Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow a Thyroid Imbalance Affects MoodHow to Manage Mood Swings and AngerOther Signs of Thyroid DiseaseFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How a Thyroid Imbalance Affects Mood
How to Manage Mood Swings and Anger
Other Signs of Thyroid Disease
Frequently Asked Questions
Thethyroidis abutterfly-shaped endocrine glandlocated in the neck. It plays a role in many areas of the body, including metabolism (the speed at which people burn energy), heart rate, mood, and cognition.
Approximately 20 million Americans havethyroid disease, with more than 12% of the U.S. population expected to develop a thyroid condition within their lifetime. As many as 60% of people with thyroid disease are not aware that they have it.
Read on to learn more about thyroid disease, its symptoms, and how it affects mood.
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Changes in mood and cognition have long been associated with thyroid disruption, going back to some of the earliest known descriptions of thyroid disease.
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidismare both associated with psychiatric disturbances that can mimic mental illness.
Hypothyroidism
People withhypothyroidismcan show psychiatric and cognitive symptoms such as:
The symptoms of hypothyroidism can develop slowly and be minor and/or vague in the early stages. Physical symptoms, such as weight gain or joint pain, may be noticed sooner than psychological or cognitive ones. Psychological symptoms, however, may be the reason a person with hypothyroidism seeks medical advice.
Themood stabilizer lithium(used in the treatment of some mental illnesses) can lead to hypothyroidism, which can then result in depression, particularly in women who are in their middle-aged years. People who are taking lithium—or any long-term psychiatric medications—should have their thyroids checked.
Hyperthyroidism
People withhyperthyroidismmay experience:
People in their senior years with hyperthyroidism may have symptoms that include:
How Is Thyroid Disease Diagnosed?To make adiagnosis of thyroid disease, a healthcare provider may use tools such as:A physical examQuestions about symptoms and medical historyBlood tests(checking for things such asthyroid hormone levels)Imaging tests (such as ultrasound, thyroid scan, or a radioactive iodine uptake test)Thyroid fine needle biopsy (to check thyroid cells for cancer)
How Is Thyroid Disease Diagnosed?
To make adiagnosis of thyroid disease, a healthcare provider may use tools such as:A physical examQuestions about symptoms and medical historyBlood tests(checking for things such asthyroid hormone levels)Imaging tests (such as ultrasound, thyroid scan, or a radioactive iodine uptake test)Thyroid fine needle biopsy (to check thyroid cells for cancer)
To make adiagnosis of thyroid disease, a healthcare provider may use tools such as:
Addressing thyroid problems such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism generally addresses the psychological and cognitive symptoms associated with the condition. If emotional symptoms continue even with effective thyroid treatment, there may be something else at play in addition to the thyroid condition.
Treating Hypothyroidism
Thyroid hormone treatments are usually taken orally in tablet, gel capsule, or liquid forms.
Your healthcare provider will monitor your hormone levels to make sure your dosage is correct and effective.
Treating Hyperthyroidism
Treatments for hyperthyroidism include:
Managing Irritability
If irritability is one of your symptoms, there are things you can try along with treating the underlying thyroid conditions. Ways to help yourself manage irritability include:
How Common Are Anger or Mood Swings With a Thyroid Imbalance?One study showed depression occurring in almost 50% of cases of hypothyroidism. Another study found that 60% of people with hypothyroidism reporteddepressive symptomsand 63% reported anxiety symptoms.
How Common Are Anger or Mood Swings With a Thyroid Imbalance?
One study showed depression occurring in almost 50% of cases of hypothyroidism. Another study found that 60% of people with hypothyroidism reporteddepressive symptomsand 63% reported anxiety symptoms.
Thyroid disease can also have physical symptoms.
Physical symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Physical symptoms of hyperthyroidism can vary, but may include:
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism in adults over age 60 may present differently than in younger adults, including a loss of appetite or withdrawal from other people. Their symptoms may be mistaken for depression ordementia.
Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to serious health problems, including:
What Are Some Thyroid Conditions?Thyroid problems include:Hyperthyroidism: Thyroid makes more thyroid hormones than the body needsHypothyroidism: Thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormonesGoiter: Enlargement of the thyroidThyroid nodules:Lumps in the thyroidThyroiditis: Swelling of the thyroidThyroid cancer
What Are Some Thyroid Conditions?
Thyroid problems include:Hyperthyroidism: Thyroid makes more thyroid hormones than the body needsHypothyroidism: Thyroid does not make enough thyroid hormonesGoiter: Enlargement of the thyroidThyroid nodules:Lumps in the thyroidThyroiditis: Swelling of the thyroidThyroid cancer
Thyroid problems include:
Summary
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that producesthyroid hormones.
Two common thyroid problems are hypothyroidism (too few thyroid hormones produced) and hyperthyroidism (too many thyroid hormones produced).
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause physical symptoms as well as psychological and cognitive symptoms (such as mood swings and symptoms that mimic mental illness).
Treating the underlyingthyroid problemsusually improves psychological and cognitive symptoms.
A Word From Verywell
If you have symptoms of thyroid disease, whether physical, psychological, cognitive, or in combination, talk toyour healthcare provider. They can help you find the best treatment for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsPeople withhypothyroidismcan experience emotional distress such as depression, anxiety, and anger.Though thyroid disorders have been associated with symptoms of mental illness, includingmood disorders, symptoms of anxiety and depression with hyperthyroidism are most common. Bipolar disorders are less common.Psychotic symptoms can occur in people with untreated hypothyroidism. This is called myxedema psychosis (a secondary psychotic disorder resulting from other medical conditions). It is typically treated with antipsychotics andthyroid hormone supplementation.
People withhypothyroidismcan experience emotional distress such as depression, anxiety, and anger.
Though thyroid disorders have been associated with symptoms of mental illness, includingmood disorders, symptoms of anxiety and depression with hyperthyroidism are most common. Bipolar disorders are less common.
Psychotic symptoms can occur in people with untreated hypothyroidism. This is called myxedema psychosis (a secondary psychotic disorder resulting from other medical conditions). It is typically treated with antipsychotics andthyroid hormone supplementation.
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ritchie M, Yeap BB.Thyroid hormone: Influences on mood and cognition in adults.Maturitas.2015;81(2):266-275. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.03.016St. Luke’s Health.Is thyroid disease behind your mood swings?American Thyroid Association.General information/press room.Thyroid Foundation of Canada.The thyroid and the mind and emotions/thyroid dysfunction and mental disorders.Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.Journal of Thyroid Research.2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/590648MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.National Health Service.Symptoms. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.MedlinePlus.Hyperthyroidism.American Thyroid Association.Thyroid hormone treatment.healthdirect.Irritability and feeling on edge.Pankowski D, Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska K, Janowski K, Pisula E, Walicka M.The role of illness-related beliefs in depressive, anxiety, and anger symptoms: an on-line survey in women with hypothyroidism.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:614361. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.614361MedlinePlus.Thyroid Diseases.Hu LY, Shen CC, Hu YW, et al.Hyperthyroidism and risk for bipolar disorders: a nationwide population-based study. Kato T, ed.PLoS ONE.2013;8(8):e73057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073057Mohamed MF, Danjuma M, Mohammed M, et al.Myxedema psychosis: systematic review and pooled analysis.NDT.2021;17:2713-2728. doi:10.2147/NDT.S318651
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ritchie M, Yeap BB.Thyroid hormone: Influences on mood and cognition in adults.Maturitas.2015;81(2):266-275. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.03.016St. Luke’s Health.Is thyroid disease behind your mood swings?American Thyroid Association.General information/press room.Thyroid Foundation of Canada.The thyroid and the mind and emotions/thyroid dysfunction and mental disorders.Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.Journal of Thyroid Research.2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/590648MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.National Health Service.Symptoms. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.MedlinePlus.Hyperthyroidism.American Thyroid Association.Thyroid hormone treatment.healthdirect.Irritability and feeling on edge.Pankowski D, Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska K, Janowski K, Pisula E, Walicka M.The role of illness-related beliefs in depressive, anxiety, and anger symptoms: an on-line survey in women with hypothyroidism.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:614361. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.614361MedlinePlus.Thyroid Diseases.Hu LY, Shen CC, Hu YW, et al.Hyperthyroidism and risk for bipolar disorders: a nationwide population-based study. Kato T, ed.PLoS ONE.2013;8(8):e73057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073057Mohamed MF, Danjuma M, Mohammed M, et al.Myxedema psychosis: systematic review and pooled analysis.NDT.2021;17:2713-2728. doi:10.2147/NDT.S318651
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ritchie M, Yeap BB.Thyroid hormone: Influences on mood and cognition in adults.Maturitas.2015;81(2):266-275. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.03.016St. Luke’s Health.Is thyroid disease behind your mood swings?American Thyroid Association.General information/press room.Thyroid Foundation of Canada.The thyroid and the mind and emotions/thyroid dysfunction and mental disorders.Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.Journal of Thyroid Research.2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/590648MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.National Health Service.Symptoms. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.MedlinePlus.Hyperthyroidism.American Thyroid Association.Thyroid hormone treatment.healthdirect.Irritability and feeling on edge.Pankowski D, Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska K, Janowski K, Pisula E, Walicka M.The role of illness-related beliefs in depressive, anxiety, and anger symptoms: an on-line survey in women with hypothyroidism.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:614361. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.614361MedlinePlus.Thyroid Diseases.Hu LY, Shen CC, Hu YW, et al.Hyperthyroidism and risk for bipolar disorders: a nationwide population-based study. Kato T, ed.PLoS ONE.2013;8(8):e73057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073057Mohamed MF, Danjuma M, Mohammed M, et al.Myxedema psychosis: systematic review and pooled analysis.NDT.2021;17:2713-2728. doi:10.2147/NDT.S318651
Ritchie M, Yeap BB.Thyroid hormone: Influences on mood and cognition in adults.Maturitas.2015;81(2):266-275. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2015.03.016
St. Luke’s Health.Is thyroid disease behind your mood swings?
American Thyroid Association.General information/press room.
Thyroid Foundation of Canada.The thyroid and the mind and emotions/thyroid dysfunction and mental disorders.
Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.Journal of Thyroid Research.2012;2012:1-8. doi:10.1155/2012/590648
MedlinePlus.Hypothyroidism.
National Health Service.Symptoms. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
Office on Women’s Health.Thyroid disease.
MedlinePlus.Hyperthyroidism.
American Thyroid Association.Thyroid hormone treatment.
healthdirect.Irritability and feeling on edge.
Pankowski D, Wytrychiewicz-Pankowska K, Janowski K, Pisula E, Walicka M.The role of illness-related beliefs in depressive, anxiety, and anger symptoms: an on-line survey in women with hypothyroidism.Front Psychiatry.2021;12:614361. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.614361
MedlinePlus.Thyroid Diseases.
Hu LY, Shen CC, Hu YW, et al.Hyperthyroidism and risk for bipolar disorders: a nationwide population-based study. Kato T, ed.PLoS ONE.2013;8(8):e73057. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073057
Mohamed MF, Danjuma M, Mohammed M, et al.Myxedema psychosis: systematic review and pooled analysis.NDT.2021;17:2713-2728. doi:10.2147/NDT.S318651
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