DaveFoster
Member
As an energy intensive system, the brain's frontal lobe often suffers in the context of hypothyroidism. Dr. Peat has mentioned that correcting a thyroid deficiency can improve attention, memory, and motivation, as can pregnenolone.
This study shows that in patients with ADHD who are resistant to thyroid hormone can benefit from larger dosages of T3. It's interesting to note that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit co-morbidity with ADHD and other related behavioral disorders.
Autistic, repetitive motor disorders involve the role of serotonin, where serotonin signals the ACTH to produce cortisol. Since cortisol inhibits the liver's conversion of T4 into T3 (and can lead to elevated levels of rT3), it's plausible that the administered T3 in this study countered the inhibition of cortisol and allowed for proper oxidative metabolism, but a larger amount was needed.
ADHD adults display an impaired termination of the stress response: Cortisol Response to Stress in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The study also references previous findings that 1/2 to 3/4 of children with thyroid resistance have ADHD.
Behavioral effects of liothyronine (L-T3) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the presence and absence of resistance to th... - PubMed - NCBI
Evidence that the thyroid may play a role in the pathogenesis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comes from observations that 48% to 73% of children with the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) have ADHD. Casual observations in subjects with RTH have suggested that treatment with thyroid hormone may improve the symptoms of ADHD. The aim of this study was to determine whether thyroid hormone has a beneficial effect on the behavior of children with RTH. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the rapid acting thyroid hormone, liothyronine (L-T3), on the behavior of 8 children with ADHD + RTH, and 9 children with ADHD and normal thyroid function (ADHD Only). Parent and teacher ratings of hyperactivity (Conners scale) and a computerized continuous performance test (CPT) were used as objective measures of hyperactivity, attention and impulsivity. L-T3 had no effect on Conners Hyperactivity Index in 7 of 9 children with ADHD Only; it caused improvement and deterioration in 1 subject each. In contrast, the rating in 5 of 8 subjects with ADHD + RTH showed improvement, whereas 3 of 8 subjects remained unchanged. L-T3 was associated with increased commission errors in 5 of 8 children with ADHD Only and decreased commission errors in 4 of 7 with ADHD + RTH. In children with RTH and ADHD, particularly those that exhibit hyperactivity, L-T3 in supraphysiological doses may be beneficial in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the majority of children with ADHD who do not have RTH, L-T3 treatment has no effect or may be detrimental.
This study shows that in patients with ADHD who are resistant to thyroid hormone can benefit from larger dosages of T3. It's interesting to note that autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit co-morbidity with ADHD and other related behavioral disorders.
Autistic, repetitive motor disorders involve the role of serotonin, where serotonin signals the ACTH to produce cortisol. Since cortisol inhibits the liver's conversion of T4 into T3 (and can lead to elevated levels of rT3), it's plausible that the administered T3 in this study countered the inhibition of cortisol and allowed for proper oxidative metabolism, but a larger amount was needed.
ADHD adults display an impaired termination of the stress response: Cortisol Response to Stress in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The study also references previous findings that 1/2 to 3/4 of children with thyroid resistance have ADHD.
Behavioral effects of liothyronine (L-T3) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the presence and absence of resistance to th... - PubMed - NCBI
Evidence that the thyroid may play a role in the pathogenesis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comes from observations that 48% to 73% of children with the syndrome of resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) have ADHD. Casual observations in subjects with RTH have suggested that treatment with thyroid hormone may improve the symptoms of ADHD. The aim of this study was to determine whether thyroid hormone has a beneficial effect on the behavior of children with RTH. A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the rapid acting thyroid hormone, liothyronine (L-T3), on the behavior of 8 children with ADHD + RTH, and 9 children with ADHD and normal thyroid function (ADHD Only). Parent and teacher ratings of hyperactivity (Conners scale) and a computerized continuous performance test (CPT) were used as objective measures of hyperactivity, attention and impulsivity. L-T3 had no effect on Conners Hyperactivity Index in 7 of 9 children with ADHD Only; it caused improvement and deterioration in 1 subject each. In contrast, the rating in 5 of 8 subjects with ADHD + RTH showed improvement, whereas 3 of 8 subjects remained unchanged. L-T3 was associated with increased commission errors in 5 of 8 children with ADHD Only and decreased commission errors in 4 of 7 with ADHD + RTH. In children with RTH and ADHD, particularly those that exhibit hyperactivity, L-T3 in supraphysiological doses may be beneficial in reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity. In the majority of children with ADHD who do not have RTH, L-T3 treatment has no effect or may be detrimental.
