Amitriptyline and levothyroxine

[grainne_foss]

Is anyone else on this drug combo ...i take amitriptyline for my fibromyalga and just been put on low dose of levo for hypothyroid. Asked doc should i stop fibro meds and he said not to but its listed on the levothyroxine sheet as one meds it will interact with. Concerned

[Marz]

I would think that as you have had Thyroid anti-bodies for so many years without treatment - that your diagnosis of fibromyalgia was more than likely misplaced. So now you are at last on Levo - I would consider winding down the amitriptyline if possible. As you increase the Levo you should begin to feel better. You need good T3 levels too.

Have you had the Ferritin - B12 - Folate - VitD tested ?? They all need to be optimal for the Levo to work well and for you to be pain free.

[grainne_foss in reply to Marz]

No have not had them done yet ..but intend to get them done

[Marz in reply to grainne_foss]

That should help you greatly. Is your GP in agreement to the required tests ? if not you could go Private though Thyroid UK - which I think I have mentioned before ....

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[grainne_foss in reply to Marz]

Yes you did and when i have funds gonna go private gp will not agree to other tests. Said dont do them

[Marz in reply to grainne_foss]

That simply is not true. What a shame he is not co-operating with your wish to be healthy and yet he is happy to prescribe amytriptyline - what a scandal ....

[grainne_foss in reply to Marz]

Anything to save money ...red tape etc.

[shaws Administrator in reply to grainne_foss]

The can prescribe any medication for the clinical symptoms (depression, fibromyalgia etc) but not the essential thyroid hormones as they are told NOT to diagnose until TSH is 10.

[bluebug in reply to grainne_foss]

Are you extremely fatigued so you are inside all the time during the day? Do you have muscle and/or joint and/or bone pain? The pain doesn't have to be specific and can be anywhere in the body.

If yes then you fall into one of the categories for your vitamin D level to be tested by the NHS.

There is loads of stuff in the media about this and you can search the NICE guidelines yourself. In addition thyroid UK - this forum's owners - is one of the charities recognised on NHS choices and recommends that those who are found to suffer from hypothyroidism should have their vitamin D levels tested as well.

When you see your GP next you need to tell him/her all this and request a vitamin D test AGAIN.

With some GPs you need to show that you know what you are talking about as if you do you are likely to be a patient who complains about them.

[grainne_foss in reply to bluebug]

Thank you all ...and yes i have lot of pain in my muscles/Joints. I have extreme fatigue also ..these where put down as fibromyalga. Guess i have to do more pushing ...they already dread me coming to them lol

[Hidden]

I have taken Amitriptyline and Levo for 1.5 years and no probs. Amo at 7pm and Levo at midnight. But we are all different. Take care x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Read the question/answer on the following. Go to the date September 24, 2002 although the whole page might be helpful:

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[KayHearn]

I have been prescribed both these medications at the same time too. I stopped the Amitriptyline because i become very anxious and became very touchy i was like a loose cannon. I spoke to a pharmacist where i work and they stated that it has been mentioned that those 2 medications should not be taken together as it can stop the Levothyroxine from working and reverse what they thyroxine does i think this was the case in my situation. However it may be different for you but my own personal opinion i would not take them together again. It may be worth getting a second opinion if you don't feel comfortable.

[Betiboo69]

I am on 10mg of amatriptiline. After 3 weeks of sleeping great i need to take 30 and fall asleep after about two hrs but still wake about 3 am. Im on Levo for underactive thyroid also at 75 .

So far ive not had any change in fatigue or energy levels .

Xx

[Betiboo69]

I am also on 800 iu of vitamin D xx

[Rhiansmama]

I'm on both of these plus more and so far ( last 2 yrs) not had a problem at all, I have the amitriptalyne for migraine, fibro and insomnia. My dr did try to avoid mixing them to start but nothing else he gave me helped. I think it depends on the individual and I don't take them at the same time as my pharmacist advised to avoid any interaction

[shaws Administrator]

Two essential links for you. The following link is by a Researcher/Scientist/doctor who died through an accident. He was Director of the Fibromyalgia Research Foundation.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

Go to the date September 24, 2002 on this one re Amitriptyline although the whole page might be helpful:

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

When we are diagnosed, it is a whole new learning system I'm afraid as doctors have lost the capability to know/acknowledge clinical symptoms and only go by the TSH it would seem. In other countries they prescribe if the TSH is 3 or above. In the UK it is 10 so someone will have developed quite a few disabling symptoms by then.

[Sausage_Dog]

I tried ami with levo but for me ami didn't suit. I couldn't think properly the next day

[Glynisrose]

Amytriptalin is an anti -deppressant and as such will cancel out your thyroxine.

[lelin]

Dear Sir/Madam,

Have your doctor ever checked vit D?

Have your doctor ever checked thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO)?

Yours sincerely.

Ismael.