People with thyroid disorders often have emotional or psychological symptoms as well as physical symptoms. This is especially the case for people with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), thyroid related eye disease, or thyroid cancer.

Content overview

What kind of problems with my emotions and mental wellbeing might I experience?

What causes psychological symptoms?

What about treatment?

Further information

What kind of problems with my emotions and mental wellbeing might I experience?

Whatever your type of thyroid disorder, it is possible you will feel more emotional than you felt before. You may also find that your mood changes, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Common problems are:

• Anxiety - a feeling of nervousness, racing heart and trembling, or from worries about managing normal daily activities while coping with fatigue and loss of energy
• Depression - low mood and difficulty enjoying things, tearfulness, loss of appetite and lethargy
• Mood swings - irritability, snappiness or short-temper
• Difficulties with concentration (brain fog)
• Short term memory lapses
• Lack of interest and mental alertness

What causes the psychological symptoms?

Abnormal thyroid hormone levels can often upset your emotions. 

Sometimes psychological symptoms are a side effect of your treatment. For example, beta blockers can make some people feel tired, depressed, and mentally less alert. And steroids can aggravate depression.

A thyroid disorder can also cause changes in appearance. For example, changes due to thyroid eye disease, weight loss or gain, or loss of hair can contribute to feelings of low self-esteem or mood.

It is uncertain whether stressful life events can trigger thyroid disease. However, stress can aggravate symptoms caused by a thyroid condition, and make them much worse and take longer to settle.

Learning that you have thyroid cancer is a stressful event. It is not unusual to have an emotional reaction before, during, or after treatment. In some patients, this can trigger trauma. 

Sometimes it can take a while for thyroid medication to become properly balanced, especially with hypothyroidism and following thyroid surgery. 

Forgetting to take your medication can also be a factor. Some people lose motivation when it comes to daily tablet-taking or attending clinics. However, taking tablets irregularly can upset your hormone balance and aggravate the psychological symptoms.

Over and underactivity of the thyroid may put a strain on personal relationships. Once the conditions have been stabilised and treated, your emotional state and relationships are likely to improve. 

What about treatment?

Fortunately, in the great majority of cases, if the thyroid is the cause of the problem, psychological symptoms will improve as the thyroid disorder is brought under control by treatment.

Do nt feel awkward or embarrassed about talking to your doctor about the psychological symptoms associated with your thyroid disorder. They could be being caused by you thyroid hormone levels. Ask as many questions as you need to understand what is happening to you.

Further information

Read our psychological wellbeing resources

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