Thyroid problems and antipsychotics

[Jennybean226]

Hi!  I'm just trying to do some research for my friend ... She's been on Quetiapine (an atypical antipsychotic) for about 2yrs, but previous to this she was diagnosed with borderline hypothyroidism.  Suddenly, she has fallen really ill and blood tests have confirmed minor hypothyroidism (T3 levels around 9)... but the symptoms look like hyper!  She's edgy, having fainting spells, sudden loss of movement, headaches, nausea and has worryingly lost over a stone in a month (without dieting).  She's got 2 docs (the GP treating the thyroid, and the mental health team prescribing the Quetiapine), but they don't seem to be communicating at all.  Does anyone have any ideas?  The symptoms just don't seem to make sense, and she's getting really scared.

Thanks a lot!

Jen

[Jennybean226]

Thanks so much for that!  I've printed out some of the info for her, but its really good to know that her symptoms aren't completely out of place!  The doc hasn't given her the full panel, just the T3.  At any rate, she's going back this week.  Now we know these symptoms can be caused by quetiapine, maybe she can get her docs talking to each other, and regulating doses accordingly!!

[stella5349]

I am not familiar with Quetiapine meds but if they are a spin off of lithium carbonate your friend would suffer a hypothyroid situation. With a hypothyroid inbalance and a psychotic meds her symptoms would be pretty much what you are describing.

I suppose getting a complete panel (you only list a T3) which provides some info but not the whole picture

TSH testing and those numbers would be very beneficial to determine her condition.

Here are links to read regarding your friends Dx and Rx :

www.allthyroid.org/disorders/specialmeds/bipolar_depression.
www.drugs.com/cdi/quetiapine-sustained-release-tablets.html
http://mentalhealth.about.com/cs/depression/l/blbpld2.htm