What now? Lithium has damaged my thyroid!

[moonglaze]

I am a forty-seven year old female.  Lithium useage has damaged my thyroid.  I have been put on Synthroid, 50mg once a day.  Is the thyroid damage permanent?  I have gradually discontinued the Lithium.  I am currently on Wellbutrin 150mg, as well as Lamitical 350mg.  I have gained forty pounds.  I am completely exhausted ALL the time.  My muscles and joints hurt so bad, I can barely move. I am a Physical Education teacher who is struggling to get through her job on a daily bases.  My skin is so dry.  My hair is course and falling out.  I get very dizzy at times.  I have edema.  My thought/memory is distorted.  My doctor did not warn me of the damage Lithium could do.  Will the Synthroid, along with diet/exercise help me lose the forty pounds I gained?  I am currrently going to a GP, not a specialist.  Should I make adjustments there?  I have so many questions, any information would be of help.  Thank you for taking time to read my questions!      

[Venora Moonwind]

I am so sorry to hear this. I too had my thyroid damaged by lithium. got a big goiter out in 2006 that had cancer  and I am pretty sure it was the lithium
I am also sorry to tell you the damage is permanent.
get and endocrinologist that specializes in thyroids. and  get yours tested every 6 weeks to check your levels. range is .3 -3.0 now and most Gps aarent familiar with these ranges.
I have lost about 28 pounds since  I got on the right synthroid dosage and I feel pretty good I take celexa and zy prexa for the bi polar but since I have been on synthroid, I am now on the lowest doses of head meds.

all your symptoms indicate hypothyroid so  get checked out by an endo and you will probably need your dose increased I feel my best at tsh of .1 thats hyper for alot people but I feel great on it.
Let meknow how you are. Keep in touch and keep us updated.
Love Venora

[DLA]

Should also note that Venora being at .1 is also for cancer supression.  And hallelujah that number works for her.

V, I stole her from over on the thyroid forum.  Whahaha  lol  Told her if she came over here you could help her.

[moonglaze]

Thank you very much for caring!  Your information Verona is so appreciated.  DLA, thank you for hooking me up.

How long does it take, generally, to start seeing an improvement with medication?  

I'm sure it will take time to get an appointment scheduled with a specialist.  What should I do until then?  

The doctor gave me six week samples of the Synthroid.Should I am suppose to go back for more blood work.  Should I schedule the appointment with the specialist before or after the visit with the GP?

Again, thank you both for taking the time to CARE and provide important direction to someone who is walking in the darkness!

Sincerely,
Tammy  

[DLA]

You'll have to have a referral to see an endo.  They will probably insist on reading labs before they agree to see you.  Would get all the labs and such done asap so that you can get in quicker.  Usually takes a long time before you can get into an endo.  Make sure the endo specializes in thyroid and not just diabetes.

[moonglaze]

Will I need a referral even if my insurance doesn't require one?  When you say labs, I have a copy of my blood work from the GP completed last week.  I also have lab results of thyroid before put on LIthium.  Will I need anything else?  I appreciate your help..  

[DLA]

Most endos will not see you without a referral from a dr AND lab tests to show that there is a problem.  They won't JUST go on the word of another dr.  They are real pains about this.  Most of them have a God complex.  Your GP will probably have to fax all of this to them before they will even make you an appt.  

I would get my GP on this right away.  You can call and make sure of course, but this is the usual coarse of action.

[moonglaze]

Thank you!  I will talk to my GP and also do research on Endo in my area.  

[dazed999]

Please Note:  Synthroid has profound effects on  the body.  Postmenopauslas women on long-term Synthroid therapy may suffer a loss of bone density, increasing the danger of OSTEOPOROSIS.  Info from: "The PDR pocket guide to PRESCRIPTION DRUGS"  just thought I would supply a bit of info.

[moonglaze]

Thank you, I really appreciate the heads up.  I will get a PDR!    

[Venora Moonwind]

well Its even more profound if you dont take the synthroid and go hypothyroid. It can even kill you to have your tsh high. I take calcium.Thats all you have to do. and post menopausle women who dont need synthroid can get osteoporosis too so we take a calcium supplement.
I dont understand why you are so anti med.
Love Venora

[dazed999]

I have been DRUGED FOR 11 YEARS.  I just became anti-med as of Easter 2008.  I written about it since I have gotten off of the dope.  I don't understand why you are so PRO-MED.  Do you really think that there are no other ways to help yourself.  I am NOW ANTI-MED.  If I can help myself without putting chems in my body and feeling like **** - I am going to do it.  What's the problem?  Why do you keep saying we have to be drugged?  Oh yea, if you have read my posts in the recent past.... don't pop up and say I will "end up" in a "mental hospital".  I put myself in a couple of the "mental hospitals" because I wanted to get my medications right.  Have you experianced that?  So, let's not go there and don't preach about being anti-med.  Like I stated:   I AM NOW.  I am not telling you that you have to be medicated.  So why are you telling me that?  I am just posting MY EXPERIANCES.  If it helps someone - GREAT.  If you don't like it - fine - just don't attack me....  ALRIGHT!

[dazed999]

By the way.  Too much calcium IS NOT GOOD EITHER.  Did you notice that you just... POP ANOTHER PILL for the SIDE EFFECTS!  If it's not big deal, why dont you just drink a glass or two of milk or have some cheese??  When was the last time that you went to someone's house and did not find a cabinet loaded down with prescription drugs?  Is it really a wonder why our kids are getting all doped up at an early age?  Why not; we supply it and set a really good example too.  Why did /are our grandparents living to ripe old ages..... huh?  Maybe they weren't all doped up and creating all these "really cool" new disorders.  Kids have peer pressure, sounds like adults are being pressured too.  Yea, 11 years of drugs.  Nothing like a reformed doper to preach.  Hey, somebody's got to do it.

[DLA]

Venora was not attacking you.  This forum is for ppl who have questions about bp and it's medicines, and that is what we are attempting to do.

DLA
BP Community Leader