daisy Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 I'm just curious if anybody has used Armour Thyroid (or another thyroid medication) for depression. If so, what were your experiences? What was your dosage? Did you have any side effects? How long did it take to kick in? Of course, YMMV, but this is a new med for me which I don't know much about, so I thought I would try to get all of the info I could! I appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifequake Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I've been taking liothyronine (generic for Cytomel) for two months. In terms of side effects, I think it has increased my appetite slightly and caused a bit of nausea. After I made it through the first month, I noticed my mood had improved a bit. I am not sure whether the T3 is the cause, but my depression has been much better recently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna- Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I've been on thyroid medication for over a decade, but my thyroid was underactive, causing an exacerbation of depression. It was an astute pdoc who picked it up. My depression improved when my T4 picked up. So I didn't take it specifically to treat depression, if that's what you were asking, I took it to treat hypothyroidism. But it did help for the depression. Not enough, unfortunately, but the depression was also from the BP. So it's complex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisy Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 I've been taking liothyronine (generic for Cytomel) for two months. In terms of side effects, I think it has increased my appetite slightly and caused a bit of nausea. After I made it through the first month, I noticed my mood had improved a bit. I am not sure whether the T3 is the cause, but my depression has been much better recently. Thanks, lifequake! I looked up your med and it seems that it only affects T3 instead of T3 and T4. I'm not sure if that makes a difference. I'm hoping my appetite doesn't increase as I'm trying to lose weight! As for the nausea, my meds make me extremely nauseated for a few hours anyways (whether I take them with food or not), so if I have that side effect, I won't even notice. I'm SO happy to hear that your depression is much better recently!!! That's always great news. I am very happy for you!!! Thank you so much for your input, lifequake!!! I've been on thyroid medication for over a decade, but my thyroid was underactive, causing an exacerbation of depression. It was an astute pdoc who picked it up. My depression improved when my T4 picked up. So I didn't take it specifically to treat depression, if that's what you were asking, I took it to treat hypothyroidism. But it did help for the depression. Not enough, unfortunately, but the depression was also from the BP. So it's complex. Thanks, Luna-! I am pretty sure I have hypothyroidism as well, though I haven't been tested. I just fit almost every single symptom. It could be a coincidence, of course, but I suspect that it might be hypothyroidism. (I just don't want to be a hypochondriac about it and diagnose myself! I know I need to get tested... well, I have known that for a few years now, but keep putting it off.) If I do have hypothyroidism, however, it could explain why my depression became more severe around the same time most of these symptoms began. Again, for all I know, it could be a complete and total coincidence! I definitely don't expect it to help my depression by itself. I've not been diagnosed BP-2, but I do much better on medications for people with BP rather than typical depression. BP-2 has been discussed and not ruled out as a diagnosis, but I am pretty sure I am just a person who has a complicated form of depression who has simply happened to have the rare hypomanic episode... perhaps I belong on the spectrum somewhere, but I don't consider myself BP-2. I'd rather focus on treating my depression with whatever med helps ME and not focus on an exact diagnosis. Mine has been VERY complicated to treat, as I don't respond to most depression meds, but more off-label meds. I hope this will be an off-label med that works for me, even if it is just a little! Just out of curiosity, Luna-, did your thyroid medication cause weight gain or increase in appetite? I know everybody's mileage varies and we're not even on the same medication, but I'm very worried about that as I'm trying to lose weight. I really appreciate your help!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luna- Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Just out of curiosity, Luna-, did your thyroid medication cause weight gain or increase in appetite? I know everybody's mileage varies and we're not even on the same medication, but I'm very worried about that as I'm trying to lose weight. I really appreciate your help!!! No, it didn't. As far as I know it is hypothyroidism that causes weight gain, the hormone normalises your metabolism. I have even heard of people trying to get thyroid hormone to lose weight. It didn't make me gain weight, it was the crazy meds that did that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisy Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 Just out of curiosity, Luna-, did your thyroid medication cause weight gain or increase in appetite? I know everybody's mileage varies and we're not even on the same medication, but I'm very worried about that as I'm trying to lose weight. I really appreciate your help!!! No, it didn't. As far as I know it is hypothyroidism that causes weight gain, the hormone normalises your metabolism. I have even heard of people trying to get thyroid hormone to lose weight. It didn't make me gain weight, it was the crazy meds that did that. Wow! Thanks for the super quick response! You're awesome! That's what I heard, but I was hoping it was actually true, as the poster above had an increased appetite. The crazy meds (or at the very least, my increased appetite) started my ascent from a size 2 to a size 12, so I'm happy to hear that weight gain shouldn't be an issue. I'm trying so hard to lose the weight, and I would hate to add another obstacle. I can't believe people would try to get it just to lose weight! We have diet and exercise for that. Of course, I wouldn't mind if I happened to lose some weight, considering I'm taking it because I need it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysergia Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I can't believe people would try to get it just to lose weight! We have diet and exercise for that. Of course, I wouldn't mind if I happened to lose some weight, considering I'm taking it because I need it... i don't take armour, but i do take synthroid for my hypothyroidism. this quote caught my eye because just a few weeks ago, my gdoc and i were talking about this. he told me a story about a colleague who was desperate to lose weight, so he decided to take synthroid every day (even though his T3 and T4 were normal). he had a heart attack and almost died. so yeah people try to use it for that purpose, but at extreme risk. (and if you're bipolar it can also make you hella crazy manic/psychotic). i had a synthroid increase a little while ago and i'm hoping i get a little weight loss too. at least ONE of these pills in my med box should help me lose instead of gain! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisy Posted May 13, 2013 Author Share Posted May 13, 2013 I can't believe people would try to get it just to lose weight! We have diet and exercise for that. Of course, I wouldn't mind if I happened to lose some weight, considering I'm taking it because I need it... i don't take armour, but i do take synthroid for my hypothyroidism. this quote caught my eye because just a few weeks ago, my gdoc and i were talking about this. he told me a story about a colleague who was desperate to lose weight, so he decided to take synthroid every day (even though his T3 and T4 were normal). he had a heart attack and almost died. so yeah people try to use it for that purpose, but at extreme risk. (and if you're bipolar it can also make you hella crazy manic/psychotic). i had a synthroid increase a little while ago and i'm hoping i get a little weight loss too. at least ONE of these pills in my med box should help me lose instead of gain! Lysergia!!! How I've missed you!!! You always answer my topics and questions. You're, like, one of my VERY favorite people on here and you're awesome at life. It's scary to think about what people will do to lose weight. That's terrifying!!! I'm glad he didn't die due to his own negligence. (I thought that was a nicer word than stupidity.) Of course, even if I don't have hypothyroidism, I'm on a low dose that could possibly help my depression but probably not make me have hyperthyroidism or nearly have a heart attack. I hope... But I'm pretty sure my pdoc isn't actively trying to murder me, so I'm probably good! I'd love a medicine that would make me lose weight rather than gain weight, but my guess is that it won't. After all, I've been on ADHD meds for 11 years now and have not lost one pound because of them... I must be the only person who hasn't lost weight. My experience with meds is that if they're "weight neutral" then I'll gain 5 pounds, if they cause weight loss, I'll stay exactly the same, and if they cause weight gain, my weight will go through the roof! But back on topic, Synthroid is one similar to Armour, except synthetic, that works with T3 and T4, right? I know you're taking it for your hypothyroidism -- which I will get checked for, as I've been saying for years -- and that everybody's mileage varies, and that you're on a completely different pill... but what sort of experiences have you had? Side effects? (My prescription sheet said it had no side effects, which I assume can't be right!) I guess I'm just scared because this is a class of meds I know nothing about. I usually know everything about what I'm putting into my body, but this time, I really don't. I don't even understand the research I've tried to read! My pdoc prescribed this to me pretty much on my way out the door, so I don't even know when the effects are supposed to kick in or what I should expect. I see him in three weeks, but I just have so many questions that I'm going crazy! If you can share any personal experiences about your thyroid medication, I'd REALLY appreciate it. I know it will be different than what I'll go through, but maybe I won't freak out so much about it so much if I hear more about what other people have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysergia Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 aw daisy, i really like you too i think if you're not hypothyroid to begin with, it's a little different, but not much. there aren't really any side-effects from the med itself, that's true. the hormonal change itself will shake things up a little though (i should hope so, as that's why you're taking it!). the first change i would hope for is an increase in energy level. if you've been feeling lethargic, it's quite possible it will get better. in theory it should speed up your metabolism a little, too (you won't ever gain weight from taking anything that increases your thyroid levels, i promise!). you might notice your appetite is a little higher, but not overwhelmingly so like on AAPs (no cravings for junk foods, unless you already do heh). you might get a little thirstier. it might make you less depressed (i hope it does for you). those are the main effects i can think of right now. be sure that not only are you getting regular blood tests, but getting your heart rate and blood pressure taken too. your heart rate might speed up just a little bit, but unless you have heart problems, it's a minimal increase or even not at all. right now, i'm taking more synthroid than is "normal" for someone with hypothyroidism as per test results. the tests have said i'm at a good baseline. but i've still had symptoms for a long time, so we're going above the indicated dose. nothing terrible is happening because of it. but my symptoms are better now (my hair isn't falling out anymore! yay!). i hope you have the same success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteFemale Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 I am hypothyroid and this reminds me I need to get my TSH checked so I can get refills. Before I knew I had a thyroid problem, and during periods I forget to take my meds, I become very lethargic and blah. If you add that on top of depression, then it just sends you deeper into that hole you are trying so hard to get out of. Tired, sleepy, no energy, etc. It makes depression even worse I cannot stress that enough. Once I was on the correct hormones for my body, then my energy level increases and I become a lot less tired and sleepy. I never lost much weight after I got on the meds, but I sure did gain it before I knew I needed them. It didn't "cure" my depression but it made it physically better, if that makes sense. I really have no clue about people taking it for depression who don't have a thyroid disorder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daisy Posted May 14, 2013 Author Share Posted May 14, 2013 Thanks, y'all, for the helpful comments. Like I said, I know my experiences will be very different, but hearing stories that didn't scare me really helped. It sounds like things might stay pretty normal... except I'm hoping that the "less lethargic" side effect will kick in for me. Also, you know, the less depression thing, since that's what I'm taking it for! I'm starting to worry a bit less now. I appreciate y'all so much!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Slow to the party but I thought I would bring something to read. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18206856 A study on T3 to treat depression. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16483669 A SSRI Augmentation study showing some results. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16086620 Another SSRI Augmentation study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22964160 A study showing that augmentation of zoloft with T3 didn't do much... Its an interesting avenue of attack, Seems to work in some people though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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