Levothyroxine and depression

can levothyroxine cause my extreme daytime depression which then lifts in the evening?

[greygoose]

I wouldn't think so, no. For one thing, the levo you took in the morning is still there in the evening. But it could be that your cortisol is low in the morning, caused by adrenal fatigue. Adrenals and thyroids work hand in hand. Have you had your cortisol tested at all?

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

thank you for your reply. No I haven't had my cortisol levels checked. I can't get through to my GP literally or figuratively so do you know where I could get it done privately?

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Lists of companies that do private testing here:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Many thanks.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

Many thanks👍

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

You're welcome.

[marigold22]

In my own case, I had severe depression which did lift in the evenings. I discovered that I have the mutated MTHFR gene; and taking Methylated multi B vitamins helped a lot.

[Hidden in reply to marigold22]

Many thanks for your reply. Perhaps I should take a multi B vit.supplement. How did you you discover the mutated gene?

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Don't take B vits until you've had your B12 and folate tested. You need a base-line before you start, and if you start taking B vits first, you'd have to stop them for five months to get your base line.

[Hidden in reply to greygoose]

OK will get my B vits done. Can't communicate with my GP so I wonder if you know where I can get them done privately. I live in North London and am not very mobile👍

[greygoose in reply to Hidden]

Have a look at the link I gave you above. That tells you all about private testing.

[Timetraveler67 in reply to Hidden]

I’m also in north London! I also feel depressed and very tired with brain fog which lifts in the evening I am considering Getting a cortisol test Myself.

[marigold22 in reply to Hidden]

Do as greygoose says above, ie get tested. But in my own case, I paid for the DIO2 genetic test, which returned as mutated from one parent. Which means that my body struggles to convert T4 into T3. I was advised by the counsellor giving me those results that because I have a mutated DIO2 gene, there is a very good chance I have a mutated MTHFR gene too. She was correct although I didn't ever pay for a test. It is METHYLATED multi B vitamins I have to take; they have helped me so much with my severe depression.

[radd]

Patzi,

Yes, absolutely.

Thyroid hormones have huge influence on brain chemistry, & neurotransmitters circadian behaviours influence our night/day sleep patterns. It is said the three most commonly implicated in depression are dopamine, serotonin and noradrenaline.

Think of how our cortisol gets messed up through supporting inadequate amounts of thyroid hormone (in hypothyroidism) and keeps us awake or asleep all day/night, and T3 and (nor)adrenaline are all neurotransmitters as well as hormones that we know lots about on this forum. And the association between serotonin & noradrenaline and antidepressant medications such as Prozac & other SSRIs or SNRIs.

Similar to thyroid hormones not working as they should there's loads of reasons for unbalanced neurotransmitters such as inadequate levels of the molecules needed for building or too few receptor sites, etc … but it doesn’t matter. What does matter is it’s happening and balancing as much as you can of what is known should help, ie thyroid hormones, cortisol, oestrogen, etc should help create consistent levels of what is needed for your own individual body to help lift low moods/depression.

I have been investigating mitochondria issues that effect everything from thyroid hormone conversion to energy expenditure and moods. Stress has massive implications on thyroid hormones working effectively, which are also dependent upon optimal levels of iron and nutrients. Hence a deficiency in something such as VitB12 could indirectly be a causative factor in your depression. My own was elevated testosterone which supplementing HRT eventually balanced out. (Elevated testosterone is extremely common in peri-menopausal hypothyroid women). Stress comes in many forms including being under/over/incorrectly medicated on thyroid hormone replacement.

Other neurotransmitters commonly associated with low mood/depression are GABA, glutamate & acetylcholine. All are worth investigating and a great read is “Why Isn’t My Brain Working?’ By Datis Kharriazian.

[Hidden in reply to radd]

Thanks you for your very informative reply. I am reading the book By D Kharriazian that you suggest👍

[Jazzw]

Hypothyroidism causes depression rather than levothyroxine. I wonder whether you’re undermedicated. What dose are you on?

[Hidden in reply to Jazzw]

My dose is one day 50mcg and next day75mcg alternating. I am 82 year's old and have been on levothyroxine for about 10 years.👍

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand at each prescription

Please add latest results and ranges

Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 results

Is your hypothyroidism autoimmune?

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

I alternate daily between 50mcg and 75mcg and always get the same brand.I'm afraid I don't know how much Vit D, folate. ferritin and B12 ' I have. I don't have autoimune hypothyroidism Trying to connect with my GP brings on a panic attack so if you have any recommendations for private teatments and tests please let me know. I live in North London.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

That’s an extremely low dose levothyroxine

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Which brand

You are legally entitled to copies of your blood test results and ranges from GP

ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Low vitamin levels common as we get older too

Do you currently take any vitamin supplements ?

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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

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

List of private testing options

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

You can pay extra for private blood drawn for Medichecks or Blue horizon

Local to you clinic or a nurse to your house

Make sure test is 9am latest

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

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

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Ord’s is autoimmune without goitre.

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[HashiFedUp]

Low mood will often lift in the evening. Its very common for thyroid patients to suffer depression/anxiety/low mood etc and for a variety of different reasons - some physiological and some environmental. Ie its draining keeping up with your life with a chronic disease to battle. Talk to your doctor about your feelings. I read once that about 50% of thyroid patients are on anti-depressants at any one time! So you’re not alone. Lastly check your vitamin D levels as thyroid patients are prone to deficiencies - among others. That can mimic thyroid symptoms and bring you down. We’ve also had an awful summer with low levels of sunlight so less vit D to harbour over the winter 😞 x

[Hidden in reply to HashiFedUp]

Thank you. Yes I will get my Vit D levels checked👍

[ShatteredofLee]

Hello Patzi, This is also slightly left field but Edward Bullmore’s book The Inflamed Mind also makes the link between inflammation and depression. Another relevant book is Brainchanger by Prof Jacka, which might provide some insights into how you eat to help your thyroid, because we don’t eat micronutrients we eat food, so what you eat is really important. I’d love to post a paper she’s written that maps out five different body-brain bi-directional pathways - only I’m useless at links (I’ll find name and put it up shortly). Sorry that was an information dump but knowledge is power.

[Hidden in reply to ShatteredofLee]

Thank you for your reply and book recommendations which I will certainly read.👍

[jgelliss]

I'm so sorry that your experiencing depression with Levo. It might just be that your T4 dose is doing well for you except that you might need a small dose of T3 in addition to your existing T4. That might just be very helpful to eliminate your depression. Best Wishes.