Levothyroxine and Sertraline

[GardenerSue]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 16 years ago and over the years my dose of Levothyroxine has increased to 225mcg daily with the support of a consultant. 4 years ago I was prescribed 50mg of Sertraline by my GP to try and control menopausal night sweats the result of coming off HRT. I have been feeling ' hypo' again, over the last 6 months and looking at my blood test results the latest in November my T4 has now reduced to 17.5 lower than the level the consultant was happy for me to function at. I function at a high level T4. The T4 has been reducing over the time I've been taking the Sertaline, could this drug be causing this? Advice please as I am once again having a battle with the GP practice who will not increase my thyroxine and appear to have no other suggestions.

[ROADBLOCK78]

I can not take HRT, but have found out quite by accident, that my Sciatica meds PREGABALIN, can help control night sweats, and hot flushes. I understand that GABAPENTIN, does the same. Hope this helps you. Please see your Doctor, to be put on these meds. XXXX.

[Marz in reply to ROADBLOCK78]

..aren't they addictive ? Surely better to find the root cause of the extra heat - as the thyroid is our thermostat it would be better to find optimal treatment. B12 injections help my sciatic pain

[Marz]

It is more important to know your FT3 result as you may not be converting your good levels of T4. Do you have anti-bodies ?

[GardenerSue in reply to Marz]

No idea if I have any antibodies. As for the FT3 they don't test that routinely!

[Marz in reply to GardenerSue]

... that's why I suggested the Home Testing Kit sent out by Blue Horizon via Thyroid UK - see post lower down !

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

That way you can have the Full Profile tested - TSH - FT4 - FT3 and the Thyroid Anti-bodies - TPO and Tg. If negative then you can rule out Hashimotos. The suggested test also checks levels of Ferritin - folate - B12 - VitD. So very worthwhile to get the whole picture ....

[GardenerSue in reply to Marz]

Thank you when I contact the consultant's secretary I'll establish which test results they'd like to see and go from there.

[Marz in reply to GardenerSue]

Good idea. I have been on this forum since 2011 and read 100's of posts - sadly for many cases only the TSH and the FT4 are considered of importance. They are only part of the story and tell you very little about what is really going on. The T3 is the ACTIVE thyroid hormone and needed in every cell of your body - unlike the T4 which is a storage hormone with a teeny role to play in the body.

T3 is rarely tested - even at consultant level. Now we read daily that they are stopping the prescribing of T3 due to cost.

Members here usually suggest you ask for what you want - rather than let them leave you unwell by not testing adequately. Taking control is key

Anti-bodies - I would not neglect that test. Important to know if you have auto-immune disease. Also they will not be interested in the Vitamins and Minerals I suggested.

So even if your consultant does not want the tests I suggested - I would have them done for your own sake and wellbeing.

Hope all goes well ....

I am not a medic - you can click onto my name and read my Profile - only a couple of minutes

[GardenerSue]

It will be interesting to see what result I get when I request a full thyroid spectrum blood test!

[GardenerSue]

I appreciate your comment but trying to get the GP to agree to a full spectrum Throid function test is going to be interesting. They seem only to offer the TSH and T4 option.

[Marz in reply to GardenerSue]

Could you do a Home Test through Blue Horizon ? Details on the main website ...

thyroiduk.co.uk

Thyroid 11 seems to be mentioned lots 😊

[GardenerSue]

Something I might look into. I'm now 4 years further on re menopause so the night sweats might not be as troublesome now.