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Hypothyroid & Antidepressants
Okay, I have a rare one it seems and seeking some advice! 7 years ago I was diagnosed with graves disease and had my thyroid removed. With that, I became hypothyroid and take Synthroid every morning. For a little bit I struggled getting it under control, but now I typically have it leveled. I also suffer from depression and anxiety and started taking lexapro two years ago. Since taking that medicine, I have gained 60 pounds. The medicine makes me hungry and tired all the time - hence the weight gain. I am wondering why I am struggling so much on the hunger and weight gain. Curious to know if their have been studies that correlate having no thyroid, and taking antidepressants? I have either met someone on synthroid or on lexapro, but not together and my doctor hasn't really had a clear answer on this.
Remember that a symptom of low thyroid is depression!!!!
many people when PROPERLY treated for thyroid, can lower or eliminate antidepressants and antianxiety medication. Not all but some.
Not to scare you but in the news in the last couple of days is connection between antidepressant medication and long term cognitive issues such as dementia and alzhiemers. They have handed out these medications like candy thinking that there was little side effects. That may have been a little premature.
Also there are a lot of people who have found it difficult to get off of antidepressants, they are addictive even if they claim they are not. So do NOT go off of them cold turkey and without working with your Doctor(s).
Rule of thumb is that to feel well a person needs BOTH of the following.
1) Free T 4 to be 50% of the range or slightly above
AND
2) Free T3 to be at least 50% of the range, and most people need higher to about 67% of the range.
the point is, many Doctors will only treat a patient until they get the blood labs "somewhere" into the so called normal range. And often this is in the basement and lower half of the range. Leaving the patient feeling terrible, but then "ruling out" that it is insufficient thyroid levels because they are "in range". and then claim that the symptoms are from something else and hand out antidepressants rather than simply increase the dosage, or at least consider an increase dosage to see if it has and effect. Do NOT settle for that answer.
you have to be your own strongest advocate, don't just accept a doctor the Dr. saying you are in the normal range and that is not good enough. If your numbers are in the lower half. ask the Dr what is wong with increasing the dosage to get you higher up in the normal range. You are asking for something reasonable, you are not asking to go outside of (on the high side) of the range.
I personally would rather take a hormone that my body naturally uses, rather than a chemical that changes brain chemistry. At least as a first resort. Unfortunately, the mainstream medical community doesn't seem to have this same philosophy.
many people when PROPERLY treated for thyroid, can lower or eliminate antidepressants and antianxiety medication. Not all but some.
Not to scare you but in the news in the last couple of days is connection between antidepressant medication and long term cognitive issues such as dementia and alzhiemers. They have handed out these medications like candy thinking that there was little side effects. That may have been a little premature.
Also there are a lot of people who have found it difficult to get off of antidepressants, they are addictive even if they claim they are not. So do NOT go off of them cold turkey and without working with your Doctor(s).
Rule of thumb is that to feel well a person needs BOTH of the following.
1) Free T 4 to be 50% of the range or slightly above
AND
2) Free T3 to be at least 50% of the range, and most people need higher to about 67% of the range.
the point is, many Doctors will only treat a patient until they get the blood labs "somewhere" into the so called normal range. And often this is in the basement and lower half of the range. Leaving the patient feeling terrible, but then "ruling out" that it is insufficient thyroid levels because they are "in range". and then claim that the symptoms are from something else and hand out antidepressants rather than simply increase the dosage, or at least consider an increase dosage to see if it has and effect. Do NOT settle for that answer.
you have to be your own strongest advocate, don't just accept a doctor the Dr. saying you are in the normal range and that is not good enough. If your numbers are in the lower half. ask the Dr what is wong with increasing the dosage to get you higher up in the normal range. You are asking for something reasonable, you are not asking to go outside of (on the high side) of the range.
I personally would rather take a hormone that my body naturally uses, rather than a chemical that changes brain chemistry. At least as a first resort. Unfortunately, the mainstream medical community doesn't seem to have this same philosophy.
I don't know about Lexapro, but based on a lot of experience with members on T4 meds only, it is possible that you are under-medicated and also possibly low in some other things that affect tissue response to thyroid hormone. Please post your typical thyroid related test results that you said were "leveled" Also, if tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post those as well.
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