too young for hypothyroidism!

[6060842]

hello,

it's me again with another kvetch about my thyroid trouble.  i've been taking lithium for years, so it's probably the culprit.  ideally, i'd rather d/c my lithium, have my thyroid problems resolve completely, and, if necessary, take a different mood stabilizer instead of lithium such as Lamictal.

but i've heard from some doctors this doesn't always happen, some say it usually doesn't, still others say don't count on it at all--we would rather have you take lithium plus synthroid rather than screw around with other options.

my question is how many people become euthyroid again after d/c'ing their lithium if indeed their hypothyroidism was caused by lithium in the first place.  

i am in my early 40s, male, and feel a bit too young to be having a physical condition like thyroid in addition to my other issues which require a couple psychotropics, i.e., i want to minimize my pill-taking!

THANKS for your stats!  :)

[JKenton]

I don't know what young feels like.

When I was 20 I used to wonder "If I feel like this and I'm only 20 then how am I going to feel when I'm 30?"

Answer: Like I need hip surgery.

[Nat_16]

I just wanted to say I agree with Totie, I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I am only 19!!  Thyroid problems definately do not discriminate especially not based on age!!!  Apparently one is never too young.  

[6060842]

when a pt. D/Cs lithium, is there ANY chance of becoming euthyroid anytime soon?

what are the odds?

THANKS

FourGalore

[Totie]

Just wanted to say that thyroid issues do not discriminate..I still get asked if I took lithium or have ever lived somewhere in Russia. No to both...

I was 23yrs old. Had the radiation & TT. i ended up having graves/hyper/goiter.

[6060842]

thanks, gimel, for a most intelligent, informative, and expeditious reply.

[gimel]

Back to my first question?  Which problem showed up came first?  Were you ever diagnosed as having a thyroid problem before starting on lithium?  If so, it's always a good idea to get a copy of the lab report for future reference.  The doctor is required to give you a copy upon request.  If that is the case, were you tested for other than TSH?  

TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is totally inadequate as a diagnostic for thyroid status.  At best it is an indicator, to be considered along with other, more important indicators such as symptoms and levels of the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones FT3 and FT4  (not to be confused with total T3 and total T4).  Symptom relief should be all important, not TSH level.

Can't answer your question about becoming euthyroid again after d/c lithium.  Will have to do some web surfing to understand the mechanism by which lithium can cause hypothyroidism.  Maybe other members can provide some insight here.

[6060842]

gosh, gimel, i don't know the numbers.  all i want is to stop taking lithium, find an adequate substitute, even if it's a benzo chronically, and see my TSH go back to within normal limits like it was a year ago (TSH was about 5, not bad).

[gimel]

So which came first, the chicken or the egg?  In other words, did your lithium cause the low thyroid problem, or did you have a thyroid problem that has caused the problems requiring you to take lithium?  Hypothyroidism has a well known link with depression, so it's an interesting question..

Could you please post whatever thyroid test results and reference ranges you have, so that members can provide the best response?