Depression, mood instability, or slowed thinking unresponsive to other treatments

Depression, mood instability, and cognitive slowing in men often fail to respond to antidepressant therapy or standard psychiatric care. In many cases, an unrecognized thyroid issue is the missing piece. Comprehensive thyroid testing is rarely included in psychiatric workups, which leaves the underlying cause untreated.

At Renew Health and Wellness, Dr. Jennifer Redmond, CNP, DNP evaluates thyroid function in every man presenting with mood, cognitive, or motivational concerns. A complete workup includes:

• Free T3

• Reverse T3

• Thyroid antibodies

The evidence connecting thyroid hormones to brain function, neurotransmitter activity, and emotional regulation is both compelling and clinically actionable.

How Thyroid Hormones Affect Mood

Thyroid hormones regulate the synthesis and sensitivity of the brain chemicals that drive how you feel and function:

• Serotonin - mood regulation

• Dopamine - motivation and reward

• Norepinephrine - focus and energy

Men with hypothyroidism, including subclinical forms and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, often experience symptoms that overlap with major depression. These include:

• Depressed mood

• Anhedonia (loss of pleasure)

• Cognitive slowing

• Reduced motivation

• Fatigue

Despite this overlap, many men receive antidepressants without any thyroid evaluation or treatment.

Our Treatment Approach

Thyroid optimization, particularly restoring Free T3 to levels that support brain function, often produces improvements in mood and cognition that psychiatric medication alone cannot achieve.

For men with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Dr. Jennifer Redmond, CNP, DNP uses an anti-inflammatory protocol that includes:

1. Selenium supplementation

2. Targeted dietary strategies

3. Gut health support

This protocol reduces the neurological inflammation that contributes to mood and cognitive symptoms, independent of thyroid hormone levels themselves.

Integrated Mental Health Support

Our on-site licensed mental health therapist provides integrated psychological support for men navigating the emotional impact of underdiagnosed and undertreated thyroid disease. This care is delivered in partnership with the medical management led by Dr. Jennifer Redmond, CNP, DNP.

At Renew Health and Wellness, depression in men always receives a thorough thyroid evaluation. Thyroid disease is too treatable, and too impactful on mental health, to be missed.