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Does an underactive thyroid make you cry?


An underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism, is a common condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones play an important role in regulating mood, so an underactive thyroid may cause symptoms like depression and increased sensitivity. This has led some people to wonder whether hypothyroidism can make someone more prone to crying or having emotional outbursts. In this article, we’ll explore the link between hypothyroidism and crying, the science behind it, and what you can do if an underactive thyroid is making you weepy.

Can hypothyroidism cause crying?

Yes, an underactive thyroid can make some people more likely to cry or be emotionally sensitive. Here’s why:

– Thyroid hormones like T3 and T4 help regulate levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain. These “feel good” neurotransmitters stabilize mood and emotions. Low levels due to hypothyroidism disrupt this balance.

– Hypothyroidism causes fatigue and brain fog, which can lower stress tolerance and make it harder to manage emotions.

– Changes in thyroid hormone levels affect female sex hormones like estrogen. This fluctuation can trigger mood swings and sensitivity before periods.

– Depression is a common symptom of hypothyroidism, occurring in up to 60% of people. Crying spells can go along with depressed mood.

So in summary, the hormonal and chemical changes caused by an underactive thyroid make some people more prone to crying spells and feeling emotionally fragile or sensitive. The good news is that treating the thyroid condition often helps stabilize mood.

Case study: Sarah’s experience

Sarah, age 45, started noticing she would tear up at emotional commercials or cry after a frustrating day at work. She chalked it up to job stress at first, but then realized it was part of a larger pattern of fatigue, weight gain, and feeling down.

Blood tests revealed Sarah had hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s disease. Her doctor started her on thyroid hormone replacement medication. Once her thyroid levels stabilized, Sarah found she no longer cried at the drop of a hat. Getting her hypothyroidism under control helped resolve the mood instability.

The science behind crying and thyroid disorders

Let’s take a closer look at how hypothyroidism biologically leads to crying and mood changes:

1. Low serotonin

Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter for mood regulation and feelings of well-being. When serotonin levels drop, it can lead to depression and anxiety. Research shows that thyroid hormones help control serotonin levels in the brain. Low thyroid hormone reduces serotonin synthesis and activity, which destabilizes mood.

2. Poor stress response

The hormones cortisol and adrenaline help our bodies respond to stress. Thyroid hormones work with the adrenal system to activate the stress response. Hypothyroidism impairs this reaction, making it harder to cope with emotional or mental stressors.

3. Estrogen effects

Estrogen helps regulate emotion. Thyroid issues can cause estrogen levels to rise and fall irregularly during the menstrual cycle. This fluctuation leads to PMS mood swings including tearfulness.

4. Mental health impact

Up to 20% of people with thyroid disease also have depression or anxiety. These mood disorders affect areas of the brain linked with emotional regulation. Depressed mood often goes hand-in-hand with frequent crying spells.

So in hypothyroidism, inadequate thyroid hormone production combined with chemical and hormonal changes in the brain lead to crying and other emotional symptoms. Identifying and treating the thyroid problem is key to stabilizing mood.

Additional causes of crying with hypothyroidism

While brain chemical and hormonal changes are the main reason an underactive thyroid can cause crying, some additional factors play a role:

– **Fatigue** – Extreme tiredness from hypothyroidism lowers frustration tolerance. Small disappointments seem like big deals when exhausted.

– **Poor sleep** – Thyroid issues disrupt sleep cycles and cause insomnia. Poor sleep amplifies emotional sensitivity and depressive mood.

– **Brain fog** – Hypothyroidism slows mental processes. Fuzzy thinking makes it hard to manage emotions rationally.

– **Stress** – Managing a chronic illness is demanding. The strain of medical visits, lab tests, and medications is emotionally taxing.

– **Medications** – Some thyroid patients are on antidepressants or anxiety meds which cause crying as a side effect.

So fatigue, insomnia, cognitive dysfunction, stress, and certain medications can be secondary reasons an underactive thyroid leads to increased crying. Treating the root hypothyroidism helps resolve these additional factors.

Tips to prevent crying with hypothyroidism

If your thyroid condition is making you prone to crying spells or excessive sensitivity, here are some helpful tips:

– **Get thyroid levels checked** – Have your doctor run TSH and thyroid antibody blood tests to optimize medication dosing. Proper treatment helps stabilize hormones.

– **Take thyroid meds correctly** – Take replacement medication as directed, on an empty stomach, and avoid interference from supplements. Consistency is key.

– **Reduce stress** – Make time for relaxing activities like yoga, nature walks, or reading. Lowering stress helps regulate emotions.

– **Get enough sleep** – Prioritize 7-9 hours per night, limit screen time before bed, and ask your doctor about sleep aids if insomnia is a problem. Restful sleep improves mood and stress coping skills.

– **Eat a thyroid-friendly diet** – Focus on nutritious whole foods that are high in nutrients. Some people find eliminating gluten, dairy and sugar helps.

– **Exercise regularly** – Working out boosts feel-good endorphins and neurotransmitters. Just 30 minutes per day can make a difference.

– **Consider therapy** – Counseling provides coping strategies for managing emotions related to having a chronic condition. Therapy works well alongside thyroid treatment.

– **Join a support group** – Connecting with others who understand the challenges of hypothyroidism provides social support. Both in-person and online groups are helpful.

The right treatment plan tailored to your individual case can help resolve mood symptoms like crying and get your thyroid hormone levels back on track. Work closely with your healthcare provider and take steps to reduce stress and optimize self-care. With time, you are likely to find your mood stabilizes.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if:

– You have new onset crying spells or mood instability

– You feel depressed, anxious, or are having emotional outbursts

– You have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism but symptoms like fatigue and brain fog persist

– You have been prescribed thyroid medication but are still experiencing crying episodes

– Your thyroid symptoms are affecting work performance, relationships, or quality of life

Blood tests can help determine if your thyroid hormone levels need adjustment. Your doctor may adjust your medication dose or switch you to a different preparation like synthetic T4/levothyroxine or natural dessicated thyroid. If mood issues persist despite optimized thyroid treatment, you may benefit from seeing a counselor or psychiatrist. Getting the right care team in place is key to resolving symptoms.

Conclusion

An underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism can make some people prone to crying spells, mood swings, and emotional sensitivity. This occurs because low thyroid hormone disrupts brain chemicals that regulate emotions. Fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, medication effects, and the stress of having a chronic illness also play a role.

Getting hypothyroidism under control with proper treatment helps stabilize mood for most people. Healthy lifestyle measures like a thyroid-supporting diet, exercise, stress reduction, and good sleep hygiene also help. For persisting symptoms, counseling provides coping strategies. See your doctor to get your thyroid levels optimized as the first step to feeling emotionally steady.