The OCD and Hashimotos Connection Dr Izabella Wentz, PharmD

With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column. The aim of my article today is to help you, not to take away your cheeseburgers or Chanel Coco, it’s not to make you give up your cell phone (but you could put it down for a few hours). Don’t get me started on the fake milks either, I disagree with them because they are laden with all kinds of chemicals and they’re high in glutamate (produces anxiety).

Optimize Thyroid Hormone Medications

By continuing to explore and understand these connections, we can develop more effective, personalized approaches to treating complex conditions like OCD, ultimately improving the lives of millions of people worldwide. The shared neurobiological pathways between OCD and thyroid function, including neurotransmitter systems and brain circuits, provide a plausible explanation for their connection. However, it’s important to remember that this relationship is complex and likely bidirectional, with each condition potentially influencing the other. These infections can then drain into the gut and cause intestinal permeability. This “leaky gut” caused by mold exposure can then become a major trigger for an autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto’s. (You can read more about leaky gut and Hashimoto’s and how it plays a role in the development of autoimmune diseases here.) I have actually seen cases of Hashimoto’s go into remission when sinus infections are effectively treated.

The lowest OCS score was in anti-TG positive and anti-TPO negative male patients. And of course, I recommend working with your doctor and consulting with them as you implement lifestyle changes. Please note that if you are currently taking prescription medications to manage your OCD, it is important not to stop taking your medications without the oversight of your physician or therapist.

Hashimoto’s and OCD: Common Triggers and Treatments

(Please check out the linked article, however, for precautions.) I also love adrenal adaptogens, which are thought to normalize the HPA axis (and many are neuroprotective). One of my favorite adaptogens is ashwagandha, which has been shown to help normalize thyroid hormone levels and support the body’s stress response. 78 In my 2015 survey, some 77 percent of people said their mood improved when they tried adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha. To date, researchers have identified over 50 different hormones in the human body, each of them playing a vital role in our health and well-being.

Instead, they interact intricately with neurotransmitters and other biological systems in the body. For instance, estrogen is known to influence serotonin activity, which is a key neurotransmitter implicated in OCD. This interplay between hormones and neurotransmitters adds another layer of complexity to understanding OCD and chemical imbalances.

Lots of children get Strep infections, but not all develop psychiatric symptoms, so it is important to always remember there is a genetic vulnerability that predisposes people to develop various conditions of immune dysregulation. Research has found that Streptococcus is involved in a few different diseases, including rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, Sydenham chorea, PANDAS, and OCD. 20 Some more recent data suggests that a Streptococcal infection may play a role in patients with OCD, even in the absence of the other diseases mentioned.

• In the light of available data, it could be proposed that there might be a possible association between thyroid disorders and OCD.
• While I have found them to be helpful for clients, in general, I advise working with a health professional who has experience with them, as 5-HTP can worsen symptoms in some, and GABA can over-convert to glutamate if you’re deficient in P5P.
• Just as thyroid problems can affect mental health, chronic stress and certain mental health conditions can impact thyroid function.
• In both diseases, physical symptoms are also frequently accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms.
• Integrating endocrinological assessments into psychiatric evaluations and considering hormonal factors in treatment planning could lead to more personalized and effective interventions for individuals with OCD.

When thyroid hormone levels are imbalanced, it can lead to alterations in brain chemistry and function, potentially contributing to the development or exacerbation of mental health symptoms, including intrusive thoughts. If you have hypothyroidism, it can cause depression or anxiety, or OCD l-thyroxine(synthroid)tab 25mcg (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). The medications used to treat psychiatric disorders work temporarily at best, if at all because they don’t address the low thyroid hormone.

Disorders

If your labs show an underactive thyroid, schedule an appointment with one of our Paloma Health thyroid specialists, to get your thyroid condition treated and well-managed.

Pure T3 drugs (ie Liothyronine, Cytomel or Compounded T3) as well as those NDT drugs that include T3 as part of their ingredients, definitely seem to work better as thyroid replacements, in particular for depression and other emotional disorders. As research in this area continues to evolve, we can expect to gain further insights into the complex interplay between OCD and thyroid function. Future studies may focus on identifying specific subgroups of OCD patients who are most likely to benefit from thyroid evaluation and treatment, as well as exploring novel therapeutic approaches that target both conditions simultaneously. The production and release of thyroid hormones are controlled by a complex feedback system involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This system, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, ensures that thyroid hormone levels remain within a narrow, optimal range.

Hormones exert their influence on brain function and behavior through various mechanisms. They can alter neurotransmitter levels, affect the sensitivity of neurotransmitter receptors, and even influence gene expression in brain cells. This hormonal modulation of brain activity can have profound effects on mood, cognition, and behavior, potentially contributing to the development or exacerbation of mental health disorders, including anxiety disorders like OCD.