Posted by Ritch on February 15, 2005, at 12:19:58
In reply to Newbie - Lithium - Thyroid run amuck, posted by wearybuthopeful on February 15, 2005, at 11:19:37
> Hello all.
>
> I used to lurk here years ago. Decided I need your collective wisdom.
>
> After many years of treatment for treatment refractory unipolar depression (all SSRI's, Wellbutrin, Serzone, and other combos - only responded to Effexor ((couldn't tolerate side effects)) and add on of low dose Risperdal to Serzone - pooped out quickly), I saw another p-doc.
>
> He diagosed bipolar depression and put me on lithium. After a few months, became hypothryoid. Added .25 Synthroid and was okay for a year or so. Then thyroid went nuts. TSH was 0; Anti-Thyro was very high as we T-4 and TPO Auto Ab, though not sure what that is.
>
> Primary care doc reduced thyroid by 50% and I'm weaning off lithium (later will try lamictal)
>
> Yesterday, turns out my TSH is back to normal and
> T-4 nearly normal. Going in for another series of labs after next lithium taper - in a week or so. This primary care doc says he's not sure if I'll ever normalize completely, but haven't heard back from P-doc. Also, no explanation given for this nuttiness that has ensured with thyroid levels.
>
> Also, right in menopause now and wondering if that precipitated this nightmare. It's my understanding that most people regain normal thyroid function once off lithium.
>
> Does anyone have any ideas or experiences to share?
>
> Thanks for listening to this ramble.
>
> WearyI think you will be ok once you are off the lithium. I was on it for many years and then I got high serum calcium and then a few months later a thyroid tumor. So, it's out of the picture for me to use again. Don't worry, it sounds like your doc is staying on top of things and your bloodwork is starting to normalize. I haven't had any trouble with serum calcium being high or abnormal thyroid in quite a while and I've only got 1/3 of a thryoid left. Good luck!
poster:Ritch
thread:458123
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050212/msgs/458163.html