Alan Cohen, M.D. is board certified in neurology and psychiatry, and his research focuses on utilizing the latest research protocols for the treatment of a wide variety of emotional and physical disorders. Dr. Cohen has generated patent protected treatment protocols to advance the latest innovations in modern psychopharmacology. He is the author of a research study presented to the Third International Conference on Refractory Depression, titled Psychostimulant Augmentation Of Antidepressants In Anergic Depression Associated With Hypothyroidism.
According to Dr. Cohen, some key points on how depression and thyroid disease are related and effective treatments for both.
- Most patients with fatigue, anergia and depression need TSH levels in the lower zone <1.0.
- Once the TSH is adequately lowered to 1.0 or 0.50, and, once a patient has gotten symptom relief with an antidepressant, if necessary, and still has residual fatigue, or anergia, then a psychostimulant trial is offered as an additional treatment.
- Stimulants are very safe, compared to many non-controlled drugs.
- Carbohydrate binging is associated with some depressive syndromes.
- Studies have revealed that carbo-binging (selective ingestion of starches, sugars, etc. ) results in enhanced absorption of l-tryptophan from the gut. L-tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, known to us now as a major neurotransmitter in the brain, particularly in regards to mood and sleep functions. Studies on patients prone to depression but currently in remission relapsed into clinical depression when fed a diet free of all tryptophan
- The antidepressants used these days, although worlds better than their predecessors, cause some side effects. Weight gain is one commonly seen with a number of the antidepressants prescribed currently.
- The amphetamines seem uniquely suited for residual symptoms of fatigue in euthymic and "euthyroid" patients (normal numbers on labs or rating scales) because they are helpful in treatment of pathological fatigue states, in general, and provide stimulation in a way that thyroid patients seem "deficient" in .
- Thyroid disease appears to "numb up" the post-synaptic receptors for adrenalin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters.
Other Resources
When it comes to depression and thyroid disease, don't underestimate the value of support. You can meet and exchange info, experiences and support with me and other thyroid patients at my Thyroid Bulletin Boards, or at the Chatroom.
There are new developments happening all the time in the world of health, and even in conventional and alternative thyroid disease treatment. These developments are covered here at the site. To make sure you don't miss any new information that might help, I put out a regular About.com Thyroid Newsletter that provides free updates on new features and new information here at the website. It's the best way to keep up with what's new here at the About.com Thyroid Website. You can subscribe at the About.com Thyroid Site Newsletter Signup page or right here,
I also report on the latest in-depth news in thyroid disease and treatment options in my free
Thyroid Disease email report, called Sticking Out Our Necks. This information-packed
free monthly report is filled with the latest conventional and alternative news from around the
world related to thyroid disease, related symptoms and conditions, and the drugs, treatments,
alternative remedies, and other information you need to feel well. Send me an email at mshomon@thyroid-info.com with the subject "Subscribe newsletter" to sign up.
And finally, I also have book Living
Well With
Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctors Don't Tell You...That You Need to Know, from
HarperCollins/Avon's WholeCare Line. The book provides in-the-trenches, practical
patient-oriented advice on how to find the right doctor to diagnose and treat various forms of
hypothyroidism, the drugs for hypothyroidism you and your doctor may not know about, fertility
and successful pregnancy with hypothyroidism, alternative therapies for hypothyroidism and its
symptoms and side effects, combatting weight gain and successful weight loss, depression, and
much more. It's a complete manual of living well for anyone with hypothyroidism, whether due
to congenital hypothyroidism, thyroid surgery, radiation, or autoimmune disease. If you'd like
information, visit the book's web page.
