My sister (non-ADD) was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, which is a disease that eventually results in hypothyroid condition. Apparently, it runs in families, so I'm off to get myself tested.

When I started researching the symptoms of hypothyroidism, though, I noticed something interesting. Some of the symptoms are symptoms I would attribue to ADD: difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering things, mental fogginess, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and heart palpitations (the latter a symtom of stimulants).

I'm curious if anyone in the community has both ADD and hypothyroidism - and if so, do you think the fatigue symtoms of the former mask the "H" of the latter (creating a reason why both diagnosies might be delayed)?

Also, Hashimoto's falls in the same category of auto-immune diseases as Fibromyalgia - anyone with this pairing? If so, same question - do you think the fatigue symtoms of the former mask the "H" of the latter (creating a reason why the diagnosis is delayed)?

My sister (non-ADD) was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, which is a disease that eventually results in hypothyroid condition. Apparently, it runs in families, so I'm off to get myself tested.

When I started researching the symptoms of hypothyroidism, though, I noticed something interesting. Some of the symptoms are symptoms I would attribue to ADD: difficulty concentrating, difficulty remembering things, mental fogginess, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and heart palpitations (the latter a symtom of stimulants).

I'm curious if anyone in the community has both ADD and hypothyroidism - and if so, do you think the fatigue symtoms of the former mask the "H" of the latter (creating a reason why both diagnosies might be delayed)?

Also, Hashimoto's falls in the same category of auto-immune diseases as Fibromyalgia - anyone with this pairing? If so, same question - do you think the fatigue symtoms of the former mask the "H" of the latter (creating a reason why the diagnosis is delayed)?


Was never diagnosed with ADHD.. however, I have Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and hypothyroidism. Had never heard of Hashimoto's until you posted just now. But will definitely be reading about it after doing a search.I know I hate all the underlying conditions, the brain fogs, etc. Please let me know what you find out after testing.

Did her Hashimoto's thyroiditis start after having a baby? Heard of that "trigger" a few times.

The immune changes in pregnancy can trigger it. (Among other things.)

Some pollution has been linked to thyroid disturbances too. (E.g. Rocket Fuel and jet fuel getting into the drinking water via pollution.)

Not all ADDers have "H".

So basically the ADD symptoms started later in life?

I read a discussion about hypothyroidism on another forum awhile back. It seems that the current standard for testing shows a lot of women as being borderline according to their criteria, yet they show all the symptoms, and many would benefit from medication or diet changes.

I've had ADHD my whole life, had fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue starting in my 20's (possibly after the birth of my daughter?). The FM and CFS are both less bothersome in the last decade, possibly because I reached menopause?

Funny you should ask, I am in fact a (way) middle aged female who takes medication daily for Hasimoto's disease as well as meds for my ADHD.
I suffered for several yrs. with the thyroid disease before I had the insurance to see a Dr. and then and most importantly one who would listen to what I had to say. (this was a challenge in itself.)
I finally lucked out and these doctors listened as I told theml," The tips of my toes to the very ends of the hairs on top of my head are messed up." The day is not long enough to tell you about my skin, eyes watering constantly, fatigue unlike anything I have ever experienced, I cannot think-focus -rememeber." Gained 30 lbs. !!!
So labs came back and the doc called and put me on synthroid. They have come to tell me they are not sure how my heart knew it should beat, as my TSH levels were so high.
I did notice a huge change, but it did not happen overnight.
I must add, I was in school training for a business, computer, Human Resource Specialist type job after many yrs. of working many jobs, none of which even closely resembled the job I was about accept. (and for those of you who KNOW, feel free to laugh)
I have a great position, lots of people to deal with daily.Constant distraction, phone ringing, emails applicants, bosses.
Requires attention to detail, ORGANIZATION, everchanging TO Do Listl, focus, ability to prioritize, maintain, create files......and on and on.
So for 3 yrs. I worried, hid my stacks, tried not to cry when the boss would come out with PAYROLL Errors and say, once again... Linda, Attention to Detail and I figured IT out, finally, I WAS STUPID! I had many jobs and certainly had many experiences but NEVER had I felt so inept, and maybe even insane?
On the other side the boss would come through and say something off the wall and I would crack everyone up and come up with some quick retort. He was confused, yeah and I was freakin'.
I mean I work very hard (harder than most to accomplish the same tasks) and do the essentials and interact well with employees and the public, but still was wondering.
As things go in this life, new boss enters the workplace, is with us about 4 mos. when she bravely asked me if anyone has ever I might be ADHD? She opened a book to a page with a Stand Out Header and a list of questions that one might ask themselves in order to decide if moving further ahead is in order.
I will never forget that moment, it seemed as tho she held a copy of a page in MY Auto biography. I came home with the book and KNEW I Finally had THE anwser. Life Changing. My tests and discussions with my ADHD Doc. suggest I am and have been off the charts in so many of the components of this disorder. So many anwsers for so many questions that plagued me.
So even with the meds. coaching etc. etc. all is not well, but sure in the heck is a lot better.
Hope this will be of some help to you and of course I hope I did not lose you with my on and on details!!! Good luck. Get Help Bye
Now take meds, am seeing my Dr. for life coaching and

Thank you Lindamarie for sharing.

Sorry, a little tardy in my reply... let's see if I can answer the questions:

1. Queensu_girl - No, my sister has no kiddos. She also doesn't have any symptoms. She was diagnosed when she went in for a small surgery and they did a full blood work-up. Apparently, it was one of the tests in the blood screening. She had never even heard of it before. Interesting, eh? (Oh, and sister is not ADD.)

2. Mary - I will let you know what I find out after I get tested. Still waiting to get in for an appointment....

3. Lunacie - I think I've read some of the same articles as you because I remember reading the same thing. And, I also read a really interesting article about treating depression for Hashimoto's thyroiditis with fluoxetine [Prozac] and d-amphetimine by Dr. Alan Cohen (Google it!). I thought it was facinating because fatigue has been a problem of mine for several years now, but I've been attributing it to lifestyle (trying to fit too much in a 24 hour day). I don't have problems with depression now, but I did in my late teens and early 20's. Anyway, they studied folks taking thyroid meds, plus an anti-depressant but were still having problems with fatigue. Then they added the amphetamines (ADD meds!) and voila! they felt better. Makes me wonder if I do have a thyroid problem if I'm getting inadvertant benefits from my ADD meds. Hmmmm....

4. Lindamarie - thank you for sharing! I can completely relate to the experience of feeling a bit out of control and then having the diagnosis be like a lightbulb moment. I'm curious... how long did it take for you to feel better taking the synthroid? When you went on ADD meds, did your synthroid usage play into which ADD med you went on?

Thanks ladies! :-)

Gifted ADDition... I'm on Armour. I tried Synthroid and it did nothing for me, except make my bloodwork look good. I didn't start FEELING better until Armour, but it's been a slow process. When your BW comes back, your TSH should be no higher than 3.5. even better around 2. hopefully you have a good doc that knows that. My psych doc actually runs this test in his routine bloodwork.

Lindamarie-- what ADD meds are you taking? I seem to have trouble metabolizing drugs, and Adderall wasnt' for me. Trying Vyvanse, but I"m really thinking I need Dexedrine (short acting).would like to hear your experience as a Hypo ADD'er.