INSPIRATION SHEET FOR DOCTORS

PLEASE THYROID TEST THE PSYCHOTIC, NEUROTIC, INSOMNIAC, DEPRESSED,

those with hallucinations, paranoia, panic attacks, anxiety, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic depression, puerperal psychosis, postnatal depression, any confusion, forgetfulness or dementia or any symptom or diagnosis of mental illness. Also those with Down’s Syndrome.

Both hypothyroidism (myxoedema) and hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) may cause or exacerbate mental health problems. Misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of myxoedematous psychosis and depression are still happening even though thyroxine may restore or improve mental health for sufferers in most cases.

• Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism affect men, women and children of all ages.
• Some psychiatric medication may worsen thyroid disease.
• Do any patients on psychiatric medication have exhaustion, feel cold, have a cold temperature, hair loss, amenorrhoea, foot dragging and/or slow digestion? Or do they seem hyper, hot and jittery? Has their blood been recently tested for levels of TSH and T4?
• Do you routinely ask about thyroid disease or autoimmune diseases in the family?

Severe mental distress is still going on because thyroid disease has been overlooked. Please don’t assume that a test has already been done.

Always do a thyroid test

Other symptoms: tiredness, weak muscles, palpitations, shortness of breath, goitre, reduced ability to cope with stress or shock, severe insomnia, increased sensitivity to medication, menstrual, sexual and fertility problems and pretibial myxoedema (lumpy red/dark shin patches). Both may present with a wide range of psychiatric symptoms.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include: lethargy, cold intolerance, cold temperature, dry skin, hair loss, slow speech, hoarse voice, swollen face, constipation, weight gain, loss of appetite, stiff or painful joints, miscarriage, blackouts and deafness.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: overactivity, exhaustion, sweaty hands, heat intolerance, weight loss, diarrhoea, shakiness, increased sweating and appetite and protruding eyes.

Hashimoto’s disease is autoimmune hypothyroidism, sometimes occurring after a hyperthyroid phase.

YOU HAVE THE MEANS TO TEST AND TREAT THE UNDIAGNOSED AND DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THEIR LIVES.

Thank You

I have Hashimoto’s disease, once misdiagnosed as schizoaffective disorder. Thyroxine has restored me to excellent mental health. My Thyromind project aims to raise awareness of the importance of thyroid testing for people with any symptom or diagnosis of mental illness and to stimulate more research. Thyromind is funded by a grant from the Millennium Commission through Mind’s Real People Real Lives scheme.

www.thyromind.info