You wake up in the morning and feel like a truck has driven over you – but you were just sleeping. Does that feel familiar? It feels like you’ve been partying all night – only instead of partying, you’ve been hugging your pillow. It might not be stress or bad sleeping habits that’s causing it, but Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an insidious thyroid disease that affects not just your body but your mind, too.
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own thyroid gland, reducing its production of hormones. And an underactive thyroid gland affects not only your weight and energy levels, but also your mental health. Let’s see what symptoms it can cause!
Depression and anxiety
Depression can creep into your life and you may not even think about your thyroid, but it could be to blame. It’s as if your mind is on a gloomy November afternoon when even coffee doesn’t help and you don’t feel like getting out from under the covers. Hormone imbalances can also cause your brain’s serotonin levels to drop, which can amplify the depression. If you often experience anxiety, mood swings or a loss of motivation, it’s worth considering a thyroid test.
Memory problems and “brain fog”
Do you sometimes forget why you opened the fridge? Maybe you’re looking for your phone while holding it in your hand? Sometimes your brain is like a computer with too many tabs open and none of them responding. Hashimoto’s can cause memory problems, which can make your brain feel like it’s in a “fog”. Slower thinking, difficulty making decisions, concentration problems – these can all occur with hypothyroidism.
Fatigue and tiredness
Chronic fatigue is a “bonus” that no one asked for, but Hashimoto’s often comes with it anyway. You may have slept for 8 hours, yet it feels like you were never awake – like your body is an old mobile phone that never charges to 100%. Sleep problems are also common, and if you’re tired all the time but still can’t sleep properly, it’s time for a thyroid test.
Dementia-like symptoms
Brain fogginess, slower thinking and forgetfulness can make you feel like Alzheimer’s is knocking prematurely – but often it’s “just” Hashimoto’s. Sometimes you also have trouble remembering what you meant to say – it’s as if your thoughts are post-it notes flitting around in a drafty room. If it’s getting harder to concentrate and even the smallest task feels tiring, it could be a sign of hypothyroidism.
Emotional roller coaster
Emotional rollercoasters aren’t always the result of stress or hormones – sometimes it’s the thyroid playing tricks on us. One minute you’re totally relaxed, the next you feel like you’re about to cry – like watching a romantic movie where everyone dies at the end and then you realise you’ve just been watching a cat video. Even simple decisions can seem complicated because your brain processes information more slowly.
What is the solution?
If these symptoms are familiar, you should see an endocrinologist and have a blood test to check your thyroid function. Proper hormone replacement and dietary changes can help you regain your energy, memory and zest for life. Don’t let Hashimoto’s control your life – you control it!
If you’ve ever said, “I’m not myself these days,” it’s time for a thyroid test – because Hashimoto’s may be playing tricks on you!
