Synthroid and Paxil

pkj · 11-23-2011, 11:20 AM

Hi guys,

Anyone else on Synthroid and Paxil?

A couple of months ago the doc decided to put me on Synthroid. My thyroid tests had been showing normal T4 but elevated TSH. Never had thyroid problems before Paxil. She told me to get back with her if I started to feel as if I'd drunk ten cups of coffee.

I've been feeling fantastic other than migraines (every time I drop the paxil dose) Really been enjoying life and thought I was just about back to normal. It's been wonderful! Then this week I suddenly started with the jitters. Teeth chattering all the time. ( I had that a lot until I was down to about 7mg paxil when it faded away) Every little exertion gets my heart pounding and I was too weak to get out of bed for two days. Up today but very shaky.

I went to the doctor yesterday and she did a thyroid test and other blood work but the results won't be in until next week due to the holiday.

Wonder if anyone else has had similar problems.

Thanks,

Polly

Xpaxilslave · 11-23-2011, 11:38 AM

I started synthroid in the summer. My thyroid was low. The first day I took it I couldnt sleep and thought I was going to vomit. The next day I started crying daily but I also had a biopsy and got down to 5 mgs of paxil two days before. I didnt know what was causing me to feel so sick. It is a long story but I cut my dose in half and I just had it tested again. The test were in normal range.

pkj · 11-23-2011, 03:18 PM

Thanks xpaxilslave, How are you now? Sounds like you are off paxil altogether.

The Synthroid didn't seem to affect me at all until now. I'm really hoping that that is the culprit because I've been feeling really good on the whole. Of course the first thought is "Oh no. I'm going back to the way I was!" I'm tempted to cut the synthroid pill in half ( it's 25mg) and see if I feel better. But afraid to mess with it.

Polly

lenany · 11-23-2011, 03:23 PM

I'm on synthroid. Each time they upped the dose (i'm stable, at least for now), I was jittery for about 3 days. That's a common side effect.

scotty · 11-23-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkj

Hi guys,

Anyone else on Synthroid and Paxil?

A couple of months ago the doc decided to put me on Synthroid. My thyroid tests had been showing normal T4 but elevated TSH. Never had thyroid problems before Paxil. She told me to get back with her if I started to feel as if I'd drunk ten cups of coffee.

Were you having symptoms of hypothyroid? An elevated TSH with a normal T4 is "subclinical" hypothyroid. Current wisdom is to not treat unless there are symptoms of hypothyroid.

pkj · 11-23-2011, 08:55 PM

It's hard to say Scotty. I was having a bunch of side effects from the paxil ( at the time I didn't realize that. Thought it was all part of what was wrong with me.)plus the greif of my Mom's death and weight dropping off me because of being unable to eat. She decided to check my thyroid and that was the result. She was reluctant to put me on more meds and held off. She re checked my levels again a couple of month later and they were still the same. She thought I should go on a low dose of Synthroid. Guess I'll just have to wait until the results come back next week. I wish she'd checked it before I went on Paxil as I have a feeling it's the Paxil that's affected the thyroid.

pkj · 11-23-2011, 08:58 PM

Hey Lenany, your off Lexapro!!!

Big hugs to you. I hope all goes well.

scotty · 11-23-2011, 09:04 PM

Many paxil users have had thyroid blood work abnormalities..the good news is that they usually resolve after the paxil is gone. Something to keep in mind as you come off the Paxil. Makes me a bit nuts when a doc jumps to a medical problem, when the cause, such as weight loss, has a very logical explanation.

Oh, and hypothyroid doesn't make one lose weight...they gain weight.

pkj · 11-23-2011, 09:41 PM

Yes Scotty. I'm wondering if now that I'm getting way down on the Paxil, maybe my thyroid is kicking back into gear and the Synthroid dose is too high.

The sad part of it all is that you can't discuss this stuff with the doctors. Paxil can do no wrong.

Been feeling a bit better this evening thank goodness.

tootsieroll · 11-24-2011, 03:23 AM

I'm really glad to see someone post about thyroid meds. I went through a period where my cortisol and thyroid levels were out of wack. I experienced a lot of hypothyroid and adrenal fatigue symptoms but NOW i realize that during this period I was trying different SSRIs due to weight issue. I involuntarily put myself through withdrawal and start up side effects and I think that was too much for my body to handle. I gained weight quickly, was cold all the time, slept all day and couldn't work out without feeling awful. My T3 was very low and was given cytomel (super low dose) and natural thyroid, and although it helped a bit I never felt quite right. Meds made my T3 go up really quick and I felt better once off it.

Now I find that my thyroid levels are normal but the TSH is just a tiny bit elevated. So all seems good now and my taper is terrific so far. Lets just hope it stays this way.

lenany · 11-24-2011, 04:20 PM

PKJ - Yes! I'm off Lexapro! I'm doing really well, actually. The past few days have been a bit hard but that's because I am sick (nasty cold) and haven't been able to do my normal exercise activities (walking and yoga).

I'm so happy and proud of myself, you can't imagine. What a liberating feeling to finally be off.

lenany · 11-24-2011, 06:01 PM

Look at this article on the NY Times regarding this issue:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/he...994CCA0B596917

pkj · 11-24-2011, 06:06 PM

You go girl!!! I'm so happy for you!

Hope you can get back to exercising. It makes such a difference in how we feel and handle things.

OOh, I'm just happy, happy happy for you

May all your dreams come true.

pkj · 11-24-2011, 06:21 PM

We were posting at the same time.

Thanks for the link. That's really interesting.

Oh, to be sorted out and back to "normal life".

pkj · 11-24-2011, 06:25 PM

Tootsieroll, thanks for your info. Looks like there's hope that my levels will get back to normal once I'm off the paxil.

Good luck in your taper. I'm so glad to have found this forum.

eileen · 11-25-2011, 05:14 AM

I'm certain that Paxil affected my thyroid for I became hypothyroid while on it and when down to the lower doses I became so overactive that I lost 59 pounds in three months, was working and woke up every hour on the hour . My doctor lowered my Synthoid dose and it went back down. I made them mistake of thinking it would come back up and asked him to wait to see if it would correct itself. That was a big mistake for I gained 20 pounds and was so tired, I could hardly get off the couch.

I think it's important if you've developed a thyroid problem on Paxil to have it checked very often.

Eileen

pkj · 11-25-2011, 10:33 AM

Thanks so much Eileen.

Yes, I'll make sure to keep having it checked. It's interesting to see how many others developed thyroid problems while on ads.

The headache I've had all week isn't as bad today so I'm not feeling nauseated. Actually have a bit of an appetite. Still jittery though. Just trying to stay busy to take my mind off it.

spikenala · 11-25-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pkj

Thanks so much Eileen.

Yes, I'll make sure to keep having it checked. It's interesting to see how many others developed thyroid problems while on ads.

The headache I've had all week isn't as bad today so I'm not feeling nauseated. Actually have a bit of an appetite. Still jittery though. Just trying to stay busy to take my mind off it.

Studies seem to point to the fact that ssris cause reversible thyroid suppression. Once you are off the drug you should be fine. Most true thyroid disorders are autoimmune in nature.

Research really isnt my focus within healthcare...however it would be interesting to conduct a study on misdiagnosed primary or secondary hyper/hypo in SSRI patients....because I would be willing to bet a significant number of patients out there are on thyroid meds unnecessarily.

pkj · 11-30-2011, 07:51 PM

Just a quick update. The nurse called with the results of the bloodwork. The doctor has increased the synthroid. I think I posted that I was on 25mg. Sorry, it was .025mg. Very low dose. She's increased it to .05mg. So my thoery was wrong. I thought it would need to be decreased now that I'm on a much lower dose of Paxil

My Vitamin D was low again so I'm back on the prescription vit D for 12 weeks.

The strange thing is, I started to feel much better again over the weekend. Was beginning to think it was just a bug.

11-23-2011, 11:20 AM	#1
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Synthroid and Paxil Hi guys, Anyone else on Synthroid and Paxil? A couple of months ago the doc decided to put me on Synthroid. My thyroid tests had been showing normal T4 but elevated TSH. Never had thyroid problems before Paxil. She told me to get back with her if I started to feel as if I'd drunk ten cups of coffee. I've been feeling fantastic other than migraines (every time I drop the paxil dose) Really been enjoying life and thought I was just about back to normal. It's been wonderful! Then this week I suddenly started with the jitters. Teeth chattering all the time. ( I had that a lot until I was down to about 7mg paxil when it faded away) Every little exertion gets my heart pounding and I was too weak to get out of bed for two days. Up today but very shaky. I went to the doctor yesterday and she did a thyroid test and other blood work but the results won't be in until next week due to the holiday. Wonder if anyone else has had similar problems. Thanks, Polly __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-23-2011, 11:38 AM	#2
Xpaxilslave Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: PA Posts: 297	Re: Synthroid and Paxil I started synthroid in the summer. My thyroid was low. The first day I took it I couldnt sleep and thought I was going to vomit. The next day I started crying daily but I also had a biopsy and got down to 5 mgs of paxil two days before. I didnt know what was causing me to feel so sick. It is a long story but I cut my dose in half and I just had it tested again. The test were in normal range.

11-23-2011, 03:18 PM	#3
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Thanks xpaxilslave, How are you now? Sounds like you are off paxil altogether. The Synthroid didn't seem to affect me at all until now. I'm really hoping that that is the culprit because I've been feeling really good on the whole. Of course the first thought is "Oh no. I'm going back to the way I was!" I'm tempted to cut the synthroid pill in half ( it's 25mg) and see if I feel better. But afraid to mess with it. Polly __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-23-2011, 03:23 PM	#4
lenany Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 168	Re: Synthroid and Paxil I'm on synthroid. Each time they upped the dose (i'm stable, at least for now), I was jittery for about 3 days. That's a common side effect. __________________ started lexapro, 20mg jan 2006 taper #1, 15mg june 15 2011 taper #2, 10mg june 26 2011 taper #3, 05mg july 15 2011 taper #3 didn't go too well - very depressed started 10mg again on 7/16 taper #3 - take 2, 7.5mg july 26 2011 taper #4 - 5mg, august 26, 2011 taper #5 - 2.5mg, october 14, 2011 final dose: october 22, 2011

11-23-2011, 08:55 PM	#6
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil It's hard to say Scotty. I was having a bunch of side effects from the paxil ( at the time I didn't realize that. Thought it was all part of what was wrong with me.)plus the greif of my Mom's death and weight dropping off me because of being unable to eat. She decided to check my thyroid and that was the result. She was reluctant to put me on more meds and held off. She re checked my levels again a couple of month later and they were still the same. She thought I should go on a low dose of Synthroid. Guess I'll just have to wait until the results come back next week. I wish she'd checked it before I went on Paxil as I have a feeling it's the Paxil that's affected the thyroid. __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-23-2011, 08:58 PM	#7
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Hey Lenany, your off Lexapro!!! Big hugs to you. I hope all goes well. __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-23-2011, 09:04 PM	#8
scotty Administrator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 47,004	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Many paxil users have had thyroid blood work abnormalities..the good news is that they usually resolve after the paxil is gone. Something to keep in mind as you come off the Paxil. Makes me a bit nuts when a doc jumps to a medical problem, when the cause, such as weight loss, has a very logical explanation. Oh, and hypothyroid doesn't make one lose weight...they gain weight. __________________ AKA Laurie "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." MLK

11-23-2011, 09:41 PM	#9
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Yes Scotty. I'm wondering if now that I'm getting way down on the Paxil, maybe my thyroid is kicking back into gear and the Synthroid dose is too high. The sad part of it all is that you can't discuss this stuff with the doctors. Paxil can do no wrong. Been feeling a bit better this evening thank goodness. __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-24-2011, 03:23 AM	#10
tootsieroll Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 407	Re: Synthroid and Paxil I'm really glad to see someone post about thyroid meds. I went through a period where my cortisol and thyroid levels were out of wack. I experienced a lot of hypothyroid and adrenal fatigue symptoms but NOW i realize that during this period I was trying different SSRIs due to weight issue. I involuntarily put myself through withdrawal and start up side effects and I think that was too much for my body to handle. I gained weight quickly, was cold all the time, slept all day and couldn't work out without feeling awful. My T3 was very low and was given cytomel (super low dose) and natural thyroid, and although it helped a bit I never felt quite right. Meds made my T3 go up really quick and I felt better once off it. Now I find that my thyroid levels are normal but the TSH is just a tiny bit elevated. So all seems good now and my taper is terrific so far. Lets just hope it stays this way. __________________ -reinstated 20mg Celexa -liquid celexa 20mg June/23/11 -18mg July/20/2011 -16.2mg Aug/19/2011 -14.6mg Sept/30/2011 -13.1mg Oct/27/2011 -11.8mg Nov/26/2011 -10.6mg Dec/18/2011 -9.6mg Jan/9/2012 -8.6mg Feb/21/2012 Click link for full signature... http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/...468#post747468

11-24-2011, 04:20 PM	#11
lenany Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 168	Re: Synthroid and Paxil PKJ - Yes! I'm off Lexapro! I'm doing really well, actually. The past few days have been a bit hard but that's because I am sick (nasty cold) and haven't been able to do my normal exercise activities (walking and yoga). I'm so happy and proud of myself, you can't imagine. What a liberating feeling to finally be off. __________________ started lexapro, 20mg jan 2006 taper #1, 15mg june 15 2011 taper #2, 10mg june 26 2011 taper #3, 05mg july 15 2011 taper #3 didn't go too well - very depressed started 10mg again on 7/16 taper #3 - take 2, 7.5mg july 26 2011 taper #4 - 5mg, august 26, 2011 taper #5 - 2.5mg, october 14, 2011 final dose: october 22, 2011

11-24-2011, 06:01 PM	#12
lenany Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 168	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Look at this article on the NY Times regarding this issue: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/22/he...994CCA0B596917 __________________ started lexapro, 20mg jan 2006 taper #1, 15mg june 15 2011 taper #2, 10mg june 26 2011 taper #3, 05mg july 15 2011 taper #3 didn't go too well - very depressed started 10mg again on 7/16 taper #3 - take 2, 7.5mg july 26 2011 taper #4 - 5mg, august 26, 2011 taper #5 - 2.5mg, october 14, 2011 final dose: october 22, 2011

11-24-2011, 06:06 PM	#13
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil You go girl!!! I'm so happy for you! Hope you can get back to exercising. It makes such a difference in how we feel and handle things. OOh, I'm just happy, happy happy for you May all your dreams come true. __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-24-2011, 06:21 PM	#14
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil We were posting at the same time. Thanks for the link. That's really interesting. Oh, to be sorted out and back to "normal life". __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-24-2011, 06:25 PM	#15
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Tootsieroll, thanks for your info. Looks like there's hope that my levels will get back to normal once I'm off the paxil. Good luck in your taper. I'm so glad to have found this forum. __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-25-2011, 05:14 AM	#16
eileen Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 10,524	Re: Synthroid and Paxil I'm certain that Paxil affected my thyroid for I became hypothyroid while on it and when down to the lower doses I became so overactive that I lost 59 pounds in three months, was working and woke up every hour on the hour . My doctor lowered my Synthoid dose and it went back down. I made them mistake of thinking it would come back up and asked him to wait to see if it would correct itself. That was a big mistake for I gained 20 pounds and was so tired, I could hardly get off the couch. I think it's important if you've developed a thyroid problem on Paxil to have it checked very often. Eileen __________________ June 13/07-reducing by .05mg. every four weeks to present. October 29/08-Paxil Free 2006-Cut Trazodone from 150mg to 100mg. Sept 07/09- Trazodone 75mg. 4/10 Weaning Benzo. 12/11 Benzo Free! Started this journey of horror with AD's in 1994, Put on Paxil 30 mg in Feb/1995 I will survive!

11-25-2011, 10:33 AM	#17
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Thanks so much Eileen. Yes, I'll make sure to keep having it checked. It's interesting to see how many others developed thyroid problems while on ads. The headache I've had all week isn't as bad today so I'm not feeling nauseated. Actually have a bit of an appetite. Still jittery though. Just trying to stay busy to take my mind off it. __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

11-30-2011, 07:51 PM	#19
pkj Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 182	Re: Synthroid and Paxil Just a quick update. The nurse called with the results of the bloodwork. The doctor has increased the synthroid. I think I posted that I was on 25mg. Sorry, it was .025mg. Very low dose. She's increased it to .05mg. So my thoery was wrong. I thought it would need to be decreased now that I'm on a much lower dose of Paxil My Vitamin D was low again so I'm back on the prescription vit D for 12 weeks. The strange thing is, I started to feel much better again over the weekend. Was beginning to think it was just a bug. __________________ Paxil 12mg CR April 2011 for grief and anxiety. June 4, started liquid paxil 9.5mg June 22 8.8 July 15, 8.6 July 19, 8.4 August 8, 8.2 August 28, 8.0 September 7.5 Oct. 1, 7.2mg : Migrains Oct.21, 6.4mg Nov.18, 6.0mg Dec. 14, 5.6 mg Jan. 5.2 mg Feb, 3, 4.8: Mar, 4.4 Apr.4.2 - 3.4 May 3.0 -2.8 Sept,1,2012 Paxil FREEEEEEE!

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