Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

[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 2:21:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

pickleshoeboing@... writes:

> Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or email

> them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

> course, also have chronically low thyroid.

>

The best site is BDD Central...which is www.bddcentral.com. The site has

lots of information on BDD and you can follow the link to the " forum " where

people post.

There is also a site called Accurate Reflections at

www.accuratereflections.com which has some good information.

And also a yahoo group called BodyDysmorphic with posts.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/4/2004 2:21:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

pickleshoeboing@... writes:

> Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or email

> them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

> course, also have chronically low thyroid.

>

The best site is BDD Central...which is www.bddcentral.com. The site has

lots of information on BDD and you can follow the link to the " forum " where

people post.

There is also a site called Accurate Reflections at

www.accuratereflections.com which has some good information.

And also a yahoo group called BodyDysmorphic with posts.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/4/2004 2:34:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Gipsi_Moon@... writes:

> feel that it's more Adrenal than thyroid.

>

I think parts of it are adrenal too actually...but my BDD symptoms did go

away with the thyroid medication only. But I've posted on the BDD site that I

think folks have a problem with one of two things - either low thyroid or

adrenal. But ya know how hard it is to explain adrenal and to test for it. But

the

amazing thing is the folks are testing with low or out of range Free

T3...except for one gal, who also has a eating disorder. And for sure I think

hers is

adrenal.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/4/2004 2:34:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,

Gipsi_Moon@... writes:

> feel that it's more Adrenal than thyroid.

>

I think parts of it are adrenal too actually...but my BDD symptoms did go

away with the thyroid medication only. But I've posted on the BDD site that I

think folks have a problem with one of two things - either low thyroid or

adrenal. But ya know how hard it is to explain adrenal and to test for it. But

the

amazing thing is the folks are testing with low or out of range Free

T3...except for one gal, who also has a eating disorder. And for sure I think

hers is

adrenal.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or email

them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

course, also have chronically low thyroid.

Thanks --

> 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/biounhap

piness/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@a...

>

> Straughn

> October 2004

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or email

them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

course, also have chronically low thyroid.

Thanks --

> 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/biounhap

piness/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@a...

>

> Straughn

> October 2004

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I feel that it's more Adrenal than thyroid.

Best to you,

lisegolightly wrote:

>

> Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or email

> them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

> course, also have chronically low thyroid.

>

> Thanks --

>

>

[Guest guest]

I feel that it's more Adrenal than thyroid.

Best to you,

lisegolightly wrote:

>

> Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or email

> them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

> course, also have chronically low thyroid.

>

> Thanks --

>

>

[Guest guest]

It does seem to all be interwoven. I was DX'd with Adrenal Exhaustion at

17 or 18 along with Hypoglycemia...had eating disorders as early as the

5th-6th grade ...lots of years of idiot doctors, lol...can't wait to see

my Endo on the 11th of November. He's my daughters doctor & very very

good...the first doctor to DX her LOCAH...I can't wait to be tested )

I'm so excited!

Best,

nc2406@... wrote:

> In a message dated 10/4/2004 2:34:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> Gipsi_Moon@... writes:

>

> > feel that it's more Adrenal than thyroid.

> >

>

> I think parts of it are adrenal too actually...but my BDD symptoms did go

> away with the thyroid medication only. But I've posted on the BDD

> site that I

> think folks have a problem with one of two things - either low thyroid or

> adrenal. But ya know how hard it is to explain adrenal and to test

> for it. But the

> amazing thing is the folks are testing with low or out of range Free

> T3...except for one gal, who also has a eating disorder. And for sure

> I think hers is

> adrenal.

> Cindi

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

It does seem to all be interwoven. I was DX'd with Adrenal Exhaustion at

17 or 18 along with Hypoglycemia...had eating disorders as early as the

5th-6th grade ...lots of years of idiot doctors, lol...can't wait to see

my Endo on the 11th of November. He's my daughters doctor & very very

good...the first doctor to DX her LOCAH...I can't wait to be tested )

I'm so excited!

Best,

nc2406@... wrote:

> In a message dated 10/4/2004 2:34:36 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> Gipsi_Moon@... writes:

>

> > feel that it's more Adrenal than thyroid.

> >

>

> I think parts of it are adrenal too actually...but my BDD symptoms did go

> away with the thyroid medication only. But I've posted on the BDD

> site that I

> think folks have a problem with one of two things - either low thyroid or

> adrenal. But ya know how hard it is to explain adrenal and to test

> for it. But the

> amazing thing is the folks are testing with low or out of range Free

> T3...except for one gal, who also has a eating disorder. And for sure

> I think hers is

> adrenal.

> Cindi

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Really? I'm awaiting results of my " spit test " == checking DHEA and

cortisol levels -- will bel interesting to hear the results.

>

> >

> > Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or

email

> > them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

> > course, also have chronically low thyroid.

> >

> > Thanks --

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Really? I'm awaiting results of my " spit test " == checking DHEA and

cortisol levels -- will bel interesting to hear the results.

>

> >

> > Very interesting... Could you list some of the BDD sites? (or

email

> > them to me)? I've had problems with this my whole life and, of

> > course, also have chronically low thyroid.

> >

> > Thanks --

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/5/2004 6:15:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,

MamaMaha@... writes:

>

> What's " LOCAH " ??

>

Late Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/5/2004 6:15:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,

MamaMaha@... writes:

>

> What's " LOCAH " ??

>

Late Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/5/2004 6:15:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,

MamaMaha@... writes:

>

> What's " LOCAH " ??

>

Late Onset Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

[Guest guest]

What's " LOCAH " ??

Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

It does seem to all be interwoven. I was DX'd with Adrenal Exhaustion at

17 or 18 along with Hypoglycemia...had eating disorders as early as the

5th-6th grade ...lots of years of idiot doctors, lol...can't wait to see

my Endo on the 11th of November. He's my daughters doctor & very very

good...the first doctor to DX her LOCAH...I can't wait to be tested )

I'm so excited!

Best,

[Guest guest]

What's " LOCAH " ??

Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

It does seem to all be interwoven. I was DX'd with Adrenal Exhaustion at

17 or 18 along with Hypoglycemia...had eating disorders as early as the

5th-6th grade ...lots of years of idiot doctors, lol...can't wait to see

my Endo on the 11th of November. He's my daughters doctor & very very

good...the first doctor to DX her LOCAH...I can't wait to be tested )

I'm so excited!

Best,

[Guest guest]

What's " LOCAH " ??

Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

It does seem to all be interwoven. I was DX'd with Adrenal Exhaustion at

17 or 18 along with Hypoglycemia...had eating disorders as early as the

5th-6th grade ...lots of years of idiot doctors, lol...can't wait to see

my Endo on the 11th of November. He's my daughters doctor & very very

good...the first doctor to DX her LOCAH...I can't wait to be tested )

I'm so excited!

Best,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/2004 7:59:19 AM Eastern Standard Time, marin@...

writes:

> Why is it that they just can't rule this out

> initially, to avoid some of the heartaches of this disease, that most of the

> time, includes MENTAL and EMOTIONAL disorders that didn't have to happen.

>

This continues to amaze me...because the literature will say that mental

health professionals should always do this...but the reality is that maybe 1 out

of 100 check (maybe less?) this in their patients. When I really starting

getting hypo physically is the same time I started seeing a psychologist for

depression and anxiety...10 years of anti-anxiety meds...that weren't

needed...and

all the while my body just got more damaged. It's criminal.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/2004 7:59:19 AM Eastern Standard Time, marin@...

writes:

> Why is it that they just can't rule this out

> initially, to avoid some of the heartaches of this disease, that most of the

> time, includes MENTAL and EMOTIONAL disorders that didn't have to happen.

>

This continues to amaze me...because the literature will say that mental

health professionals should always do this...but the reality is that maybe 1 out

of 100 check (maybe less?) this in their patients. When I really starting

getting hypo physically is the same time I started seeing a psychologist for

depression and anxiety...10 years of anti-anxiety meds...that weren't

needed...and

all the while my body just got more damaged. It's criminal.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/2004 7:59:19 AM Eastern Standard Time, marin@...

writes:

> Why is it that they just can't rule this out

> initially, to avoid some of the heartaches of this disease, that most of the

> time, includes MENTAL and EMOTIONAL disorders that didn't have to happen.

>

This continues to amaze me...because the literature will say that mental

health professionals should always do this...but the reality is that maybe 1 out

of 100 check (maybe less?) this in their patients. When I really starting

getting hypo physically is the same time I started seeing a psychologist for

depression and anxiety...10 years of anti-anxiety meds...that weren't

needed...and

all the while my body just got more damaged. It's criminal.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/2004 8:35:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, marin@...

writes:

> Yes, and once again, people are not seeing how these financial connections

> go hand in hand with refusal for correct diagnosis of this disease. There

> IS collusion, you can't call it anything else at this point

YES...you got it.

Just read a great book about this...and also there's one out called The Truth

About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do about It by

Marcia Angell, a former physician and former editor of the New England Journal

of

Medicine.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/6/2004 8:35:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, marin@...

writes:

> Yes, and once again, people are not seeing how these financial connections

> go hand in hand with refusal for correct diagnosis of this disease. There

> IS collusion, you can't call it anything else at this point

YES...you got it.

Just read a great book about this...and also there's one out called The Truth

About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do about It by

Marcia Angell, a former physician and former editor of the New England Journal

of

Medicine.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Most people who are chronically hypo have a lot of trouble converting

betacarotene into Vitamin A, i.e., night blindness is well known to be

caused by lack of Vitamin A.

Re: Body Dysmorphic Disorder / Low thyroid

>

> 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