There are other stabilizers. Since you're already hyperthyroid I'd stay away from lithium.

im hypo not hyper...does that make a diff??

From about.com :

Experts don't understand the exact mechanism, but the drug lithium can prevent your thyroid from functioning properly. Lithium is known to cause goiter (an enlarged thyroid), as well as hypothyroidism, and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. There is also a link to hyperthyroidism in some patients.

You may always suggest meds to your doc, but no doctor who wishes to keep his license will ever prescribe a patient something that may potentially do harm without serious consideration.

I see no reason why you should not ask about it - he will either tell you it's worth a try, or not prescribe it and tell you why not.

I recommend telling the doc your concerns, and trust him, whatever he tells you. I am sure he has many things on his 'to do' list, and equally sure that "Being the defendant in a malpractice suit" is not among them. :)

I've had a thyroid goiter twice with lots of nodules and been on synthroid for 28 years. My current pdoc and 2 others before him had no problem with prescribing me lithium. Because I am on a higher dose of lithium this time around right off the bat it lowered my TSH by a point. It is still in the normal range though and honestly at a range that is more comfortable for me. It has remained stable so far without an increase in synthroid and will be checked again in a few months.
My pdoc is a specialist in bipolar treatment for 35 years and like I said had no problem prescribing it. It's just something you will have to keep an eye on. As someone already said it's not the only mood stabilizer out there but just happens to work best for me. Hugs

ty kubla

ty lizzi2

I wish you luck with your appt, crystal - be sure to have a list ready of questions and concerns so you won't Forget anything while you're there.

I do hope they will start you on a mood stabilizer of some sort, but lots of people here have said it takes a While to find a good combo of meds that works best for you.

Just don't be afraid to speak up, and learn everything you can!

Great post from Goingthru - It took me several years of the "guinea pig" phase before I found meds that didn't have horrible side-effects and that I wasn't allergic to. People are different, I hope your "guinea pig" phase is as short as possible - that you quickly find a course of meds that works for you without going through the whole pharmacopeia as I did! :)

Lithium attacks your thyroid over time. I am hyperthyroid so I take medication to counter attack that. You should be fine if you take pills for your thyroid. And get a full thyroid panel done every three months

I have no idea what to say but good luck.

Well im on lithum & i have hypothroydism, so my answer is yes you can go on lithium.
Best of luck
hugs
dee

hypothyroidism is what made me go off of lithium after 10 years. They couldn't give me enough synthroid. Also stay away from tegretol as a mood stabilizer with the thyroid problems...it blocks your body's ability to use the available free t4.

The doctor will send you to have lab and blood work done to make sure it is safe for you to take Lithium before they put you on it. So don't worry if it is not safe they will put you on something else.

LOL..@themoons thanks alot for your support!! and thanks to everybody else! its going on a yr of this mess so i hope im close to finding it!! i about 80 percent better than i was a yr ago...just feels like sumthn is missin...i think my anger is under controll it seems the only prob i am haaveing is the mind raceing/anxiety....i just cant fig out if its the bipolar of if its just part of the anxiety hummm.... but im glad ive got u guys to help me along hugs to u all

and when i say mind racing i mean i get scared like in a panic like my mind is in a can and dont know which way to go...