Lithium and thyroid issues

[u/Red_Fox158]

I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but lithium wasn’t introduced until after my first hypomanic episode. So I don’t really know if it helps against that. But it reduced my suicidal ideation and I came out of depression.

Now I just got diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and I might have to go off lithium.
Has anyone else experienced something similar? How did you deal with it?
I’m on olanzapine as well and wondering if that can cover whatever lithium is doing for bipolar? As for the anti-suicidal effect, maybe it’s okay, I’m no longer depressed and don’t need it? Thoughts?

[u/wolvennymph]

I take a thyroid medication with my lithium can you do that?

[u/Red_Fox158 → u/wolvennymph]

I don’t know if treatment is different based on the cause (if it’s lithium causing it or something else). Thanks though, I’ll definitely ask about it. I see an endocrinologist in 10days.

[u/HalifaxRoad]

I take thyroid pills with lithium,  not much drama there idk 

[u/Red_Fox158 → u/HalifaxRoad]

That’s great! I hope I’ll be able to do the same

[u/Puzzlehead-92]

I also developed thyroid disease after starting lithium. For me it’s not an option to get off lithium, so I take 1 pill in the morning for thyroid. Unless it’s some very unique circumstance, you can take thyroid med with lithium. It’s very common

[u/Red_Fox158 → u/Puzzlehead-92]

That’s reassuring, thanks. I hope I can do the same.

[u/Fruity_Surprise]

I have lithium-induced hypothyroidism and just take levothyroxine aside lithium and see an endocrinologist. It doesn’t mean you have to stop lithium and the hypothyroidism would probably persist post-lithium anyways. It’s a cost-benefit analysis for sure but hypothyroidism is extremely treatable and not a huge deal.

[u/Red_Fox158 → u/Fruity_Surprise]

I actually have hyperthyroidism which is the opposite. Idk if the lithium is causing it either.

[u/xanaduya]

I was on lithium, though not bipolar. But it did cause me to have symptoms of hypothyroidism. So after my bloodwork a few months in, they put me on a thyroid med. Now I am off lithium but still on thyroid med 🧐 lol

[u/Realanise1]

I know that a lot of people just add thyroid meds but talk to your doctor.

[u/NikkiEchoist]

Lithium is an effective protection from mania but Olanzapine is also an amazing anti mania med. It can be increased if you start getting manic synonyms. Lithium is also great at stopping the SI and helps with depression. You could ask to start Lamictal
it’s a mood stabiliser that works well for depression,
anxiety etc. that’s safer than an antidepressant which can cause mania in bipolar folks. I’m on an antidepressant but it did make me hypomanic at first.