1. Take Thyroid Hormone
Many people with low levels of thyroid hormone production in their bodies have depression or bipolar disorder. Thyroid hormones has displayed a beneficial effect in these cases even if you have a normal thyroid. The thyroid hormone T4 is primarily used to treat the disorder, while T3 is used to treat clinical depression. The T4 hormone works so well on bipolar disorder, its effects have been compared to those of more well-known mood stabilizers, such as lithium and valproate. However, if you take these hormones for bipolar disorder, your thyroid levels should be monitored frequently, as this treatment can lead to hyperthyroid disorder.
2. Supplement With Hormones if You're Menopausal
Menopausal women often experience severe mood swings. These symptoms can resemble bipolar disorder in some women. Fortunately, the mood changes can be managed with hormone treatments. Replacing the natural estrogen that your body loses during menopause can boost your mood once again. This treatment has some inherent risks, including slightly raising your risk of heart disease and breast cancer. If you're being treated for bipolar disorder with estrogen, undergo frequent checkups to make sure everything is okay.
3. Treat Excessively High Hormone Levels
Some studies have suggested that the manic episodes in bipolar disorder can be caused by excessively high DHEA and testosterone levels. This is especially true in women, who usually have only small amounts of natural testosterone in their bodies. However, the older class of mood stabilizers, such as lithium and valproate, reduce DHEA and testosterone in the body, which may explain their effectiveness at treating bipolar disorder.
