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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 2, 2005, at 0:22:42
Hi gang,
Sorry I have been scarce lately, my depression has been acting up again. I was having success augmenting my antidepressants with Li, but I seem to have slid backwards a bit lately. One explaination is some of the yucky stuff going on in my life, but also I'm a little concerned about thyroid stuff.
My pdoc is good abt checking up on these sort of things, but I just wanted to make sure that I'm in the know. We've checked my TSH and T4(I think that's the one, right?) a few times over the yrs and TSH has always been right around 1. I've been taking Li for like 2 or 3 months and a few weeks ago my TSH was 3.3. She said we'll keep an eye on it and she is going to draw labs next time I see her (10 days).
The more I think abt it, the more I wonder if my increasing depression is due to the Li supressing thyroid functioning. Recently I have had very little appetite, which is not usually part of my depression, although I read that it can be part of hypothyroid. Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Any thoughts? Am I going to have to stop the Li?? :(
Sick of depression. Sick of meds. :(
Best,
EE
Posted by Squiggles on December 2, 2005, at 10:20:31
In reply to Anyone have probs with Li and thyroid?, posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 2, 2005, at 0:22:42
I've taking Synthroid almost as long as li.
It did take some time to adjust the dose
-- when it was too high (the thyroxine dose)
I had little appetite, panic attacks, insomnia,
sweats, tachycardia and anxiety. When it
was lowered, I felt just fine but gained
quite a bit of weight. Anything higher is
probably not good for my heart and my dr.
does not think that being sub-clinically
hypothyroid is as dangerous as having too much.
I feel fine at this li/thyr. balance,
though possibly a slow release Synth. might
be better *if* it causes Montezuma's revenge.What balance you can tolerate may vary
with the individual - hormones are powerful
stuff.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2005, at 22:10:31
In reply to Re: Anyone have probs with Li and thyroid?, posted by Squiggles on December 2, 2005, at 10:20:31
My TSH is also 3.3. And my neice has been sending me articles all day. l-2 is what her's is supposed to stay at and she told me to demand a consult with an endrocrinologist. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 3, 2005, at 0:17:33
In reply to Re: Anyone have probs with Li and thyroid?, posted by Phillipa on December 2, 2005, at 22:10:31
That's really interesting. My pdoc said that .5-4 is considered normal; however around 1 is ideal. I think I'll try to ask her more abt it and get my bloodwork done sooner rather than later. I've heard that in general even if you are not technically hypothyroid, it may make sense to treat it if you have symptoms. In my case, it seems pretty clear that the Li is at fault. But I guess that doesn't really make the situation any better.
This is not fun. I have been so run down lately. :(
Best,
EE
Posted by thuso on December 3, 2005, at 13:45:12
In reply to Re: Anyone have probs with Li and thyroid? » Phillipa, posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 3, 2005, at 0:17:33
> That's really interesting. My pdoc said that .5-4 is considered normal; however around 1 is ideal. I think I'll try to ask her more abt it and get my bloodwork done sooner rather than later. I've heard that in general even if you are not technically hypothyroid, it may make sense to treat it if you have symptoms. In my case, it seems pretty clear that the Li is at fault. But I guess that doesn't really make the situation any better.
>
> This is not fun. I have been so run down lately. :(
>
> Best,
> EEEndo's now say up to 3 is normal, but 1-2 is ideal. Each person is different, but the higher your TSH goes, the more you will get depressive symptoms. I've had Hoshimoto's since I was 9, so by this time I have figured out that as soon as I start getting close to 4 I become extremely lethargic and depressed. I'll sleep 12-14 hours a day and not want to get out of bed. For other people, they can have a TSH of 10 and not feel any different. Everyone varies. I've just had 20 years to notice patterns! I feel best when I am under 1 and considered hyperthyroid. Unfortunately, I can't stay there because of the negative things associated with your thyroid being hyper. :-(
Another thing to understand is that throughout the day your TSH will fluctuate...sometimes as much as 3 points. That is why it is recommended that when you get blood tests it is at the same time of the day and under similar circumstances. For example, I always get mine in the morning before I take my synthroid & cytomel and before I eat breakfast. Being consistant will give you the most accurate results.
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on December 3, 2005, at 17:28:24
In reply to Re: Anyone have probs with Li and thyroid? » Emily Elizabeth, posted by thuso on December 3, 2005, at 13:45:12
Thanks! That is useful info. I'm going to make sure to follow up with my pdoc about this.
Best,
EE
This is the end of the thread.
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