Hello all. I went to see a psychiatrist today who suggested I take Clomipramine antidepressant as I am very depressed and sometimes suicidal. Has anybody else taken this. It says it interferes with levothyroxine. Thank you.
Medication Clomipramine: Hello all. I went to see... - Thyroid UK
Medication Clomipramine
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Meerkat1234
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Oh Meerkat
I am so sorry to hear you feel so bad. Sending you hugs and cuddles.
🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Hello Wwwdot. Thank you for your hugs and cuddles 🥰
Awww poor you. So sorry to hear this. I'd ring the secretary of the psychiatrist and explain that you take levothyroxine and the drug advice says it affects this. You are concerned. They may decide to prescribe something else. Well spotted!!
Sending you big warm hugs. ❤️❤️
Hello waveylines. The psychaiactric nurse is ringing me and I will tell her. Thanks for your kind reply. The psychiatrist said that it would be okay with levothyroxine but when I looked it up it said it wouldn’t. I am so sick of being almost bedbound and going out in a wheelchair that my 71 year old husband has to push. I cannot go to my sons wedding in October because I am too ill. Life just sucks. I hope you are okay, at least the B12 injections have helped with the neuropathy thanks to your help. Take Care.
Hello Meerkat,
Sorry to hear you feel so unwell.
I have taken Clomipramine before. It has done well in trials for OCD, I’m not sure if you suffer with that. It didn’t affect my levothyroxine absorption but I took it away from the levo in case. There wasn’t an interaction that I was made aware of or that I ever noticed, but this is probably because the issue for me was never going to be corrected by a psych med as my hormones were causing my chaos.
Clomipramine is a tricyclic, so it’s an older generation drug and not usually the first choice. Do you know why the doctor hasn’t suggested an SSRI or SNRI (newest generation of anti-depressant) with a theoretically lower side effect profile. Is it anxiety or low mood that is driving the suicidal feelings? Depending on which dominates, it can be helpful to select more sedating ADs versus more enervating ADs.
How are your thyroid levels? I spent decades on many heavy duty psych meds but my thyroid was causing my symptoms. I believe it is likely the same for a lot of people.
I am sorry you are feeling so unwell, I understand and you are not alone. Do share your bloods with the forum, things can get better. Xx
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Hello don’t forget cortisol. I am taking 50mcg of levothyroxine and due for a thyroid test now. Like you since 1994 I have been on and off heavy duty psychiatric medications when I expect all along it has been my hormones. He chose this drug because a SSRI made me suicidal, he said they can all do that. He has really stressed me and my husband out and his attitude was he couldn’t care less. I got sent to the psychiatrist by the dietitian because I can’t eat much especially protein which is why I joined this forum. I have also had a week of violent sickness which came completely out of the blue vomiting blood which was checked out at the hospital. I have no idea what is going on physically or mentally. All I know is my husband and I are suffering badly due to my chronic health. Take Care.
in reply to Meerkat1234
Meerkat1234 I’m sorry he had such a damaging attitude, I’ve had a few very cold fish in my time too. We do have to ask why sometimes such compassionless people end up in psychiatry…
Sounds like you are dealing with a lot of systemic inflammatory issues with your digestion, I’m sorry about the violent sickness, how horrible for you. What is your diet and supplement regime like? If you struggle with protein a protein powder might be an alternative.
The likelihood is that if these mental health issues have been chronic that reducing systemic inflammation and optimizing your thyroid regimen will do you far more benefit than Clomipramine et al. However, I do see the value in being on some psych meds to support you while you work on other areas, such as thyroid and inflammation.
50mcg is a crummy dose, you are probably very under-medicated. Upload your thyroid panel as soon as you are able, everyone here will be keen as mustard to help you and will likely have more wisdom to offer than some careless, crusty old psychiatrist who doesn’t even have the brains to recognize the universally renowned link between hypothyroidism and depression. Hang in there xx
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Thank you for your kind reply. The day before I was so violently sick and diarrhoea I took vegan protein in the morning and a folate tablet in the afternoon for the first time. These might be totally unrelated, I don’t know. The hospital thought it was acid reflux. The GP gave me medication which I couldn’t take because it had saccharin in it which I am allergic to. I can’t take supplements due to sickness and diarrhoea. II could never take supplements as a kid. I know they need to be optimal with the thyroid so I don’t know what to do. The only thing which is okay is B12 which I am paying privately for as the GP would only do it every three months. I agree with you about the mental health professionals. Where is their compassion and kindness. I am sick and tired of them. My GP is useless too. How are we supposed to have any faith in doctors. Sorry about the rant. I appreciate your kindness and care, Thank you so much. 🦋
in reply to Meerkat1234
Meerkat1234 May I ask why the protein powder was vegan? Vegan protein powders tend to have many more fillers and sweeteners than a basic bovine collagen powder.
Don’t let the vitamins distress you. It is a vicious cycle - the lower your thyroid hormone, the lower your nutrient levels. If you can’t improve your nutrient levels, focus on improving your thyroid levels and nutrients should improve. IMHO there is little benefit from stressing your system out with synthetic supplements that just irritate your gastrointestinal tract and end up giving you expensive feces. Improving thyroid levels will improve stomach acid and GIT absorption, gut cell turnover etc. which should all then improve your nutrient status. Alternatively you could try liquid B complex and Vit D spray, they are absorbed well sublingually and therefore can largely bypass the gut.
Perhaps it is a good idea to take apple cider vinegar with your meals if you’re unable to tolerate digestive enzymes, as it does sound like you probably have low stomach acid?
I quite agree with you about doctors… this forum shouldn’t have to exist. But luckily it does, and when you get your labs back there will be plenty of advice on hand for you 🙏
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Can you tell me what protein powder I should get. I just got a vegan one because I am gluten and dairy free. I didn’t know what to get. I am having my blood test done as soon as I can get it.
in reply to Meerkat1234
Meerkat1234
Here are some supplements that might suit your sensitive system.
Collagen Powder -
Liquid B Complex -
amazon.co.uk/Vitamin-Comple...
Vit D/K2 spray -
amazon.co.uk/BetterYou-Dlux...
I hope the links work for you… seems something odd is going on with links atm.
Look forward to your results! I hope you feel a little better soon xx
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Thank you don’t forget cortisol for all those links. It is so kind of you. I really do appreciate all of your guidance and help. Take care of yourself.🙏
in reply to Meerkat1234
You’re very welcome, and you are not alone. Keep us informed and hang in there xx
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Hello don’t forget cortisol. Thank you for telling me that I am not alone. I will keep you informed. You are very sweet. Thanks for replying.🦋
I can’t take supplements due to sickness and diarrhoea.
Have you considered liquid vits and minerals (a few drops in water) - might that be an option?
If you have constant diarrhoea then likely your electrolytes will be off and it's very important to keep properly hydrated.
I feel for you and wish you the best.
Hello Blissful. I haven’t thought of that. Sound like something to try. Thank you for your kind and caring reply.🦋
in reply to Meerkat1234
Meerkat1234 the links I provided above are liquid/spray vits that may work as Blissful says 🙏
in reply to Meerkat1234
Hello Meerkat
I’m sorry you’re so unwell. The AD you’ve been prescribed is a tricyclic antidepressant. It’s not inevitable that there’s an interaction with Levo, especially if you take it at different times of the day.
It possible that Levo will strengthen the effects of the AD or that the AD will strengthen the effect of Levo.
You’ll probably find that the Psychiatrist knows this, and has assessed the balance of risk before prescribing.
I do hope you feel better soon. 😘
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Hello Everywhere2.Thank you for your caring kind reply. I really appreciate it. The unexplained week of sickness and diarrhoea bringing up old blood has made me feel very weak. Also eating problems. I am due to have my thyroid blood test so will see what that says. Thanks again and take care of yourself. 🦋
SlowDragonAdministrator
psychiatrist ought to be aware that depression is very strongly linked to being hypothyroid
you’re currently still incredibly under medicated for thyroid and therefore very hypothyroid
Did psychiatrist discuss thyroid levels at all?
When’s your next thyroid test
You should get next dose increase in levothyroxine soon?
Hello SlowDragon. The psychiatrist was really horrible and couldn’t care less about anything I said. This is the usual thing. My husband asked if the drug was okay with levothyroxine and he said it was. My blood test for thyroid is due now. What do we ask the doctor to write on the blood test. By the way I do have some good news. The further blood tests which the haematologist did all came back normal thank goodness.
you want TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 tested
Book early morning test, ideally just before 9am
Only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
Remember to stop vitamin B complex 5 days before test, you can continue separate B12. Ideally take a separate folate when you stop vitamin B complex
(eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg)
Thank you for your reply. I will ask the doctor to test for what you say.
just putting this out there in case this med doesn’t work…my psychiatrist gave me liothyronine which is a first line med for ‘treatment resistant depression’. It’s a thyroid med, but key for some people. Worth bearing in mind for the future. Don’t give up!
Hello beh1. Did you have to ask your psychiatrist for this medication.
Too early (yet) for you to add T3 (liothyronine) as you’re still on only tiny dose levothyroxine
But yes there’s two specialists who can initiate liothyronine….one is an endocrinologist the other is psychiatrist
once you get up nearer full replacement dose levothyroxine and all four vitamins at optimal level…..if then Ft3 remains low, then adding T3 initially could be via your psychiatrist
Full replacement dose levothyroxine is usually around 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo of your weight per day…..so unless very petite, at least over 100mcg per day
Yes, I’d read about it on depression sites and she was happy to prescribe. It worked. I was already on a tiny dose of levothyroxine for mild hypothyroidism.
Ps I also had awful full body pain which was diagnosed as fibromyalgia but which has disappeared completely on liothyronine. 🤷♀️
Hello Beh1. I also have severe Fibromyalgia and I know that is not my thyroid by the way it reacts. Thank you for your reply.You are very kind.🦋
in reply to beh1
Very much sounds as though you could benefit from Liothyronine (T3) and not actually need an AD.
You need a second opinion
Meerkat1234 in reply to
I don’t understand this as SlowDragon says no to this. A lot of people have only get better when they take Liothyronine (T3) but SlowDragon says it is too early. It is so hard when I would be almost bedbound without my husbands help to get me places. 🦋
in reply to Meerkat1234
Meerkat1234
A healthy thyroid makes T4 and T3, many people end up needing both.
It is best to get onto a full levothyroxine dose first, wait 6-8 weeks. If symptoms persist and bloods show conversion issues then that is when to consider T3. Additionally you can start the small doses of the liquid B complex & vit D spray from now.
Other forum members may suggest otherwise, but this is what I would do in your situation.
Meerkat1234 in reply to
I understand. It all takes so long but thank you for explaining it to me.
in reply to Meerkat1234
I am expressing my opinion which is based on what I’ve experienced myself and what I know to be true in many people. I very much wish I’d never started the AD route as it’s so difficult to stop these drugs. On the other hand, if you try T3 and it’s not for you, it’s very easy to stop or reduce T3.
Also consider that sometimes T3 is used to ‘boost’ an antidepressant
What you eventually do must be your decision.
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Thank you for replying. I really don’t know what to do. Since 2003 I have been on Diazepam and Zopiclone which I don’t think I will ever get off as the antidepressants have proved very difficult to stop. Not eating and having such a bad stomach is so weakening and I also have a severe
Intolerance to heat. I also take Lyrica for neuropathy and they are very addictive too.
in reply to Meerkat1234
SinceI last wrote to you on here the tricyclic AD which I was given (Amitriptyline) has been stopped by GP surgery. I had a rare side effect which was agitation, severe anxiety and irritability. Was put on this for Vestibular Migraine by neurologist. Now being described Lyrica which will manage the migraine, neuropathy and anxiety. By now I should be feeling mellow and relaxed. I’m far from that.
It was the ‘in house’ pharmacist (not the pharmacist who works in the pharmacy) who rang me to discuss this and issued the new prescription. I have spoken to him before and was then, as now, very impressed by his knowledge and understanding of drugs and by the way he listened.
I wondered if this might be an option for you? To talk to the pharmacist in your practice? I think it’s generally known that they understand so much about drugs, their effect on the body and the way they interact.
I know I have been sceptical in the past about how GPs allocate their work to other professionals but I think that this is the way forward in primary care
Meerkat1234 in reply to
The drug that helped me was a trycyclic protheidin but it is not prescribed anymore because it caused heart problems. I took Amitrytiline for Fibromyalgia but it caused suicidal thoughts. That one is what he wanted to give me yesterday. Then he wanted to give me a quadcyclic which I have never heard of but he wanted me on a low dose and they were capsules so that was no good. I didn’t get its name. Clomipramine was his third one. I was put on Lyrica for neuropathy in March 2020. It helped but it is supposed to help you mentally which it didn’t. The prescriber at our doctors is useless. I can’t understand a word she is saying due to her accent. I am afraid I am at a really useless doctors. Three practices have become one so they have thousands of patients and are uncaring. Thank you for sharing your story with me. It helps me feel much less alone.
in reply to Meerkat1234
I know what suicidal feels like. It’s hard to share that.
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Maybe I shouldn’t share it on this forum. I just feel so suicidal at the moment I couldn’t hold it in. I do not know why from age 14 to now 65 I have felt suicidal. No psychiatrist has ever been able to tell me. I had an abusive childhood so maybe it is CPTSD but I don’t know anything about that. Maybe the psychotherapy will tell me. I am so sorry that you have felt or feel this way. Nobody understands only somebody like you who has been there. Thank you for sharing this with me. It makes me feel less alone. You are so kind Everywhere 2. 🥰
in reply to Meerkat1234
It’s not easy to share but it’s easier with a fellow traveller 😘
I’ve only recently understood just how much events from our past ‘trigger’ a whole of lot of mental and physical symptoms.
I didn’t have an abusive childhood. I had loving parents. Sadly, as was the case 70 years ago, their parental skills didn’t extend to nurturing or emotional support. My sister and I were well cared for but we grew up believing that we didn’t need to express emotions. So it was ‘stiff upper lip’ all the way.
Only now do I recognise how much we buried our feelings and worries. I was born in 1951 not long after the end of the war. ‘Grin and bear it’ was a way of life in my childhood.
Meerkat1234 in reply to
Thank you for sharing your story with me. Nobody was able to share their emotions in those days. To be stoic was to be admired. Only now is the true damage that was done then is being seen. I watched a video this afternoon about the mother wound and the father wound which comes as a result of not being nurtured. Buried feelings don’t stay buried, they have to come out somewhere. Us being born in the 1950s were the so called baby boomers and they have the most depression than other generations. Being born at the end of the war was hard. I’m pleased your parents loved you but for you and your sister it has been like you say, grin and bear it which does do damage. You have helped me so much with sharing. Thank you so much. 😘
in reply to Meerkat1234
I wish you well in your search for good health and peace of mind.
Take care 😉
Meerkat1234 in reply to
I wish you the same for you.Thanks so much for listening to me. Peace of mind and good health is everything. Take care of yourself too. 🙂
Meercat. Are you medicated for autism?
Meerkat1234 in reply to
I am not medicated for Autism as there is no medication for it, only the mental health problems that it gives like crippling anxiety and depression. I am waiting to go to the Maudsley hospital about ADHD. There is as you probably know medication for that and I did years ago try Ritalin which gave me angina like pain. This psychiatrist yesterday said I would never stand the side effects of ADHD medication which I agree with. You take care.🦋
in reply to Meerkat1234
Ritalin is a horrible medication. They are now not advising its use in ADHD children. Some people are medicated for the symptoms thrown up by Autism, although we know that autism itself cannot be cured
in reply to Meerkat1234
Just been reading about the side effects nd interactions of the tricyclic AD you’ve been given. These are the same as those listed for all tricyclics. They mention throid but the particular concern is for people who have hyperthyroidism. There is a small chance that for this cohort of people, the AD can increase heart rate and hyperthyroid symptoms.
I have taken clomipramine & levo, but at different ends of the day. It was gp prescribed.
Personally I do better on tricyclic than SSRI and in discussion with gp agreed on the tricyclic
My mental health has improved since menopause, levo and improving Ferritin, folate,b12 & D.
All the best on your journey x
Hello StillEverHopeful. Thank you for your kind and caring reply. I am really glad you are feeling better. It gives me hope which I need as at the moment I am so unwell. I can’t take SSRIs. As they make me feel suicidal but the only trycyclic one I took didn’t do that. He said that Clomipramine can do that and all antidepressants can do that. Take care of yourself . X🦋
You will get better, one day at a time and some days one minute at a time. Some days are 2 steps forward & one back… that’s ok it’s still a forward progression. Be kind to yourself like you would be to someone else who had your symptoms.
If all you do one day is get get out of bed & put you knickers on that’s an accomplishment. xxx
Hello StillEverHopeful. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I know it is a slow hard slog to get better and your advice is so good and helpful. I am too hard on myself. My husband and daughter and son don’t understand how I can look okay but be so disabled. Thanks again.🦋
in reply to StillEverHopeful
I’ve tried one SSRI and also an SNRI. I had awful side effects and they weren’t particularly effective. For me, a tricyclic works well.
I think SSRIs are heavily overused. They became popular and Tricyclics which had been used since 1961 were pushed onto the back burner.
Another result of domination of the market by Big Pharma. Many people took NDT years ago and were dosed until well. The advent of new synthetic thyroid hormones and evaluating patient well being via blood tests threw out the baby with the bath water.
Meerkat1234 in reply to
I can’t take SSRI so I took a tricyclic. I agree with you they did throw the baby out with the bath water. Thanks for telling me about your experience with antidepressants. 🦋
I am so sorry that you are feeling ill and depressed and, like some others who have replied, I wonder if you might be under medicated for levothyroxine
Wishing you better days ahead
Hello Chrysalis. I am on 50mcg levothyroxine which is a starter dose. I was left on 25 mcg for a long time due to my useless doctors. I am having a blood test when I can get one. Thank you for your kind caring reply. 🦋
Hi there so sorry you are depressed I know how horrible that can be. I am on Clomiprimine and trying to get off it because it does affect the thyroid. If I were you I would try other things first as much as possible, maybe you need to add T3 to your T4. Have you looked into amino acid therapy. Julia Ross's The Mood Cure is very good. I would look for the root cause. Wishing you the very best.
Hello Sooty101. I did read that it affected the thyroid. The psychiatrist was very uncaring. It is a medication for OCD which I don’t have as I was told by a psychologist I was born with Autism/ADHD. I will look into that information from Julia Ross. Thank you for that. Thank you for your kind and caring reply.🦋
Hi there so sorry you are depressed I know how horrible that can be. I am on Clomiprimine and trying to get off it because it does affect the thyroid. If I were you I would try other things first as much as possible, maybe you need to add T3 to your T4. Have you looked into amino acid therapy. Julia Ross's The Mood Cure is very good. I would look for the root cause. Wishing you the very best.
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Hello, I’m sorry I can’t help with any information about the drug but just wanted to send you big hugs , and hope things will settle for you as soon as possible, sorry I’m not much help to you xxx
Hello Kowbie. Those big hugs 🤗 you are sending to mean the world to me. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your kindness. 🥰
You being only on 50 mcg of Levothyroxine and therefore likely still very hypothyroid, and with gut issues, you are very probably low in serotonin, which can lead to depression. Depression is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. Deficiency of thyroid hormone reduces the amount of serotonin binding. The gut plays a large role in the metabolism of tryptophan (which you need to produce serotonin) and serotonin. The microbes in your gut influence this. Hypothyroidism can give you dysbiosis of the gut, so overgrowth of bad bacteria in your gut will also be lowering your serotonin. So you need to take control of your hypothyroidism, with private testing if necessary, and not just rely on doctors that are telling you that you are on the correct dose. You also need to improve your gut function - eg a breath test for SIBO/reduce the bad bacteria in your gut, eg make some of Dr William Davis’s super gut yoghurt, and eat more foods high in tryptophan, for example, rice, cheese, dark chocolate, pineapple, and see if it helps. Also, getting more light increases serotonin, eg getting some sunlight or using bright light. Exercise is also supposed to help, though difficult if you are so ill. I hope this helps and you start feeling more in control and seeing some light at the end of the tunnel soon. It’s not your fault - it’s this horrible disease and the incredible amount of doctors who don’t understand it.
Hello bluejourney. Thank you for all that information which I didn’t know. That is so kind of you to take the time to write all that. I have been depressed since age 14 and now nearly 66. The Autism/ADHD and now maybe OCD plays a role because I can’t cope anyway. Now like you say this horrible disease as well. It really doesn’t help that the doctors don’t understand it either. Hopefully there will be some light soon at the end of the tunnel soon. Thank you for your kind reply. I really appreciate it.🦋
I feel for you.I am hypothyroid, take levo but never had any symptoms.I had a heart bypass and thats no problems.I am always very positive, believe in exercise etc.Never been depressed.So might not be the best to give advice.That said.......
You've had a lot of advice off docs and health professionals.(the thing that puzzled me is that you've probably been hypothyroid for years but only recently diagnosed?)But from reading on here some are never happy with their hypothyroid medicine.
Lots of advice off fellow forum members.Serotonin, good sleep, exercise, vitamin levels.
You seem pretty switched on, sympathise with husband, and want to attend sons wedding.And definitely do not want to be ill, see doctors,or be depressed.
I don't know if this suggestion is worth trying? It might sound a bit mad and could be outside of your comfort zone.Or you might think the whole idea is bonkers and you come across some very strange people on the internet.But i am about to tell you something that could change your life.Epsom salts is magnesium sulphate.(we are going to park that because they are too expensive to fill a bath up with).My suggestion is get some magnesium chloride- flakes- off Amazon(£25).Get one of those fine mist spray bottles that you water plants with- maybe from Wilco's before they go bust or you might have one about the house.Dissolve the flakes in water.(I use a microwave and measuring jug that has more flakes than water).This mixture is called magnesium oil.If you buy it a very small phial is £10- but you now have, potentially, gallons of it.
Spray this magnesium on your skin.Your legs belly, arms, face hair.If it gets in your eyes that's okay its the water you have in there anyway.It's a bit sticky, and if you do it in your bathroom anywhere it gets can make a mess.Leave on for as long as you can and then wash off.Do the same thing the next day.
This is called transdermal absorption .It will take a few days before you feel any different.I could say more but i won't.You can look this up on the internet youtube etc and make up your own mind.
Hello bagsypartime. We don’t have a bath only a shower and I am sleeping downstairs as I can’t do our stairs. Thanks for thinking of me though.🦋
Sorry I meant to say our shower is upstairs.
Hello Meerkat, there are free summits online with talks by experts in trauma and nutrition. At the moment the Trauma Super Conference 2023 is running they are on day 5. traumasuperconference.com/?.... In September the Mental Health and Well Being Global Summit is free. Dr Rangan Chatterjee has many talks online interviewing experts in alternative approaches to health. I found them all so helpful, more so than any GP or Consultant here. Also there are special nutrional products like vitamin patches available for digestion problems and autism. You might find them by doing a general online search. I hope you start to get better soon.
Hello snow22. Thank you for all that really good information. It is very kind of you to send it. I will have a look through it all.
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