How Thyroid Imbalance Affects Mental Health

 

The thyroid gland is related to metabolism, energy, and even fat burning. Yet many don’t realize that your thyroid health is related to your mental health.
Iodine deficiency is the number one predictor of both hypothyroidism and depression. Further, iodine deficiency and suboptimal thyroid function are among the top two causes of mental health issues!

The Function of the Thyroid Gland

The thyroid gland is not just a vital hormone gland that plays a major role in the metabolism, fat burning, energy, and development of the human body, it also is the master gland for the entire endocrine system which consists of the female ovaries, male testes, pituitary, pineal, hypothalamus, pancreas, thyroid and adrenal glands. The endocrine system makes hormones for mood, development, and growth.

Thyroid Depression – It’s Real & Here’s Why

T4, Thyroxine, which is the main thyroid hormone, is inactive and needs to be converted to T3 to be usable. However, due to stress or a backed-up liver, that conversion may fail to occur or, worse yet, may convert into Reverse T3 as a stress response. When free T3 is activated, blood sugar is released to be utilized effectively, metabolism increases, and energy increases.

The HPT axis, or the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis, and the HPA, the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, are closely interacting and play off of each other in response to stressors; in other words, as stress increases and the adrenals release the stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine, the HPT axis will start converting T4 into Reverse T3, slowing down the metabolism as a survival mechanism. As a result, mood decreases, which then can increase stress more, creating a vicious cycle. In fact, lower T3 levels have been found in people who report stress-related mental health problems.

Furthermore, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have been linked to oxidative stress and inflammation produced from excess chronic stress- both of which can “inflame” the brain and the gut where the mood neurotransmitters are manufactured. This furthers the decline in mood.
T4 converts into T3 in the gut, liver, and kidneys; therefore if the gut microbiome is off, or the liver is backed up, or if the kidneys are functioning suboptimally, then low thyroid could be coming from another organ.

Likewise, neurotransmitters like GABA, dopamine, and serotonin are made in the gut. If the gut is compromised, it will lead to mood disorders in addition to ineffective T4 to T3 conversion; both issues compound low mood and depression. The liver is where most of the conversion from T4 to T3 occurs in addition to where our “anger and frustration” emotions are stored. With a backed-up or compromised liver, both elements will degrade the mood.

The adrenals sit on top of the kidneys; with chronic stress from the adrenals, the kidneys become inflamed “holding up” the adrenals and work suboptimally. As a result, the conversion from T4 to T3 is compromised. Additionally, the kidneys hold the “fear” emotions, and under stress, that aspect will exacerbate the stress and lower mood even further. All of these factors play off of each other.

Lastly, it becomes a vicious cycle due to “Thyro-stress”.
Thyro-stress is defined as an emotional state characterized by extreme apprehension, discomfort, or dejection, caused by the challenge and demand of living with thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism. Those with hyperthyroidism are emotionally agitated and experience heightened anxiety, while those with hypothyroidism experience a constant level of depression and lethargy.

Thyroid, Mental Health, and Sex Hormones

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism impact the gonadal hormones as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone also directly impact T4 and T3. As estrogen goes down, thyroid hormone may go down. In other words, if there is a significant change in sex hormones, then there may be a decrease in thyroid hormones. This change can contribute to symptoms of anxiety and irritability, in addition to being misdiagnosed as signs of the aging process, such as fatigue and neurological disorders. Furthermore, many people with hypothyroidism also have PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Signs Thyroid Imbalance May Be Affecting Your Mental Health

Signs that your mental health issues stem from thyroid issues include:

• Fatigue
• Brain fog and depression
• Unexplained weight gain
• Insomnia
• Chronic stress
• Bouts of manic and depressive states

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it more likely hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism will affect mental health?

30 to 50 percent of people experience inadequate responses to antidepressants. This includes those suffering from hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
Those with hyperthyroidism experience irritability, anxiety, mood swings, sleeplessness, and restlessness; those with hypothyroidism experience depression, fatigue, attention and concentration issues, memory issues, weight gain, and reproductive issues.

As a result, many individuals with thyroid issues are misdiagnosed with depression and are put on medication. But, no amount of SSRI medication is going to upregulate the thyroid which is the root of the issue.

Hypothyroid and hyperthyroid women have a greater prevalence of menstrual issues including PCOS, erratic periods, libido, infertility, and autoimmune issues. So many are diagnosed with hormonal issues without looking at the thyroid as the root cause. T4 and T3 are correlated with estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The “stressors” including environmental toxins, smoking, obesity, stress, aging, and alcohol impact the gonadal hormones which in turn, impact the HPT axis and the thyroid hormones.

What are some toxic thyroid symptoms?

The thyroid is the master endocrine gland producing mental and physical energy. Most people have suboptimal thyroid function due to iodine deficiency, lack of conversion from the inactive to active thyroid hormones, T4 to T3, and heavy metals like fluoride, chlorine, and bromide that displace iodine when there is an iodine deficiency.
Moreover, the serious exposure from Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear explosions, the radiation from medical procedures, the ethylene dibromide from chemtrails, and now the detrimental effects from the Spike protein, force iodine out of the system. To make matters worse, iodine is no longer sufficient from diet alone and the iodine that is in the diet is contaminated with heavy metals and radiation.
Radiation and toxicity in general are linked to depression, anxiety, and all mental health disorders.
In addition to symptoms of depression and anxiety, suboptimal thyroid may result in fatigue, hair loss, headaches, weight gain, dry skin, low stomach acid and decreased nutrient absorption.

Why haven’t my mental health issues cleared up after starting thyroid medication?

Most thyroid medication consists of the inactive T4; T4 is mostly useless unless the liver is detoxed properly to be able to convert the T4 into the active T3. Thus, metabolism, mental and physical energy, and immunity suffer.

Furthermore, all thyroid medications fail to address the toxins from radiation and halogens (fluoride, bromide, and chlorine) that clog the thyroid and the liver, leading to anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

Serotonin, the happy hormone, and Norepinephrine, which is responsible for focus and energy, are both positively correlated to T3. Acetylcholine and glutamate are positively correlated to thyroid levels, and long-term cortisol release inhibits T4 to T3 conversion. For all of those reasons, the T4 medications are failing to address the need for more Free T3.

Dopamine, our “drive” or motivation hormone, is positively correlated with T3 levels; Parkinson’s and Restless Leg Syndrome are associated with low dopamine and schizophrenia is related to high dopamine. So, people with Parkinson’s or Restless Leg Syndrome may have hypothyroidism while people with schizophrenia may have hyperthyroidism. Those on antipsychotic medications usually experience fatigue from a lowering of thyroid hormones and slowed metabolism.

How to Improve Thyroid Health for Better Mental Health

Acceleradine® Iodine

Acceleradine® is the only iodine to have 100% absorption for all 100 trillion cells in the body, including the brain. Acceleradine® helps detox the brain from the radiation and heavy metals that cause brain fog, depression, and anxiety. Further, it provides the necessary iodine for T4 and T3 thyroid hormones. It also helps regulate estrogen and the other sex hormones that can be dysregulated due to chronic stress causing hypothyroidism.

Accelerated Thyroid®

Accelerated Thyroid® integrates age-old herbal knowledge with cutting-edge glandular therapy, supplemented by additional ingredients to promote not only thyroid well-being but also overall physical and mental health. Lastly, it is enhanced with Scalar frequencies with our proprietary Scalar Field technology to imbue specific healing patterns into this product that ultimately improve mental and physical energy.

The scalar frequencies include:

• Enhancing the general health of the thyroid
• Neutralizing toxins found in the thyroid such as chlorine, fluorine, mercury, and other metals
• Neutralizing radiation and nuclear fallout.

Accelerated Cogniblast™

Accelerated Cogniblast™ is one of the first supplements in the world to combine traditional herbs known to enhance brain function with “smart” nutraceuticals into a completely powerful formula that one can actually feel working. It can help to alleviate the mental anxiety, depression, agitation, fatigue, and frustration associated with thyroid disease.

Benefits of Accelerated Cogniblast™ may include:

• Enhanced cognition
• Enhanced focus
• Improved mood
• Increased ATP production and cellular energy
• Enhanced memory and learning
• Increased learning speed
• Increased lifespan
• Decreased anxiety
• Improved motivation
• Neutralizes damaging Free Radicals
• Supports liver, lungs, kidneys, and other organs
• Improves circulation
• Reduces stress
• Increases energy

Accelerated Fast®

Accelerated Fast® not only flips the body into ketosis which increases fat burning, but it also contains ingredients that synergistically increase mood, provide stable and extended energy, cleanse the liver for improved thyroid hormone conversion from T4 to T3, and support overall mental health.

Accelerated Diet Cleanse

The Accelerated Diet Cleanse includes Acceleradine®, Accelerated Fast®, Accelerated Thyroid®, and additional supplements to support liver cleansing which resets the metabolism, thyroid health, mental health, and fat burning.

Supplements included in the Accelerated Diet Cleanse:

LifeWave Patches to Help Boost Thyroid Health

LifeWave X39 Stem Cell Activation Patch

The Lifewave X39 patch is a STEM CELL patch that activates our own stem cell production by elevating GHK-cu peptide for regeneration and repair. This peptide resets 4000 genes to a younger state and encourages detoxification of the toxins and radiation that lead to hypothyroidism, depression, anxiety, and brain fog.

Learn more about the LifeWave X39 Patch.

LifeWave Aeon Patch

The Lifewave Aeon Patch is an anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, happy patch. It balances and calms the brain, reduces cortisol from chronic stress, and elevates DHEA. Furthermore, it balances our autonomic nervous system including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and respiration. As a result, stress reduces, allowing T4 to properly convert into T3 instead of Reverse T3, mood to improve, and the thyroid function to be optimized.

Learn more about the LifeWave Aeon Patch.

LifeWave Alavida Patch

The Lifewave Alavida Patch is a skin and body regenerating system that works through the elevation of the epithalamin peptide that also helps induce relaxation and restful sleep. It increases organ function, reduces oxidative stress, and increases antioxidants. It stimulates frontal lobes and pineal gland activation which improves mental clarity and focus, helps with sleep and regulates hormones.

Learn more about the LifeWave Alavida Patch

LifeWave Y-age Glutathione Patch

The Lifewave Glutathione Patch increases glutathione by 300% in 24 hours. When worn with the X39 patch, glutathione production increases to 400%. As a result, it helps detox the brain and body from the toxins that lead to hypothyroidism, anxiety, and depression.

Learn more about the LifeWave Glutathione Patch

Lifestyle Factors to Help Support Better Thyroid Health

Eliminate Alcohol

Alcohol disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis and can lead to hypothyroidism.

Sleep

Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep will benefit circadian rhythm regulation which affects thyroid function.