Thyroid problem vs. bipolar disorder?!
Question: i heard that people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed because some thyroid disease mimics the disorder...and well, i am 16 and i developed my "bipolar disorder" two years ago but finally went on meds a year ago. i take lamictal 100mg and it seems to help me most of the time, but i've been pointed at by some people who say that it's just hormones you can't have bipolar disorder until you are in your 20s..yada yada yada.
i'm not like saying i'm going to stop taking my medication, but i just want to know if there is a serious chance that is truly is HORMONAL because of an "Abnormality" in my thyroid.. how do i go about finding out if it's just my thyroid instead of a mental disorder? cause i don't want to be stuck taking something (i do take my medicine daily, so it's not like i'm refusing) that i dont need....any suggestions?
Answers: i heard that people who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed because some thyroid disease mimics the disorder...and well, i am 16 and i developed my "bipolar disorder" two years ago but finally went on meds a year ago. i take lamictal 100mg and it seems to help me most of the time, but i've been pointed at by some people who say that it's just hormones you can't have bipolar disorder until you are in your 20s..yada yada yada.
i'm not like saying i'm going to stop taking my medication, but i just want to know if there is a serious chance that is truly is HORMONAL because of an "Abnormality" in my thyroid.. how do i go about finding out if it's just my thyroid instead of a mental disorder? cause i don't want to be stuck taking something (i do take my medicine daily, so it's not like i'm refusing) that i dont need....any suggestions?
Your primary care doctor can do a simple blood test which will tell you if you have thyroid problems. you need to have your TSH checked as well as any TGAB- which are antibodies that would show if you have something called hashimotos...that is when the thyroid sometimes puts out too much hormone, and other times not enough...sometimes makes you racy and panicked and sometimes makes you lethargic and achy. All that being said, you could have that and still be bipolar...I will post a few spots for you to learn more about thyroid. but in my experience it seems to be mistaken for depression and anxiety the most often.
You can be born with bipolar disorder and many people are. Bipolar disorder is typically traced to hormonal problems (glandular performance imbalances). Anyone suffering from mood disorders should see their general doctor (an internal specialist is a good start) to be tested for gland problems (not just the thyroid gland). Disruption of the HPA axis is a common issue with those suffering from chronic depression disorders. A hormonal specialist specializing in treating bipolar patients have resolved many cases that did not respond well to conventional psychotherapy medications.
Many illnesses can cause mood and other mental disorders. It's important to get a complete physical by a truly competent doctor.
Do not go off your meds without seeking medical advice from your doctor, however - that can be very dangerous.
I recommend you check out:
http://www.alternativementalhealth.com - they have a list of things to check for various mental symptoms, as well as recommendations to good doctors.