Posted by Janelle on April 12, 2003, at 12:18:20
In reply to Re: Wait till you hear THIS saga re natural thyroid !!, posted by noa on April 12, 2003, at 11:14:00
Well first of all, it sounds like the Lithium, in your case, did seem to induce/cause/aggravate hypothryoidism - I forget the statistics but it's a high percentage of women (for some reason it strikes women; lucky us!) who will develop hypothroidism when they are on Lithium (I think it might be dose-related to some degree; I'm on a sub-therapeutic dose so I'm hoping that MAYBE if the pdoc stops the Synthroid my thyroid will be back to within the *normal* range again like it always was before that disasterous experience.)
Ah, thank you for inadvertently mentioning TSH - that is what went to ZERO on me after being on that unregulated natural supplement for several months! And I think it was the T4 that was high because it was overcompensating for there being NO TSH secreted. What a mess that was.
Your symptoms that you had sound EXACTLY like mine and I can't tell you how *relieved* I am to hear that someone has gone through something similar. When I describe what I was feeling like (but in my case I don't think it was thyroid, but rather a-d related; I have Serotonin issues) I have yet to find someone who can *really* relate, having felt the same way. And I've talked and shared with a lot of people in similar boats!
I was also cycling like never before (until the low dose of Depakote was added to augment the low dose of Lithium; this is known to be an effective combo - what's interesting is I'd had two BAD experiences with Depakote, but higher doses and combined with other meds. However, I decided to remain OPEN-MINDED and try it again because I really trust my current pdoc so when he told me it was basically my only choice for mood stabilzer - can't tolerate Lamictal, allergic to Tegretol (and therefore probably Trileptal), I went along with him.
Thanks for the links to those thyroid books - right now I'm still having trouble concentrating on reading, but I do plan to check them out when I'm able to.
I was feeling EXACTLY what you described - it is UNCANNY the similarity and when I describe it to others, fellow *sufferers* I have yet to find someone (till you!) who knows what I'm talking about and has "been there, felt that!"
I also felt like I had cotton in my head! I couldn't think straight, couldn't figure out how to sort through papers (at home; I don't work right now) or start a task, or make small decisions, heck any kind of decision (the latter is a symptom of depression).
However, I did NOT have muscle weakness, edema, pain in legs, etc.)
How interesting that you are OKAY with a TSH of less than 1. I could not function on that.
Which a-d did you say you were on - sorry, but the Lithium, even at low dose, has messed up my memory. Have you found this to be the case for you at all?
Also, just curious - what kind of work do you do? You are lucky to be able to work; I can't just yet.
Again, thanks for continuing to share. It sounds like we have been down parallel roads! :-)
poster:Janelle
thread:218596
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/218803.html