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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ttee on June 29, 2007, at 8:25:26
I'm on 200 mg of Zoloft, which is helping about 50%, after over 4 years of nothing working, including me (on disability from my mood disorder). I was thinking about adding thryoid to Zoloft, as that was something they tried in the STAR*D study. My pdoc says he isn't all that convinced that thryoid helps, but he is okay with me trying it. Anyone have any expeirences in this area that they could share with me and the board? Thanks!!
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2007, at 10:35:05
In reply to Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by ttee on June 29, 2007, at 8:25:26
If you mean without needing it for thyroid disorder are you talking about something like armour from the health food store or the actual med synthroid or cytomel? I know having thyroid disorder it's important to maintain normal levels but a lot of docs used to add cytomel to jumpstart an ad. Love Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on June 29, 2007, at 10:46:17
In reply to Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by ttee on June 29, 2007, at 8:25:26
I take Armour thiroid, which has given me a lift in mood. But I was also having a thiroid problem.
Posted by Maximus on June 29, 2007, at 12:59:15
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by Zyprexa on June 29, 2007, at 10:46:17
> I take Armour thiroid, which has given me a lift in mood. But I was also having a thiroid problem.
Armour (desiccated thyroid) is the ultimate and best treatment for hypothyroidism. Here in Canada, doctors use only T4 hormone which is far to be an optimal treatment. Glad for you.
Posted by ttee on June 29, 2007, at 23:09:43
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by Maximus on June 29, 2007, at 12:59:15
thanks for the replies. Yes, I was asking about T3 for SSRI augmentation for someone without a current thyroid disorder. I have experienced thyroiditis in the past that really sucked with my pycho problems at the same time, but my TSH has been within the normal range for over a year now. i like that T3 won't increase my weight or raise my cholesterol. I worry that it might make my panic and anxiety worse.
Posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2007, at 23:19:56
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by ttee on June 29, 2007, at 23:09:43
T3 is cytomel right? As today my endo added cytomel to synthroid do you take them together or separately? And how is your anxiety any increase? thanks, Phillipa
Posted by Jenn_SD on July 1, 2007, at 13:16:56
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI » ttee, posted by Phillipa on June 29, 2007, at 23:19:56
I take Levoxyl & Cytomel for thyroid problems. I do know that Cytomel made me feel so much better than T4 alone.
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2007, at 20:56:52
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by Jenn_SD on July 1, 2007, at 13:16:56
Jenn can you tell me what type of thyroid disorder you have and the T3 was it stimulating. Exactly what did you notice and how long before results. Would be so grateful for a response. thanks Phillipa ps cytomel with synthroid tomorrow do you take them together or separately too?
Posted by twinleaf on July 2, 2007, at 2:05:10
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI » Jenn_SD, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2007, at 20:56:52
Before treatment, I had a TSH of 5- not very high, but over the normal limit of 3.5. At first, I took just synthroid (T4), which brought the TSH down, but didn't help my depression (not that I expected it to). Then I read an article in the New England Journal of Medicine, saying that Cytomel (T3) is actually what one's body turns T4 into- and that it could help with depression. That article also said that some people efficiently turn T4 into T3, and some do not. I brought the article to my endocrinologist, who knew nothing about it (!), but was willing to give it a try. For several years, I took both T4 and T3, but gradually we have switched entirely to T3- for me, it's 5 mcg. three times a day. It has a half-life in your body of about a day and a half, but an "active life" of only about three-four hours. It has definitely helped with the depression. My TSH is about 1, and the T4 and T3 within normal limits. I haven't noticed any increase in anxiety at those dosages. It has helped get my weight back to normal- after 50 pound increases with SSRIs and Zyprexa, I now weigh what I did at age 20, without any particular dieting on my part. I think it is really an excellent help with mood disorders- and probably could be used by many people. The only side effect I know of is bone-thinning. I have a DEXA scan every year or two, and, although I have a slight degree of osteopenia, it's not getting worse (I take calcium and walk a lot).
Posted by ttee on July 2, 2007, at 8:34:33
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by twinleaf on July 2, 2007, at 2:05:10
thanks philipa. my last TSH was 0.03, but I know that this can change depending on the time of day and what other meds you are taking. My pdoc is not to excited about using thryoid with his patients, but he has no problem with me adding it to my Zoloft.
Posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2007, at 20:26:40
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI, posted by twinleaf on July 2, 2007, at 2:05:10
Excellent post and most informative as was told that it had an active life of about 8 hours. So you completely switched over how long did that take? Thanks so much Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2007, at 20:41:58
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI » twinleaf, posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2007, at 20:26:40
Forgot to add that no increase in anxiety only took a half of pill now I think the whole thing tomorrow just change my mind. And if only I could take off the weight that has happened in last two months without any change in food or excercise. Oh also valium and zoloft were listed in the insert with the sample as not good with synthroid wonder why? Love Phillipa
Posted by twinleaf on July 3, 2007, at 1:38:53
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI » twinleaf, posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2007, at 20:26:40
There's no problem in switching from Synthroid to Cytomel- you could do it immediately. The reason we did it gradually (over about three years) was because my endo, pdoc and I were gradually learning together what the benefits of Cytomel could be, and what the best dosage frequency was. The pdoc became a big supporter of the three times a day dosage.
Posted by Jenn_SD on July 3, 2007, at 17:59:52
In reply to Re: Any experience with adding thyroid to an SSRI » Jenn_SD, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2007, at 20:56:52
I'm hypothyroid and take both Levoxyl(75) and Cytomel(25). The T4 alone just wasn't doing the trick. Perhaps I don't convert well. After adding T3 my brain fog and tiredness disappeared. Take is of course until my AD pooped out on me. I now take 100SR Wellbutrin and 20 Celexa. The combination is working great.
Posted by Phillipa on July 3, 2007, at 21:16:32
In reply to Re: adding thyroid to an SSRI-Phillipa, posted by Jenn_SD on July 3, 2007, at 17:59:52
Thanks it's great to know cytomel works. Took a whole pill this am 5mcg. How long before you notice a difference. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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