There is an absolute correlation between stress and hypothyroidism. Not to give you the whole back-story, but more recently, I went through about 2-3 years of intense stress from every angle (work, anxiety/depression - bad medicine, eating disorder, alcohol issues off and on - mostly on, POA for mother with Alzheimer's - fighting with sibling over this (lawyers, the whole bit). My MD was more concerned about eating disorder-related blood work, but since I also have another endocrine disorder I asked for appropriate blood work. Cortisol remained at highest point during this entire time, Free T3 and Free T4 wobbled a little, TSH remained mostly stable around 2.4, so I was within the normal range, cholesterol bounced a little, weight remained mostly stable (lost a lot due to Anorexia at the beginning a few years prior). Then, about a year in, my weight starting going up, MD did blood work cholesterol looking unhealthy, TSH going up, B/P was up (normal was 90/60 - now it's 124/86!). So, about six months later, we re-ran blood work, triglycerides up 300 points, HDL down 40 points, and TSH at 4.6. My weight was up 25 pounds. Yep, 115 to 140 - zoom. Um, Houston, we have a problem. My doctor was afraid to put me on Synthroid as she thought it would increase my anxiety. So, I’m a stressed out, anxious, a terrified mess who can’t fit into any of her clothes and is trying to keep Anorexia at bay because I knew that would only further compromise my body and ability to recover.
So, I did what I did when I discovered my first endocrine disorder - researched the heck out of it. I found several books and info on the web about a direct correlation between life stressors (especially sustained) causing a rise in cortisol to the point where it causes the immune system to turn on the auto-immune system. It's called a "stress-cycle" response. I about fell on the floor when I first read those pages in the first book I picked up. I’m looking back through the notes…: The Thyroid Solution, by Ridha Arem; Are You Wired and Tired, by Marcella Pick; and, Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzled, by Richard Shames are 3 of the titles I can find. They all agree that it is the interaction of the nervous system and endocrine systems, and their juncture at the hypothalamus and pituitary axis that provides a pathway for this disease to go from stress to a thyroid meltdown.
The authors offer some solutions: sleep, balanced diet from fresh/pesticide-free foods, interval exercise, stress management, DHEAS, Picamilion (GABA), Omegas, C, Bs, Chromium, L-glutamine, Taurine, ALA, Acetyl-L Carnitine, D, a good quality multi, Resveratrol, Relora… I try to look at what everyone suggests and come down in the middle on the common suggestions. Who can afford all that stuff?! Also, check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding any of this if you are on any meds.
Anyway, I’m still not on meds, am still overweight (afraid to get on the scale, but NOTHING fits), still fighting addiction which is hard with the PTSD on board and hormones raging as a result, along with a horrible job situation, and caring for my mother. I’m afraid to go for labs, embarrassed by how I look to my doctor, and afraid of what the labs will reveal. I’m not able to really implement a program that is as rigorous as what the authors, above, have suggested, but am trying little by little to put some of what they have suggested into play while trying to heal my emotional self.
There is a great deal of research out there, but I hope this helps as one of you asked for suggested readings. Also, I will 2nd the poster who noted to keep with the same manufacturer. I have read this several times about Synthroid and have experienced it, myself, with Xanax.
Good luck! VB