How Are Panic Attacks and The Thyroid Related?


Although most people that suffer from panic and anxiety attacks assume it's an emotional problem and find ways to deal with them, many individuals seek medical treatment to ensure it's not a health problem. Many sufferers don't realize that certain physical conditions can lead to or cause symptoms that are characteristic of these attacks. Hypothyroidism is one such condition. In many cases panic attacks and hypothyroid conditions are very similar and almost go hand in hand.
Panic Attacks & the Thyroid
What many sufferers don't often realize is that they may be having panic attacks because of a problem with their thyroid. In fact, people with an over active thyroid are more likely to suffer from panic attacks. A thyroid that produces too much thyroid hormone is said to be "over active" while one that doesn't produce enough of the hormone is called "under active". So, you may be wondering how the thyroid can have an effect on if you have a panic attack.
When the thyroid hormone is released, the rate of your heart beat speeds up, which also causes your blood pressure to increase. The result of this can easily send a patient into a panic attack, particularly if the thyroid is over active and releasing too much of the hormone. Because of the correlation of anxiety attacks and thyroid conditions, many people are diagnoses as having a panic attack when they're just having a problem with their thyroid.
Hypothyroid can also cause respiratory problems as well as high blood pressure, both conditions that can cause an individual to experience an anxiety attack. What they don't realize is that if the thyroid problem were corrected, the panic attacks would stop as well. Unfortunately, this problem occurs with many people that suffer from both because the doctors are quicker to try to deal with what they consider and emotional or mental problem: panic attacks.
See a Doctor!
The symptoms of panic that sufferers face are considered as something that's mental or emotional to a lot of people. Because of this unfortunate thinking many don't seek the help of their doctor because they feel there is no help available. If you suffer from what you believe are panic or anxiety attacks, see your doctor as soon as you can. Tell your doctor how you feel and ask that they check your thyroid to see if there is a problem there. The test to determine if your thyroid is working properly consists of a simple blood test. So, before you assume you're doomed to a life of constant anxiety, seek the proper medical attention and see what you can learn and what can be done for you.
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