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I have been dealing with depression for 40 years or more. About 2 years ago, one of my doctors checked my Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) for the first time. It was over 6. I spoke to my psychiatrist about it and he said, contrary to popular belief, he has found that the optimum value is between 1 and 2. I have since started taking Synthroid, which is dirt cheap (try to get the brand name - I have had issues with the generic). For me, 1.6 or so seems to be the magic number and it has made a HUGE difference. I am off just about all my depression meds and feeling very good (I'm 63 so I don't expect too much!!!).
There is actually a condition related to low TSH, called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which describes one of the side effects as depression. My psychiatrist actually authored a paper on it, but he wasn't the one who checked my TSH!!! Just a little bit irritating...
This is not a cure all for all people with depression, but it seems to me should be one of the first tests done whenever anyone complains about depression. I wish it had been done for me 40 years ago.
Good luck and I hope this helps you. I've been there and I know how debilitating depression can be.View Thread
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