Float Like a Butterfly: The Connection Between the Thyroid and Mental Health

Ilana Friedman, Advanced Clinical Fellow

The Thyroid is a tiny gland at the front of your throat right below the Adam’s apple. It controls your metabolic rate, which is the rate at which your body turns the food you eat into energy and other important things like how quickly your heart beats and how much you breathe. But how does this 2-inch, butterfly-shaped gland have anything to do with mental health?

Well, here are some of the symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or when

the thyroid is working too hard at its job and over-producing hormones:

  • Weight loss

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat

  • Nervousness

  • Irritability

  • Tremor

  • Sweating

  • Diarrhea

Sounds A LOT like anxiety, huh?

Here are some of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) aka when the thyroid is under-producing hormones:

  • Fatigue

  • Weight gain

  • Muscle weakness or aches

  • Slowed heart rate

  • Puffiness

  • Memory issues

  • Constipation

Sure sounds like some of the symptoms of depression to me!

Thyroid issues can mimic or even cause anxiety and depression, which means that there is a possibility of missing a diagnosis in either direction. A patient may present at their PCP with rapid heart rate, tremors, and insomnia and then be sent home with anti-anxiety medication and a prescription for medication for their “anxiety.” However, all the while their thyroid is functioning at dangerously high levels. A client may start therapy for their sudden, unexplained depression, which could really be connected to an underactive thyroid.

Unfortunately, thyroid blood panels are not always a routine part of patient care although thyroid issues are quite common. “An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease… Up to 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition” (American Thyroid Association). Thyroid issues are much more common in women and tend to develop between 20-40 years of age. Luckily, the symptoms of thyroid issues can generally be managed quite well with medication and/or surgery.

The next time you go to the doctor, please request a thyroid panel. It could literally save your life!

Lindsey PrattComment