Meds help

[paul1978]

Hi all

I have no thyroid due to cancer

I am taking 200 Levo per day

Dr has put me on sertraline anti Depressants

How long after taking my Levo can I take the anti d ?

Thanks

[shaws Administrator]

I am not medically qualified and I should not recommend you don't take the antidepressants as it has been found that many who do not have any thyroid gland at all feel best with a combination of T4 (levothyroxine and inactive which has to convert to T3) and T3. Quite a number of Researchers have come to the same conclusion.

Some cannot convert levothyroxine into sufficient T3.

Before you start I would advise you get a Free T4 and Free T3 blood test. It should be at the very earliest and fasting and also allow a gap of 24 hours between levo and test and take afterwards.

On this forum it has been found that so very often - instead of increase in hormones or addition of one that the professionals are apt to 'treat the symptom' and don't seem aware of all of the symptoms we can get when not optimally prescribed.

You will see how many on the following that T4/T3 is recommended.

google.com/search?client=fi...

So, our 'clinical symptoms should be treated with thyroid hormones that help resolve them. Unfortunately we have to find out the hard way ourselves.

I will repeat that I'm not medically qualified but had to learn the hard way that doctors don't - and even some Endocrinologists - help us to recover and concentrate on a TSH alone - which should be 1 or lower - not somewhere in the range.

He/she should also check B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.

All blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the very earliest - fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards. This keeps our TSH at its highest and may prevent an unnecessary reduction in your dose. Always get a print-out of your results, with the ranges for your own records and post if you have a query.

[boru in reply to shaws]

I concur completely. Be very very wary of taking sertraline before you’ve absolutely exhausted getting your thyroid levels thoroughly assessed and at least tried a t3/t4 combo or t3 on its own. Depression could be all down to thyroid and it’s very difficult for anyone and their family to deal with someone coming off of sertraline. It’s so bad that many people give up on coming off it.

Vitamin D3 levels should be checked too, along with folate and b12 and you want to be OPTIMAL.. iron as well. These can also cause low mood if not optimal.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Anyone considering taking SSRIs should read this article by a mainstream UK psychiatrist: davidhealy.org/making-medic...

[shaws Administrator in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks for link. Quite scary.

[Hidden]

Please do not start on anti depressants what you required is a good GP.

[MiniMum97]

Hey Paul Why has your GP put you on anti depressants? I have sensed from your previous posts that you may be struggling emotionally is that right?

I don’t know of any direct contraindication with anti depressants and levo but I would take them at least 4 hrs apart just in case. I take my levo in the morning and anti depressant at night.

If you have having symptoms of depression and anxiety what other posters are alluding to is that these may well pass when you are optimally medicated as depression and anxiety are a symptom of hypothyroidism. If you can stick it out until your thyroid meds are at the right level then this may be worth considering rather than adding another med into the mix (with poss side effects) which you may only need temporarily and which may cause withdrawal symptoms if you want to come off them (less likely the shorter time you are on them).

If you are really struggling and can’t wait for this then they may provide a support while you get your thyroid meds right. Bear in kind though that anti depressants take at lest a couple of weeks to start working and you may have to try a few to find the right ones anyway. It took me about 6-8 weeks for example to find the right med at the right dose.

A lot of people on this forum are very anti anti-ds (and I understand why as many doctors can try and palm people off on anti Ds when their issue is a physical, not a mental, one) but I am not one of them, they literally saved my life. However there are pros and cons (risks and benefits) and only you can make a decision as to whether they are right for you at the present time.

Remember also that your GP should be able to refer to other means of support such as talking therapies if you would prefer this. However this is also not a quick fix unfortunately as waiting lists tend to be long.

For more immediate counselling type support you can call the Samaritans for someone to talk to (you don’t need to be suicidal). If you work your workplace may also have an Employee Assistance Programme which often include some type of counselling which can be accessed more quickly than through the NHS.

I hope this is helpful.

Best of luck.

[paul1978 in reply to MiniMum97]

Thanks you x