Off the happy pills: Hi so it’s two weeks since I... - Thyroid UK

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Off the happy pills

crmavb profile image
9 Replies

Hi so it’s two weeks since I took any citalopram. I weened down from 20mg to 2.5 before stopping. Mentally and emotionally I’m good. But I have bad lower back pain that’s constant, I get up slowly from sitting so I don’t make it worse.

Also my digestive system is bad. Excessive flatulence if I eat any dairy I’m suspecting and my number 2’s are not formed, which makes it hard to clean.

I suspect AIP diet to be one answer. I’m wondering if I need to increase my medication in the meantime. Otherwise it will be paracetamol and codiene if I don’t see a difference.

90% of Seratonin is made in the gut so it’s not surprising to have these problems. Would supplementing with sam-e, 5htp or tryptophan hep ? Thank you

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crmavb profile image
crmavb

Yes I’ve got hashimotos. Dr prescribes 75 mcg levo which I don’t take. Instead I take 2 grains thyroid S daily, and 12.5mcg T3 as and when.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affects Thyroid hormone working

It's likely that you need to retest thyroid levels.

We need to take the same dose everyday, not add a bit extra now and then.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

Low stomach acid can be an issue

Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

crmavb profile image
crmavb in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you for your reply. It isn't easy splitting a tiny T3 25mcg into 4 but that's possibly what I need to do. Sometimes when I take 12.5 mcg I will notice my pusle rate is increased or I find it harder to sleep. However coming off antidepressants can cause insomnia too.

Thank you for all the references, I will go through those. I am gluten free. I find probiotics and water kefir give me a huge histamine response and I have the runs. But the apple cider vinegar might be a good thing to include. I was having half a juiced lemon with water as my first hot drink daily.

Bone broth is not easy to get right. I'm so put off when I make lots of effort to make something and it tastes disgusting. But I know that there is good healing there. Also I have L-glutamine powder which is less inviting to take than the capsules. I even have the betaine hcl capsules which I could be taking, thank you for the reminder.

Sometimes we so much want to be normal that we do as little of the things that will help us so we don't appear strange and yet if we did all the extra things to help our condition we would stand more chance of actually being 'normal'.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tocrmavb

I use a very sharp scalpel to cut up T3. Its pretty accurate (most of the time!)

Insomnia may be linked to low vitamin D and B vitamins (both common when hashi)

drgominak.com/sleep/vitamin...

crmavb profile image
crmavb in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you, it would make sense to acquire one of those. I'm unlikely to be Vitamin D deficient as I take 30 000 iu daily

I was told to only take B vitamins that were needed so I currently take Vitamin B 1, 6 and 12.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply tocrmavb

Personally I take a B complex as it keeps all the B vitamins balanced.

This article suggests B5 is important

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply tocrmavb

Crmavb,

You are likely to have toxic vitD levels if you have been taking 30,000iu daily for more than a couple of weeks. You should retest and adjust your dose accordingly.

Charliebrowne profile image
Charliebrowne in reply toClutter

Than you, it has been less than a week at that dose. I used to be regular 10 000 iu a day but I became irregular at taught it. I wanted to make up. Plus I saw a post that said with hashimotos you need at least 20 000 iu daily .

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toCharliebrowne

Charliebrowne,

Hashimoto's doesn't affect whether or not you need vitamin D. It's your vitamin D level which determines how much you need. You should have a vitamin D test to determine whether you need to supplement and, if you do, how much. Doses of 10,000iu daily can lead to toxicity.

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