antidepressants and the thyroid

[Mothebear]

Is there any evidence that antidepressants affect the role of the thyroid (production/conversion of thyroxine etc)?

Any information gratefully appreciated.

[Lalatoot]

SSRI antidepressants such as citalopram work by altering the levels of serotonin. Much of our serotonin is in the gut. Therefore altering serotonin levels can affect gut function which in turn can affect absorption of oral thyroid hormones, This means that some folks on SSRIs need a slightly higher dose of T4 to compensate for the change in absorption.

This is well documented on the internet so you should be able to find articles on a google search if you want to delve deeper.

[Mothebear in reply to Lalatoot]

Thank you Lalatoot.

[HealthStarDust]

hindawi.com/journals/crips/...

There’s been 4 recorded cases of SSRIs affecting thyroid. Presumably there would be much more if clinicians had the inclination to look, or the education and training to suspect thyroid implications in the first place.

From my own personal history, the evidence would suggest psychotropic drugs including SSRI have complications for thyroid function.

[Mothebear in reply to HealthStarDust]

Thank you HealthStarDust

[Bertwills]

Hi, I don’t know much about it but fluoxetine and possibly other antidepressants are fluoride based. Fluoride is known to affect thyroid hormone absorption into cells.

I would do some online searching looking at the link between fluoride & antidepressants. I know that weight gain is a common side effect of their use which may well be caused by malabsorption of thyroid hormones.

[Mothebear in reply to Bertwills]

Thank you Bertwills