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ginger3130 · 08-07-2006, 07:24 AM

Are there antidepressants that are better or that don't interfere with your thyroid?

I am having some anxiety (going to have a hysterectomy) and the doc suggested an antidepressant. I don't want to slow my thyroid down any more that it already is.

I've heard that antidepressants can sometimes do that.

KBT's mom · 08-07-2006, 11:45 AM

I don't know the answer to your question, but I am curious also. I do know that several antidepressants cause people to gain weight-maybe because it has an effect on the thyroid. I have heard that Wellbutrin has the least effect on weight but I'm not sure how it reacts with the thyroid or the meds. I'm not any help but at least it's a bump.

SadFreek · 08-07-2006, 04:23 PM

my doctor knew about ssri's blocking thyroid hormone and told me that prozac actually helped bind the protein or something like that. She was a thyroid specialist and actually knew about the 3.0 range

NOLA_gal · 08-07-2006, 05:28 PM

my doctor knew about ssri's blocking thyroid hormone

Could you give me some background on this??

I have been on anti-depressants for years and hadn't heard this one. It doesn't surprise me though. My last labs showed a TSH of 4.2 and I was able to find a doctor to put me on a trial of Armour last week. The same day, she ran her own blood work which should be back in about a week.

BTW, I have been on Effexor. THat is probably one of the worst in terms of eventual withdrawal and at least for me, weight gain. My experienced but still uneducated guess is that Wellbutrin would be a good one to try.

Sharon

Intrigue50 · 08-07-2006, 08:13 PM

Check this web site for information about anti-depressants inhibiting thyroid hormone intake:

[url]http://www.tsh.org/disorders/specialmeds/bipolar_depression.html[/url]

A portion of the site says:

"Although not everyone taking thyroid hormone experiences a need for a different dose of thyroid hormone when they begin taking Zoloft, it’s common enough that your doctor should order a T4 and TSH test to evaluate your thyroid levels within a month or two of your starting Zoloft treatment. If the Zoloft has lowered your thyroid hormone level, you don’t have to stop Zoloft treatment. Rather your physician needs to increase your thyroid hormone dosage and recheck your T4 and TSH levels in a month or two to be sure the adjustment is correct. Finally, it is possible that other related anti-depressants of this type (SSRI’s or Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors) may have a similar effect on thyroid function. These include Paxil, Prozac, Celexa, and Lexapro. Effexor has some similarities to SSRI's as well and may have thyroid effects too."

Deda · 08-08-2006, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KBT's mom

I don't know the answer to your question, but I am curious also. I do know that several antidepressants cause people to gain weight-maybe because it has an effect on the thyroid. I have heard that Wellbutrin has the least effect on weight but I'm not sure how it reacts with the thyroid or the meds. I'm not any help but at least it's a bump.

The only bad thing about Wellbutrin is that it does nothing for anxiety. The shrink I see says it only helps with minor anxiety...he thinks I just need to increase my T3. (I think he's a pretty smart doc) Guess I will stay on the Wellbutrin tho, as it has helped with my depression... somewhat....and will see about increasing my Cytomel at my next endo vist.

Too bad I can't take Zoloft again...that one was great for anxiety...it virtually went completely away, and I was as happy as a lark back then! The problem with it... after I was on it a few years, I really didn't care much about anything, and also became too fearless...and that's not good. (driving up to 100 mph, and doing other risky things [went from one extreme to another])

Deda

SadFreek · 08-08-2006, 12:34 AM

Forgot about Zoloft

Told her Zoloft made me SO tired, WAY more than usual (biggest problem in me) and she said its because of the SSRI thing mentioned above.

And it makes sense..

sudufu · 08-08-2006, 08:12 AM

Zoloft & Synthroid was a near deadly combination for me. I'm told that anti-d's & thy meds can bring out the worst or best in each other. think that is the SSRI's working or not

For me, having a thy med WITH t3's is crucial to how I feel. 2 days after starting Armour, I felt the old me

lurking under the surfuce. Last 4 months, I've been on Cytomel (t3 only med) & I honestly feel like B-I-G missing part of my bodies chemistry has been replaced. Have *NOT* taken any anti-d's for 3+ months and feel wonderful psychologically.

Seriously, read about the effects that Cytomel CAN have on psych:

[url]http://www.remedyfind.com/treatments/24/1873/[/url]
[url]http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/G171.htm[/url]

take good care,
Sue

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