![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Girlnterrupted on April 6, 2007, at 1:33:44
I have treatment resistant depression (and possibly social anxiety.) I have tried several antidepressants: Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Lexapro.
The only AD that worked for me was Celexa, but only for one year. After that, I was back to being severely depressed all over again.
I'm seeing a new psychiatrist and he prescribed Synthroid to augment Celexa. I was wondering if anyone has tried Synthroid to augment an SSRI?
I had my thyroid tests done several months ago, and according to my doctor, they came out negative, so my thyroid is supposedly fine. So I don't really understand why I need a thyroid medication? Also, how long does it take for Synthroid to kick in? What is the right dosage to have therapeutic effects? (I was prescribed 125mgs daily.)
My doctor also told me that once everything has failed, one of the last resorts is ECT. Does anyone know how effective ECT is?
Thanx in advance,
Posted by Girlnterrupted on April 6, 2007, at 14:15:00
In reply to Celexa + Synthroid?, posted by Girlnterrupted on April 6, 2007, at 1:33:44
Could somebody please help me out with this?
Can Synthroid really augment Celexa if my thyroid is normal?
Thanx.
Posted by gardenergirl on April 6, 2007, at 16:21:28
In reply to Re: Can Synthroid rlly augment SSRI if thyro fine?, posted by Girlnterrupted on April 6, 2007, at 14:15:00
It depends on how you define "normal". There is the normative range for thyroid blood tests. I've always tested within that normal range, though on the high end of normal. If I were above the high end, it would mean that my thyroid was not producing enough hormone, and that there is more of the hormone that stimulates the thyroid (TSH) in my blood to try to get the thyroid to make more. Even though my blood test was "normal", one doc who was covering for my GP asked how I felt. When I described the lethargy and weight gain issues I had and also talked about getting pregnant, he put me on a low dose of synthroid. That helped me tremendously, even though my thyroid was "fine" according to the tests. What I've learned is that I feel best when my TSH is between 1.5-2. It used to be about 5 all the time.
What they look at now is how you feel as much as the lab results. My guess is that you have some "wiggle room" in your TSH lab result that you can take Synthroid without going hyperthyroid. Sometimes it takes some adjusting of the dose, but I would say go for it. I definitely feel better on Synthroid. It even regulated my menstrual cycle for the first time in my life. I only had 2-3 periods a year from my teens til about 35. Once I started thyroid treatment, suddenly my cycles were every month like clockwork. I kind of wish someone would have suggested it long ago.
Anyhow, good luck, and I hope this helped.
Namaste
gg
Posted by Phillipa on April 7, 2007, at 10:14:43
In reply to Re: Can Synthroid rlly augment SSRI if thyro fine? » Girlnterrupted, posted by gardenergirl on April 6, 2007, at 16:21:28
According to the new standard optimal TSH is 1-2. But it's true how you feel is the tuue indicator. Acturally wierd as it sounds I was doing better on a hyperthyroid level. T3 for some reason is even more important. Endo tried to explain it to me but it's above my head some kind of feedback loop? Oh I remember the T3 feeds the muscles and energy. Love Phillipa
Posted by Sebastian on April 7, 2007, at 14:23:56
In reply to Celexa + Synthroid?, posted by Girlnterrupted on April 6, 2007, at 1:33:44
What dose celexa are you taking? have you tried uping the dose? Thats what I did, untill the dose felt too strong, for a while and back down, with good results. I started at 20mg, then 30, to 40, 60, and finaly at 80mg it was too strong, so in a week I told my doc I wanted to go back down to 60, there I stayed for a few years, then I felt that was too much and went to 40, which now has a better effect. I never tried synthroid, but they weren't into that a few years ago.
Posted by Maxime on April 8, 2007, at 21:29:20
In reply to Re: Can Synthroid rlly augment SSRI if thyro fine?, posted by Girlnterrupted on April 6, 2007, at 14:15:00
> Could somebody please help me out with this?
>
> Can Synthroid really augment Celexa if my thyroid is normal?
>
> Thanx.No, you have to take Cytomel to augment an anti-depressant which is not the same as Synthroid.
Maxime
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.