K I have (maybe)
Ultreadean Ultra Ultra Ultra Rapidcycling Bipolar Affective Disorder - I have had moderate mood shifts all my life and the odd depression. (which I was given the dreaded anti-depression drugs for).
My mood untreated switches avery 5 hours between elated depressed and not a nice person. (mixed state)
At 30 I was diagnosed with Hyper Thyroidism. they seemed unsure what type but irradiated my any way (never trust doctors).
After a course of steroids, a depression with a nasty antidepressant 4 years on 250 micro of thyroxine massive weight gain and energy drops I finall got my mental health diagnosis.
i have been on lithium for 6 years (which i recently found out messes with your thyroid condition, and a bunch of other drugs which have not worked and indeed I have become quite ill (physically on).
I have always believed there was a link between the 2 illnesses but you try getting 2 specialists in the same room!
revcently after a meeting with one of the 2 Professors I am under I read an article stating that,
'hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis dysfunction is relevant to the pathophysiology and clinical course of bipolar affective disorder'. and that,
The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction is also likely to be greater among patients with rapid cycling and other refractory forms of the disorder.
now treatment with high dose thyroid has always been an option for those in my boat however you try getting someone to write the prescription.
what i was wondering was this.
are there any other people out there being treated for a mental illness who feel they should be being treated for an endo-psychiatric illness rather than one or the other?
Hi NTD and welcome to Healthypages,
When you say...
now treatment with high dose thyroid has always been an option for those in my boat however you try getting someone to write the prescription.
... are you in the UK? If so, you can get an exemption certificate (card) by filling in the appropriate form and getting your doctor to sign it and send it off, and then that will entitle you to free prescriptions. This only applies to people who have certain medical conditions, but that does include thyroid dysfunction. If you've got a thyroid problem then your doctor shouldn't have any issue providing you with a prescription for the necessary medication.
Sorry, but I'm not familiar with the mental health issues you are talking about, but I'm sure someone else will be able to comment on those for you.
All Love and Reiki Hugs
Hi NTD Welcome to HP :wave:
It really upsets me to hear of other people struggling with thyroid problems, having been through some myself, and the lack of understanding that the medical profession has of the problems associated with HPA axis/ adrenal/ thyroid dysfunction. That anyone, especially someone so young has had their life ruined with their ignorance really makes me fume, specially when the information is out there, 😡 have a look here.
I know it may cost you, but I seriously suggest you see [DLMURL="http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/pages/advisors/peatfield.html"]Dr Barry Durrant Peatfield[/DLMURL], or go to one of his [DLMURL="http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/drpeatfield_clinics.php"]clinics[/DLMURL]. NHS medics don't like him because he doesn't rely on the current tests used to 'assess' thyroid malfunction, but uses the tried and tested old-fashioned system. There are certain of us who don't fit into current medical individual boxes, as you say.
The gut and thyroid are intricately linked and if the thyroid malfunctions then so does the gut see here, and here andhere. I don't have a link to biploar (it would be good to have your source please :)) but food intolerances and particularly gluten intolerance have definite links with mental problems seehere - I also have a hefty 750-page tome on the subject!
As ever, it is best for you to find out all you can about your problems so you don't get fobbed off with rubbish like - "it's psychosomatic", or "take this medicine and you will be fine" :mad:. It will mean you can argue your case and demand to be treated properly.
I'd also suggest a [url]registered Nutritional Therapist [/url]would be able to support you through the process of getting balanced.
Wishing you all the best and do ask for more info if you need.
Love and Light