Lithium and Synthroid?

Question

I have been taking 300mg of Lithium twice a day for two years or so. Along with the lithium I was prescribed synthroid to maintain proper throid function. I have been off of both for a month under the supervision of my doctor. What was previously thought to be bipolar disorder was most likely emotional imbalance due to alcoholism and drug use. I have been clean and sober 9 months and during my last visit to the doctor I asked him if my bipolar symptoms were drug related and if I could stop taking the lithium to find this out. I have had no bipolar episodes since I've stopped taking it but my energy level is the lowest it has ever been. It literally feels like I cannot move at times. Is this due to stopping the lithium, the synthroid or both? Will my energy level eventually return to normal without MORE medication?

(I am doing this under doctor supervision but wanted some thoughts and comments before I speak with him about my lethargy)

Answer 1

I would have my regular doctor do a TSH test to be sure your thyroid level is ok. Its hard to come off those drugs like that and any changes in stopping a long term medication like you were taking is going to affect your energy level. You say you were being treated for bipolar but had a drug/alcohol problem....I am wondering if you don't really have the compulsive/addictive behavior? Having that would lead to the addiction to the drug/alcohol use then in turn you would have the highs/lows signs of bipolar behavior. IF you instead of bipolar have the compulsive/addictive behavior then perhaps a Rx will be given to you for that rather than the lithium.
Thank goodness you are following with your doctor....continue that. But go have the TSH level checked.

Answer 2

some super advantages of Lithium a approaches outweigh the section consequences. while Lamactical got here on the marketplace, i theory perhaps i'd desire to attempt it whether it did not something for me. in fact, at the same time as attempting to alter from Lithium to Lamatical, I wound up interior the wellbeing facility, completely manic. I gained some weight over the ten+ years I certainly have been on lithium however the technique of the medicine to regulate my temper and indications is a lot extra significant than the burden benefit.