What is thyroid and anxiety connection?

The connection between thyroid and anxiety is a lot more complicated than it may seem. This article will explore this relationship, analyzing the biological underpinnings and how different treatments might affect your mental health.

What is Thyroid?

The thyroid gland, which produces hormones that regulate metabolism and plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced body temperature, is closely linked to anxiety. Your physical, emotional and psychological well-being relies on your thyroid functioning properly – when you have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, these processes can be thrown out of balance. When dealing with both of these conditions, there are several treatment options a medical professional can offer.

For example, medications are available to treat high and low thyroid levels. These medications do not treat the root cause of your thyroid issue but will instead help bring hormone production to an appropriate level.

This may decrease your overall anxiety because you are treating a symptom rather than addressing the underlying cause of both conditions. While this is a short-term solution, it can be extremely helpful in stabilizing anxiety attacks.

 

 

What’s anxiety?

 

It can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to treat your thyroid issue. Not only will this make you feel more balanced, but it can also reduce the severity of anxiety attacks. Anxiety is a natural part of life. Everyone feels stressed out and anxious at some point.

 

However, some people experience significantly more anxiety than others. If you think you might be one of these people, don’t ignore the symptoms simply because they have become such an accepted part of your daily routine that you don’t think there is anything to be concerned about.

 

How does anxiety affect the thyroid?

Anxiety causes muscle tension and affects your heart rate and blood pressure. When you are anxious, your body also has an increased stress response that causes your adrenal glands to release adrenaline.

 

Studies have shown that adrenaline is toxic to the thyroid gland, which can lead to pain, swelling and inflammation. When your thyroid levels are off, your metabolism will also be affected, and you will gain weight.

This is why many people struggling with anxiety and thyroid issues notice they are gaining weight when they have never had problems with their weight before.

 

The anxiety linked to thyroid disease is also seen in patients who have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Once again, the symptoms of hypothyroidism include anxiety and panic attacks. In these cases, medication can help bring hormone levels back to normal, but it may take months to stabilize.

Interestingly, there is also evidence that an overactive thyroid gland can cause hypothyroidism. In this case, researchers believe that the hyperactivity of the thyroid may cause it to produce too much thyroid hormone and other hormones that stop the production of all other glands in the body. This includes growth hormones and sex hormones and can cause hypothyroidism.

 

What Causes Anxiety in Hypothyroidism?

Research has shown that anxiety disorders are 6-10 times more frequent in people with hypothyroidism than in the general population. This is because of the strong connection between anxiety and thyroid disorders. There is also evidence that hypothyroidism can cause anxiety in some cases, although this has not been conclusively proven to be the case.

 

Several studies have indicated that chronic stress may be a trigger for autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an underactive thyroid condition. This means that you have tested negative for TSH (stimulating thyroid hormone), and therefore your doctor will treat it as if it was hyperthyroidism.

 

So, how do you know if you are hypothyroid? One of the most common symptoms is fatigue, especially when you are in a stressful situation. Additionally, you may notice that your weight increases, which may be more noticeable if you have a tendency to gain or lose weight easily. You may also experience menstrual irregularity or infertility.

 

The connection between anxiety and thyroid is also seen in patients who have an underactive thyroid gland. This can occur for various reasons, including genetic predisposition as well as extreme stress or even surgery on the thyroid. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include anxiety and panic attacks.

 

Treating thyroid issues to reduce anxiety

 

If you have both of these conditions, it is important that they are both treated simultaneously. It is possible to have higher levels of stress hormones in your body because of an overactive thyroid gland, but you can also feel stressed if your thyroid levels aren’t being regulated. The anxiety caused by an overactive or underactive thyroid gland can quickly become a vicious cycle that makes it more difficult to cope with everyday activities and responsibilities.

 

While treating those who have both of these conditions, a medical professional may choose to start by taking a look at the medications they are currently on since some drugs can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Your doctor may also choose to first use one or multiple medications to treat the symptoms of hypothyroidism, then work with you to address the anxiety that is caused by an overactive thyroid gland.

 

One of the most important things about treating any kind of thyroid condition is taking your medication as directed. You will not experience any of the benefits if you aren’t taking your medication as prescribed.

 

Even if you feel like the medication is causing more anxiety, it’s important to continue taking it. Even though it may seem like the last thing you want to do, try to remember that your thyroid issues are likely causing your anxiety, and getting them under control will help reduce your stress levels and give you back some peace of mind.

 

Manage and Treat Anxiety

 

Additionally, there are some things you can do to help boost your overall health and reduce stress levels. Eating right is a great place to start. Try to eat more fruits and vegetables each day. You can also try supplementing with key nutrients such as magnesium, which is important for aiding with stress and anxiety.

 

Exercise can also help reduce stress levels and anxiety. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that make you feel good about yourself and give you a sense of well-being. Try to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day to increase your endorphins.

 

Conclusion- thyroid and anxiety connection

No one wants to be anxious and feel that they have to deal with this every day, but it can be a serious problem without being treated. If you think that you have both an overactive or underactive thyroid gland and anxiety, don’t wait until your symptoms become more severe or until you are completely overwhelmed by the weight of your stress.

 

The health of your thyroid is linked to your overall health, so it’s vitally important that you get to see a qualified medical professional right away. In many cases, treating the thyroid issue can be much easier than conquering the symptoms of anxiety.