Benzo w/d and thyroid issues

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Looking for comments about the possibility of benzo w/d causing thyroid issues - I'm 9.5 months off now and had my thyroid tested 4-5 months ago, and all levels were fine (no thyroid issues that I was aware of prior to benzo use, other than insomnia).  However, I just had it tested a couple of weeks ago and my TSH was over 7.0; in addition my creatine kinase was extremely elevated as well (over 800).  I've not been feeling well at all lately, and given these numbers, I now know why.  Hate to jump on thyroid meds, especially if what I am experiencing is due to w/d.  I'm very concerned and just don't know what to do other than going to see an endo doc (appt in a few weeks).

 

Thanks for your help - very much appreciated.

 

Rico

[[Mi...]]

Hi Rico,

 

I can't specifically address whether or not thyroid issues are associated with benzo use and withdrawals, but it could be as this mess seems to affect every part of our bodies.  Glad you are going to an endocrinologist!  Thyroid issues ae tricky and require a specialist to help you sort things out.  He/she will porobably want to do more tests as a mildly elevated TSH is an indirect measurement of your thyroid function and is not reliable to base treatment on.  Once the more specific tests are done, then a decision can be made about your thyroid function.  You may not need treament as a TSH of 7 is considered mild and your more specific tests might be normal.  I had a mildly elevated TSH but other tests were normal.  Creatnine kinase is an enzyme usually associated with normal muscle and kidney function and so you will want the doc to address why yours is high. 

 

MiniMinnie

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MM - Thanks for your input, sounds like you know a thing or two about thyroid dysfunction.  Good to hear that you feel my level is mildly elevated; I've read where some think any number over 4 is way too high?  I've never had any thyroid issues before, and in the early months of w/d my levels were fine.  My thinking is that considering that I've had a constant "supply" of cortisol flowing through my body for almost 10 months or more due to w/d, that correlates to thyroid and other organ/body issues?

[[Mi...]]

Rico, TSH is the pituitary hormone that kick starts your thyroid to make more thyroid hormone.  If the TSH is high it might mean your thyroid is sluggish and not making enough and the pituitary is trying to get it going.  A TSH of 4.5-10 is considered a gray area where treatment may not be needed unless the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) are low.  The endo will check these levels if they haven't already been done.  Thyroid issues, if indeed you have them, can crop up at any time unrelated to anything else and it may or  may not be coincidental to the benzo/cortisol issue.  In any case, hypothyroidism, particularly a mild case, is not something that has to be treated right away.  It often can be "watched" for quite a long period of time.  However, I will say this.  An elevated CK sometimes goes along with hypothyroidism. (among other things).  The first order of business would be to see the endo and go from there.  And I don't blame you for not wanting to jump on thyroid meds.  That is what started my whole benzo mess!

 

MiniMinnie

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Rico

 

Just had similar lab results, though my TSH was lower--more like 5.  A few months back it was below 3.  I did read that the American Academy of Endos recommends treatment at 3, but that most labs have 4.5 as their high end range.  There is enough (including infro from Mayo and Cleveland Clinic) to indicate that treatment might be beneficial at levels of 3..infact a lot of what I read said treatment goals are TSH under 2 because that is where most people feel good--kind of contradictary.  I am sure my cortisol issues contributed to this.  I also have an appt with an endo at the end of March. 

I did try a natural thyroid, Naturethroid--like Armour, for 2 days at a very low dose...but it made me very jittery.  I got more lab work done and that is where the cortisol was picked up.  Apparently, N has T4 and T3 in it, unlike Synthroid, which has T4 that your body converts to T3, and the T3 can cause the jitters in people with cortisol or iron issues.  Like you, I am now wondering whether a bad wave is creating this as a short term problem....and so am concerned about jumping on meds. I didnt even think this was related to w/d this fair out but you and I have had such similar journeys Ah, nothing with a pill is easy for me....looks like I need more time. 

Shell

 

[[sk...]]

I wanted to reply as there is information out there that IS related to benzo use. and thyroid dysfunction. The benzo interferes with the uptake of T3. I decided to take desiccated thyroid that I ordered online as no one would give me a prescription for, but no problem getting a benzo

There is documented info on how benzo's effect the thyroid. It may level out post benzo. But I wanted relief now.

 

Hugs,

S

 

 

[[sw...]]

Hey, I have Grave's Disease which was actually the reason I was put on benzos in the first place.  I think it's relatively unlikely that withdrawal caused your thyroid problem, but I also think that it doesn't matter.  It's not like you'd be having surgery or doing anything permanent to treat it, you'd just be taking a supplement to boost your TSH level for the time being that will wear off once you stop taking it.

 

Think of it like you went to the doctor and found out that you have an iron deficiency.  Does it matter if it's the withdrawal causing it, or do you just go ahead and take an iron supplement?  I would suggest taking the medicine, and then monitoring your TSH levels.  If it's caused by withdrawal, then eventually the tests will reveal when you don't need the supplement, any more.  Either way, why not be comfortable until the issue is resolved?

 

Best wishes.

 

[[Mi...]]

Hi all,

 

This is an interesting topic to those of us who have had thyroid issues.  Skittles,  I would be interested in a link to read further about benzo use and thyroid issues.  Sweet G, I would caution anyone on benzos who might have tolerance withdrawals or who is actively withdrawing or has recently withdrawn against taking thyroid hormones unless it is an extreme case of hypothyroidism that needs immediate treatment.  The hormone revs up your metabolism and CNS and we know what that does to us benzo buddies.  This happened to me.  I got hyperthyroid on a mere 50  mcg of thyroid supplement, which as you know is a very low dose.  This led to a Xanax rx, and when tolerance withdrawals came, my hyperthyroid symptoms worsened.  I had days and days and weeks and finally 2 months of wildly fluctuating BP, so dizzy I had to be helped to the bathroom, palpitations, anxiety, and all the other withdrawal symptoms.  The hyperthyroid and tolerance withdrawals fed on each other and it wasn't until my endocrinologist stopped the thyroid supplements that I figured out that the xanax withdrawals had become the primary problem.  Non of my doctors had a clue about the benzo effects.  Mild hypothyroidism is not an emergency and I just feel like precipitously adding thyroid hormone to a someone with benzo issues will probably not make them feel better.

 

MiniMinnie

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http://nahypothyroidism.org/thyroid-hormone-transport/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8015555

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2466912/pdf/postmedj00342-0018.pdf

 

Here are a few. Also, you are right to in a way. I have had a problem with my thyroid many years bu the doctors only go by their test not symptoms the majority of the time. Which I believe being treated by symptoms as 60% of test are wrong. 

 

Anyway, I actually read this on someone's post on BB. I saved to info to read and keep.

You have to decide what is right for you. I have been supplementing for 1 week now and feel better.

 

Hope this helps others.

 

Hugs,

S

[[Mi...]]

Thanks Skittles!  Very interesting.  Is there no limit on the havoc these drugs inflict?  I am glad your supplements are working for you.

 

MiniMinnie

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Shell, am I right in assuming that you did not have thyroid issues prior to w/d?  I've been searching this site for comments on thyroid issues and w/d and there are numerous posts on this.  For both our sakes, I hope the "waves" we are in are causing the higher TSH levels (my T3 and T4 levels were normal).  By the way, how are your ears lately?  Thinking my ear crackling/ringing will be the last symptom to clear, if at all.

 

Skittles, thanks so much for sharing the links regarding this topic.  I had a hunch that w/d could have caused these problems.  I agree that regardless of how I got to this point, I will have to do something to lower my TSH levels if they continue to rise or don't correct on their own.  My three most concerning w/d symptoms (as of today) are thyroid, muscle loss and high blood pressure.  Hard to believe that at almost 10 months out some folks see a pretty bad spike in symptoms.  It has been a rough few weeks.

 

Dr. Ashton mentions that benzos and w/d can cause all kinds of endocrine-related issues, but she doesn't directly mention thyroid.  She did mention that things return to normal after w/d.  I didn't mean to sound insensitive to those already on thyroid meds - my apologies if interpreted that way.  I have a relative on these meds and it has been a challenge for this person, especially related to the anxiety the drug causes (I don't recall what they are on).  I really appreciate all the feedback, etc.

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Wondering if anyone else has developed thyroid problems while in w/d?  Comments very much appreciated.

[[ho...]]

Hi all,

 

This is an interesting topic to those of us who have had thyroid issues.  Skittles,  I would be interested in a link to read further about benzo use and thyroid issues.  Sweet G, I would caution anyone on benzos who might have tolerance withdrawals or who is actively withdrawing or has recently withdrawn against taking thyroid hormones unless it is an extreme case of hypothyroidism that needs immediate treatment.  The hormone revs up your metabolism and CNS and we know what that does to us benzo buddies.  This happened to me.  I got hyperthyroid on a mere 50  mcg of thyroid supplement, which as you know is a very low dose.  This led to a Xanax rx, and when tolerance withdrawals came, my hyperthyroid symptoms worsened.  I had days and days and weeks and finally 2 months of wildly fluctuating BP, so dizzy I had to be helped to the bathroom, palpitations, anxiety, and all the other withdrawal symptoms.  The hyperthyroid and tolerance withdrawals fed on each other and it wasn't until my endocrinologist stopped the thyroid supplements that I figured out that the xanax withdrawals had become the primary problem.  Non of my doctors had a clue about the benzo effects.  Mild hypothyroidism is not an emergency and I just feel like precipitously adding thyroid hormone to a someone with benzo issues will probably not make them feel better.

 

MiniMinnie

 

This is so interesting.  I was dx "hypothyroid" and was put on synthroid 25 mcg around the same time I had my surgery (Feb 2010).  It was a week after my surgery that my weird sx started.  I thought it might be the Synthroid but endo said no.  A year later after upping my dose to keep TSH around 1, my sx got worse and I thought again it was Synthroid and found a doctor who would switch me to Armour Thyroid.  No improvement in sx; so went to another endo who told me I really didn't need to be treated with that initial TSH of 6.x!!!! (SH*$!)  So I got off the thyroid meds expecting to be well... nope; all kinds of test later and my family doc telling me to take the prn Ativan until we figure out what is wrong (she wrote me a script for enough to take one every day for 4 months!!!).    I finally figured out it was the ativan and ct off immediately.  Enough of that stuff thank you very much.  Weeks later I found ashton and this forum. 

 

SOOOO  Now I'm wondering how much that thyroid med did have to do with all of this. 

 

Thanks for the thread.

[[Mi...]]

Hi Hope.  Gee your story and mine are similar.  My TSH was in the 6-7 range and that was the basis for being given Synthroid.  This was my family practitioner.  When I finally had enough and went to an endocrinologist, he said that TSH up to 10 was considered a gray area and could be watched indefinitely for people like me who had synthroid tolerance issues.  Of course none of them had any insight into the role of benzos combined with synthroid, nor did I.  I don't think it can ever be determined which of my problems were synthroid and which were benzos.  I think it was some of each but will never be able to unravel that tangled mess to know for sure.  I am now in the "watching" mode and get my thyroid levels checked every 6 months.  My last ones were perfectly normal.  That was during my taper and I was still on .25 xanax daily, and a lot less symptomatic.  I don't know what I will do if my levels worsen and have to consider synthroid again.  I'll cross that bridge when and if that happens!

 

MiniMinnie

[[ho...]]

Hi Hope.  Gee your story and mine are similar.  My TSH was in the 6-7 range and that was the basis for being given Synthroid.  This was my family practitioner.  When I finally had enough and went to an endocrinologist, he said that TSH up to 10 was considered a gray area and could be watched indefinitely for people like me who had synthroid tolerance issues.  Of course none of them had any insight into the role of benzos combined with synthroid, nor did I.  I don't think it can ever be determined which of my problems were synthroid and which were benzos.  I think it was some of each but will never be able to unravel that tangled mess to know for sure.  I am now in the "watching" mode and get my thyroid levels checked every 6 months.  My last ones were perfectly normal.  That was during my taper and I was still on .25 xanax daily, and a lot less symptomatic.  I don't know what I will do if my levels worsen and have to consider synthroid again.  I'll cross that bridge when and if that happens!

 

MiniMinnie

 

Yes indeed.  Glad to hear your TSH is now "normal"    I'm going to wait a couple of more months... until I'm 6 months off benzo to have blood work done again. 

 

I'm also complicated with menopausal sx. and am on bio identical hormones -- which I want to get off after I'm past 6 month benzo free mark. 

 

Rico -- I can't give any medical advice; but I personally would not add anything to the mix right now unless in dire need -- and maybe even not then.  I personally don't wan't any more issues with drugs!!  I would watch the blood levels over the next 6 - 12 months.  What I found in chasing my cure was that 11 healthcare professionals including two excellent endocrinologists did not know what was wrong with me.  Now that I'm off benzos for almost 4 months I'm feeling much better and have hope of a full recovery (soon).... no help from (and no offense to) the medical community.

 

Good luck with your decisions!

 

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Thanks Hope - my "gut" tells me that my elevated TSH is a direct result of benzo w/d, possibly due to the higher cortisol levels I've been experiencing over the past 9.5 months or so, but I certainly could be wrong.  Nevertheless, I am scheduled to see an endo doc in the next few weeks and will report back to everyone (hopefully this doc will be familiar with benzo w/d).  Good to hear that you are feeling better, Hope!

[[Zu...]]

Hi Rico and all,

I am 13 1/2 months off and I am also experiencing hypothyroid issues.  However, I was undiagnosed, had a STRONG family history of hypothyroidism, and very symptomatic (cold intolerance, crushing fatigue, depression, anxiety, dry hair, dry eyes)  even prior to benzos.  Doctors were stumped as my lab results were always "within range", so they just told me I was depressed and anxious, and prescribed Ativan and anti-depressants!  Grrrrr!!!

 

Anyway, I finally found a doctor in my city who discovered that my FT3 and FT4 are in the gutter and my TSH is less than optimal.  Yes, the American Academy of Endocrinologists recommend treatment at 3, but most labs have 4.5 as their high end range.  I was 2.9 and my doctor said that optimally, your Frees need to be in the top third of the range and your TSH closer to 1.0. 

 

I just started Armour Thyroid and right now, I can't tell how much of my sxs are still related to benzos and how much are my underlying thyroid condition.  I have been hyper-sensitive to Armour.  Doc had me take half of the normal low starting dose as I was experiencing heart palps after taking it.  I'm now 6 weeks into Armour and have dosed up twice to where I'm at now 3/4 grain -- a very small amount.  It takes several weeks to adjust to it.

 

Rico, were you symptomatic before benzos?  I'm not a doctor, but I don't think you will suddenly become normal in the thyroid-area as you heal from benzos.  From what I understand, "Once hypo, always hypo" unless you take thyroid medication.  If you do start thyroid meds, be aware that it is common to feel heart palps and increased anxiety at first.  It takes some time to adjust and find the right dose.  Easier said than done when dealing with withdrawal issues.  I'm certainly still having a hard time.

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Hi Zugora - I've never had any thyroid issues prior to w/d.  I even had a blood test as recent as three months ago and all my thyroid levels were fine.  I've been in a pretty nasty wave over the past two months, and I wonder if that has anything to do with my recent elevated TSH (drawn two weeks ago)?  Thanks for your comments.

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I'm in a real bind.  My long term use sxs are so bad I can't make decisions and can't even speak or think rationally I have a feeling I have serious adrenal thyroid etc. issues as i have been on k for 21 years and counting and was on dilantin and off almost 2 months now from dilantin still on 1mg k and i don't know what to do i cannot tolerate my symptoms anymore losing appetite, weight, not much sleep getting the tight stomach and nerves and my symptoms are so bad i honestly feel like it's over for me i want to get some tests done have not done so in like a year or so someone please help me and let me know which tests i need please :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( i heard dilantin can mess up endocrine system too and k too 

[[ho...]]

I'm in a real bind.  My long term use sxs are so bad I can't make decisions and can't even speak or think rationally I have a feeling I have serious adrenal thyroid etc. issues as i have been on k for 21 years and counting and was on dilantin and off almost 2 months now from dilantin still on 1mg k and i don't know what to do i cannot tolerate my symptoms anymore losing appetite, weight, not much sleep getting the tight stomach and nerves and my symptoms are so bad i honestly feel like it's over for me i want to get some tests done have not done so in like a year or so someone please help me and let me know which tests i need please :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( i heard dilantin can mess up endocrine system too and k too 

 

Do you have a "good" doctor who can help you? 

I can not give you medical advice, but I would ask for a Complete Blood Count and electrolytes; Fasting Blood Sugar; TSH; Free T3 and Free T4; Vitamin D level

[[sh...]]

Hi Rico,

 

First thing---my ears are still popping!!!  It is getting better though....I can even ride in the car now every once in a while without having them clog.  They still get a crawling feeling in them at night when I lay down and the right ear is especially problematic.  Yesterday it was pretty much clogged all day, as bad as in the beginning!  Today, it is manageable. It is amazing what you get used to.  I remember when it first started thinking I could not go on another minute--now it is just the norm.

I also have the muscle tone issues...just started at the gym today and it was ridiculous.  I used to be able to keep up and today was simply embarrassing.  At least I recovered afterwards and didnt have to spend the entire day feeling like I have the flu, which was what happened a month back when I tried to restart my program.  So there is a small step forward.

I had the same experience as some other folks that wrote here about the meds.  I think my cortisol levels are still messed up such that the meds really rocked me.  It is true, I did feel more energetic on them, but much too jittery--like w/d.  It might be that I have to push through that but I am hopin that if I just wait a little longer my body will equalize and if I need them I will have an easier time of it.  I figure there is no rush--I am used to feeling lousy anyway.  Nothing left for me to do but wait and try to make myself as healthy as possible. 

Like you, I still feel like CRAP so much of the time.  My attitude has improved though and at least that makes the day pleasant.

 

HOpe you are having a good day today.

Shell

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also if you note there is a thread about looking like crap--and everyone says their hair is falling out....just wondering if that is due to the thyroid going nuts....

shell