Herbs for depression

[Scazzoh]

I would like to take a herbal anti-depressant for a while. I am on 75 mcg levo at the moment. Does anyone have any advice on a good herb and any counter indications for levo? I have heard taking St. John's Wort can be a bit tricky.

[NatChap]

Yes, I took St Johns Wort a few years ago and it gave me palpitations so be careful x

[Pastille in reply to NatChap]

St John's Wort can also interfere with the contraceptive pill. Ashwaghanda seems to be the way to go A lot use 5HTP with success but this can't be used with any other anti-depressants

[humanbean in reply to Pastille]

Anti-depressants of any kind can't be mixed with any other kind of anti-depressant. It isn't something that just applies to 5-HTP. So people couldn't take Prozac (an SSRI) and Cymbalta (an SNRI) together, for example.

For a list of drugs which shouldn't be mixed with others, see this list :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serot...

The problem is with anything that can affect serotonin. If people took multiple drugs which affected serotonin they could suffer with Serotonin Syndrome which is a potentially fatal condition.

Doctors rarely check for interactions between drugs (in my experience). I wonder how many people are taking a high dose anti-depressant, an SSRI for example, and are also prescribed high doses of Tramadol for pain? I bet there are loads. And I wonder how many of them get side effects that are actually caused by a low level attack of serotonin syndrome, are told their symptoms are side effects of the drugs they are taking, and that they will "adjust" as they get accustomed to the drugs?

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I should add that I take 50mg 5-HTP every night and have found it to be life-changing. I still have bad days, black days, depressed days, but they occur rarely these days.

[Scazzoh in reply to humanbean]

I am not taking any other drugs apart from levo at the moment. Hoping to add some T3 in soon.

[Scazzoh in reply to Pastille]

Thanks. Contraceptive pill not an issue, for once!

[Scazzoh in reply to NatChap]

Thanks Nat Chap, I think I'll give that one a miss.

[Marz]

Are your thyroid results OPTIMAL ? What is your FT3 result - with range if you have it. T3 was used in the early days to treat low mood and more - so your T3 level is of a huge importance. Also - what is your B12 level ?

Ooops ! - just read an earlier thread of yours and can see that the FT3 is low in the range. Have you been able to add in some T3 - am sure that would make you feel better ....

[Scazzoh in reply to Marz]

Endo has just decided to 'recommend' T3, although he doesn't think it 'will have a significant effect'. How to be encouraging and supportive - not! Latest B12 609(223-1132), after supplementing so better.

[Marz in reply to Scazzoh]

Once you are supplementing - the B12 test is of little or no value - this is stated in the Guidelines for B12 and Folate Deficiency. Something your GP should have read

What was your dose of B12 ?

[Josiesmum]

I would investigate the root cause such as nutrient deficiencies. Have you tried going gluten free? Made a huge difference to my daughter's depression.

[Scazzoh in reply to Josiesmum]

Hi Josiesmum, I cut out gluten a few months ago, but I have been so ill with the levo dose being messed about with that, to be honest, I haven't noticed any difference. Hopefully when I get my T3 (yesssss!) and things settle down, I might feel an improvement. At least it will stop those pesky antibodies having a large picnic at my expense!

[radd]

Scazzoh,

Depression is simply awful and can be caused by low thyroid hormone, especially T3.

You appear to have had anxiety & adrenal troubles ( join the club ! ! .. ) but are supplementing well. Your last lot of bloods show a TSH of 1.9 which for many is too high.

If you are still medicating T4 only, adding T3 may help to raise your low levels and alleviate depression. The selenium you are supplementing with help with thyroid hormone conversion and production but you may need zinc as well. Ask your doctor to test.

Also Vit B12 is too low. Many members use methylcobalamin which is an easier form to absorb. Continue with a B complex to balance. Folate & Vit D are fine.

Address any gut issues so all supplements and healthy foods are actually absorbed. Much thyroid hormone conversion takes place in the gut. Also there is much research atm regarding probiotics addressing depression and mental issues.

I found supplementing 5-HTP enormously helpful inducing a calmness which helped with sleep issues.

.

kellybroganmd.com/probiotic...

[Scazzoh in reply to radd]

Hi Rad, the Endo I am seeing has finally agreed to recommend some T3. I agree that TSH is too high and I think T3 is far too low. I guess the next stage is to see if my GP agrees. Zinc and ferritin have been on my 'to do' list for a while. I stated taking B12 cobalamin (1000 mcgs per day) and was retested in april - result 609 (range 223 - 1132), which is better. Am taking herbs for gut issues too. Again, on the 'to do' list to see a nutritionist. Will try some 5-HTP. Thanks.

[radd in reply to Scazzoh]

Scazzoh,

Cobalamin is converted to methylcobalamin, the active form of B12.

Methylcobalamin is a less stable supplement (although much easier to utilise) so needs GREATER amounts to achieve and maintain adequate vitamin B12 levels ..... usually 10 to 40 times more than Cyanocobalamin.

The usual recommendation for Cyanocobalamin is 25 to 100 micrograms per day. The usual recommendation for Methylcobalamin is 1,000 micrograms per day.

If you taking Cobalamin at 1000 mcgs per day this might be too much and not so easily excreted by the body.

GOOD your levels are rising though. ! ! ... ... ... & GREAT news re T3 ... yay ! ! ! ..

[Scazzoh in reply to radd]

Sorry, my mistake - thyroid brain. I am taking 1000 mcgs methylcobalamin per day - the Jarrow chewable one.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to radd]

Radd, that's interesting about the different dose of cyano versus methyl. Can you please point me at where this info came from?

[radd in reply to RedApple]

I can't remember RA but would guess the MTHFR website run by Ben Lynch. I'll post if I later come across source.

mthfr.net

[SohanFrankyy]

I tried SJW and dint work at all.

[Scazzoh in reply to SohanFrankyy]

Will give that one a miss

[RedApple Administrator]

St Johns Wort is contraindicated with thyroxine.

See the patient information leaflet on Holland & Barrett. There's a long list beginning Do not take St. John’s Wort if you are using any of the following medicines: and the last one is thyroid hormone.

images.hollandandbarrettima...

[Angel_of_the_North]

You need t know which neurochemicals you are deficient in. if you have enough (or too much serotonin) St Johns Wort (and 5-HTP) can make you feel really bad.

You might find this useful: balancingbrainchemistry.co....

[Scazzoh in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks Angel.

[Anthea55]

From the ThyroidUK website - adverse effects of drugs, chemicals and foods

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

And this page mentions St John's Wort

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

[BadHare]

Look up 5-HTP, which is griffonia seed extract.

[Scazzoh]

Thanks everyone. Really appreciate the advice and support.

[Rhsana]

My Dr. suggested L-Tryptophan Peptide (2 30 mins before bed) and Ashwagandha 1 in the am and 1 in the afternoon.