Synthroid and bad oders.

[seaburd]

I just started taking synthroid for small hypothyroid condition . I have been on Keppra and Lamotrigene for many months  for seizures. No problem with seizure meds but began having terrible oder issues ,everything smells horrible - skin, food , lotions, shampoos etc. Could this be interaction with these meds . ?

[Red_Star]

Barb, I've had zinc deficiency and my smell and taste decreased.

Phantosmia is an olfactory hallucination: perception of smell without an odor present. These imaginary smells can range from unpleasant to enjoyable. Causes include brain injury or seizures in the temporal lobe, various neurological disorders, overactive olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), or the loss of inhibitory neurons brought on by a sinus infection or some other type of head cold.

I had a bout of phantosmia, in my case it was an electrical burning type smell, that lasted for a few days. This was one of my various neurological symptoms as a result of my thyroid conditions - Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune hypothyroidism) with bouts of hashitoxicosis (hyperthyroid flare ups).

***

"How does thyroxine suppress antiseizure medication?
—Jules G. Minkes, DO, Miami

The interaction among thyroxine, seizures, and anticonvulsants is complex. It has been known for quite some time that thyroid hormone lowers the seizure threshold in humans and can cause seizures in patients with Graves’ disease (Epilepsia. 1980;21:91-96). Thyroxine therapy for hypothyroidism has also been shown to induce seizures in certain cases (Neurology. 1985;135:1792-1793). This pro-seizure effect on the brain is not well defined, other than to say that it is believed to be a direct action on cerebral cells by thyroid hormone. Seizures have also been reported in patients who were previously “controlled” on a stable dose of anticonvulsant when thyroxine replacement therapy was initiated (Neurology. 1996;47:605-606). It is thus not clear that thyroxine “suppresses” antiseizure medications in a direct way. Surprisingly, much of the literature has focused on the effects of anticonvulsant therapy on intrinsic thyroid function rather than the converse. Such medications as carbamazepine and phenytoin have been shown to displace thyroxine from plasma protein-binding sites and potentially increase its clearance. Free thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) will be increased, while serum T4 and T3 levels will be decreased. Authors have speculated, therefore, that thyroid-stimulating hormone should be followed to determine if a patient on anticonvulsants has normal thyroid levels (JAMA. 1996;275:1495-1498).
—Christopher Ruser, MD (102-2)"

[Barb135]

Synthroid is not known to interact with other drugs; however, those drugs (not the synthroid) could cause a difference in the way things smell.

In addition, zinc deficiency, which is sometimes seen with hypothyroidism can cause issue with the sense of smell.

Hypothyroidism can also affect taste, as can zinc deficiency.

There are imaging studies that can be done to test for abnormalities, but treatment, is, typically, zinc replacement or reduction in dosage of whichever medication might be causing the problem.  

[Barb135]

I forgot to mention that if you'll post your current thyroid hormone levels, with reference ranges, we can tell you whether or not you're getting adequate treatment for your hypothyroidism.

Also, please list other symptoms you might have...