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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by spike4848 on February 10, 2002, at 20:19:46
Hey Everyone,
Anyone have sucess with thyroid augmentation?
Spike
Posted by IsoM on February 10, 2002, at 22:36:15
In reply to Anyone Augment with Thyroid Hormones?, posted by spike4848 on February 10, 2002, at 20:19:46
Spike, I don't know if I'd call it augmentation but I do take Synthroid. My TSH levels was 6 something. I know when levels reach around 1 that one is probably taking too much but my metabolism has always been fast & I feel like a slug (& resultant weird mood feelings) if it goes higher than 3. Do you know what your level is? Americans & Canadians use different units in measuring lots of blood levels like cholestreol & such so I don't know if the Canadian level is the same for TSH.
Posted by Noa on February 11, 2002, at 11:54:20
In reply to Re: Anyone Augment with Thyroid Hormones? » spike4848, posted by IsoM on February 10, 2002, at 22:36:15
I started off using cytomel to augment my ADs, based on my pdoc's assessment that I was "subclinically" hypothyroid. Later I was diagnosed being in the clinical range, despite what many doctors would call "borderline" TSH numbers (around 5 pre-cytomel, and then around 3.5 on cytomel and synthroid). The endocrinologist has me on both cytomel and synthroid--enough where my symptoms go away, which turned out to correspond to a TSH of less than 1, which the endo says is fine, but which many doctors find too scary to work with.
In any event, the thyroid meds did help to boost the AD effects, but even more important, until my hypothyroid symptoms were fully addressed, the depression just kept resisting the treatment.
Posted by spike4848 on February 11, 2002, at 19:12:41
In reply to Re: Anyone Augment with Thyroid Hormones?, posted by Noa on February 11, 2002, at 11:54:20
Very interesting. Thyroid hormone is alway listed second after lithium for augmentation. But it seem no pdoc follows the textbooks ..... instead of lithium and thyroid, they go right to wellbutrin or stimulant or lamictal. I know in internal medicine, it is trendy to use the newer drugs .... but you end up going back to what is tried and true, the older meds.
I am looking for my last TSH now.
Thanks,
Spike
Posted by Noa on February 12, 2002, at 16:27:23
In reply to Thanks guys and of course my favorite gal!, posted by spike4848 on February 11, 2002, at 19:12:41
Spike,
Maybe print out the anecdotal stuff from the docs at Dr-Bob's Psychopharmocology Tips (search under thyroid or Cytomel,etc.) to take to the pdoc with you? Some docs are responsive to this, some get annoyed when people print stuff out and bring it in. I think how you present it makes a difference though--you know, still look to the doc as the expert, etc.
Good luck.
Posted by anniebananie on February 13, 2002, at 18:47:10
In reply to Anyone Augment with Thyroid Hormones?, posted by spike4848 on February 10, 2002, at 20:19:46
> Hey Everyone,
>
> Anyone have sucess with thyroid augmentation?
>
> Spike
I did about ten years ago when I tested "low normal", but I moved & my new doctor informed me "we don't do that here". A few months ago I asked if I could try again, but as I then tested in the middle of normal, he didn't think itwas a good idea. But it did help when I took it.Good luck,
Annie
Posted by LyndaK on February 15, 2002, at 0:41:41
In reply to Re: Anyone Augment with Thyroid Hormones?, posted by anniebananie on February 13, 2002, at 18:47:10
I tried it too. My psychiatrist put me on it when my lab results came back "low normal". It seemed to help me metabolize the antidepressant better thereby getting more effect from a lower dose. My primary care physician was rather leary about me being on it though. When I asked him why he told me he was worried about me developing osteoporosis as a longterm side-effect.
Posted by IsoM on February 15, 2002, at 1:13:59
In reply to Re: Anyone Augment with Thyroid Hormones?, posted by LyndaK on February 15, 2002, at 0:41:41
That's the standard answer you'll get from a doctor, Lynda, & it can be valid. Osteoarthritis is becoming more commom among women, especially as they age & it's not as well understood as some think. Higher thyroid levels can lead to faster bone-wasting. Perhaps if you reassure your doctor that you're getting extra calcium, magnesium, & vitamin D plus weight-bearing exercise, he won't feel so nervous.
This is the end of the thread.
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