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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 confuzyq on January 22, 2008, at 8:19:45
I have been taking 50 mg. of tramadol 3x a day for about five years, prescribed as an AD by my pdoc at a leading research center. (I'm aware of the controversies. But the only one that concerns me is one that doesn't seem to be mentioned much: ramifications of long-term use apparently aren't known.)
An internist who didn't know I take tramadol just told me I am hypothyroid, and is calling in a med. (Don't know which yet, but assume it's standard...) My thyroid function tested normal as of about six years ago, although I've read that an overbroad definition of "normal" is used by many labs.
Like many depressed, dysthymic or anhedonic ppl, I do have several symptoms that fit hypothyroidism (but not weight gain or constipation). However, not sure why but the first thing that crossed my mind was that maybe long-term tramadol use was related. So I did a quick search for correlations, and found the following:
http://cks.library.nhs.uk/hypothyroidism/in_depth/background_information
(Appears under How Do I Know My Patient Has Hypothyroidism? > Investigations > How Do I Interpret the Results? > When May the TSH Results be Misleading? > Other Drug Treatment.)
"Other drug treatment: Other drugs may interfere with TSH secretion or the production, secretion, transport and metabolism of thyroid hormones. Some drugs modify thyroid status whilst others produce abnormal thyroid function test results in otherwise euthyroid people.
-- High-dose glucocorticoids, high-dose dopamine and potent opioids (e.g. tramadol) inhibit TSH release and therefore may decrease the TSH concentration."
...so, I'm trying to decide if I should proceed with taking the med this doctor calls in; or if that would be useless or even harmful somehow if the tramadol is the real cause. Or, if taking the two together probably wouldn't "matter" anyway.
Not sure I even get any effect from the tramadol anymore, but am under a lot of stress lately and for now would rather not fix anything that might not be broken, or resume the search for something else.
Will ask a doctor about this but probably not right away, so thanks for any opinions in the meantime!
Posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2008, at 11:00:30
In reply to If hypothyroid from tramadol (link), skip med?, posted by confuzyq on January 22, 2008, at 8:19:45
Do you know which tests your doc did on your thyroid? TSH is what? T3? Assuming it's synthroid or one of the similar drugs. Since thyroid is a hormone the best person to answer your question is that doc if he's really knowledgeable or an endocrinologist. But I'd take the med for now and call a doc back and find out the rest letting him know what you found out. Please let us know. Phillipa
Posted by confuzyq on January 24, 2008, at 19:28:58
In reply to Re: If hypothyroid from tramadol (link), skip med? » confuzyq, posted by Phillipa on January 22, 2008, at 11:00:30
Thanks Phillipa. Oddly (for me) I didn't ask about the details of the tests. (Eventually I'll get a copy of them for my other doc.)
I only just got the 'script and filled it this morning, it was for levothyroxine 50 mcg., 1x per day. So today was the first time I took it. (Didn't notice much, but I think I read it can take awhile to build up or something.) I did take it with the tramadol, guess for now I'll just do that. I know I won't be asking any docs about it for awhile yet anyway, so thought I'd try to fish for some opinions here.
> Do you know which tests your doc did on your thyroid? TSH is what? T3? Assuming it's synthroid or one of the similar drugs. Since thyroid is a hormone the best person to answer your question is that doc if he's really knowledgeable or an endocrinologist. But I'd take the med for now and call a doc back and find out the rest letting him know what you found out. Please let us know. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2008, at 19:36:26
In reply to Re: If hypothyroid from tramadol (link), skip med?, posted by confuzyq on January 24, 2008, at 19:28:58
First time I took synthroid basically same thing was a low dose like yours and made me more anxiety. Working too and one night at work about l0 days on it noticed like my ears opened up and I felt so much better and cut down on xanax then. Was the thyroid med working. Good luck. Phillipa
Posted by confuzyq on January 24, 2008, at 19:47:56
In reply to Re: If hypothyroid from tramadol (link), skip med? » confuzyq, posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2008, at 19:36:26
Good to know, thanks. I'm sure hoping for that sort of thing, and I kinda think I will get it -- this does fit a lot of symptoms I've had for awhile. Would especially love to see some of the worsening brain fog go, and this thing I can only describe as something sitting on my brain (which may be the same as what suddenly cleared up for you).
Only I wonder if I brought it on myself with the tramadol, and whether continuing to take it will be unwise somehow. =O Oh well, I'm sure it'll be ok for awhile anyway. ("Sure" probably isn't the right word. ;)
> First time I took synthroid basically same thing was a low dose like yours and made me more anxiety. Working too and one night at work about l0 days on it noticed like my ears opened up and I felt so much better and cut down on xanax then. Was the thyroid med working. Good luck. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 24, 2008, at 20:29:48
In reply to Re: If hypothyroid from tramadol (link), skip med?, posted by confuzyq on January 24, 2008, at 19:47:56
Mine was a feeling of extra anxiety and how you feel when you have had a bad cold and your ears pop and you realize that you weren't hearing properly. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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