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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by db on May 11, 2004, at 20:01:10
Hello - first post so forgive the length. I am facing some on-going health issues whose beginnings coincide with prescription of SSRIs for "atypical depression" about 10 years ago. The last time I was prescribed an AD was 4 years ago, and I have been on several different ADs over the years, including Zoloft, Prozac, Luvox and Wellbutrin.
About 2 years ago, I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but with normal TSH levels - a condition which my doctor suspects had been missed for *years* due to the misleading TSH (which had been tested periodically while on SSRIs). The thought is now that my depressive symptoms, particularly in later years, may have been largely due to hypothyroidism, not depression at all. I have not had depressive symptoms since beginning treatment for hypothyroidism.
Now, as a result of a problem that has had the same time frame but not improved appreciably with treatment for hypothyroidism, they suspect I am low on testosterone and will be testing for that (BTW, I'm a female).
Doing some Googling, I just read on-line a possible link between pituitary dysfunction and low testosterone levels. Twigged my memory about the connections between pituitary dysfunction and hypothyroidism, particularly in cases like mine where the TSH remained normal. I've never been tested for pititary dysfunction - they simply put me on Synthroid without investigating the cause of the hypothyroidism.
Makes me wonder - any data out there suggesting damage to the pituitary, or other endocrine-related damage from SSRIs? They are the only drugs I have ever been prescribed, apart from garden-variety antibiotics. I've seen suggestions of permanent damage being possible from other psychoactive drugs like Ecstacy (which I've never taken, BTW, nor any other illicit drug) so it makes me ask the question.
Any thoughts appreciated,
D
Posted by jodeye on May 11, 2004, at 21:12:22
In reply to Data on possible permanent/very long-term effects?, posted by db on May 11, 2004, at 20:01:10
Hello db,
I have no answers for you. Your post reminded me of a brain MRI I had several years ago for orbital pain. Part of the radiologists report stated "blah-blah-blah, pituitary is small, blah-blah-blah." I always wondered if that meant it was too small, or just not enlarged, but the neurologist was of no help in answering.
Anyways, hope someone here can help.
--Jay
Posted by afatchic on May 14, 2004, at 10:42:52
In reply to Data on possible permanent/very long-term effects?, posted by db on May 11, 2004, at 20:01:10
I have a nearly identical problem and I've been wondering the same thing. Have you read about the SSRI-testosterone link?
http://www.priory.com/psych/sexdys.htmI've had my testosterone checked and it's so low that they could barely measure it (BTW,I'm female too). I'm planning to have it rechecked and if it's still low, I will start replacement therapy with bio-identical hormones.
Also, I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism after years of symptoms and "normal" labs. I'm taking Armour thyroid; most patients prefer it to synthroid. Have you been to the About.com thyroid site?
http://thyroid.about.com/mbody.htm
They have excellent information and support there in the forum.I keep wondering if the years I spent on Prozac caused permanent damage. It would be one hell of a class action suit.
> Hello - first post so forgive the length. I am facing some on-going health issues whose beginnings coincide with prescription of SSRIs for "atypical depression" about 10 years ago. The last time I was prescribed an AD was 4 years ago, and I have been on several different ADs over the years, including Zoloft, Prozac, Luvox and Wellbutrin.
>
> About 2 years ago, I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but with normal TSH levels - a condition which my doctor suspects had been missed for *years* due to the misleading TSH (which had been tested periodically while on SSRIs). The thought is now that my depressive symptoms, particularly in later years, may have been largely due to hypothyroidism, not depression at all. I have not had depressive symptoms since beginning treatment for hypothyroidism.
>
> Now, as a result of a problem that has had the same time frame but not improved appreciably with treatment for hypothyroidism, they suspect I am low on testosterone and will be testing for that (BTW, I'm a female).
>
> Doing some Googling, I just read on-line a possible link between pituitary dysfunction and low testosterone levels. Twigged my memory about the connections between pituitary dysfunction and hypothyroidism, particularly in cases like mine where the TSH remained normal. I've never been tested for pititary dysfunction - they simply put me on Synthroid without investigating the cause of the hypothyroidism.
>
> Makes me wonder - any data out there suggesting damage to the pituitary, or other endocrine-related damage from SSRIs? They are the only drugs I have ever been prescribed, apart from garden-variety antibiotics. I've seen suggestions of permanent damage being possible from other psychoactive drugs like Ecstacy (which I've never taken, BTW, nor any other illicit drug) so it makes me ask the question.
> Any thoughts appreciated,
> D
This is the end of the thread.
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