Hi Johhny,
I'm sorry to hear that you're among the millions of people battling
depression. It can make life so difficult if you don't seek
treatment, and even those who do seek treatment are still often in for
quite a struggle.
You might not know this, but hypothyroidism and depression often go
hand in hand (the hypothyroidism being the cause of the depression).
I am very glad to know that you're being treated for both conditions.
I'm also glad I asked about why you're taking the 5-htp! It seems
that it has some interaction with SSRI anti-depressants (such as
Prozac, Paxil, Luvox), which could be hazardous to your health and
treatment, as they work at cross-purposes:
"5-HTP: Sleep is essential for helping the adrenal glands recover
their health. It should not be taken by anyone taking an SSRI type of
antidepressant. The SSRI medication will react very poorly with 5-HTP
and this could be dangerous."
Adrenal Support Recommendation Sheet
http://www.drrind.com/adrensupport.asp
"Here is the key point: although 5-HTP and Prozac-like drugs both tend
to increase the availability of serotonin molecules at serotonin
receptors, they each work in very different ways.
* The drugs act by interfering with a natural process - the reuptake
or recycling of released serotonin molecules. The net effect of this
action is to make more serotonin molecules available to stimulate
serotonin receptors. Because they inhibit serotonin reuptake, these
drugs are classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or
SSRI’s.
* 5-HTP raises serotonin levels by enhancing a natural process - the
synthesis of new serotonin molecules. This difference in mechanism of
action may be the primary reason why 5-HTP, at reasonable doses,
produces far fewer and less severe unpleasant side effects, including
loss of libido."
5-HTP: A Natural Alternative To Anti-Depressant Drugs
http://www.islandpharmacy.com/5htp.html
"5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the less well known cousin of
serotonin (5-HT), one of the most important brain neurotransmitters.
Tryptophan is first converted to 5-HTP in nerve cells by a vitamin B3
dependant enzyme, and then 5-HTP is converted to serotonin by a
vitamin B6 dependant enzyme.
[...]
Research also shows that both tryptophan, and even more so 5-HTP,
increase the activity of MAO inhibitor drugs, tricyclic
antidepressants and selective serotonin inhibitor (SSRI) drugs, such
as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft. Therefore tryptophan and especially
5-HTP, should only be used by anyone taking any of these drugs ONLY
with their prescribing physician’s consent and supervision."
5-HTP, Prozac’s true alternative by James South MA
http://smart-drugs.com/JamesSouth-5HTP.htm
"5-HTP should not be used if taking:
1. Anti-depressant drugs
2. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
3. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI's e.g., Prozac)
4. Tricyclic medications
5. Weight Loss medications (i.e., dextenfluramine)
6. Anti-parkinson medications (e.g., L-dopa)
7. Barbiturates and other tranquilizing drugs
8. Antihistamines and cold medications
9. Alcoholic beverages
10. Intravenous (illegal I.V.) drugs
11. Cancer chemotherapy or
12. antibiotic medications "
5-HTP Dosage and Side Effects
http://www.advance-health.com/5htp.html
If you've been presecribed an SSRI to deal with your depression,
please stop using the 5-htp until you've talked the situation over
thoroughly with your physician. It's important to make certain that
s/he is aware of *all* supplements you're using, to make sure none of
them interact badly.
Yes, I know you asked about thyroid. That information came up on the
first page of results, though, so I thought I should pass it along.
Be careful with your meds, OK?
Now on to your specific query:
I have searched extensively and have found very little information
about either amino acid in relation to interactions with Synthroid. A
bit more is available regarding l-phenylalanine and thyroid function.
Use of 5-htp may inhibit the release of some thyroid stimulating
hormones:
"We found inhibitory effects of antidepressants (clomipramine,
maprotyline, mianserin and zimelidine) and 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) release induced by ether stress
in freely moving rats."
Effects of antidepressants on thyroid stimulating hormone release in
rats under ether stress. Kadono Y, Kaneda H, Maeda K
Department of Psychiatry, Kobe University Medical School, Japan.
http://www.ithyroid.com/mao_and_tsh.htm
Emerson Ecologics advises that one not take 5-HTP without a
physician's consultation if you have thyroid disease:
"Consult Doctor Before Use If You Have, Or Had: High blood pressure,
heart disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, difficultly in urination due
to prostate enlargement, or if taking an MAO inhibitor or any
prescription drug."
5-HTP Complex
http://www.emersonecologics.com/ProductInformation.asp?BrowseBy=5HT10
Harold J. DeMonaco, M.S., senior analyst, Innovative Diagnostics and
Therapeutics, and the chair of the Human Research Committee at the
Massachusetts General Hospitalnotes that he is unaware of any
interactions between 5-htp and Synthroid:
"I am unable to identify any possible drug interactions between 5-HTP
and Synthroid (levothyroxine)"
IBS Health Forums
http://pub37.ezboard.com/firritablebowelsyndromefrm41.showMessage?topicID=7.topic
I found no indications of interactions between Synthroid and
l-phenylalanine. The substances were often listed on the same page at
many sites, but in conjunction with entirely different articles
dealing with thyroid disease and thyroid function. A visit with Bob
Tafelski at Rite Aid this afternoon likewise turned up no interaction
warnings. (See Synthroid answer for contact details.)
L-phenylalanine is an important amino acid for thyroid function, it
seems. It is responsible for the production of thyroxine, which
regulates metabolism and determines how quickly energy is burned off.
L-phenyelalanine is used by the brain to produce norepinephrine - a
neurotransmitter - which is said to improve memory function, reduce
hunger pains, and keep you alert. It also plays a vital role in the
production of adrenaline, and is necessary for helping us cope with
stress:
"Besides producing norepinephrine, dopamine, epinephrine, adrenaline &
thyroid, phenylalanine is also a constituent of important brain
neuropeptides, somatostatin, vasopressin, melanotropin, ACTH,
substance P, encephalin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, angiotensin
II, & cholecystokinins."
L-PHENYLALANINE
http://www.thewayup.com/products/0195.htm
"Free Form l-Phenylalanine, an essential amino acid, is a precursor to
the amino acid tyrosine and to a whole series of neurotransmitters
(including epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine) and the thyroid
hormones."
L-phenylalanine
http://buy-discount-vitamins.com/l-phenylalanine.htm
"L-Phenylalanine is the precursor for the production of L-Tyrosine,
another amino acid that deals with nerve brain function. It can help
lift our moods when we are depressed. L-Phenylalanine also assists in
the production of thyroid and adrenal hormones. These are essential in
allowing us to cope with stress."
Musashi L-Phenylalanine
http://www.discountnaturalhealth.com/prod1933.htm
"L Phenylalanine is an Essential Amino Acid that helps to elevate
positive mood and may be used in the treatment of some forms of
depression. It is essential for the production of adrenalin. It is
also essential for the thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine which
regulates the metabolic rate. It may be used for suppression of the
appetite. Current studies are exploring its possibilities for the
treatment of mental disorders.
L-Phenylalanine is an essential, nine-carbon amino acid and is a
precursor to the amino acid tyrosine. Because tyrosine is necessary
for the synthesis of proteins and the production of the
neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, phenylalanine is an
extremely important nutrient that must be obtained through the diet or
supplementation."
L-phenyalanine
http://www.herbalremedies.com/lphen50100ca.html
" L-phenylalanine serves as a building block for the various proteins
that are produced in the body. L-phenylalanine can be converted to
L-tyrosine (another amino acid) and subsequently to L-dopa,
norepinephrine, and epinephrine (three compounds that are involved in
the functioning of the nervous system). L-phenylalanine can also be
converted (through a separate pathway) to phenylethylamine, a
substance that occurs naturally in the brain and appears to elevate
mood."
Nutritional Range
http://www.optimumhealth.co.za/Opti_Slim_Range/OptiSlimWeightLossMoreInfo.htm
"L-Phenylalanine is essential for production of adrenaline. It
enhances vitamin C absorption and needs vitamin C and B6 for its
metabolism. L-Phenylalanine is necessary for the thyroid gland to
regulate how fast food is burned and also aids in the waste
elimination of kidneys and bladder."
MetaboUltraMax
http://www.metaboultramaxdiet.com/metaboultramax.htm
"L-Phenylalanine helps produce neurotransmitters, the brain's chemical
messengers. It is a precursor to tyrosine which is used to manufacture
certain hormones, including adrenalin (epinephrine), noradrenalin
(norapinephrine), L-dopa, and dopamine. It is also a precursor to
tyrosine."
Health4You
http://www.health4youonline.com/health_supplements_solgar_e2760.htm
"L-phenylalanine and a related amino acid, L-tyrosine, are precursors
on the dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine pathway. As such,
they have been found to be helpful for depression and similar
low-energy states. Although defining "depression" apart from
"low-energy" can be useful for analytical purposes, it remains true
that for all practical purposes depression and low-energy go together
and are often affected by the same body-mind disciplines. For
instance, Andrew Weil, M.D., says that the most consistently
successful "natural" remedy for depression is taking a walk every
single day! Many people have benefited their energy levels and mental
clarity by supplementing with L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, or both. In
addition, L-phenylalanine has been sometimes used successfully to help
reduce appetite, as part of a weight-loss program."
VitaminExpress.com
http://www.vitaminexpress.com/atoz/p-quick.htm
"PHENYLALANINE is one of the amino acids which the body cannot
manufacture itself, but must acquire from food. It is abundant in
meats and cheese. Phenylalanine is a precursor of tyrosine, and
together they lead to the formation of thyroxine or thyroid hormone,
and of epinephrine and norepinephrine which is converted into a
neurotransmitter, a brain chemical which transmits nerve impulses.
This neurotransmitter is used by the brain to manufacture
norepinephrine which promotes mental alertness, memory, elevates mood,
and suppresses the appetite very effectively."
Phenylalanine
http://www.ehot.com/smartbasics/phenylalanine_glos.html
As you can see, phenylalinine is very important to the healthy
function of the thyroid. Phenylalanine deficient folks are often
advised to use it as a supplement in order to boost the production of
certain important hormones released by the thyroid.
It does not appear to have any known interactions with Synthroid.
I hope this helps answer your question. Please do let me know if
there is anything else I can do for you, and please, please, please
consult your physician before tinkering with *any* of your medications
or supplements! Keeping your thyroid running and healthy can be a
delicate chemical balancing act, and one that should only be tried by
a skilled medical professional.
--Missy
Search terms: [ 5-htp hypothyroid ], [ 5-htp thyroid ], [ 5-htp
synthroid interaction ], [ 5-htp synthroid ], [ l-phenylalanine
hypothyroid ],
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l-phenylalanine synthroid interaction ] |
