Re: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, ADHD, and hormone imbalance

[Saffron]

@Born this way:

I have ADHD and Hashimoto’s, and only half a thyroid gland after surgery to remove a tumour. (I recognized myself in your description, too—especially the sensory issues.)

Adding Concerta to my antidepressant helped me work effectively, but affected my health badly. In the almost three years I took both, I had breakthrough depression, difficult cycles, headaches and hyperacusis, hot flushes, anemia and hormonal swings. I also had swings of what appeared to be thyroid disease symptoms, mainly hair loss and joint pain and stiffness. I thought at the time that I was in early menopause.

Since I couldn’t perform my job without the Concerta, I stopped the antidepressant after finally consulting with my doctor. Continued on only the ADHD med. Within a few months I experienced a shockingly severe depression; I was really ill. Finally I gave up my ADHD med, I gave up my job, and I started a new antidepressant. The thyroid-related symptoms, hot flushes and joint pains have disappeared, and I feel normal and good again. I still exercise and eat a fairly low-iodine diet (important with Hashi’s).

Can’t concentrate worth a damn and make less money, but it’s better than the alternative. I’m definitely happier and healthier.

If I remember correctly, ADHD and autoimmune thyroid disease share a gene defect, so there are many of us who have both. I don’t know why I cannot handle both the antidepressant and an ADHD med, or why there isn’t much info out there on this issue, but there must be more people out there like us.

Dr. J?

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