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Writer's pictureJo Gubatan
Aug 154 min read

4 Ways How Hyperthyroidism Can Mimic ADHD Symptoms



4 Ways How Hyperthyroidism Can Mimic ADHD Symptoms

 

In a world where there are plenty of distractions available at our fingertips, it seems like many people are having difficulty focusing on tasks that they may have once enjoyed.


However, while the cause for this difficulty might be because of a medical diagnosis, it's important to determine exactly what that diagnosis is for you to receive the proper treatment. This is important because many diagnoses have similar, if not identical, symptoms, but the treatment for those symptoms might be wildly different.


Nowadays people are becoming more aware of Attention· Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (or ADHD) and the havoc it can cause on their everyday lives, but while people are educating themselves on what symptoms to look out for, there may be a less common—but no less debilitating—disease that might be the real cause for all these symptoms.

 

What is the Thyroid, and what is its role for the Body?

 

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in front of the windpipe of the neck, and its role is to produce hormones that regulate several functions in the body, including heart rate, body temperature, and mood.


However, there are several disorders that can manifest whenever the thyroid malfunctions, but the specific disorder we'll be talking about is hyperthyroidism.

 

What is Hyperthyroidism?

 

Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid becomes overactive and produces too many hormones. While hyperthyroidism can occur in anyone, there are certain conditions that can raise that likelihood.


· Gender: if you're assigned female at birth (AFAB) then you're more likely to have thyroid issues than those assigned as male.

· Family history: genetics can play a part in thyroid issues.

· Age: thyroid issues are more common if you're 40-60 years old.

· Diet: foods rich in iodine, such as seafood, increase the risk.

 

Physical Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

 

Hyperthyroidism can cause physical changes in the body, and several of these changes include:

 

· Enlarged/swollen thyroid: the thyroid itself can grow until it becomes a visible bump on someone's neck.

· Bulging eyes (exophthalmos): other physical symptoms include a condition called exophthalmos, which presents as someone with 'bulging' eyes as internal pressure grows.

· Skin changes: because thyroid hormones often control someone's core temperature, another potential sign of hyperthyroidism can include thin, clammy skin.

· Weight loss: an increase in thyroid production can also lead to an increase in someone's metabolism, and so sudden and significant weight loss despite an increased appetite is another common symptom.

 

Common Symptoms that Hyperthyroidism Shares with ADHD

 

Along with the physical changes, there are other changes that can cause someone to mistake their symptoms for ADHD. These include:

 

· Restlessness and anxiety: because of the higher production of thyroid hormones, thus higher metabolism, this can lead to a higher heart rate and a spike in anxiety.

· Mood swings: as hormones often control emotions, the spike in production can lead to crankiness and irritability.

· Difficulty sleeping: a higher heart rate and added anxiety can lead to difficulty sleeping since your body can't relax.

· Unable to focus: because of high heart rate and anxiety, people with hyperthyroidism have a harder time concentrating.

 

With these symptoms in mind, it's no wonder that many people can mistake their thyroid issues with ADHD. Therefore, it's important to go to your healthcare provider to be diagnosed properly.

 

How to Get Tested for Hyperthyroidism

 

· Blood tests: One of the key diagnostic tests to determine whether someone has hyperthyroidism is checking for the number of specific hormones that are present in their bloodstream. these hormones include T3, T4, and TSH. Hyperthyroidism specifically will show higher levels of T3 and lower levels of TSH in lab testing, and it's often the most definitive form of testing for a guaranteed diagnosis for older individuals.


· Radioactive iodine scan: by ingesting or injecting radioactive iodine, a healthcare provider can either scan the thyroid to look for any nodules or use a gamma probe to measure how much iodine your thyroid absorbs.


· Physical examination: palpation includes a healthcare professional feeling your neck for noticeable bumps and lumps. It's unadvised to do this yourself, because inexperienced individuals massaging the thyroid can lead to an emergency called a 'thyroid storm'. This is where an excess dumping of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream can cause major symptoms that can damage to several body systems and lead to death if left untreated.

 

Treatment for Hyperthyroidism

 

· Medication: one of the most direct treatments for hyperthyroidism includes medication management. While your healthcare provider will prescribe medication to lower thyroid production, they may also prescribe beta-blockers to treat symptoms such as high blood pressure, high heart rate, and anxiety.

· Radioactive iodine: just like how your healthcare providers can use it to detect thyroid issues, they can use radioactive iodine to lower your hormone levels by having you ingest a controlled amount for your thyroid cells to absorb.

· Surgery: if someone is in the late stages of hyperthyroidism, there's a surgical process to remove the thyroid (thyroidectomy) to stop hormone production.

 

For both radioactive iodine and surgery, it's likely that you'll need daily thyroid supplements after treatment since your body won't be producing the necessary hormones.

 

Conclusion

 

Overall, both hyperthyroidism and ADHD are serious conditions that your healthcare provider can help you diagnose. This is especially important when you're seeking specific medication, because while some medications may treat the symptoms, it's more important to seek ways to treat the source directly.

 

Sources

 

 

 

WebMD. Fatigued or Full Throttle: Is Your Thyroid to Blame? https://www.webmd.com/women/fatigued-or-full-throttle-is-your-thyroid-to-blame

 


WebMD. Adult ADHD and Sleep Problems. https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/adult-adhd-and-sleep-problems Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board

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