Posted by wishingstar on April 21, 2007, at 12:41:47
Has anyone ever heard of using thyroid meds to treat depression in people whose thyroid levels are normal?
I was just released from the inpatient psych unit yesterday. While I was there, the dr changed my meds. I'd started on the emsam patch, but it was irritating my skin so much he took me off it. Instead, I'm now taking abilify and synthroid (levothyroxine). They did all sorts of tests (even a brain scan!) and my thyroid levels were normal, but the dr suggested that sometimes thyroid meds help with depression anyway in addition to other meds. Certainly I know that an imbalance in the thyroid can cause depression, but it makes me a little nervous to take meds to affect this if it's already normal. I've never heard of this practice before. Anyone have any thoughts?
Also, if I took this medication, would weight gain or weight loss be more likely? I know the drs there expressed concern over my weight being too low (I do not restrict but have in the past, and am pretty small). I wonder if theyre not trying to "trick" me into taking this so I'll gain weight.. but I'm not sure if that's logical given the chemistry of it all.
Thanks everyone.
poster:wishingstar
thread:752006
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070419/msgs/752006.html