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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Gary_SSRI_Guy on June 14, 2008, at 19:51:05
I went to the website you referenced and read much of it.
I took the Synthroid 25mcg at night for the last two nights, not tonight. Yesterday I felt really down and had a crying spell, today my depression was as bad as it gets, but I havn't been that bad lately. I was having and my big issue has been anxiety. So, today, I cried several times and was really bad, snot out the nose galore. I'm exhausted, my eyes hurt. Amazingly, my anxiety isn't too bad today. I know it's a big puzzle, but since the SSRI's and mood stabilizers haven't done much, I'm now on this Thyroid kick.
After reading that site, I'm just a little confused. Should I ask my doc. for the Armour which is T3,T4 or should I continue on the Synthroid and add Cytomel (T3), or should I just ditch the Synthroid and go with the Cytomel only. It appears that T3 should be the augmenter and not T4 after the reading.
BTW, I found some old bloodwork from a year ago which showed normal TSH, T3 and T4. That was from 08/2007. Then I found a TSH that was low from 07/2007, but they didn't run the T3 or T4. The TSH from 08/2007 was 1.79 on the low side and the TSH from 07/2007 was 0.95, which is really on the low side. But what doesn't make sense is that the August TSH is higher than the July TSH. I guess I should have it checked again, being it's been a year, but in the meantime can you answer the above question and comment on the blood levels? Thanks as always.....Gary
Posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2008, at 20:42:56
In reply to Bleuberry one more question about Thyroid, posted by Gary_SSRI_Guy on June 14, 2008, at 19:51:05
Sorry not blueberry but I also have thyroid disease read the site thyroid madness. Don't stop your synthroid or add cytomel until you have new blood work full panel. The site with woman if you google throid is very accurate. And I have to have bloodwork every six weeks as my levels won't stabalize so many factors to consider. Please see an expert in thyroid disease. And let me see if I can find the site. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2008, at 20:48:59
In reply to Re: Bleuberry one more question about Thyroid » Gary_SSRI_Guy, posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2008, at 20:42:56
Gary here is the site. Phillipa
Thyroid Disease 101
From Mary Shomon,
Your Guide to Thyroid Disease.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Basic Information on Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Nodules, Cancer
by Mary J. ShomonAn estimated 27 million Americans have thyroid disease, and more than half are undiagnosed. Frequently misunderstood, and too often overlooked and misdiagnosed, thyroid disease affects almost every aspect of health, so understanding more about the thyroid, and the symptoms that occur when something goes wrong with this small gland, can help you protect or regain good health.
Women are at the greatest risk, developing thyroid problems seven times more often than men. A woman faces as high as a one in five chance of developing thyroid problems during her lifetime, a risk that increases with age and for those with a family history of thyroid problems.
Where is the Thyroid and What Does it Do?
Your thyroid is a small bowtie or butterfly-shaped gland, located in your neck, wrapped around the windpipe, behind and below the Adam's Apple area.
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The thyroid produces several hormones, of which two are key: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones help oxygen get into cells, and make your thyroid the master gland of metabolism.The thyroid has the only cells in the body capable of absorbing iodine. The thyroid takes in iodine, obtained through food, iodized salt, or supplements, and combines it with the amino acid tyrosine. The thyroid then converts the iodine/tyrosine into the hormones T3 and T4. The "3" and the "4" refer to the number of iodine molecules in each thyroid hormone molecule.
When it's in good condition, of all the hormone produced by your thyroid, 80% will be T4 and 20% T3. T3 is considered the biologically more active hormone -- the one that actually functions at the cellular level -- and is also considered several times stronger than T4.
Once released by the thyroid, the T3 and T4 travel through the bloodstream. The purpose is to help cells convert oxygen and calories into energy.
As mentioned, the thyroid produces some T3. But the rest of the T3 needed by the body is actually formed from the mostly inactive T4 by a process sometimes referred to as "T4 to T3 conversion." This conversion of T4 to T3 can take place in some organs other than the thyroid, including the hypothalamus, a part of your brain.
The thyroid is part of a huge feedback process. The hypothalamus in the brain releases Thyrotropin-releasing Hormone (TRH). The release of TRH tells the pituitary gland to release Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). This TSH, circulating in your bloodstream, is what tells the thyroid to make thyroid hormones and release them into your bloodstream.
Causes of Thyroid Disease
What causes thyroid problems? There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the development of thyroid problems:
Exposure to radiation, such as occurred after the Chernobyl nuclear accident
Overconsumption of isoflavone-intensive soy products, such as soy protein, capsules, and powders
Some drugs, such as lithium and the heart drug cordarone, can cause hypothyroidism.
An overconsumption or shortage of iodine in the diet can also trigger some thyroid problems. (This also applies to iodine-containing supplements, such as kelp and bladderwrack.)
Radiation treatment to my head, neck or chest. Radiation treatment for tonsils, adenoids, lymph nodes, thymus gland problems, or acne
"Nasal Radium Therapy," which took place during the 1940s through 1960s, as a treatment for tonsillitis, colds and other ailments, or as a military submariner and/or pilot who had trouble with drastic changes in pressure
Overconsumption of uncooked "goitrogenic" foods, such as brussels sprouts, broccoli, rutabaga, turnips, kohlrabi, radishes, cauliflower, African cassava, millet, babassu, cabbage and kale
Surgical treatments for thyroid cancer, goiter, or nodules, in which all or part of the thyroid is removed, leave you hypothyroid
Radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) for Graves' disease and hyperthyroidism typically leave patients hypothyroid
You have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease if, among a variety of factors:You have a family member with a thyroid problem
You have another pituitary or endocrine disease
You or a family member have another autoimmune disease
You've been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
You've been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia
You're female
You're over 60
You've just had a baby
You're near menopause or menopausal
You're a smoker
You've been exposed to radiation
You've been treated with lithium
You've been exposed to certain chemicals (i.e., perchlorate, fluoride)Read more of this article now:
Part 2: Hypothyroidism
Part 3: Hyperthyroidism, Goiter, Nodules and Cancer
Part 4: Continuing Symptoms, Prevention
Part 5: Resources/More Info
Updated: June 19, 2006More of This Article
Part 2: Hypothyroidism
Part 3: Hyperthyroidism, Goiter,Nodules and Cancer
Part 4: Continuing Symptoms, Prevention
More Of This Article, Other Resources
Part 5: Resources/More Info
The Thyroid Top Doc Directory: Find a Doctor Now
Thyroid & Health Books & Guides for Patients
Basic Info /Thyroid 101
Thyroid Disease: What Newly Diagnosed Thyroid Patients ...
Thyroid Diet and Weight Loss Center, Thyroid Quizzes, O...
Risk Factors for Thyroid Disease
What to Do When You Don't Have a Thyroid Gland
I'm Tired, I'm Frustrated, and I GIVE UP!
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Posted by bleauberry on June 14, 2008, at 21:31:51
In reply to Bleuberry one more question about Thyroid, posted by Gary_SSRI_Guy on June 14, 2008, at 19:51:05
Wow, I am so sorry you are feeling so lousy. Hey, maybe it's just me, but I gotta say, if something I just recently started taking makes me a lot worse than I was before I started taking it, I say bye bye to it real fast. Someone else wants to wait to see if it somehow magically turns around, fine, let em. Not me. I will endure startup side effects, but that does not include severe deterioration of condition.
Armour or T3? That's a judgement call and anyone's guess. If it were me, I would go T3 first, armour second.
No comment on the lab numbers. All that really matters is how you respond.
Posted by Phillipa on June 15, 2008, at 0:34:56
In reply to Re: Bleuberry one more question about Thyroid, posted by bleauberry on June 14, 2008, at 21:31:51
Exactly too many endos and others docs only go by numbers mine included getting ready to check out a GP that a retired Chemist from Abbott Labs recommended to me tonight while out biking. He says his doc goes by how he feels. Blueberry glad you got the message. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 15, 2008, at 0:45:34
In reply to Re: Bleuberry one more question about Thyroid » bleauberry, posted by Phillipa on June 15, 2008, at 0:34:56
I did want to add that if you have a thyroid condition don't ignore it as I was told when it was discovered I would be on thyroid med for life. Not always the same dose as it fluctuates. When I started it make me very anxious had to up xanax was on at the time. About l0 days after starting synthroid and it was 25mcg same as you felt almost like my ears had popped open and felt normal again. The synthroid had kicked in. I then was able to lower the xanax. It stayed stable for ll years. Phillipa
Posted by SLS on June 15, 2008, at 5:36:51
In reply to Bleuberry one more question about Thyroid, posted by Gary_SSRI_Guy on June 14, 2008, at 19:51:05
I recently came upon a review of treatment strategies to augment antidepressants in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It demonstrated in a pool of double-blind studies that lithium was of little value as an augmentor of SSRIs, and SNRIs. Thyroid hormone (T3 Cytomel) produced superior results.
On the other hand, lithium has shown some value when added to tricyclics and MAOIs.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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