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Does Lithium Carbonate Interfere With Thyroid Hormone Production?
Question: I am taking Lithium Carbonate (only 450 mg/day). In the past month I started experimenting with edible marijuana while meditating in the evenings. Sometimes I use high dosages. (Started with 15 mg THC but 6 days before result tried almost 50 mg. Edible marijuana is legal here.) Could this have affected my TSH test result. I had used marijuana 6 days earlier and scored a >100 (in conventional units) on the TSH test, a 0.4 on Lithium blood concentration 13 hours after last dose, and all test results in normal range for a "complete metabolic panel". 8.5 months previously my TSH had crept up to 4.2 over 21 months. My only hypothyroid symptom has been in the last month on and off mild constipation that lead to a painful fecal compaction in the rectum - hence why I went to take the TSH test even though 2.5 months late to take the test.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
To my knowledge there is no direct effect of marijuana on the thyroid.
On the other hand, lithium is very well known to affect the thyroid function. You should see your endocrinologist regularly to monitor TSH and other thyroid related blood tests. When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
To my knowledge there is no direct effect of marijuana on the thyroid.
On the other hand, lithium is very well known to affect the thyroid function. You should see your endocrinologist regularly to monitor TSH and other thyroid related blood tests. When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Doctor!
I requested follow-up testing. Here are the results.
I received a 0.4 ng/dL (0.7-1.8 ng/dL normal range for this lab) and a TSH of 104 mIU/L.
I received antibody results: TPOAb level of 957.5 IU/mL and TgAb level of 2214 IU/mL. (My thyroid panel results [no antibody tests were done before treatment] were well within the normal range before starting Lithium treatment about 28 months ago - with dosages as described above. My recent complete metabolic panel results were all in the normal range.) Should I expect lifelong thyroxine supplementation?
regards, XXXXXXX
Am I correct do you think?
thanks, XXXXXXX
I requested follow-up testing. Here are the results.
I received a 0.4 ng/dL (0.7-1.8 ng/dL normal range for this lab) and a TSH of 104 mIU/L.
I received antibody results: TPOAb level of 957.5 IU/mL and TgAb level of 2214 IU/mL. (My thyroid panel results [no antibody tests were done before treatment] were well within the normal range before starting Lithium treatment about 28 months ago - with dosages as described above. My recent complete metabolic panel results were all in the normal range.) Should I expect lifelong thyroxine supplementation?
regards, XXXXXXX
Am I correct do you think?
thanks, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Yes it is certain that you will need lifelong replacement with thyroxine, based on the laboratory results you have shared here.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Yes it is certain that you will need lifelong replacement with thyroxine, based on the laboratory results you have shared here.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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