Posted by Cairo on December 30, 2004, at 18:02:53
In reply to Adderall XR and its effect on the thyroid, posted by Maxime on December 30, 2004, at 1:37:16
Here's my theory: I am hypothyroid, but Unithroid (T4 - like Synthroid) never helped my symptoms of tiredness, muscle aches and pains, cold intolerance, atypical depression even though my TSH level came down to less than 2 on it. I've never taken Adderal or any stimulants, but I just did a trial of Cymbalta which is a serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. I can't tolerate SSRIs at all, but I noticed at very low doses of Cymbalta, some of my hypothyroid like symptoms improve - more energy, less oily skin and facial breakouts, less hair loss, better tolerance of cold, less anxiety, better mood, etc. A 4 day period without Cymbalta (they lost my luggage and unfortunately my meds were in it)resulted in the hypothyroid-like symptoms returning. My thought is that my symptoms are due to a sluggish HPA axis; thyroid and adrenal testing come out normal (at least the common tests), but the adrenals and thyroid don't respond probably due to some feedback problem. My hypothyroidism is secondary to HPA dysfunction.
Since I've never noticed improvement on SSRIs, but do on Cymbalta, I must conclude that it is the norepinephrine component. If stimulants such as Adderal increase norepi, then one might surmise that anything that increases norepinephrine would improve a sluggish HPA axis, IF that is what you have. The trick would be to balance the Synthroid and the Adderal to keep your TSH at a level that won't cause problems.
Just my two cents worth.
Cairo
> Hello
>
> I take 30 mg of Adderall XR in the morning. I take for depression and to counteract side effects from Parnate. It has been a god send.
>
> HOWEVER, I went to see my endocrinologist because I suffer from hypothyroidism. Now I am hyperthyroid so he reduced my synthroid.
>
> Does anyone know what the effect of Adderall can have on the thyroid (if any)?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Maxime
poster:Cairo
thread:435606
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041228/msgs/435793.html