AUGMENTATION OF LEVO WITH ANTIDEPRESSANTS

[Kisca]

Hello everyone x

I'm at my wit's end with a constant low mood, I feel a shadow of my former self 😔

I have Hashimotos and received some great advice on here over a month ago on how I could improve my vitamins a little more.

My question is are there any members on here who's blood results and vitamins were looking ok but still felt depressed and did you try adding Levo to your antidepressants to see if it lifted your mood more?

Please see my bloods attached (I hope you can see them ok).

I'm on Venlafaxine 187.5mg but I don't want to go higher because I don't think they are doing anything! Is my T3 / T4 ok on my results?

Would I benefit from a small dose of armour that has T3 in it?

I'm really lost I'm not sure what to do.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Best wishes , Kelly

[radd]

Kisca,

I am sorry you are feeling so bad. Depression and hypothyroidism are closely linked when deficient thyroid hormones levels are inadequately replaced. I assume you are still not medicating, so it is a case of what is causing what.

Various antidepressants work slightly differently and it maybe another would suit you better, and replacing missing thyroid hormones might help because yours are low. FT4 is 15% through range & FT3 is 32% and these will drop lower as Hashi progresses.

However, the problems with prescribed antidepressants is they alter the way thyroid physiology works, and encourages Levothyroxine to work less effectively. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take it and your results indicate you are a good converter so adding just T4 should raise both hormones and would hopefully make you feel better. You just need to be mindful.

You have done well to address iron & nutrient deficiencies. Have you also addressed any gut problems as having these deficiencies would indicate gut absorption issues. There is thought that bettering gut health can improve depression. Also a percentage of thyroid hormone conversion takes place in the gut. If you are up for it, try reading The Microbiome Solution by Robynne Chutkan. It’s fascinating.

If this were me I would be looking into adding some Levo, but also having sex hormones tested as you previously said you were perimenopausal and I experienced terribly intense low mood/depression with O & P deficiencies.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Kisca in reply to radd]

radd thank you for taking the time to read my post I am very very grateful xx

[Kisca in reply to Kisca]

radd I'm not medicating other than this horrible antidepressant I'm on . It's just masking the root cause really . I just feel so flat it's awful.....ive never been on Levo and I'm just wondering this could be the key to me feeling abit better at least xx

[radd in reply to Kisca]

Yes kisca,

What I was trying to say was if you do medicate Levo (& I think it essential that you do replace missing hormones) be mindful that it may not lift the depression as much as you hoped because of the effect the AD’s will be having on meds.

It's great you are being proactive in trying to get better and following additional routes to help relieve the depression may enable you to reduce AD’s when you feel able. AD’s have become your crutch and it is important not to suddenly withdraw but having a positive plan will give a positive foresight to your future.

Oestrogen has huge influence on emotions (think of PMT, baby blues, etc) so is just another area to explore whilst knowing there will be an answer somewhere 🤗.

[Polly91]

So does this mean you are not taking any thyroid replacement at all?A small amount might make a difference however your GP may not be willing to prescribe as your TSH is fine and they unfortunately go by that largely. Even though your T4 is at the lower end the GP is unlikely to prescribe you thyroid hormone ie Thyroxine.

You could try a small amount of a glandular but it’s safer to do this under the care of a practitioner. Or try improving gut flora - loads of evidence on the gut brain connection and Radd’s advice is excellent.

[Kisca]

Thank you Polly91 xxNo I'm on no medication....I'm thinking maybe Armour might be worth a try but under a doctor of course xx

[Kisca]

radd raddraddraddraddradraddraddraddraMay I ask if you went private regarding your estrogen or did you try HRT from your GP.....do GPS do bio identical hormones?

Thank you so much 🥰

[radd in reply to Kisca]

Kisca,

They are now called 'body-identical' hormones to differentiate them from the unregulated bio-identical.

Yes, I had a private endo who had been suggesting body-identical HRT for about 8 months before I succumbed. Honestly, the best thing I ever did as not only alleviated depression but gave back a little of my youth & vigour 😁. Endo asked my GP to prescribe and I have been on it ever since.

I think body identical is what most GP's prescribe now as cancer risks are lower.

[Kisca]

radd thank you again 👍I wonder if my doctor might give me some if I ask on NHS I can be but hopeful 🤣

I'm just wondering if that's the best route for now as hormonal therapy helps everything to work doesn't it 🤔 xx

[radd in reply to Kisca]

kisca,

Only if you are deficient!

Play on menopause symptoms & ask if GP can test sex hormones.

[Kisca]

Ok 👍👍 xx