Posted by Bill L on August 18, 2003, at 9:15:22
In reply to Have Cytomel/Synthroid helped you?, posted by jmackie on August 18, 2003, at 1:27:59
There are 2 types of thyroid hormone supplements; T3 and T4. There are several drugs which provide either one or both of the T's.
Lets consider 3 cases:
Case 1: depressed patient with low thyroid blood test (ie high TSH)
For this patient, giving a supplement (usually T4) will often give the person more energy and help alleviate their depression.Case 2: depressed patient with normal TSH who is already taking an antidepressant
For this patient, taking a thyroid supplement (usually T3) can sometimes help augment the antidepressant to make it work better. Whether or not your doctor will prescribe the T3 for this purpose depends on his specialty. A psychiatrist is usually more willing to try this approach. An internist will rarely agree to this because they are afraid of complications including osteoporosis. Its really not clear who is right or who is wrong.Case 3: depressed person with normal TSH who is not taking an antidepressant
For this patient, taking thyroid supplements may give the person more energy, but generally will not relieve the depression. If you do an internet search on "Wilson's Syndrome", you will find that some alternative therapy doctors like to give thyoid supplements instead of antidepressants, to try to cure depression.> Have Low Thyroid meds helped with depression? How did your pdoc decide to use Thyroid meds? What did you take, how much, and did you take it alone or with other meds? I suspect Thyroid meds can have a dramatic effect. Please share your stories.
poster:Bill L
thread:251752
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030818/msgs/251802.html