OCD or Graves’? A case of missed hyperthyroidism and the Functional Approach to Graves’ Disease.  

Thyroid Health

Admitted to the hospital to the psychiatric team in her mid-40s with weight loss, palpitations, anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive disorder; Anna was given anti-depressants and discharged.  

One whole year later, Anna was eventually diagnosed with Graves’ Disease. It was at that point appropriate treatment was offered. 

In the meantime, Anna took to eating sweets and icing sugar to try to maintain weight and reduced her workload to try to cope with her lack of mental focus.  

While Hypothyroidism (an under-performing thyroid gland) is a common condition and one which most doctors are familiar with, autoimmune hyperthyroidism (or Graves’ Disease) is relatively rare and often misdiagnosed as stress.  

Given the serious nature of over-active thyroid disease in terms of its impact on both physical and mental health, treatment is essential. However, treatment options are not ideal – long-term medication to block the thyroid hormone production (which can often result in hypothyroidism and which can have severe side effects) is offered first line.  

In the long term, many patients are left with only the choice of major surgery to remove the thyroid gland or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid tissue.  

Anna was unhappy with the options she was offered and came to the Functional Nexus to ask whether a Functional Medicine approach could provide an alternative way to control her autoimmune Thyroid disease.  

Amazingly, a few months of dietary change and support for immune function with Low-Dose Naltrexone helped Anna feel the best she had in years.  

In addition, her thyroid antibody levels fell into the normal range, and she avoided any surgical interventions. Anna no longer eats icing sugar, and her mental clarity and focus have been restored.  

So whether you have an under- or over-active thyroid gland or thyroid antibodies that have not yet disturbed hormone levels, we have safe and effective ways to reduce antibody levels, normalise thyroid output, and help you regain your health.  

To learn more about our nuanced approach and investigation of the ‘root causes’ associated with complex thyroid problems, GO HERE to reach out to our experienced patient care team for more advice, or read our article on the topic of the Functional approach to thyroid disease.

References:

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