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The relationship between stress and hyperthyroidism is very significant. Many times we forget the impact that states of chronic stress can have on our health.
Cortisol, the hormone associated with the states of hyperactivity, ends up altering not only the function of the thyroid gland about to accelerate it, but it also affects our adrenal glands.
We know that the disorders associated with the thyroid are very common, and that its appearance is linked to several factors.
Thus, autoimmune diseases such as Graves' disease, pregnancy, changes in the pituitary gland, and iodine surplus or deficit can cause hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism to develop.
On the other hand, we are not always aware of how our emotions can change, for example, our metabolism. Therefore, studies like the one published in the electronic thyroid review Research indicates that there is a relationship between the levels of cortisol and TSH (thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone).
That is, stress is a risk factor for hyperthyroidism. What we perceive as situations of pressure, anxiety and constant worry over months or years, end up affecting thyroid function, accelerating it.
Stress and hyperthyroidism, a perverse link
New diagnoses related to a change in the thyroid gland appear every day. We can not forget that thyroid hormones play a large number of functions, and that their relevance is essential to maintain the good state of the tissues of the body and to fulfill metabolic tasks, including, for example, the synthesis of many proteins.
That is why patients with hyperthyroidism often suffer from a broad symptomatology, a wide variety of changes, discomforts and associated conditions, which can be summarized as follows:
- Nervousness and unusual restlessness.
- Humor changes; the person feels more irritated.
- Feeling weak.
- Increased appetite.
- Weight loss, despite the anxiety to eat.
- Problems of memory and concentration.
- Goiter, a swelling in the throat that causes problems when swallowing, drinking or talking.
- Hair loss (can also become thinner and brittle).
- Finer skin
- The person can not tolerate heat well.
- Changes in menstruation.
- Insomnia.
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On the other hand, it is said that diseases related to the thyroid are more common among women. However, when we hear the diagnosis, we do not always stop to understand its origin.
What interests us is the treatment, but also requires a therapeutic strategy to improve the quality of life. Knowing that there is a direct relationship between stress and hyperthyroidism, we must know how it happens and how it influences our body.
Stress and hyperthyroidism and alteration of thyroid antibodies
Dutch universities funded in 2012, an extensive and comprehensive study to investigate the relationship between stress and hyperthyroidism.
The results of this research were published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology and were quite significant. They discovered, for example, that in situations of stress and high and chronic anxiety, cortisol has a great influence on the thyroid gland.
The antibodies of the thyroid change and begin to attack the body itself, causing some changes: fatigue, changes in sleep and digestion, hair loss, weaker skin, etc. Therefore, it is also common causes changes in the cognitive and emotional level, difficulties in concentration and mood changes.
The Journal of Medical Chile also said that another important reality: people who suffer from panic attacks often have too often, problems in the thyroid. This problem tends to be accelerated and can reach hyperthyroidism. A comorbidity (association of two or several diseases at the same time) that causes serious repercussions on health.
Prevention of hyperthyroidism caused by stress
Hyperthyroidism (caused or not by stress) will have a specific treatment: medications such as propylthiouracil and methimazole. However, each patient will present a particular situation and certain needs that the doctors will evaluate to provide an adapted response.
Besides the treatment, what interests us, first of all, is to be able to prevent these consequences. It is clear that the trigger will not always be stress (especially in the case of autoimmune diseases).
However, taking into account certain psychological conditions that cause metabolic changes, we must know how to deal with those situations. These would be some of the causes:
- Punctual and limited stress over time has no effect on the thyroid. We talk about chronic stress, the one that we end up not treating, that we do not face and that, finally, escapes our control.
- It is necessary, therefore, to face daily every concern, every complex emotion, every problem in our mind. We must not leave for tomorrow that shadow that is bothering today.
- We should give ourselves more time for ourselves. Throughout the day, we must have at least two hours only for our interests.
Exercise or physical activity, such as attention are very effective for the treatment of stress. - It is recommended to take care of our food and improve daily habits: sleep and positive social relationships and quality.
Finally, knowing that stress and hyperthyroidism have this strong relationship, we are more aware that the care of our emotions is also investing in health.