I keep having bouts of depression that stops me taking my levothyroxine. What should i do?

[Cebx]

I have an underactive thyroid and every 3 months or so have a spell of drpression and low moods. This stops me from taking my levothyroxine until im happier because i always think its my medication.

[shaws Administrator]

Your depression could be due to low T3. Or maybe you are undertreated and may need a small increase.

If you can get a copy of your latest thyroid gland blood test results complete with ranges (as labs differ) members will be able to comment on them.

Some links

thyroiduk.healthunlocked.co...

[Hidden]

I found that once i ditched levo and went on to ndt my depression disappeared.

[RedApple Administrator]

I'm getting the impression that when you stop taking your levothyroxine, your depression starts to lift. Is that correct? If so, then it may be that you are actually on a slightly too high does of levothyroxine.

What is your current dose? When was your last thyroid blood test and what were the results? Do you take any other medications or supplements?

Other causes of depression that are common in people with thyroid issues, are deficiencies in any or all of the following:

vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron (anaemia).

So it might be worth asking your GP to do the relevant tests for these if you haven't already done so.

[Cebx]

It varies i had it when they started me on 25mg and that was 6 years ago, and it has been on and off even before then, when i get very low, i have it in my head that its my tablets an stop taking them, after not taking them for a week i realise that i have them to help me, but this always happens and not entirely sure how to tackle it as because im not taking it regularly im going to have incorrect blood test results

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Cebx]

Ok I'm with you. It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation. But it's really important to find out what your levels are on the dose you're currently being prescribed. That's the only way we have of getting any indication whether you are being prescribed an appropriate dose. If your levothyroxine dose is wrong for you (either too little or too much), then it might be the cause of the depression.

An important thing to bear in mind, is that you only need to have taken your thyroid medication every day for 4-6 weeks to be able to get your level checked.

Have you discussed these bouts of depression with your GP?

[Cebx]

I have a doctor that i never have got on with and when i explain it tp him on nerous occasions all he says is take your meds its a side affect, but unfortunately its affecting my education and career which is why im getting more stressed to find the solution

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Cebx]

Doesn't sound as if this GP is being very helpful. Lots of people have this problem and end up having to change their GP to get anywhere. If there are other GPs in the practise, it might be worth seeing a different one. You need a doctor that is going to give you some positive help to sort out this problem.

Your GP is absolutely correct in saying that you need to take your levothyroxine every day. But depression should not be a 'side effect' of levothyroxine. Either the dose you are on is wrong, or the levothyroxine is not working for you.

[Hidden]

Depression isn't a side affect of thyroxine - it's a side affect of not having enough or taking too much. Whilst bloods are often meaningless (the normal range is bull****); it's important to see where you are at every few weeks so you can pinpoint whether it's a lower of higher TSH or whatever that makes you feel bad (ignore in 'range' or whatever). I get depression when my dose is too low.

If they diagnosed you off bloods, you have every right to see all your blood work results and work out at what levels YOU feel good. I did this, and my dose has been upped to bring my TSH back to near enough zero, even though my T4 will be outside of the 'normal' range.

Normal is dubious anyway.... where did normal come from? Who's to say you don't fit this 'normal' they refer to.