QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I have been diagnosed with BPD, OCD and Dysthymia. I am currently taking Zoloft, Serzone and Armour Thyroid. In spite of an increase in the thyroid med from ½ grain to 3 grains, there has been little improvement in levels. I recently read an article suggesting that anti-depressants, particularly Zoloft, decrease the absorption rate of the thyroid meds.
ANSWER:
Low thyroid can cause dysthymia. Approximately 1/3 of those with the BPD have some
malfunction in the thyroid system.
Synthroid or Levoxyl are likely going to be more effective than the thyroid extract
you're currently taking.
You could easily have thyroid resistance, which means you need high doses to get a
therapeutic level.
Mood stabilizers like Tegretol and lithium can cause low thyroid, I've never
encountered any information that antidepressants like Zoloft can do that.
