The antidepressant has reduced my fT4...

[adin]

I've been out of here for a while but in the meantime my doc. has prescribed me antidepressants. I've been around for almost a year since I took Cipralex (escitalopram), for starters I was on 10mg and for about two months I take 5mg in the evening and the levothyroxine(125mcg) + 12,5T3 first in the morning. I feel pretty good on it, no anxiety&depression, no insomnia but ;

- Now, my problem is I noticed that the ft4 value dropped from 21 to 15 (12-22), the levo +t3 doses being the same and I gained a few kilos (the most disturbing problem for me). I tried to increase the levo dose but did'it not help me. Currently I can not remove the Cipralex from the mix.

What I did wrong, how can i fix it. Any suggestion is welcomed, thank you.

[shaws Administrator]

You've done nothing wrong. Depression is a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism when we aren't given sufficient to convert to T3.

You should have a Free T3 and Free T4 blood test privately if doctor will not do these.

The test should be at the earliest, fasting and a 24 hour gap between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

We have two private labs which will do these and I'll give you a link - just in case.

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

Depression is a clinical symptom of hypo so therefore needs sufficient to relieve symptoms, mainly low T3 I believe (and I'm not medically qualified).

hypothyroidmom.com/the-trut...

hotzehwc.com/2017/05/do-i-r...

[Clutter]

Adin,

FT4 level has probably dropped from 21 because you have added T3 to Levothyroxine. If FT3 level is good it doesn't matter that FT4 is lower. What is your FT3 result and range?

[adin in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter for advices. Before I taking T3, fT3 level was 4,3(3,8-6,4) and after few weeks on T3 combo fT3 level increased to 4,9, but the main problem since I taking cipralex, my belly is swelled like a fish balloon.

[Clutter in reply to adin]

Adin,

There is scope to increase T3 dose to raise FT3 if you are still symptomatic.

If you think Cipralex has caused bloating and swelling ask your GP to switch you to an alternative antidepressant.