have underactive thyroid and bipolar , take lit... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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have underactive thyroid and bipolar , take lithium for this . on 75mg of thyroxin. waiting for scan as have 6m swelling. can anyone help

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4 Replies

Hi. Do you mean you have an enlarged/swollen thyroid gland? (goitre).

Lithium is an important medication but it does interfere with thyroid function and a very high proportion of patients on lithium require levothyroxine tablets. A thyroid scan can help to differentiate between the different types of enlargement - this can guide treatment.

What would you like to know?

in reply to

I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid last april and started on thyroxin then at 25mg , my levels keep rising so dose was raised to 50mg then this week to 75mg. gp said its a goitre , its been there for about 3 months causes me sore throat , hard to swallow and I just feel tired all the time. my blood lithium levels are elevated too. nothings been explained to me about the thyroid problem , also been told I will probably have to see a surgeon after I have had the scan . bloods being taken again in 8 weeks . thanks for replying .

janiebell profile image
janiebell

Do you have hashimotos?? I don't in any way wish to tell you that you do not have bipolar as it is a serious condition which requires medication but there is a link with hashi and the thyroid swings between under active and over active mimicking symptoms of bipolar. My sister is currently investigating this herself with her endo as we all have hashi and she is also on meds for bipolar. I tried to post a link here but failed miserably! Just put in hashi and bipolar into google and lots comes up.

in reply to janiebell

thanks I will look into this . its interesting .

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