Thyroid and mood: what is their relationship?

A subtle increase or slight decrease in thyroid hormones can completely change people’s behavior. Their preferences, their sexual behavior, their appetite or their attitudes are greatly affected. Therefore, the relationship between thyroid and mood is very close.

Similar in size to an acorn and shaped like a butterfly, the thyroid gland is one of the most important glands in the human body. Therefore, if we begin to suffer from problems related to it, it is most likely that physical and emotional disorders will accompany us.

Even more, it is known that the thyroid-brain-emotional interaction is decisive even for the production of serotonin. For example, studies such as the one carried out at the Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital in Germany explain to us that hypothyroidism causes us to suffer a deficit in this neurotransmitter, related as we know to optimism, well-being and motivation.

Thyroid functions and dysfunctions

The thyroid is the gland in charge of regulating metabolism and supplying our body with the amount of energy it needs to perform its basic functions.. That is, it is what establishes the speed at which our cells burn calories and the rate at which our heart beats.

This gland is located in the front of the neck, just below the larynx, and secretes 3 types of hormones. They are the following:

On the one hand, the calcytocin, which regulates the level of calcium in the blood. It is used to treat diseases such as osteoporosis, because it promotes the deposit of this mineral in the bones. On the other hand, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)which accelerate the metabolism of cells, producing an increase in body heat.T4 is the main form of thyroid hormone in the blood. T3 influences the growth and development of the nervous system and heart rate.

The two most common thyroid problems are:

Hypothyroidism (slow thyroid): the gland is underactive and produces an insufficient amount of hormones.Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid): The gland is overactive and produces an excessive amount of hormones.

Although both arise from an alteration in the normal functioning of this gland, the two conditions have very different repercussions on the people who suffer from them, both physically and psychologically.

Physical symptoms of thyroid disorders

In turn, depending on whether we are talking about one or another alteration, the physical signs that we will have will be different. Even, on many occasions, even opposites. Yes indeed, Both agree on the inadequate stimulation of the different organs of the body.

Physical symptoms of hypothyroidism:Weight gain. Inability to tolerate cold environments. Irregular menstrual periods. Lower heart rate. Tiredness. Constipation. Dry skin. Hair loss. Cracked nails. Muscle cramps.Physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism:Distraction.Weight lossHeat intolerance.Higher or irregular heart rate.Goiter.Fatigue or muscle weakness.Diarrhea.Nausea and vomiting.Difficulty falling asleep.Hand tremors.

How are they reflected in the mood?

As we have already anticipated, The relationship between thyroid and mood is very close. M. Bauer, T. Goetz, T. Glenn, psychiatrists at the University of Dresden, reveal to us in a study that The interaction between thyroid diseases and various psychological disorders such as depression or stress is very significant. Other results are the following:

Variations in hormone levels have a direct impact not only on the physical sphere, but also on the cognitive and emotional sphere. For this reason, the psychological symptoms and mood alterations they produce are equally important. In fact, psychological disorders are the main reason why patients with hypothyroidism go to the doctor. Among their complaints is a progressive loss of initiative and interest due to a generalized slowing down of mental processes. This causes memory problems, intellectual deterioration, attention and concentration difficulties (especially in calculation tasks) and thinking that they define as confused. The thyroid is very sensitive to psychological stimuli.

Therefore, patients with low thyroid activity, i.e. With hypothyroidism, they have a mood close to sadness, nostalgia, melancholy and even depression. In more severe cases that have not been adequately treated, the disorder can lead to dementia.

For his part, the Hyperthyroidism usually causes irritability, nervousness, hyperactivity, impatience and sudden mood changes.. It is associated with increased anxiety, mental agitation, emotional lability (sudden mood swings) and insomnia. The fact is that, if they are not stopped, delusions and hallucinations can appear, as well as very serious heart, bone, muscle and reproductive problems.

Depression and thyroid

Some of the emotions that are most closely related to the thyroid are anger, rage or annoyance. On the other hand, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism They have one point in common: the appearance of manifestly depressive symptoms.

Special care must be taken in this because It is common to confuse depression with a problem in the thyroid gland. That is, although there are incipient signs of depression, it does not mean that it exists. per se.

In the case of hypothyroidism, the depressive clinical picture is more noticeable. This is because, as hormone production decreases and the body’s metabolism decreases, the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain also decrease.

We already see that oscillations and changes in thyroid function can go hand in hand with serious psychological disturbances, around which the wrong origin can be established. That’s why, Before starting treatment for depression it is necessary to make sure what the thyroid activity is.

Conclusions

It is difficult to have altered thyroid hormone levels and not notice physical and emotional instability. Thus, what usually happens is that by treating thyroid dysfunctions, certain psychological or psychiatric disorders improve and may even disappear.

The relationship between thyroid and mood is an increasingly evident reality. From there the importance of prevention and early diagnosis for a satisfactory resolution.

There are many signs and symptoms that inform us that something in our body is not going well. Radical changes in fatigue levels when faced with similar degrees of effort, pronounced irritability or problems falling asleep would be some of these changes.

Therefore, if you have the slightest suspicion, it is best to consult a specialist. Think that with a simple blood test you can know how your thyroid is working.

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