Thyroxine and Serotonin connection??

[Nat_16]

I went to see a new GP today after getting sick of the old one not taking me seriously and not listening to me.  I showed him all my blood test results and told him that I'm currently on 50mcg but still hypo and I need slow increases because I'm sensitive to med increases.

My latest blood test results are:
TSH 8.1 (0.40 - 3.50)
FT4 12.7 (10.0 - 23.0)
FT3 5.2 (3.9 - 6.8)
These bloods were taken june 11th while I had been on 50mcg daily for over 6 weeks and still showing hypo symptoms.

He said he doesnt want to increase my meds, he wants to keep me at 50mcg daily and he wants me to get more serotonin, he suggested I eat breakfast out in the sun daily.  I was quite confused by this and asked whether he was suggesting the sunlight so I get more vitamin D, but he replied saying no my vitamin D levels are fairly ok the serotonin helps thyroxine levels.  Being still confused, I asked for a further explanation.  He said the serotonin reacts with the thyroxine and somehow the serotonin helps the thyroxine levels so in turn I need less thyroxine med.

Does this make sense to anyone???  Thats all he really said but I'm still confused about how serotonin helps my T4 levels.  

[gimel]

I have to wonder if your symptoms are due to inadequate thyroid med, rather than the wrong brand.  If you look at this link, do you have other typical hypothyroid symptoms also?

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html

If you would please post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report, members will be better able to assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.

[marta976]

  Levothyroxin is not working for me, my problem is also low function of the thyroid.  After  few months the doctor change for Synthroid, let's see how it is going the next blood test, I am taking 75 mcg.  I can not sleep and I am depressed, I am 70 years old.  I am taking now Trazodone 50 mg, some nights it helps to sleep, not always; also Fluoxetine 10 mg.  The Trazodone leaves me drowsy.

                                  Thank you very much in advance,
                                                            Marta   January 2013

[redheadaussie]

I sent you a note, you need to start your own question on the forum.

[Pastit]

Hi I'm taking Amitripline 50mg for interstitial cystitis, (10 years on it) and now been diagnosed with underactive Thyroid, and been put on 75mg - doc says blood test ok and should remain on this dose.  However, I feel unwell, get shivers, and generally tierd, with iffy tummy as well.  Does anyone know if these drugs react against each other?  Sure think they do, but am so frightened of coming off amitrip as bladder so awful.  Any help be grateful. xxx

[Smilerdeb]

I think an ultrasounds in order as you either have inflamation (causing T3 toxycosis) or nodules on the remaining thyroid.
Best to know for sure with a thyroid ultrasound.

[Nat_16]

Thanks Deb, I was sure what the doc said was rubbish but thought I might check first.  It sounded like rubbish to me!!  

I knew the basic roles of serotonin and when the doc said all that I thought huh? lol...

Hmmm...thyroid ultrasound, october last year.  Yeah, that would be about right, I had the ultrasound around october and that was when I was refered to the surgeon in november.  I have been advised by the surgeon that did my thyroid operation to have one annually every january.  In your opinion should I be having another ultrasound now????

I think I have found a half decent GP who works in a local medical centre and who checked me over after the last lot of palps...after todays doc visit I'm going to try to get to the medical centre over the weekend.  When I saw him at the mdical centre he seemed quite knowledgable and he did look a few things up for me and showed me stuff in his books and online, so I've been thinking today that I might go back to him.  Should I ask him about the ultrasound??

I've already got a copy of all my past lab sheets, I request them to be printed each time I go to the docs for the results.  I have them all in order in a folder, it's quite handy to have them on hand - especially when changing doctors!!

[Smilerdeb]

What a load of utter garbage!

Sorry Nat, but Seratonin has a major function in the brain that causes depression and it is a neurotransmitter...basically if too little serotonin (depression) and too much..(happy mood).
Get another Doc as sunlight does NOT make the brain produce Seratonin.

Your FT4 is still low, your TSH is too high (hypo) and your FT3 is not too bad.
When is the last time you had a thyroid ultrasound?
Usually when the Ft4 is low, the TSH high and the FT3 upper range...it means inflammation. Maybe your remaining lobe is causing this??
An ultrasound would show if this is the case.

Your Pit. Gland is telling the thyroid it needs more hormone yet the FT3 is upper range.

You can do what my Doc told me.
Stay on the 50mcg and one day a week take 62.5mcg (1 1/4 x 50mcg tab) and every 2 weeks increase your WEEKLY med by 12.5mcg but having labs done every 4 weeks.

Ask your local Doc to pre-print lab sheets out for you like mine does and ask him to put on the lab sheets that YOU also get a copy...(saves time in you calling and waiting for the results)
Mine are faxed to me the same day from Dorevitch.

[Nat_16]

I thought it sounded a little bit odd.  I am looking for a new doctor, just having troubles finding one who listens!!  I've had a few take one look at me (didnt even look at my blood test results) and say I'm not hypo - I'm too young!!  It's so frustrating trying to find a good one!!

Thanks for your reply!!

[magpieannie]

No, makes no sense at all!!! Keep looking for a new doctor. You definitly need a med increase in my opinion. Your freet4 is way too low and your TSH is way too high!