Gabapentin

[Roshy2020]

I have been on Gabapentin for about 3 years due to sleep issues and i read on here somewhere thhat it could cause Hypothyroidism. I have just been diagnosed with it through a Natropath through a full panel blood test, heart rate and body temperature. Has anybody else had the same thing happen due to Gabapentin?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested to see if the cause is autoimmune thyroid disease rather than side effect of Gabapentin

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

Low vitamin D linked to insomnia

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Are you now on levothyroxine?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose 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)

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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

[MichelleHarris]

Hi Roshy2020, me too! I didnt know the link until Ive just googled it. Thanks for the alert x

[MichelleHarris]

I found several recent links warning after researching Roshy’s question and a meta analysis concluding that there is a link. I would appreciate you having a look as I’m not educated to university standard and my comprehension isn’t good either x

[MichelleHarris in reply to MichelleHarris]

Effects of antiepileptic drug on thyroid hormones in patients with epilepsy: A meta-analysis. Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, No. 88, Jiefang Road, Hangzhou 310009, China. Sept. 2016

[MichelleHarris]

I have both against me 😂 x

I thought a meta analysis was lots of research studies but as I say I dont know x

[MichelleHarris]

My hair was so thick and curly - to be honest its been an advantage losing some! The only one. Think its stopped now though and my eyebrows and toenails have grown back 😁. I’m Lactose intolerant and put on 20kgs ( lost 15) so its Gin for me 😂x