When Antidepressants Don’t Work

If you’ve been taking an antidepressant for six weeks or more and don’t feel like you are getting much better, there’s an important link with thyroid function you should know about. A surprisingly high percentage of people with chronic or treatment-resistant depression are found to have low thyroid function, research shows. In one study, 22 % of people with treatment-resistant depression were found to have sub-par thyroid function (based on TSH levels), compared to only 2 % of people whose depression was helped by antidepressants.

I believe an even higher number of people with depression have another kind of thyroid problem that doesn’t show up on TSH tests. It’s low metabolism due to low thyroid hormone activity, and it does show up when you take your body temperature. People whose body temperature is consistently below 97.8 F. (36.56 C.) are likely to have this problem, called Wilson’s Temperature Syndrome (WTS). They may have trouble converting T4, the inactive form of thyroid hormone, to T3, the active form. Many doctors are not aware that this syndrome exists; or they discount its widespread prevalence. Most certainly do not check for it. (See “How are body temperatures measured” for complete instructions.) Most doctors are more likely to add a second psychiatric drug to your treatment if your depression continues, not check for low body temperature.

Correcting low body temperature is important for depression because it actually helps to restore normal neurotransmitter production in your brain. Instead of treating symptoms, as drugs do, it is correcting the cause. Low body temperature can be corrected with proper thyroid support, which often includes a trial of T3.

You can discuss T3 therapy with your doctor and we will be happy to discuss your case with your doctor. Your doctor can call 800.420.5801. The object of T3 therapy is to normalize your oral body temperatures to average 98.6 (37 C.) during treatment.

Regular aerobic exercise is also a good way to lift your mood, and works well with T3 therapy. Once you have a little more energy, you may find it easier to get moving.

REFERENCES
Hage, MP, Azar, ST. The Link between Thyroid Function and Depression. J Thyroid Res. 2012;2012:590648.

Hickie I, Bennett B, Mitchell P, et. al. Clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism in patients with chronic and treatment-resistant depression. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 1996 Apr;30(2):246-52.

Jackson IM. The thyroid axis and depression. Thyroid. 1998 Oct;8(10):951-6.

Pae CU, Mandelli L, Han C, et al. Thyroid hormones affect recovery from depression during antidepressant treatment. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2009 Jun;63(3):305-13.