Setraline

[Suzanneharb]

Me again!

My psychiatrist has recommended setraline for me. Not for depression, but to help me battle my eating disorder (it's commonly prescribed to fight the e.d thought and feelings).

Setraline can impact thyroid levels, so should I up my dose when I start to take the setraline, or just get regular Ft3/Ft4 tests? I'll only be on a small dose of setraline, but I'm terrified of messing my thyroid up (which is in such a good place right now).

[shaws Administrator]

I agree with Hidden 's advice.

[Hedgeree]

Ah! I didn't know that Sertraline affects your thyroid; I've been taking a high dose for many years.

I am new to thyroid problems and currently trying to get my gp to take my symptoms and blood test results seriously.

Think I've got more research and reading to do.

Best wishes.

[Lalatoot in reply to Hedgeree]

Sertraline doesn't affect your thyroid but it can affect the absorption of thyroid medication.Sertraline affects serotonin and 90% of serotonin is in the gut. So it can alter gut function which in turn may reduce the effectiveness of oral medication.

It can mean that you need to take a higher dose of thyroid hormones than previously.

[Hedgeree in reply to Lalatoot]

Hi Lalatoot,

Thankyou for the concise explanation; I have lots to learn about the thyroid gland.

It's something for me to take into consideration if I have to take thyroid hormones, as I've been taking the maximum dose of Sertraline for many years and other SSRI's previous to that.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

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

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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Suzanneharb]

Thanks! Yes, good idea. I'll order a test this week, before taking the setraline. Then every 6 weeks until my dose is stable.