptom. In fact, it is very well documented that

hypothyroidism can be the cause of a vast variety of psychiatric symptoms.

What dismayed me most about discovering this was realizing that very rarely is

thyroid function ever checked before a physician or psychiatrist dispenses

psychotropic drugs. I now believe this is tantamount to malpractice given the

vast

medical literature on this subject. And when I joined Internet thyroid

forums, I was even more dismayed to discover how many thyroid patients had

originally only been prescribed anti-depressants by their physicians when they

had

complained of low thyroid symptoms.

I continued researching and finally surmised that BDD was either a low

thyroid condition that was presenting itself primarily with psychiatric symptoms

or

a situation where the brain is not absorbing the available thyroid hormone,

sometimes called " brain hypothyroidism " . The treatment for each is the same in

that more thyroid hormone is needed by the body. My research indicates that

Armour Thyroid, a desiccated thyroid extract, is the superior product over the

synthetic thyroid hormone that is available. Armour Thyroid is a desiccated

thyroid extract which has been in use since the late 1800s in the US. It was

the only thyroid treatment available until the 1970s when drug companies

developed the synthetic versions.

At this time I began posting some of my research information at BDD Central

under the Treatment thread. In the last few months, two more members have been

diagnosed hypothyroid. One of them had a very normal TSH test, but was

" functionally hypo " because her Free T3 was below range. The other member did

have

a high TSH reflecting his hypothyroid status. Additionally, there have been

two other members who are mothers of BDD patients who posted that their

children are hypothyroid. Other members have also had their thyroid hormone

levels

checked, and although in range, their Free T3 lab values are exceedingly low

in range.

When I reviewed past posts and/or asked some questions of members, I have

also found that in addition to the BDD, many members do have physical symptoms

of

low thyroid function and/or family members with thyroid disease or other

autoimmune disorder. Family history of autoimmune disorder is important because

this family medical history is associated with thyroid disease.

I want to state that the reason I think the other diagnosed hypothyroidism

forum members have not yet had their BDD symptoms fully alleviated is because

they are either on a syntheticT4 med only and/or have not gotten their Free T4

and Free T3 thyroid hormone levels into the recommended range levels for a

thyroid patients on hormone replacement. It is recommended that the Free T4

level be in the mid to high range and the Free T3 in the high range or even over

the range as long as you are not experiencing hyper symptoms. You may not hear

that from a physician because they often think if you are " in range " , their

work is done. Don't settle for " in range " . A " normal " range may not be

" optimal " for your body. You need to be at the level at which your hypo

symptoms

are gone. That usually means you'll have a suppressed TSH with Free levels in

the higher end of the ranges.

By September, my theory was starting to look pretty credible when one looked

at the psychiatric symptoms associated with a low thyroid condition, the

anecdotal evidence I had collected from thyroid forum members regarding their

own

psychiatric symptoms, actual cases of hypothyroidism and low Free T3 labs in

BDD patients, and members having physical symptoms and/or family history of

thyroid disease or autoimmune disease.

Seeing that the evidence was mounting for a low thyroid function link to BDD,

I decided to contact the Neysa Jane BDD Fund to find out if Neysa had any

association with thyroid disease. Neysa was a beautiful young woman who lost

her

battle with BDD when she was 26. Her mother, Kathy Powley, founded the fund

in her daughter's memory to raise awareness about BDD. Neysa's mother did

respond to me and wrote that although they did not know if Neysa had thyroid

issues, she did have a family history of thyroid disease. Both Neysa's mother

and

maternal grandmother have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

There was something about this final piece of information that prompted me to

pull together some of the pertinent research that I have done and put it all

in one document for posting or forwarding to interested parties.

I have used a question and answer format to outline what I think is the

important information for anyone who is interested in investigating whether they

might have a thyroid hormone deficiency which is causing their BDD symptoms. I

sincerely hope this short compilation is helpful to all who are current

members and those who might visit BDD Central in the future.

What are the Psychiatric Symptoms of Low Thyroid?

Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, reclusiveness, obsessive compulsive,

ultra-sensitive to the comments of others, social phobia, self-image concerns,

unable to concentrate, lack of motivation, mood swings, dementia, phobias,

delusions, suicidal ideation, memory loss.

What are the physical symptoms of low thryroid?

Fatigue

Visual disturbances - sensitivity to light, night blindness, loss of color

perception, hallucinations

Skin disorders - acne, dry skin, boils, cysts, eczema, pale or yellowish

complexion

Headaches, migraines

Sinus infections, post-nasal drip, frequent respiratory infections, asthma

Difficulty swallowing

High cholesterol

Weight gain, occasionally weight loss

Heart palpitations, poor circulation, low blood pressure

Intolerance to cold, Raynaud Syndrome (cold hands and feet)

Digestive ailments - indigestion, gas, constipation, diarrhea,

Frequent bladder infections

Infertility, cystic breasts and ovaries, fibroids, menstrual irregularities,

PMS

Reduced libido

Sleep disturbances

Joint and muscle pain, neck and shoulder pain, carpel tunnel syndrome

Tingling or crawling sensations in skin

Delayed wound healing

Hair loss, brittle and dry hair

Hypoglycemia symptoms

Is there anything else associated with low thyroid?

There is a higher incidence of being prematurely gray in thyroid patients.

Patients have also reported a dislike for anything around their neck like a

turtleneck or choker necklace.

Also, sufferers may tend to be on the selfish side because they have a

pervasive feeling of not having enough resources for themselves, much less

enough to

make the lives of any other people better. They sometimes tend to be cranky,

abusive, stingy, critical, judgmental, and have a whole set of other

exceedingly undesirable tendencies. They can suffer from lack of motivation or

ambition and find it difficult to accomplish even simple tasks.

The patients know that their feelings and behavior are quite inappropriate.

They often feel frustrated, because in spite of their best efforts, there

doesn't seem to be much they can do to control these feelings, especially when

the

symptoms worsen during times of stress or just prior to the menstrual cycle.

It is often hard for them to find enjoyment in activities. They have a

tendency to not feel like doing anything. They frequently can no longer find

enjoyment in the things that they used to find quite interesting and enjoyable.

For them, molehills frequently seem like mountains.

Do hypothyroid people have all of these symptoms?

A deficiency in thyroid hormone can affect each person individually, with

some people experiencing just a few symptoms and some people experiencing many

symptoms.

What is " brain hypothyroidism " ?

This is a term that has been used to indicate a low level or abnormal

distribution of T3 in the brain even though the thyroid gland is producing

adequate

levels of thyroid hormone. Reduced cerebral thyroid expression could

therefore, contribute to a host of psychological symptoms. This would also

explain

why many patients with psychiatric conditions respond well to thyroid support,

since there are extensive T3 receptors in the brain. The effectiveness of

SSRIs such as Prozac may be effective in some patients due to the drugs effect

of

increasing the availability of T3 in the brain.

How does serotonin fit into this thyroid dysfunction?

, author of " The Broken Mirror " , has theorized that BDD is

caused by a chemical imbalance that was most likely genetically inherited by

family members that have OCD or anxiety disorders. She claims that BDDers

have a deficiency in production of the neurotransmitter called serotonin and

recommends SSRIs for treatment.

The low thyroid condition causing BDD theory does not in any way disagree

with Dr. ' theory. In fact, it would confirm it and would explain why

the BDD patient has a lack of serotonin in the brain.

The thyroid hormone, T3, is the most biologically active form of thyroid

hormone. T3 is actually a bona fide neurotransmitter that regulates the action

of

serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), an inhibitory

neurotransmitter that is important for stopping anxiety.

T3 is found in large quantities in the limbic system of the brain, the area

that is important for emotions such as joy, panic, anger, and fear. If you

don't have enough T3, or if its action is blocked, an entire cascade of

neurotransmitter abnormalities may ensue and can lead to mood and energy

changes.

What lab tests should I get to check my thyroid function?

Because the low thyroid condition is probably affecting the pituitary gland

in someone presenting with psychiatric symptoms, the standard TSH (Thyroid

Stimulating Hormone) test may not accurately reflect someone's low thyroid

condition. Therefore to determine if you have low levels of thyroid hormone, it

is

extremely important to check the actual levels of Free T4 (storage thyroid

hormone) and Free T3 (active thyroid hormone). It is also important to test for

thyroid antibodies because they can cause symptoms even with normal thyroid

hormone levels. Thyroid antibodies indicate you have Hashimoto's Disease which

is an autoimmune thyroid disease.

The lab tests to request from your physician are:

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)

Free T4 (thyroid storage hormone which converts to T3)

Free T3 (active thyroid hormone in your body)

TPO (thyroid antibodies)

Why is testing thyroid antibodies so important?

Thyroid antibodies have been linked to other personality disorders in medical

research. Those with autoimmune thyroid disease can have low thyroid

symptoms long before the lab tests indicate a problem. If you have autoimmune

thyroid disease, you also have a higher risk for other autoimmune diseases.

If my doctor refuses to order anything but the TSH test, what do I do?

It is important for you and your physician to understand that if you are

having primarily psychiatric low thyroid symptoms (or if someone is severely

hypothyroid), that the pituitary gland may have been affected and may not

accurately reflect your thyroid hormone status. This is because the pituitary

may be

so weakened that it may not even be able to produce TSH.

Also, with stress, the thyroid gland may produce sufficient amount of T4 to

obtain normal thyroid blood tests, but its conversion to T3 may be inhibited,

causing a relative insufficiency of active T3. In this case, you can be

" functionally hypo " with normal TSH and possibly normal Free T4.

Therefore, to have a reliable indicator of your thyroid functioning status,

insist that your physician include a Free T3 lab test when assessing your

thyroid function.

In the United States, people can order thyroid functioning labs without going

through a physician by contacting:

http://www.healthcheckusa.com/home.html

Order the Comprehensive Thyroid Panel II which includes TSH, Free T4 and Free

T3.

If all my thyroid tests are in the normal range but I still think I have a

low thyroid problem, what can I do?

Some people with low thyroid symptoms choose to try a therapeutic trial of

desiccated thyroid to see if their symptoms start to alleviate. You may also

have a better experience with a holistic doctor if you present your " low normal "

lab tests.

It is said that a therapeutic trial of Armour Thyroid for 4-6 weeks, at no

more than 60 mg. (1 grain) per day, is without risk. Prior to the development

of the 1970s' thyroid lab tests, when patients presented with low thyroid

function symptoms, a doctor would give a therapeutic trial of Armour Thyroid to

their patients to see if symptoms lessened.

So the risks are minimal although someone could develop hyperthyroid (too

much thyroid hormone) symptoms. This risk is more significant in those who have

heart disease. The symptoms of hyperthyroidism are: feeling hot when others

are comfortable or cold, sweating, palpitations, weight loss and eating more

than usual, anxiety and nervousness, frequent bowel movements and decreased

menstrual flow. Vitamins, especially calcium, should be taken several hours

apart

from taking thyroid hormone medication.

Is thyroid disease genetic?

There is a strong genetic component to thyroid disease. Other family members

may have had thyroid disease and/or other autoimmune diseases such as

vitiligo, pernicious anemia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease,

Sjorgen's

syndrome, diabetes type I, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, lupus,

alopecia, and others.

Are there other reasons for the thyroid gland to malfunction?

Yes, the thyroid gland is extremely sensitive and it is known that childhood

trauma/abuse can affect the functioning of the gland and its production of

hormone to the body. Illness also can affect thyroid hormone production.

Fluoride can also worsen or even cause hypothyroidism, in susceptible

individuals. Soy is also thyroid inhibiting.

Lithium can decrease thyroid hormone in about one out of 10 people (common).

The gland is generally okay and recovers its usual function if lithium is

stopped; the only exception to this may be in families where there are relatives

with thyroid problems. Thyroid levels need to be checked at least twice a

year while on lithium.

It is now being predicted that as much as 40% of the population have some

type of thyroid dysfunction due to the gland's sensitivity to environmental

pollutants, chemicals, etc.

Has thyroid hormone ever been used to treat psychiatric disorders?

It is known that synthetic T3 (Cytomel) can raise brain levels of the

neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine. T3 medication has been added

when

someone has not responded to an antidepressant. Of course it is also quite

possible those persons could just be undiagnosed low thyroid.

Since many doctors treat low thyroid function with only a T4 medication, they

sometimes remain depressed. That depression is also sometimes treated by

prescribing Cytomel, although there is evidence that indicates Armour Thyroid is

the superior product for both mental and physical symptoms of low thyroid.

It is also noted in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry that T3 can be used to

treat post traumatic stress disorder, commonly seen in soldiers and people

who have been through other causes of terrible emotional trauma. It is known

that trauma/stress can affect thyroid gland functioning.

Why haven't the mental health professionals found this possible thyroid

functiong link to BDD?

Thyroid disease in general used to be treated by symptoms prior to the advent

of the TSH test in the 1970s. People are now realizing that this test does

not detect many cases of low thyroid. It wasn't until this lab test became the

" gold standard " test for thyroid function that diseases like chronic fatigue

syndrome, fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and some others came into

existence. Many have surmised that these new " invisible disease " are simply low

thyroid conditions that are not being detected by the standard TSH test.

Therefore it is quite possible that some psychiatric disorders are actually

hypothyroid conditions that are not being detected by the TSH tests.

An excellent 2003 article revisits the link between hypothyroidism and

psychiatric disorders:

http://www.psychiatrist.com/pcc/pccpdf/v05n06/v05n0603.pdf

..

Where can I read more about thyroid functioning and psychiatric disorders?

" The Thyroid Solution " by Ridha Arem, M.D.

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/158/10/1617

T3 accelerates antidepressant response

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed &

list_uids=9670226 & dopt=Abstract

Abnormal thyroid functioning affects mood

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/83/97918.htm

Thyroid functioning and atypical depression

http://www.psycheducation.org/thyroid/combostory.htm

This clinician's patient was bipolar and had not had any success with any

anti-depressants or mood stabilizers but responded favorably to a T3/T4

combination

http://www.thyroidtoday.com/CaseChallenges/Depression.asp

Woman admitted to psychiatric hospital after suicide attempt and found to

have hypothyroidism

http://www.healthcentral.com/bcp/main.asp?ap=93 & brand=16 & page=newsdetail &

id=517864

Thyroid condition may slow depression recovery

http://www.teenadviceonline.org/articles/thyroid.html

Teen with depression found to have hypothyroidism

http://www.thyroid.about.com/b/a/044459.htm

Thyroid and depression

http://www.psycheducation.org/thyroid/introduction.htm

Thyroid and bipolar disorder

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Personality_Disorders/biounhappiness/b

pd/abstract_1.htm

1/3 of borderlines have symptoms of hypothyroidism, with " low normal " blood

tests.

Where can I read more about thyroid disease and treatment?

http://thyroid.about.com

http://altsupportthyroid.org

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/labs2003.htm

Endocrinologist association sets new range guidelines in 2003

How does adrenal dysfunction or adrenal fatigue relate to thyroid

dysfunction?

Hypothyroidism can affect adrenal function and adrenal dysfunction can affect

thyroid function.

One complication of treating hypothyroidism is that the consequent poor

adrenal reserve may become suddenly obvious as soon as the thyroid is treated.

When the adrenal glands are not functioning optimally, you can have a

condition that is known as adrenal fatigue, or adrenal exhaustion. Adrenal

fatigue

often develops after periods of intense or lengthy physical or emotional

stress, when overstimulation of the glands leaves them unable to meet your

body's

needs.

Where can I read more about adrenal fatigue/dysfunction?

" Adrenal Fatigue " by , M.D.

Http://www.drrind.com/scorecardmatrix.asp

Adrenal related symptoms

http://www.diagnose-me.com/com/cond/C17669.html

Low adrenal symptoms

http://fudgedesign.co.uk/tuk/diag/adrenal.htm

Treating low adrenal reserve

You should keep in mind that I am not a physician. What I am is a almost 49

years old thyroid patient who had psychiatric symptoms that corresponded with

BDD symptoms for over two decades. With thyroid hormone treatment, those

psychiatric symptoms were alleviated.

It is noteworthy that over that past 25 plus years, I have also had many of

the physical symptoms of low thyroid. Because low thyroid symptoms can be

vague (fatigue, lack of motivation, pale skin) and/or because people often visit

specialists for the various disorders (psychologists, dermatologists,

gynecologist, gasterontologist, etc), it is easy to see how a low thyroid

diagnosis can

be missed.

I did, however, first request a thyroid test when I was 33. I have the

results of that test and it was a " high normal " TSH. Again in 1995 and 2000, I

requested thyroid tests from a physician. Again, a " high normal " test with no

further investigation despite that I was now reporting a family history of

thyroid disease and adrenal dysfunction as indicated from my mother's autopsy

report.

For those in my position who start researching and corresponding with other

thyroid patients, it quickly becomes apparent that there is a problem today in

diagnosing thyroid dysfunction. Many prominent thyroid specialists have

written about this dilemma. So it is important to pursue this if you think this

is

your BDD problem. The long-term effects of untreated hypothyroidism can be

profound. Severe, prolonged hypothyroidism can lead to multiple abnormalities

within any system of the body including heart, brain, and skin. You have to

be informed and that is why I have felt compelled to present my story and my

findings.

There is also another reason for this presentation. As I mentioned, my

mother's autopsy report indicated abnormal thyroid findings. Now that I have

educated myself, I know that she had undiagnosed Hashimoto's Disease, the

autoimmune thyroid disease which I have. My mother suffered with various

physical

ailments and depression and anxiety all her life. At the age of 61, she ended

her

life. Days before she committed suicide she told me " I'm through with

doctors " . She said that because no one had ever helped her with her various

symptoms

through the years. Her brother, a BDD sufferer, also committed suicide in his

30s. I am sure he was also just another case of undiagnosed hypothyroidism

that was presenting with psychiatric symptoms as my maternal side has numerous

indications of both thyroid and autoimmune disease in the family tree.

It is important to me to in some way do something to try to help others avoid

a missed diagnosis that ultimately kills them or having a life not lived

fully because doctors never looked further than a TSH test. I hope I have done

that by telling my story and giving you this information. If I can be of help

to any of you in your search towards health, I can be reached at

NC2406@....

Straughn

October 2004

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/2/2004 11:40:06 PM Eastern Standard Time,

wershep@... writes:

> I've never heard of body dysmorphic disorder. Is that a fancy word

> for depression or another term for low thyroid???

>

body dysmorphic disorder is a psychiatric disorder marked by a preoccupation

with one's appearance...that one is not " normal " looking. it makes a lot of

folks housebound. when you dig deeper into BDD, you find anxiety, depression,

panic attacks. Folks just aren't comfortable around other people...but it

centers around " obsessing " ...and obsessing about appearance. The definition

says

it a concern over an slight defect or imagined defect...and the obession

travels from body part to body part as in " my nose is too big " or " I'm losing my

hair " or just " I'm ugly " . the folks are entirely normal looking...but their

anxiety and obsessing rules their life.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

I'm already getting some responses like this:

Thank you so very much for that information......I have felt for years that I

had some kind of thyroid problem, but have always tested " within normal

ranges " for the standard test....yet, when I read your list of symptoms, I have,

or

have had in the past, almost every single one of those....!!!!!  My younger

sister has hypothyroid, and my older sister had half of her thyroid removed

because of some kind of cyst or growth......she also has had OCD symptoms for

years ( trichotillomania, to be exact, she pulled out all her eyelashes in

college!!) I have had all of those symptoms for years and years, off and on.. I

had

to have surgery last year to remove most of my endometrium because my periods

were sooo heavy, that I was incapacitated for a whole day some

months........and have noticed lately that my night vision sucks, and I am

putting on weight

when I have never had an issue with it before.....

I am going to print out your email and call monday morning to make an

appointment with my doctor.....

Thank you so very much for your information- you have helped tremendously

[Guest guest]

and this...the psychiatrists are missing this i am sure...because it's hypo

presenting with mainly psychiatric symptoms...and they're loading these kids up

with drugs without even testing thyroid function.

Thank you so much for sharing all of that information. I too have several of

the symptoms you listed, both the psychiatric and physical ones. I have had my

thyroid tested and came back within the normal range, but as you said, that

is not always the whole story. I am definitely thinking about printing your

post out and having my doctor take a look at it. Perhaps she might be willing to

test me further. I'm so glad that you shared your story with all of us.

I have a feeling many of us here are going to be talking to our doctors about

this. Again, thanks and take care

[Guest guest]

I've never heard of body dysmorphic disorder. Is that a fancy word

for depression or another term for low thyroid???

I identify with the article... but not sure of the title.

S.

[Guest guest]

>

>

> I've never heard of body dysmorphic disorder. Is that a fancy word

> for depression or another term for low thyroid???

>

> I identify with the article... but not sure of the title.

>

> S.

it is a distorted perception of the body, often accompanied by an

eating disorder.

b

[Guest guest]

I think this article could apply to a broader range of people that

have anxiety, depression, panic attachs, etc... not just those with

BDD.

One can't help but get depressed from the debilatating fatigue and

have anxiety from all the things left undone at end of the day!!!

Why doesn't the doctor give armour as first choice of treatment

instead of prozac!!

This is such a crooked and cruel world!

S.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 1:04:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

wershep@... writes:

> I think this article could apply to a broader range of people that

> have anxiety, depression, panic attachs, etc... not just those with

> BDD.

>

Oh - no disagreement. But I was writing this specifically for a BDD forum

group. These people are being put on every kind of drug...and the doctors

aren't testing thyroid function at all. But a few of them do get tested and

have

been diagnosed hypo or have extremely low Free T3...but I'm really having a

hard time getting those folks to believe the low thyroid can cause their BDD

symptom.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 1:04:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

wershep@... writes:

> I think this article could apply to a broader range of people that

> have anxiety, depression, panic attachs, etc... not just those with

> BDD.

>

Oh - no disagreement. But I was writing this specifically for a BDD forum

group. These people are being put on every kind of drug...and the doctors

aren't testing thyroid function at all. But a few of them do get tested and

have

been diagnosed hypo or have extremely low Free T3...but I'm really having a

hard time getting those folks to believe the low thyroid can cause their BDD

symptom.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 1:04:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

wershep@... writes:

> I think this article could apply to a broader range of people that

> have anxiety, depression, panic attachs, etc... not just those with

> BDD.

>

Oh - no disagreement. But I was writing this specifically for a BDD forum

group. These people are being put on every kind of drug...and the doctors

aren't testing thyroid function at all. But a few of them do get tested and

have

been diagnosed hypo or have extremely low Free T3...but I'm really having a

hard time getting those folks to believe the low thyroid can cause their BDD

symptom.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 8:36:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

marianne@... writes:

> Wow what a great document! Is it OK to pass along? And what is BDD?

ok to pass along. i think you're probably read the post by now about what BDD

is...let me know if you have any questions.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 8:36:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

marianne@... writes:

> Wow what a great document! Is it OK to pass along? And what is BDD?

ok to pass along. i think you're probably read the post by now about what BDD

is...let me know if you have any questions.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 8:36:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,

marianne@... writes:

> Wow what a great document! Is it OK to pass along? And what is BDD?

ok to pass along. i think you're probably read the post by now about what BDD

is...let me know if you have any questions.

cindi

[Guest guest]

Folks,

I'm going to post here a long document that I've posted at several Body

Dysmorphic Disorder sites.

Wow what a great document! Is it OK to pass along? And what is BDD?

Thanks for sending this.

nne

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 11:51:17 AM Eastern Standard Time,

jamyrogers@... writes:

>

>

>

> none of these people even get a tsh test?

>

NO. some have been placed on anti--psychotic, SSRI, and anti-anxiety meds

with no one ever checking even the TSH test. I'm so horrified about it...and so

many of them don't get why I'm stunned.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 2:08:32 PM Eastern Standard Time,

MamaMaha@... writes:

>

> It's because of greed & capitalism here in the USA at least. In which the AMA

> & pharmaceutical companies have been in collusion for about a hundred years &

> becoming moreso

in total agreement here.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 2:32:57 PM Eastern Standard Time,

420@... writes:

> i don't think the problem lies in crooked doctors and collusions

> between them and the pharmaceuticals

i think this IS part of the problem. doctors in research now get their $$$

from the pharmaceutical companies...so they're " gently encouraged " to recommend

the products. What doctor doing research in BDD is going to get money to try

Armour Thyroid? No doctor.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 2:32:57 PM Eastern Standard Time,

420@... writes:

> i think the problem lies in

> there not being enough knowledge linking the two diseases. remember

> that medicine is a very slow changing world, even when it comes to new

> research. unless it's been ESTABLISHED and common knowledge that

> thyroid disease and bdd go hand in hand, i

And I can agree with this. I have been shocked at the lack of knowledge a few

of the doctors I have corresponded with have on thyroid dysfunction. One

doctor just blasted me that it could only cause depression.

And another UK doctor put it " thyroid function is very non-specific in

psychiatric disorders and not just BDD " . Duh. That's why one should be

checking

thyroid function in ALL psychiatric presentation. But you're right..a total

lack of knowledge in the mental health field as well as with physical symptoms.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/3/2004 2:32:57 PM Eastern Standard Time,

420@... writes:

> anyway

> thyroid tests aren't hard to get; the patients on your newsgroup can

> always request a panel be done.

they have...and many have been REFUSED a Free T3...because apparently there

is a lack of understanding the thyroid psychiatric disturbance - which

obviously is affecting the brain - might also affect the pituitary, thus

affecting the

TSH test. One gal was able to get the Frees...and although her TSH was

something like 1.3...her Free T4 was .88 and the Free T3 was 2.1, below range.

Had

they just checked the TSH, she would have never been diagnosed..but she

was...and is now on Armour. Of course the doc prescribed Synthroid...but I told

her to insist on Armour. He said it was unstable.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

none of these people even get a tsh test?

>From: nc2406@...

>Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones

>To: NaturalThyroidHormones

>Subject: Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low

>thyroid

>Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2004 09:45:26 EDT

>

[Guest guest]

It's because of greed & capitalism here in the USA at least. In which the AMA &

pharmaceutical companies have been in collusion for about a hundred years &

becoming moreso. Yes it's definitely twisted & cruel, I agree.

Caroline

Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

I think this article could apply to a broader range of people that

have anxiety, depression, panic attachs, etc... not just those with

BDD.

One can't help but get depressed from the debilatating fatigue and

have anxiety from all the things left undone at end of the day!!!

Why doesn't the doctor give armour as first choice of treatment

instead of prozac!!

This is such a crooked and cruel world!

S.

[Guest guest]

>

> It's because of greed & capitalism here in the USA at least. In which

> the AMA & pharmaceutical companies have been in collusion for about a

> hundred years & becoming moreso. Yes it's definitely twisted & cruel,

> I agree.

> Caroline

> Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low

> thyroid

>

>

>

> I think this article could apply to a broader range of people that

> have anxiety, depression, panic attachs, etc... not just those with

> BDD.

>

> One can't help but get depressed from the debilatating fatigue and

> have anxiety from all the things left undone at end of the day!!!

>

> Why doesn't the doctor give armour as first choice of treatment

> instead of prozac!!

>

> This is such a crooked and cruel world!

>

> S.

i don't think the problem lies in crooked doctors and collusions

between them and the pharmaceuticals. i think the problem lies in

there not being enough knowledge linking the two diseases. remember

that medicine is a very slow changing world, even when it comes to new

research. unless it's been ESTABLISHED and common knowledge that

thyroid disease and bdd go hand in hand, i think the fault here is lack

of awareness, not some awful conspiracy to keep patients sick. i

guarantee you this problem is worldwide, endemic to more than just us,

in countries where they don't have an ama or similar org. anyway

thyroid tests aren't hard to get; the patients on your newsgroup can

always request a panel be done. just like we on this and other groups

have had to do, as always, with something complex and not wholly

understood, the patient has to be pro-active with their health.

best,

baron

[Guest guest]

Cindi, so many people will just accept whatever is said or handed to them

without blinking an eye. My Mom is one of those people who would take

'anything' and just accept the fact that life is going to be just as it is

now....like a big bowl of discomfort.

I hate that dr's are so busy assuming they know that we don't have thyroid

issues, even when we do, and they don't even bother to check. I have to wonder

if it's not because so many of them just have no clue what they are doing? I

know it happened to me, but I just kept plugging till I got the test that he'd

promised, otherwise.....there is not much telling where I'd be.

SandyE~Houston

Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

> none of these people even get a tsh test?

>

NO. some have been placed on anti--psychotic, SSRI, and anti-anxiety meds

with no one ever checking even the TSH test. I'm so horrified about it...and

so

many of them don't get why I'm stunned.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/4/2004 12:49:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,

starz@... writes:

> Cindi, so many people will just accept whatever is said or handed to them

> without blinking an eye

Sandy,

you are so right in all you said. I think I was always a bit skeptical of

doctors but when I kept asking them to check my thyroid function, I just didn't

know enough to ask for further testing with a TSH near 3.0 for 15 years. I

had even read about Hashimoto's...but thought " nah " ...can't be..because it said

Hashimoto's was a RARE disease. I didn't figure I had any RARE disease.

haha.

Sometimes it's like beating one's head against the wall trying to get folks

to have some awareness to not just blindly except that doctors know all. It's

very scary.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/4/2004 12:49:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,

starz@... writes:

> Cindi, so many people will just accept whatever is said or handed to them

> without blinking an eye

Sandy,

you are so right in all you said. I think I was always a bit skeptical of

doctors but when I kept asking them to check my thyroid function, I just didn't

know enough to ask for further testing with a TSH near 3.0 for 15 years. I

had even read about Hashimoto's...but thought " nah " ...can't be..because it said

Hashimoto's was a RARE disease. I didn't figure I had any RARE disease.

haha.

Sometimes it's like beating one's head against the wall trying to get folks

to have some awareness to not just blindly except that doctors know all. It's

very scary.

Cindi