DOES ANYONE TAKE SYNTHROID ALONG WITH BP MEDS?

Hi, I currently take Levothyroxine(which is pretty much the same thing as synthroid) for hypothyroidism.  I see an Enodcrinologist that manages the dose for this medicine.  Generally they look at TSH(thyroid Stimulating Hormone) to determine to increase or decrease the dose.  Your doctors should be able to tell you what drugs interact.  So, when you see your doctor be sure to tell them all the meds you are on and any concerns that you have.

The bipolar drug that I take is Lithium, and I know levothyroxine does not interact.  Just make sure to tell your doctor all of your concerns.

Initially I did gain weight on the Lithium.  Although I am not sure if it was just the fact that I was so depressed.  I had a manic episode and then went into this deep depression.  I spent a lot of time in bed doing nothing, and probably overeating.  So, this inactivity in itself could have done it.  Plus, I was on Seroquel then as well and that also causes weight gain.

Anway, I did end up gaining about 35 pounds total.  However, I became dedicated about exercising and eating well and was able to lose all the weight.  I have kept the weight off for about 2 years, and have not gained it back.  I am just taking lithium right now and have not had a problem with gaining weight.

I know that with lithium it can affect the thryroid and actually cause hypothyroidism.  However, you said you had your thyroid removed so I don't think that should be a problem.  I know there is no negative interactions with lithium and synthroid.  Also, lithium has some properties that help with depression as well as mania.  I would look into getting a doctor that you can trust.  I can't tell you how important that is.

Thanks so much for your reply, you do make sense that's for sure. I hope and pray that soon I'll be better but I do know one thing, joining this site and talking to people like you has made my day!! Thanks so much for your kind words and knowledge!!!

tonda,

every medication, from penicillan to lithium, is atually a poison and will afect the boy one waay or another.  each person is diffeent in how we metabolize or excreat meds, so the effects of a particular rx on one person will be different in how it effects another person.

not everyone gains waight on bp meds.  gaining weight is a side effect that not every individual gets.

every drug, vitamin, mineral, protien drink, and food consumed has inherent interactions.  for example, oil based vitamins interact negatively to water nabased vitamins.  some say you should never take them together.

lithium and some other nood stabelizing drugs play havoc with the thyroid, which is why you should have your thyroid checked every 6 mos to a yr.  taking thyroid supplements, such as the ones you have mentioned, should be taken at least an hour before taking lithium or two hours after taking it.  my phamacist and dr agreed that this woud give me the best chance of both drugs working and causing the least interaction.

hope this helps.

warren

Hi Tondalaya,

Oh dear, must I always be telling people not to wish for their manias?! lol ;) Yeah, you know the deal with those pesky things!! :)

In fact, I think your doc might be right to move you off Ablify: it is generally used for the treatment of acute manic and mixed episodes and then as a maintenance med for at least 6 weeks after that's cleared. If you're now in depression, it's definitely not the right thing for you (and bp meds often have to be altered like this according to which phase you're in). By contrast, Lamictal is a long-term treatment maintenace med, and, if it work well, you may never have another acute episode and so never have to be on Ablify again! :)

I do think you've got a point about being on an a-d as well though (both Ablify and Lamictal are mood stabilisers I think). Are you still on Effexor? It may be that your doc thinks the problems were with the Ablify not the Effexor (if you're on Ablify too long it can send you to the opposite end of the spectrum from the mania it's supposed to combat). In which case, she may be switching you to Lamictal and seeing how things go with the Effexor-Lamictal combo before reassessing -- or she may be starting you on Lamictal on its own, getting you adjusted to that (and seeing if there are any negative reactions) before introducing an alternative a-d into the mix.

Make sure you keep asking your doc questions: it seems like she's not explained things to you quite as clearly as she could have. Also, it's always worth checking out the info sheets or websites for the meds you're on: they give some really useful information if you're not sure what you're on them for. Oh, and keep asking questions here too of course!!!!

Rosie x

I take sythroid as well as lamictal, and so far so good. I asked my GP about Armour Thyroid and she seemed pretty persuasively against it. It is derived from animal sources, and she was concerned about it not being closely regulated re: prion diseases, etc. To me, this seems somewhat alarmist, but as I feel like quite enough like a "mad cow" as it is, it didn't seem worth risking the change. I just had a dexa scan, and I don't have osteoporosis to worry about; that might make the A.T. a more appealing option. Good luck with sorting this all out. I know it can get overwhelming sometimes.

Thanks Briar,

Well I went into the GP and expected a fight on the A thyroid but I didn't take no for an answer and I guess I was the 3rd person in 2 wks. to ask for it instead of Synthroid. I know that say alot of bad things about it but if you check out the Synthroid they are having some real issues with the reg. dose on that too, so who knows??? But thanks for the input. I found out my PDoc is really a Nurse Practioner ( what a surprise that wasn't) she's an idiot!! But what I don't get is how they can call her a Dr. when she's not??? That's AZ for you. I started on the A thyroid last week so we'll see. Now she gave me Seroquel instead of Lamictal???? Help?? At least that does help with the sleeping. Have a good one!!!

Thanks Rosie,

Actually she told took me off effexor (I was on that for a few months) and put me on abiliy, I took it for a few days but the headaches were too much so I wasn't on anything for a week. Really bad news. She said "we're going to put you on Lamictal when you come in again", that was on my first visit to her and I got there and she changed her mind.

I got in there on Thurs and she says she wants to put me on the Seroquel? I asked her about the Lamictal and she said she only wants me on one thing at a time and because I'm not sleeping she put me on Serquel. So I have to go and see her on Tues. Don't people usually take them together? I'm having mood swings like you wouldn't believe, I can't keep my head straight.

I need to see about getting a real doctor but I can't go without any meds so until I get another doc it's going to be pretty much up to me to get this together. Maybe the Seroquel salesman was just in and she's getting a kick back? Sorry to be such synic but I'm totally with you on this stuff. I also have a stress fracture in my foot and am going for an MRI on my ankle (wearing a brace now). My bones are just giving out on me too, stupid osteoporosis. So far I haven't had any side effects from the Armour change so that's one positive thing so far.

What a mess!!

Thanks for caring and for the advice, Lord knows I need it. It sure helps to know that somebody else thinks she's a nut too and is concerned about what she's doing.

I'll let you know what happens on Tues.

Take care