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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jrbecker on October 1, 2002, at 0:19:21
Finally got a blood test that tested for thyroid functioning and the results came back somewhat in the normal range:
TSH 2.4
T4 1.1I'm curious about what is 'normal' for depressive sufferers -- is there a lower threshold for hypofunctioning in our case? Past posters have mentioned that a TSH of 1.5 or higher can be seen as abnormal. Of course, I don't want to address the issue of thyroid supplementation if I don't have to. However, I believe it still might be viable augmentation to my current therapy for atypical depression.
Any thoughts?
Posted by Bill L on October 3, 2002, at 8:45:24
In reply to Thyroid test scores in ...and the results mean?, posted by jrbecker on October 1, 2002, at 0:19:21
If I remember correctly, the normal THS is between 1 and 4? So your 2.5 is considered normal. Some "alternative" docs will supplement a euthyroid person (person with normal TSH) with thyroid hormone (T3 and/or T4) until the TSH comes down to 1. But even the docs who do that say that it may give the euthyroid patient more energy, but it usually does not have a huge impact on depression.
Posted by catmint on October 3, 2002, at 14:28:07
In reply to Thyroid test scores in ...and the results mean?, posted by jrbecker on October 1, 2002, at 0:19:21
Hi,
I am at the moment looking at my chem panel and the normal range for T4 that they have here is 5.0-12.0. and TSH range is .35-5.50. What do your normal ranges state? Today I am going to discuss this with my pdoc. Even though my numbers are in range, they are still low which I am assuming would be hypo. I do have constant problems with energy levels, and my doc says it's the depression, but I wonder.I try to stay away from caffeine as much as possible, lately I've been taking yerba mate which is supposed to have mateine. It is similar to caffeine, being a stimulant, but no jitters and a more even stimulating effect. You can even drink it before bed. In Brazil they give it to children. IT does lift my mood as well.
My point is that I wonder about my low thyroid levels because I am constantly trying to bring my energy up with whatever I can (ginseng, blue-green algae). I will keep you posted when I find out more. I am going to be starting Lamictal here very soon, so I will be needing support from all of you.
Thanks! Let me know about your thyroid ranges.
Amy
Posted by pfinstegg on October 3, 2002, at 17:28:37
In reply to Re: Thyroid test scores in ...and the results mean? » jrbecker, posted by catmint on October 3, 2002, at 14:28:07
I have taken synthroid 0.1 mg for about ten years because of a slightly enlarged thyroid gland, and slightly elevated TSH. Major unipolar depression began about 8 years ago, treated with intermittent and only partial success with several antidepressants and twice- weekly psychotherapy. I asked an endocrinologist to evaluate the thyroid panel one month ago. The TSH was 0.84. This is low normal, the normal range according to him being 0.5-4.0. However, he said that when depression exists, he aims for a TSH of 0.5 or even a little lower than that. He also said that he finds that in depression, some people have difficulty converting T4(synthroid or levothyroxine) to T3 (triiodothyronine), and for that reason he likes to give a combination of synthroid (T4) and Cytomel(T3). He gave me an article about this: New England Journal of Medicine vol 340: 424-429, Feb 11,1999,# 6. At present, we are adjusting these doses, with small changes every 6 weeks, so I can't yet say whether it is helpful. Since I have to take it anyway, I might as well take it in the way that has the best chance of helping my brain as well as my thyroid.
My endocrinologist is also investigating other endocrine factors which may affect mood, such as estrogen and cortisol levels, and their fluctuations. This is a long, slow process(lots of 24-hour urine collections!), so I can't yet say whether we are coming up with anything useful. I feel really lucky to have an endocrinologist who is trying so hard to help with a depression.
Pfinstegg
PS In response to one of the other posts. I am also left-handed. If we are going to find out whether there is an association betweem handedness and depression,which people have always mentioned, but no-one really knows, we need LOTS of people to answer! Somebody could write their thesis on it!
Posted by jrbecker on October 4, 2002, at 12:18:42
In reply to Re: Thyroid test scores in ...and the results mean?, posted by pfinstegg on October 3, 2002, at 17:28:37
thanks for the replies. I think I will hold off on any thyroid theapy until I find a more suitable endocrinologist that is familiar with the psycho-endocrinology connection.
Oh, and Pfinstegg. They have done a few studies on depression and hand dominance. And yes, there is a higher incidence of depressive left-handers than in the larger population. As for me, I'm a right-hander though.
> I have taken synthroid 0.1 mg for about ten years because of a slightly enlarged thyroid gland, and slightly elevated TSH. Major unipolar depression began about 8 years ago, treated with intermittent and only partial success with several antidepressants and twice- weekly psychotherapy. I asked an endocrinologist to evaluate the thyroid panel one month ago. The TSH was 0.84. This is low normal, the normal range according to him being 0.5-4.0. However, he said that when depression exists, he aims for a TSH of 0.5 or even a little lower than that. He also said that he finds that in depression, some people have difficulty converting T4(synthroid or levothyroxine) to T3 (triiodothyronine), and for that reason he likes to give a combination of synthroid (T4) and Cytomel(T3). He gave me an article about this: New England Journal of Medicine vol 340: 424-429, Feb 11,1999,# 6. At present, we are adjusting these doses, with small changes every 6 weeks, so I can't yet say whether it is helpful. Since I have to take it anyway, I might as well take it in the way that has the best chance of helping my brain as well as my thyroid.
>
> My endocrinologist is also investigating other endocrine factors which may affect mood, such as estrogen and cortisol levels, and their fluctuations. This is a long, slow process(lots of 24-hour urine collections!), so I can't yet say whether we are coming up with anything useful. I feel really lucky to have an endocrinologist who is trying so hard to help with a depression.
>
> Pfinstegg
>
> PS In response to one of the other posts. I am also left-handed. If we are going to find out whether there is an association betweem handedness and depression,which people have always mentioned, but no-one really knows, we need LOTS of people to answer! Somebody could write their thesis on it!
Posted by waterlily on October 4, 2002, at 16:25:37
In reply to Thyroid test scores in ...and the results mean?, posted by jrbecker on October 1, 2002, at 0:19:21
I am a lab technologist, but do not work chemistry. According to "Alba's medical technology board examination review", normal TSH is 0-6.6 uU/ml, normal T4 (thyroxine) total is 5.5-11.5 mcg/dl, and T4, free is 1.3-3.8 ng/dl. I have no experience with hyperthyroidism, except that my cat has just been diagnosed with it. Hope you work things out.
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