Where to Start

[Wongey]

Are antidepressants linked to thyroid problems?

[FancyPants54]

Well you are going to have to give us more to go on than that.

Are you diagnosed hypothyroid?

Do you take medication for it?

If so, what and how much per day?

What were your latest blood test results (with reference ranges for each one).

How do you feel?

Antidepressants themselves are not linked to hypothyroidism. But depression is a symptom of it and GPs just see that and stick us on antidepressants. If they aren't helping then they don't look further.

[Hedgeree in reply to FancyPants54]

Hi FancyPants54,

There are some associations between certain types of antidepressants and thyroid issues. I'll post some links in a bit as having a few computer issues.

Apologies for the delay. Some SSRi's can lower T4 levels and from my limited understanding can also disrupt signals from the hypothalamus.

There are a number of members on the forum that have been taking SSRi's for many years 20 or 30 years plus and some have wondered if there is a link with their thyroid issues. My FT4 levels have been at the bottom of the range for some years and are now below range; whether this is drug induced or not I don't think I'll ever know as I also have an iodine deficiency.

I'll post some links on the main thread of the post.

Best wishes.

[greygoose]

Hi Wongey, welcome to the forum.

So, reading between the lines of your profile, you suspect you have a thyroid problem? It wouldn't be at all surprising if you did. But, doubtful it was caused by the antidepressants. I would imagine it started long before that, and that was why you ended up having a hysterectomy. That's what happened to me, because none of the useless doctors, of all specialities, knew anything about the symptoms of hypothyroidisim.

And, after that, you were tried on HRT (not quite sure why you think your body rejected it, more likely you were given the wrong doses, or something like that). When that failed to alleviate your symptoms, your doctor did what all doctors do, 'diagnosed' you with depression and threw antidepressants at you! Happens all the time. But, it was very likely hypothyroidism causing your depression.

Have you ever been tested for your thyroid?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

First thing is, do you have any thyroid blood test results?

Has GP tested thyroid or vitamin levels?

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively 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 at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

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

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am.. 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 and money off codes

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Depression and anxiety are EXTREMELY common Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

See list here

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[Hedgeree]

Hi Wongey,

There is an association between some SSRI'S and thyroid function.They can lower T4 levels and cause other disruption to areas of the hypothalamus so eventually reducing hormone production.

Hopefully these links will work;

mdedge.com/psychiatry/artic...

etj.bioscientifica.com/view...

There are some on the forum who've been taking various psychotropic drugs for many years due to their mental health issues and have wondered if there could be a connection with them developing thyroid problems.

I'm having computer chaos at the moment but I'll try to post other links if I can get my laptop working.

Best wishes.