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.

How Acupuncture Reduces Anxiety and Improves Mood

You’ve heard about acupuncture before. You’ve seen it on TV and you know its origins are pretty ancient. You’ve heard it can help with aches and pains. But did you know acupuncture can help with anxiety and mood as well?

If you’re feeling held back from living your life happily because of your mood, I hear you. I hear it from my patients too when I first meet them. They don’t feel like themselves any more. Their relationships are strained. They can’t cope with work. All because of their anxiety or low mood.

Can acupuncture really provide an answer? In my experience, acupuncture is a powerful tool to add to a broader treatment plan for managing anxiety and mood. But a lot of people can’t quite wrap their heads around it. How does sticking needles in different parts of the body lead to a change in mood? How does it work?

The bottom line is that scientists are still trying to figure that out. There are numerous studies showing that acupuncture reduces anxiety and symptoms of depression but we’re still trying to figure out what is going on inside the body during and after a course of acupuncture treatments.

Here are some insights that we know so far:

• Brain MRI scans show that acupuncture is able to improve interactions between different parts of the brain in a way that improves mood

• Acupuncture seems to benefit parts of the brain that play a role in motivation and reward

• Acupuncture positively affects the activity of dopamine and GABA which are both brain chemicals that help keep you calm and happy

Essentially, acupuncture may be able to help the brain and nervous system function in a healthier way and this in turn helps with mood and anxiety levels. Acupuncture likely works in other ways that are not fully understood yet.

Another obstacle to acupuncture for some people is fear of pain. People are worried that it hurts. Most of my patients actually enjoy acupuncture and look forward to their sessions with me. After a couple sessions, my patients tell me that they feel more “balanced” and better able to cope with stress and anxiety. And the results last well after the session has ended.

Acupuncture really can take your treatment plan to the next level. It’s also covered under your naturopathic medicine benefits. If you have any questions about it, you’re welcome to book a free 15 minute phone call and we can chat more.

Fed up With Feeling Irritable all the Time? Hormone Balancing May be the Answer

I’ve gone through it. I know others who have gone through it. Many of my patients complain about it. That feeling of inexplicable irritability and anger. Snapping at your husband, kids or parents. Complaining about everything. Feeling jealous, stubborn and like you just want to argue against every idea or plan being sent your way. Life sure would be easier if you could get along with everyone…but you just don’t feel like it.

But then the guilt comes. You wish you could be a more pleasant mom, wife, daughter, friend, co-worker. You might feel like you’re “failing” in these roles. You wish you had more patience and that your home or work environment could be happier. It just feels so out of your control.

First, don’t beat yourself up. You’re only human and you have every right to experience all the emotions that come with being human. Second, some of your irritability may be totally justified. Some of it may be a sign that you need to work some things out with yourself emotionally. But some of it could also be a sign that something is off with your health. Often, hormonal imbalances can contribute to grumpiness. Common culprits are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol and thyroid hormones. When these hormones are too high or too low you could end up feeling anxious, depressed or irritable.

I went through a period of extra irritability myself. It was not like me at all to feel so grumpy for no reason. Sure, I would get irritable from time to time like anyone else - but this was a whole different level. I hated feeling like this so I decided it was time to test my hormones and sure enough there were imbalances. When I put myself on a protocol to re-balance my hormones I felt amazing. I felt like myself again and my energy, mood and motivation skyrocketed (a crazy acne breakout also cleared up as an added bonus). I’ve seen this type of transformation in my patients as well when we committed to testing and treating their hormone imbalances. Sometimes the change is quick (like in my case) and sometimes it’s a gradual transition to brighter, happier days. Either way it’s worth it.

So if you feel like you’ve tried everything to calm your irritability and it’s not working, consider investing in your hormonal health. Get back to feeling like yourself and shining your light on everyone around you.

How Food Affects Your Mood

This was a food-filled weekend for many of us. I think we all understand that certain foods can leave us feeling bloated, nauseous and groggy. But did you know that food can affect your mood as well? If you’re finding it hard to keep up with the demands of your work and family life because you’re feeling down or stressed it might be time to revamp your diet.  

Inflammation and Your Brain

Many foods can trigger inflammation. This is especially true for processed foods and foods you have an intolerance or sensitivity to. This inflammation can happen in your gut as well as the rest of your body. It has been found that inflammation in your body is able to affect what goes on in your brain – and not in a good way. The inflammation can trigger feelings of anxiety, stress and even depression.

The Gut-Mood Connection

When you eat foods that your body can’t deal with, it damages the health of your gut bacteria. As bizarre as it sounds, the health of your gut bacteria is deeply connected to your mental health. Scientists have associated unhealthy gut bacteria with mood problems. Giving your body the right foods can improve your gut health.

Nutrients and Blood Sugar

Adding the right foods into the diet is just as important as taking the wrong foods out. In order to feel your best, your diet needs to be rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats, quality protein and other phytochemicals. These are key nutrients for a healthy brain and happy mood. Your diet also needs to be able to keep blood sugar levels stable as spikes and crashes in blood sugar are a recipe for stress and anxiety.

If you feel like you don’t have time to do all the things that are important for keeping mood troubles at bay, just start with small improvements to your diet. You will notice a difference over time. If you need help fixing your diet or if you’re wondering if you need food sensitivity testing, don’t hesitate to reach out. The connection between diet and mood is often overlooked. The sooner you get your diet right, the sooner you can get back to feeling like yourself so you can tackle your day with enthusiasm and be present and fully engaged with your loved ones.

Improving Low Mood and Depression

I see many patients struggling with low mood and depression. Feeling down can greatly interfere with your quality of life. Below, I talk about the different ways naturopathic medicine can help.

Herbs and Supplements

There are many ways that herbs and supplements can improve low mood and depression. Many act similarly to depression medications but with less side effects. Some can be combined with medications or other treatments. Sometimes they can be used on their own depending on the severity of the depression.

There is emerging research about the role that inflammation plays in depression. Certain herbs can reduce inflammation and improve mood scores.

Other herbs and supplements can act to balance hormones. This may be a good fit for you if you find that your mood fluctuates with your period. Menopause and changes in thyroid health can also lead to low mood. These are areas herbs and supplements may help with. 

Believe it or not there is some research linking gut health to mental health. There are many herbs and supplements that can improve gut health.

Acupuncture

Studies have found that 4-8 weeks of acupuncture can reduce depression scores. It's safe to combine acupuncture with depression medication. It's also a great tool to use on its own. This is one of my favourite tools to use for anyone suffering with a mental health condition. If you’re wondering how acupuncture works, check out one of my previous articles here.

Lifestyle

There is a strong link between exercise and mood. There is also some connection (though not as strong) between diet and mood. Getting these and other parts of your life in order is important to address your low mood. Mindfulness and strategies to improve the way you think are some other tools I discuss with patients. 

When you're feeling low, every area of life is affected. My passion is to get people to a place where they can cope with their moods to thrive in life as much as possible. If you would like to try naturopathic medicine for your low mood or depression book an appointment or free 15-minute consult.