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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Been Depressed, Hypothyroidism, Overweight. Was On Lithium. Why Do I Have High TSH Level?

I have been depressed for 25 years and was put on lithium 3 years ago. I has caused me to have hypothyroidism and now i am overweight. Why would a doctor knowingly prescribe a med that could cause such a condition? Now he is telling me he won t treat the hypothyroidism because I need to go to a gp but I feel he should prescribe the med. I don t have insurance and I don t see the point of having to go to two different doctors to treat my high TSH level.
Mon, 11 Nov 2013
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Endocrinologist,  's  Response
Dear Ma'm , Hi! Sorry to hear about you. Lithium is known to cause hypothyroidism. you will have to change your anti depression medicine. once lithium stores are over in your body, thyroid might start functioning. But as you have been taking lithium for more than 25 years, it is difficult for thyroid to come out. you can start thyroxine replacement by the dose of 1 mcg / kg. repeat your thyroid profile after 6 weeks and then you can ask your doctor to review. Regards.
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Been Depressed, Hypothyroidism, Overweight. Was On Lithium. Why Do I Have High TSH Level?

Dear Ma m , Hi! Sorry to hear about you. Lithium is known to cause hypothyroidism. you will have to change your anti depression medicine. once lithium stores are over in your body, thyroid might start functioning. But as you have been taking lithium for more than 25 years, it is difficult for thyroid to come out. you can start thyroxine replacement by the dose of 1 mcg / kg. repeat your thyroid profile after 6 weeks and then you can ask your doctor to review. Regards.