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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2002, at 16:01:42
Hi,
Perhaps this is too technical a question to
ask here; i would appreciate a lead in case
anyone has one:It is common knowledge that a frequent
side effect of lithium, especially taken
chronically, causes hypothyroidism.I have read that once the lithium treatment
is removed, the thyroid function and level
goes back to its original state.I am wondering how fast that would happen and
how long it would take. I have never experimented
for very long, as i get speedy when i drop a lithium
cap from the normal daily dosage; i imagine that
the speediness is because the thyroxine is rising.But frankly, not having any medical knowledge,
i just don't know. I WOULD like to reduce my
lithium, but i think that my dr. would have to
also reduce the Synthroid - possibly a tricky
balancing act but perhaps worth doing if the lithium
dose is too high for me.any ideas or reports of similar *experiences* would be
much appreciated;Squiggles
Posted by pfinstegg on October 7, 2002, at 17:39:30
In reply to Lithium-induced hypothyroidism reversability, posted by Squiggles on October 7, 2002, at 16:01:42
Hi.. this seems to be thyroid day! Since slight thyroid abnormalities are often present with depression itself, as well as with drugs like lithium, I think the only way to know "what is doing what"(isn't that a big problem!) would be to get a current TSH and T3 and T4 levels, and then see if they change when you try a lower dose of lithium.
Would love to know what you find if you try this- take care.
pfinstegg
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