Posted by Maisey on February 8, 2012, at 10:29:55
In reply to Re: Thyroid levels and Serotonin » Maisey, posted by ed_uk2010 on February 8, 2012, at 7:55:06
> >So, if I'm on Synthroid but still have symptoms of depression, should I try T3 supplementation or an anti-depressant? I keep reading about T3 helping with depression in people with hypothyroidism. My hypothyroidism is very mild, but my depression is pretty bad.
>
> On Synthroid (at your current dose), do you have any persistent physical signs of hypothyroidism? Also, do you recent blood results suggest that your thyroid function is still abnormal? If you are no longer hypothyroid on Synthroid, adding T3 may be detrimental rather than beneficial. If your GP is unsure, an endocrinologist should be able to advise. An endocrinologist might also order more detailed blood tests.
>
> If your thyroid function is still low, symptoms may include...
>
> Feeling cold when other people don't
> Constipation
> Dry skin
> Slow heart rate
> Muscle/joint aches
>
> Other symptoms such as weight gain are also associated with PCOS and could therefore lead to confusion. The same applies to fatigue, which is almost universal in depression.
>
> >....mysteriously end up hypothyroid.
>
> Hypothyroidism is a very common condition. Many patients are diagnosed out of the blue. It is not likely to be related to the Lexapro. PCOS and hypothyroidism often occur together, and hypothyroidism can aggravate depression.
>
> >Lexapro actually was never a great deal of help, but I'm doing badly - I may try it again.
>
> If it wasn't very effective, it might be better to try a different type of antidepressant, or a psychological treatment (if available).
>
> >I also take progesterone cream to regulate my menstrual cycles.
>
> Is it working? Some women with PCOS use contraceptives such as 'Yaz' to regulate menstruation and relieve symptoms such as acne.
>Ed, hi. Bear with me here - I didn't get any sleep last night b/c of a nasty cold. I hope I don't leave anything out. My TSH was tested in Dec. and August and came out normal. I also had a Hashimoto's test done (thyroid anti-bodies) because I HAD been experiencing some symptoms similar to those that I had before being dxed hypothyroid. It was also normal, and the symptoms disappeared.
I wish I had the money for a physchiatrist or endo. I'm lucky to have a doctor where I live! Really, my grandma's moved and she has been with a nurse practitioner only for 2 years. I actually wanted to make an appt to see the physchiatrist I saw when I stayed in the hospital (I admitted myself to the hospital when I was feeling suicidal, 5 years ago.). His office said that since I'd chosen to have my follow-up care w/my family doctor after that stay, that I'd need a referral AND it would be at least 2 mons wait time so I would be better off letting my family doc handle it. (Her words.) It is just as well b/c I don't want to risk my health ins rates going up. It barely pays for anything as it is, and at $150 a month, it's difficult. I have to get a gum graft done which isn't covered at all so it's $100 here $1000 there... My family is helping me out financially is the only way I can afford my current expenses. And my dad will have to retire soon b/c his health isn't that great... I can only work very-part-time hours because of my moodswings.
I think my doctor feels I'm bipolar but does not want to say for some reason. There is a family history. I'm glad b/c something like that could get me thrown off my ins. I don't have the ability to go beyond the basics in healthcare.
My doctor I think prefers Lexapro as an anti-depressant in general, but he moved away from it for me b/c of the cost. There isn't a generic, I have no prescription drug coverage, so it was running me $88 a month. Also, I didn't think it did much, but I was at the point for awhile that I was holding down at least a part-time steady job. It was when I went off Lexapro and I got dxed with PCOS and hypothyroidism that I went downhill. I started bc pills which I never should've tried. When I was 21 and was on the pill, I had a nervous breakdown and quit a job when I stopped taking them mid-pack. When my gyno gave them to me this last time, the summer before last, I had a bad spell the first week of taking them. I told my co-worker she should "kill herself and get it over with." Now, this is a unique situation b/c she has bipolar and, being the boss' daughter, had to work there so she could have a job. Nobody else would probably employ her. I still don't know what I was thinking or where it came from. BC pills are the debbil, IMO. They made me walk away from the one job that I loved, and they came close to making me lose my last one, though, strangely enough boss' daughter was understanding b/c I think she knows how she is. I've had irregular cycles since I was about 18, but straightening them out w/bc pills is when I began to have the problems I have now. IDK whether it triggered illness in me or it was a worsened hormone imbalance, but I seriously don't think I've been the same since that first incident.
Progesterone cream makes me have a cycle each month when normally, I would be skipping every other month or so. I used to think PCOS was the cause of the moodswings, but now I don't think so b/c they appear at various times during the cycle. I don't have a pattern with it. Really, I just don't handle adversity well - I never have. I'm hesitant to take an SSRI because I take so many other things. Like last night, I have to look at 2 possible drug interactions when taking simple cough medicine. I ended up getting no sleep b/c the cough med must've superseded my elavil - I was wide awake the entire night. I can't imagine having to balance 3. But, I sent a letter to my doctor telling him how I was feeling, and that I'd like to try cytomel if he thinks it something that might help or Lexapro. I'll just have to find a way to pay for it if he goes with Lexapro. I'm sure he's at his wit's end with me since he's been pushing me toward Paxil during the last 2 visits - I'm not good at listening to him. Paxil just seems like it would be so bad with the side effects. I know I should consider my mental health first, but there is evidence now these drugs affect metabolism, thyroid function. Plus, generally, I am pretty stable - I've improved some over the past several months. No huge blowups. I just go through these spells where I'm ultra-sensitive. It's hard to explain but I just don't feel right and I see the bad in everything. I can't make myself do things I don't want to do. Then, I come out of it like nothing happened. It's almost like a high, though I don't go on mad shopping sprees or anything. It could be hormones. When my periods were normal, I'd always get 1 seriously low PMS day. Now, I have many days throughout the month like that. That's why my gyno wanted the pill for me b/c the pill shuts down the process so I'm not struggling to ovulate and I get a steady stream of hormones. Prog cream doesn't affect ovulation - it just makes sure I build and shed the lining. My gyno says I probably am ovulating - just not regularly. I actually find I do slightly better on months I do no prog. cream. I will bloat and break out and have that 1 bad PMS day, but I don't seem to have as many bad days. I'm going to cease it this month to see how it goes.
I actually don't have many PCOS symptoms. I'm underweight, I don't break out unless it's a month I skip a cycle, I have normal blood sugar, no insulin resistance. I do have borderline high cholesterol and hypothyroidism, common among women w/PCOS.
poster:Maisey
thread:854446
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120202/msgs/1009663.html