Hi guys. I was hoping to aquire some advice. I did some reading at it was advised that levothyroxine and setraline ( antidepressant) are not good together. Does anyone gave any advice or experience of this. I would appreciate any info.
Many thanx Minnie2512
I take them both, and so far not had any issues
I was told by the GP that it can lower T3 levels. That was the excuse given for me feeling so rubbish. It took me going back through my bloods to show that my T3 levels have always been low.
A pharmacist could probably answer that question. Did the doctor who prescribed them know about both meds?
I took a combo of NDT, a small dose of levo and also sertraline for five years or so; now on NDT and sertraline. My FT3 and FT4 were always low in range, but I'm inclined to blame the NDT dosing. I usually take thyroid meds in am/early afternoon, and sertraline at bedtime.
I've spent several years weaning down the sertraline, so now my sertraline dose is really low. I've got two years to go in my taper.
Depression can be due to being hypothyroid
Getting thyroid adequately treated should help improve depression
Presumably you are only on starter dose of 50mcg Levothyroxine still?
Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change
Slow dose increase in Levothyroxine in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and antibodies if not been done
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine
I take both. Levothyroxine in the morning and Sertraline mid afternoon. I am fine with no side effects.
Sertraline can have an effect on your absorption of B vitamins & folate levels from food. If levels of b12 & folate were low prior to taking Sertraline, not only could this have been the cause of your depression but levels may now be much lower and also be the cause of the pain and nausea you're feeling.
kellybroganmd.com/4-things-...
Maybe this website is helpful - lots of good information. Newsletters available - also books 
In your last post a month ago you said you had CFS and fibromyalgia and that you were on 50mcg of Levo. 50mcg is a starter dose. Has your doctor tried raising your levothyroxine dose before prescribing antidepressants? As SlowDragon says, feeling low is a symptom of hypothyroidism.
Hi. Thanks for responding. I was on Setraline first. Had anti depressants for about 20 years. As I have bad depression and anxiety off and on. Doc advised my thyroid levels are back to normal after blood test a few weeks ago but the fatigue is still horrendeous.
Hi, I did a search and here's a thread someone started about a year ago: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Hypothyroidism can be a cause or contributor to depression, so you will hopefully find you feel better mentally as well.
However, many medications interfere with absorption of Levo, so don't take the two at the same time. Some foods and medications need 4 hours before taking anything else.
The thread will have more information anyway.
Hope that helps x
Hi. Thank you. I need my anti depressants though. As my depressions really bad. I nose dive quickly every time i try to come off them. Anxiety, not sleeping, cannot eat. Mood swings....
Low TSH on no meds - should I be concerned or not?
Advice please - taking T3 meds at the same time at Levothyroxine meds
Levothyroxine, interference from other meds.
Coming off my meds Levothyroxine completely 
