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Depression Caused by Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder that occurs when the thyroid gland, located just below the larynx, ceases to produce enough hormones. The thyroid is responsible for regulating the production of hormones and proteins throughout the body, as well as the body's metabolism. When thyroid function becomes decreased, so does a wide range of other functions throughout the body causing side effects. One common side effect of hypothyroidism is depression.

  1. Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

    • The best way to appreciate the far-reaching effects of the thyroid gland is to list the variety of symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. The typical symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland include persistent fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and hair, decreased libido, intolerance to cold, slowed speech patterns, decreased heart rate, constipation, digestive complications and depression.

    Significance

    • The reason hypothyroidism affects so many different aspects of the body is because the main thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, basically control the speed at which the body is running and utilizing resources. When the thyroid is running at a normal pace, all systems in the body are churning at a moderate rate which keep sleep patterns, the way the body metabolizes food, its ability to maintain weight, and its ability to regulate emotion in check. However, when thyroid function is decreased, all of these systems slow down including the production of chemicals in the brain like serotonin which keeps your mood afloat.

    Serotonin and Dopamine

    • Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is produced by the brain to help regulate mood along with dopamine, another mood elevating brain chemical. They are responsible for keeping individuals in a positive frame of mind and out of depression. However hypothyroidism decreases the production of both serotonin and dopamine in the brain due to a deficiency of key proteins and amino acids. The result is depressed mood, which manifests itself as persistent sadness, anxiety, irritability and disinterest in daily activities.

    Treatment

    • Depression caused by hypothyroidism will often be effectively treated when the thyroid condition is rectified. The most common way to treat hypothyroidism is through prescription synthetic thyroid hormone, which can be taken on a daily basis to supplement or replace lagging thyroid hormone production. Synthetic hormones are very successful in healing all symptoms of a thyroid condition, including depression.

    Alternative Therapies

    • However, if the lack of thyroid production is not severe enough to warrant synthetic hormone replacement, the mild depression caused by the condition can be treated through several over-the-counter methods. St. John's Wort has proved an effective supplement for rectifying depressed mood, as has regular daily exercise. Both the herb and the exercise stimulate the production of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, providing natural boosts for depressed mood.

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