Thyroid Antibodies, Depression, and Anxiety

We all know that low thyroid hormones can lead to feelings of sadness and anxiousness. One of the most common causes of low thyroid hormones is an auto-immune condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. With this condition, your body attacks and injures your thyroid gland which contributes to reduced thyroid function.

One of the hallmarks of this conditions is elevated thyroid antibodies—anti-thyroperoxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies. For the longest time, these were viewed as markers of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis but not much attention was paid to them in the doctor’s office.

Now, more research is showing that high thyroid antibodies may be playing a role in mental health regardless of thyroid hormone levels. In other words, we should be paying attention to antibodies in addition to hormone levels.

A 2024 meta-analysis by Wang et al. examined 11 studies on this topic. Patients had normal thyroid hormone levels but high thyroid antibodies, a state known as euthyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Most patients were from Europe and China and there were over 1300 patients with depression and over 1000 patients with anxiety across all of these studies.

Those with normal thyroid hormones but elevated thyroid antibodies had 2.5 times higher odds of having an anxiety disorder. They were also more likely to experience depression symptoms based on validated questionnaires.

But why might the thyroid antibodies themselves impact mood? What could they be doing to the body? Researchers think that thyroid antibodies may negatively impact the nervous system. They may impact nerve cells or brain function—scientists aren’t completely sure yet.

It’s important to note that some studies show no link between thyroid antibodies and mental health. That being said, this assessment of multiple studies provides illuminating insight into the potential link between thyroid antibodies and mental health. In my practice, I regularly test thyroid antibodies for my patients with anxiety and depression because there are natural ways to address this issue. I wrote another article on this topic a couple years ago, before this new paper came out. You can read it HERE.

If you’re in Ontario and you need help uncovering the underlying factors impacting your mental health, book a free 15 minute phone consultation and we can chat about it.

Myo-Inositol: What You Should Know

What is myo-inositol?

Inositol is a compound produced naturally in the human body and found in foods such as grains, organ meat, almonds, beans and certain fruits but it may be difficult to get all of the inositol our body needs from a modern diet alone. It’s typically sold in two different supplement forms: myo-inositol and chiro-inositol. Certain factors increase our body’s need for inositol. These include having a high amount of refined sugar in the diet, high blood sugar and increasing age. 

Myo-inositol plays a role in many functions in our body including how hormones (like insulin) and neurotransmitters communicate with our cells. It seems to be important in organs like the brain and ovaries because of these roles. 

What conditions is it used for?

Inositol is a popular supplement used for a wide array of conditions such as PCOS, diabetes and insulin resistance, thyroid disorders, elevated cholesterol, anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. 

What doses are used?

The dose used depends on the condition being treated with lower doses being used for PCOS and thyroid issues (anywhere from 1-9 grams) and higher doses being used for mental health conditions. Studies on inositol often span from 3 months to a year so it may take time before improvements in symptoms are noticed. 

What about D-chiro-inositol? 

D-chiro-inositol is another form of myo-inositol found naturally in the body. It’s made from myo-inositol and is found in many body parts including muscle and the liver. Many studies on conditions like PCOS show that myo-inositol supplementation alone can improve symptoms. However, there may be cases when supplementing with both forms is beneficial. Your naturopathic doctor can help you decide the best course of action. 

Does it have side effects?

Bloating and gastrointestinal discomfort are possible side effects but this typically happens at higher doses. Taking it with food may help prevent this. It may interact with certain medications which your naturopathic doctor can help you figure out. 

If you have questions about the supplements you’re taking, book a free 15 minute phone consultation so we can talk about how I can help.

Soy and Thyroid Health

Out of all the foods out there, soy seems to generate a lot of controversy. Soy contains many nutrients and plant chemicals. Isoflavones are compounds found naturally in soy that can impact hormonal health. For example, soy isoflavones may help minimize some of the symptoms of menopause like hot flashes. Soy consumption has been associated with a number of benefits such as improved heart health and even reduced breast and prostate cancer risk.

That being said, soy has also been feared for a number of different reasons. One reason is that many believe soy can shut down thyroid function by reducing the production of thyroid hormones. Lab studies not conducted on humans have found that soy isoflavones can inhibit an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase (TPO). TPO helps to make inactive and active thyroid hormone (T4 and T3).

A large amount of studies have been conducted in recent years to examine this question. Studies show that in healthy people, soy consumption does not appear to increase the risk of developing hypothyroidism.

Where things become more unclear is in those who already have lower thyroid function. This may include those who have abnormal TSH levels even though other thyroid tests are normal. In cases like these, soy isoflavones in high enough quantities can raise TSH levels enough to have a negative impact on thyroid health. More research is needed to confirm this and work out the details such as what quantity of dietary soy could have this impact.

In general, soy is a healthy food when prepared in a healthy way. By “healthy way”, I mean minimally processed soy such as a homemade tofu Thai curry rather than a soy hot dog full of other additives. I don’t like to restrict generally healthy food from patients unless there is a good reason to. If a patient is wondering whether to reduce soy in their diet to help their thyroid, my answer will vary depending on the case.

If you’re wondering how evidence-based naturopathic medicine can support healthy thyroid function, feel free to book a free 15 minute consultation.

Chemicals and Your Thyroid

In a previous article on a similar topic I discussed how household chemicals can impact hormones. In this article I go into more detail on how specifically the thyroid may be affected by self care products. I also list some of my favourite natural alternatives that I use for self care.

It’s not yet clear how exactly chemicals hurt the thyroid. Most of the chemicals studied decrease thyroid function. Some over-stimulate the thyroid. This is a very difficult area to make conclusions about. Chemical effects happen so gradually over time so it’s hard to detect in a study. Much of the research is in its early stages but it's gaining attention.

Not all the chemicals that may hurt the thyroid are in self care products, but some are. Until more is known on this subject it may be worthwhile to play it safe.

What About Antibodies

When you have an auto-immune thyroid condition, your body produces antibodies that lead to an attack on your thyroid. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease both fall into this category. Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Graves’ is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. 

There is emerging research showing that certain chemicals can increase thyroid antibodies. 

Often people with auto-immune thyroid conditions are genetically predisposed to them. It’s believed that a trigger may be the final straw that “activates” the condition in such people. Possible triggers include infections, mental or physical stress, nutrition levels and chemicals.

Product Inventory

Here are some potential products to keep your eye on with some alternatives that I love:

- Soap with triclosan: choose soaps without this antibacterial ingredient or more natural soaps like castile soaps

- Fragranced perfumes, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, creams: either get more natural versions from a health food store or at least fragrance-free versions

- Perfume: switch to essential oils (many places sell great blends)

- Body, hand, face creams: switch to oils and keep them in a glass jar (yes, it’s long been established that even oily skin benefits from certain plant oils) 

o Face: right now, I blend jojoba and olive oil, I’ve also done grapeseed or almond oil

o Body: in the summer I prefer coconut which is often not hydrating enough for winter, in the winter I prefer olive or grapeseed oil

o If you’re attached to creams use cocoa or shea butter. These have to be melted. You can also use a blender to combine them with other oils so they stay soft.

- Nail polish: I can’t think of a good alternative so I just limit my use!

- Hair spray: same idea as nail polish 

- Exfoliant: just use sugar, coffee or salt blended with some olive or almond oil

- Masks: stick with masks that are just clay combined with some plant oils/ herbs

- Lip balm: use 100% shea in a little glass jar, it warms up as you rub it with your finger

- Spot treatment: tea tree oil or castor oil

- Face cleanser: I don’t wear full makeup often so when I do I will use a makeup remover even if it’s not 100% natural. Otherwise, when I just wear eye makeup I remove my eye makeup with olive oil and wash my face with honey

Try using this list to do a little inventory of your self care products. Pick and chose what you want to swap out.

If you want to learn more about how naturopathic medicine can help your thyroid, book and appointment or free-15 minute consult.