You’ve been feeling off—heart racing, dizziness, tight chest, that unsettled feeling in your gut. Everyone says it’s anxiety. Maybe even panic disorder. But something inside you says… this doesn’t feel right.

Here’s the truth: not all anxiety is psychological. Sometimes, it’s your body trying to flag something deeper. And when we miss that, we miss the chance to truly heal.

7 Medical Conditions That Can Look Like Anxiety

1. Thyroid Dysfunction (Especially Hyperthyroidism)

Symptoms: racing heart, nervousness, irritability, sleep issues, weight changes. A simple blood test (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) can reveal if your thyroid is overactive or under stress.

2. POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)

Symptoms: fast heart rate, lightheadedness, shakiness, brain fog—especially when standing. POTS is often mistaken for panic attacks. Tilt-table testing or heart rate monitoring can detect it.

3. Iron or B12 Deficiency

Low oxygen transport = palpitations, fatigue, breathlessness, poor concentration. Deficiencies often trigger anxiety-like symptoms—especially in menstruating women and vegetarians.

4. Histamine Intolerance or Mast Cell Activation

Symptoms: flushing, panic-like surges, chest tightness, headaches, hives, digestive distress. Triggers include wine, fermented foods, or temperature changes. This condition is often missed.

5. Perimenopause and Hormonal Imbalance

Shifts in estrogen and progesterone can cause inner restlessness, heart palpitations, insomnia, and emotional volatility—often misdiagnosed as generalized anxiety.

6. Adrenal Dysfunction (Low Cortisol or HPA Axis Imbalance)

Symptoms: morning dread, irritability, crashes mid-day, feeling wired but tired. Chronic stress can dysregulate your nervous system, creating a constant “on edge” state.

7. Chronic Infections or Inflammation (Lyme, EBV, Mold)

These stealth infections can hijack your nervous system, cause neuroinflammation, and trigger anxiety-like symptoms—especially when left untreated.

What to Do If This Sounds Like You

If traditional anxiety treatments haven’t worked, it’s okay to ask: “What else could this be?”

• Ask for a full thyroid and iron panel (not just TSH)
• Track symptoms with position changes (POTS clues)
• Notice if food, alcohol, or heat worsens symptoms
• Request hormone testing if in your 30s–50s
• Work with a provider who will look *beyond the obvious*