Thyroid

Is Your Thyroid the Missing Link to Your Mental Health Symptoms?

When struggling with depression, anxiety, brain fog, or mood swings, the typical approach is to target the symptoms with medication or therapy. But what if the real issue is happening in your body, not just your brain?

As an integrative PMHNP, I go beyond symptom management to investigate root causes—and one of the most overlooked contributors to mental health struggles is the thyroid. This small but powerful gland regulates metabolism, energy, and brain function. If it's out of balance, it can mimic psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder, it can even cause psychosis and catatonia.

Let’s explore four key ways your thyroid could be affecting your mental health—and how my integrative approach can help you find clarity and relief.

1. Hypothyroidism: The Hidden Cause of Depression and Brain Fog

When your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism), it slows everything down—including your brain.

Common symptoms include:

Depression and low mood
Fatigue and sluggishness
Brain fog and trouble concentrating
Low motivation and feeling "stuck"

Since thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) influence neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, low levels can lead to persistent low mood and cognitive difficulties. Many people diagnosed with depression may actually have undiagnosed

hypothyroidism.

How I Can Help:

I offer comprehensive thyroid testing, including TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies—not just the standard tests.
I don't ignore all values in the "normal" range - especially if you are displaying symptoms associated with hypothyroidism or fatigue.
If imbalances are found, we explore personalized treatment options, including thyroid hormone optimization, medications, herbal and plant-based medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies.

2. Hyperthyroidism: When an Overactive Thyroid Feels Like Anxiety

On the opposite end, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) speeds everything up—leading to symptoms often mistaken for generalized anxiety disorder or even panic disorder:

Restlessness and irritability
Racing thoughts and heart palpitations
Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
Panic attacks or excessive worry

Too much thyroid hormone can overstimulate the nervous system, making it feel like your body is in constant fight-or-flight mode. If you’ve been struggling with anxiety that doesn’t fully respond to therapy or medication, your thyroid might be part of the picture.

How I Can Help:

I take a whole-person approach to anxiety, looking at hormones, inflammation, and stress levels.
I run detailed lab testing to identify hidden thyroid imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
If hyperthyroidism is present, we explore targeted treatments and collaboration with and endocrinologists for optimal care.

3. Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: The Inflammation-Mood Connection

If you’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease, you already know your immune system is attacking your thyroid. But what many people don’t realize is that autoimmune thyroid conditions can also affect mood, cognition, and energy.

Symptoms may include:

Mood swings (sometimes mistaken for bipolar disorder)
Irritability and emotional sensitivity
Memory problems and brain fog
Unpredictable shifts in energy and focus

Since chronic inflammation from autoimmune thyroid disease affects brain function, these symptoms are often mistaken for purely psychiatric disorders. Many of my patients feel frustrated after years of being told their symptoms are “just anxiety” or “just depression” when the real issue is underlying immune-driven thyroid dysfunction.

How I Can Help:

I specialize in root-cause psychiatry, helping you uncover whether your symptoms stem from autoimmune thyroid disease.
We address inflammation and immune health through diet, stress management, and evidence-based supplementation.
I help create a personalized treatment plan that integrates mental health support and collaboration with endocrinology.

4. Nutrient Deficiencies That Impact Both Thyroid and Mental Health

Your thyroid depends on certain key nutrients—so if you’re deficient, both your metabolism and your mental health can suffer.

Here are some of the most important thyroid-related nutrients:

Iodine – Essential for thyroid hormone production. Deficiency can cause depression, fatigue, and slow thinking.
Selenium – Helps with thyroid hormone conversion. Low levels are linked to anxiety, brain fog, and autoimmune thyroid disease.
Zinc – Supports thyroid function and neurotransmitter production. A deficiency can lead to irritability, low motivation, and brain fog.
Vitamin B12 – Low levels are common in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and can mimic depression and cognitive decline.

How I Can Help:

I assess for nutritional deficiencies that may be affecting your thyroid and brain health.
We use targeted supplementation and dietary strategies to restore balance naturally.
I help you optimize your energy, mood, and cognitive function through a personalized, holistic plan.

Why Standard Psychiatry Often Misses the Thyroid Connection

Most traditional psychiatric approaches focus only on symptoms, leading to years of trial-and-error with medications that may not fully resolve the problem. If your thyroid is part of the issue, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications alone won’t address the root cause.

As an integrative PMHNP, my goal is to:

Look deeper—I run advanced testing to uncover thyroid dysfunction, nutrient imbalances, and inflammation.
Find solutions—I use a combination of functional testing, nutrition, and evidence-based psychiatry to create a plan tailored to you.
Support true healing—Rather than just masking symptoms, I address the root cause to help restore balance to your body and mind.

Your Mood Isn’t Just in Your Head—And I Can Help You Prove It

If your labs have “looked normal” but you still feel exhausted, foggy, or emotionally off—it’s not all in your head. Your thyroid plays a major role in mood, energy, and focus, and standard testing often misses what’s really going on.

I specialize in root-cause psychiatry, which means I go beyond the surface to explore the full picture—including comprehensive thyroid panels, nutrient levels, and hormonal imbalances—so we can create a plan that actually works for your body and brain.

Want a place to begin? My 7-Day Mental Health Reset is a great first step toward feeling clearer, calmer, and more in control—no lab requisition required.

Curious about how else I can help? Check out these resources:

Or, when you're ready, schedule a consult to chat more.

You deserve more than “everything looks fine.” You deserve answers—and a plan that actually helps you feel better.