thyroid disease and bipolar disorder

December 11, 2002

Hi All-

Last month, I told one of our members that thyroid associated mental disorders

often disappear once the thyroid disease is treated. At the time, I assumed she

had been just diagnosed (within the month) and that her thyroid hormone levels

were way off. Thyroid associated mental disorders do very often resolve when

they occur under these circumstances. It turned out that she was diagnosed with

thyroid disease many months ago and her thyroid hormone levels were normal (TSH

is not thyroid hormone). I was attempting to put a positive spin on a negative

situation and I apologize to anyone that might have changed the course of their

treatment based only on that 1st post.

Now, learning this, I feel a responsibility to make sure everyone is aware of

all aspects of this (I should have mentioned it on the initial post).

Sometimes, thyroid associated mental disorders are not resolved when thyroid

levels approach normal or are normalized. They do not know the cause of the

association. For example, it makes perfect sense that thyroid hormone levels in

and of themselves could and do affect mental function. But it's also possible

that they just often occur together (like TED and thyroid disease). Or maybe

the off-thyroid levels can cause permanent brain damage. They really don't

know.

I actually have a couple of personal examples of this (anecdotal I know). In my

case, I had pretty pronounced mental problems that resolved once my

hyperthyroidism was taken care of. However, I have a cousin that was diagnosed

with hyperthyroidism at age 15 which was subsequently treated by thyroidectomy.

She is still bipolar at age 43 and must stay on her medication or she destroys

herself and those that love her.

Anyhow, considering that 500 people read this list and some might have dropped

their medication based on my 1st post only, I felt that I had to address this.

Take care,

dx & RAI 1987 (at age 24)

December 12, 2002

Utecht wrote:

>

> Last month, I told one of our members that thyroid associated mental disorders

often disappear once the thyroid disease is treated. At the time, I assumed she

had been just diagnosed (within the month) and that her thyroid hormone levels

were way off. Thyroid associated mental disorders do very often resolve when

they occur under these circumstances. It turned out that she was diagnosed with

thyroid disease many months ago and her thyroid hormone levels were normal (TSH

is not thyroid hormone). I was attempting to put a positive spin on a negative

situation and I apologize to anyone that might have changed the course of their

treatment based only on that 1st post.

Hi ,

I hope people don't change treatment based on one post, but take

all the answers and consult with their doctor(s). It can be

frustrating when we trust out doctors over regular posters here

and find the poster were right, but where there is doubt or

deferring opinions we either go to the evidence (if you can find

any) or with your doctors who have experience (and professional

indemnity insurance ;-).

The link with bipolar disorders is fascinating, I have a friend

whose family have both thyroid problems, and genetic mental

issues (something with both positive and negative aspects for

those affected), quite what relationship, or indeed if they are

different manifestations of the same illness is unclear.

Unfortunately these kind of mental issues still carry undue

social stigma, and he prefers not to discuss it openly, although

having grown up adjacent to a large mental hospital I know how

hard it is to tell the patients from the staff at times ;-)

Simon

December 12, 2002