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Domperidone and hashimotos and synthroid effects
So I have hashimotos. I had a baby in October. She turned out to be allergic to dairy. I cut out dairy. My thyroid function increased to the point that my tsh dropped to <0.01 on 1/19 and my milk production drastically decreased. I stopped taking my thyroid meds in desperation to get my milk supply back as fast as possible because even when we used the hypoallergenic formula my baby was still passing massive blood in her stool. Doctor also foolishly started me on domperidone to increase supply, I have one child already that I successfully bf without any issues for 18 months. Tsh was tested again on 2/8 and it was at 19.6. Started taking a lower dose of synthroid 75mcg instead of 88mcg. Had my blood work done 2/21 and tsh was at 33. Have been taking synthroid and a half hour later taking domperidone. Could it still be affecting the absorption of my synthroid? Can I just stop taking the domperidone? I've only been on it a month. I'm taking 40 3 times a day. In the past week I have been EXTREMELY dizzy, my milk supply seems a bit less, I've gained weight, in extremely irritable, depressed (which has never ever been an issue for me) and I thought it was because my TSH might have been really low again but now I think it's from the domperidone so I want to stop taking the domperidone and let my thyroid get back to where it should be. I had no problem with milk supply before cutting out dairy, before my thyroid went out of whack. HELP ME PLEASE my doctor has not been helpful at all and doesn't seem to be certain of anything she is telling me.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I found one study that says TSH increases in response to domperidone. "The rate of increase varies with the functional state of the thyroid, as confirmed by results obtained in cases of euthyroidism, primary hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4094840
That said... Is TSH the only thing that's being tested, in relation to your thyroid? Your doctor should be ordering Free T4 and Free T3, as well, every time you have a TSH test.
Free T4 and Free T3 are the actual thyroid hormones, whereas TSH is a pituitary hormone that should not be used as the sole basis for determining thyroid hormone status.
How long have you had Hashimoto's? It's not unusual, in earlier stages of Hashimoto's to swing back and forth, from periods of hypo to hyper or normal. Also, if one is on thyroid hormone medication, dosages, often, have to be higher during a pregnancy, then decreased once the baby is born, since the mother must provide thyroid hormone for, both, herself and her baby.
The other thing is many medications can interfere with thyroid medications. Most medications shouldn't be taken within an hour or 2 of taking the Synthroid, so it's possible that the domperidone is preventing the Synthroid from being fully absorbed, also. I did read, as well, that domperidone may also cause weight gain, as does being hypothyroid.
Are you making sure you're staying hydrated, since you stopped the dairy? Your own dehydration could have something to do with not having enough milk as well. From what I've read, it's not recommended that you just stop the domperidone as it can cause severe side effects - it should be weaned from, but I can't find specifics, right off hand, about weaning or how long it should take... you should discuss this with your doctor.
If you have results for Free T4 and Free T3, we'd be better able to help with your thyroid issues, if you'd post those here, along with the reference ranges, which vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own reports. If you've not had those tested, you should ask your doctor to order them as soon as possible so you know exactly what's going on, since a TSH of 33 is quite high, as you know.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4094840
That said... Is TSH the only thing that's being tested, in relation to your thyroid? Your doctor should be ordering Free T4 and Free T3, as well, every time you have a TSH test.
Free T4 and Free T3 are the actual thyroid hormones, whereas TSH is a pituitary hormone that should not be used as the sole basis for determining thyroid hormone status.
How long have you had Hashimoto's? It's not unusual, in earlier stages of Hashimoto's to swing back and forth, from periods of hypo to hyper or normal. Also, if one is on thyroid hormone medication, dosages, often, have to be higher during a pregnancy, then decreased once the baby is born, since the mother must provide thyroid hormone for, both, herself and her baby.
The other thing is many medications can interfere with thyroid medications. Most medications shouldn't be taken within an hour or 2 of taking the Synthroid, so it's possible that the domperidone is preventing the Synthroid from being fully absorbed, also. I did read, as well, that domperidone may also cause weight gain, as does being hypothyroid.
Are you making sure you're staying hydrated, since you stopped the dairy? Your own dehydration could have something to do with not having enough milk as well. From what I've read, it's not recommended that you just stop the domperidone as it can cause severe side effects - it should be weaned from, but I can't find specifics, right off hand, about weaning or how long it should take... you should discuss this with your doctor.
If you have results for Free T4 and Free T3, we'd be better able to help with your thyroid issues, if you'd post those here, along with the reference ranges, which vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own reports. If you've not had those tested, you should ask your doctor to order them as soon as possible so you know exactly what's going on, since a TSH of 33 is quite high, as you know.
2 Comments
Thank you for your quick reply.
I've had hashimotos for over ten years.
Staying really well hydrated. This is my second baby and pregnancy or nursing has never affected my thyroid in the past and the doctor was diligent to keep checking throughout pregnancy and afterwards.
Jan 14 free T3 5.1 range: 3.1-6.2
Free t4 19 range: 9-19
Tsh: <0.01
February 8:
Free t4: 5 same range as above and t3 wasn't checked.
Tsh: 19.6 range 0.32- 4
Feb 21:
Tsh 33.4
Free T4: 9
I also read last night that fenugreek can interfere with thyroid function. I have been taking fenugreek in the morning with the domperidone and at night and it's a strong dose mixed with blessed thistle for lactation purposes. I had started on the fenugreek when my thyroid was TSH less than 0.01. I've been taking both the domperidone and the fenugreek about an hour after my thyroid medication on an empty stomach. I did read the same about weaning off of domperidone. Fortunately everything I found about weaning was for people who have been on it long term. I have only been on it for a month. The weaning schedule that they have is to subtract one 10mg pill every 3 to 7 days. At that rate it will take me longer to get off it then I have actually been on it. I feel like I should be able to do it faster scheduled and that given I've only been on it for one month
After doing some research last night I do believe that the drone parrot on is responsible for many of my symptoms. I have had severe dizziness for the past week at least which is also a side effect of the domperidone
I've had hashimotos for over ten years.
Staying really well hydrated. This is my second baby and pregnancy or nursing has never affected my thyroid in the past and the doctor was diligent to keep checking throughout pregnancy and afterwards.
Jan 14 free T3 5.1 range: 3.1-6.2
Free t4 19 range: 9-19
Tsh: <0.01
February 8:
Free t4: 5 same range as above and t3 wasn't checked.
Tsh: 19.6 range 0.32- 4
Feb 21:
Tsh 33.4
Free T4: 9
I also read last night that fenugreek can interfere with thyroid function. I have been taking fenugreek in the morning with the domperidone and at night and it's a strong dose mixed with blessed thistle for lactation purposes. I had started on the fenugreek when my thyroid was TSH less than 0.01. I've been taking both the domperidone and the fenugreek about an hour after my thyroid medication on an empty stomach. I did read the same about weaning off of domperidone. Fortunately everything I found about weaning was for people who have been on it long term. I have only been on it for a month. The weaning schedule that they have is to subtract one 10mg pill every 3 to 7 days. At that rate it will take me longer to get off it then I have actually been on it. I feel like I should be able to do it faster scheduled and that given I've only been on it for one month
After doing some research last night I do believe that the drone parrot on is responsible for many of my symptoms. I have had severe dizziness for the past week at least which is also a side effect of the domperidone
Domperidone not drone parrot on lol silly speech to text
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