Estradiol and Drug Interactions

Hi,
Does anyone know how elavil and/or levothyroxine effect estradiol levels?

Hi, its me again! I don't know anything about Elavil, but I just had a recent discussion (started a thread) regarding levothyroxine and estrogen. Here is an excerpt from that discussion:

"I'm not taking thyroid hormones, but I found a couple studies about estrogen and thyroid replacement. And you're right, they interact with each other. The studies said that levothyroxine increases sex hormone binding globulin. SHBG binds to estrogen, and makes it inactive. So levothyroxine can lower active estrogen levels. Conversely, oral estrogen increases thyroxine binding globulin, and TBG inactivates thyroxine (T4). So oral estrogen can lower active T4 levels"

Here is the thread it came from if you are interested in further reading:
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...d.php?t=253200

Here is a general article from the Hystersisters about Thyroid and HRT:
http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/article_97225.htm

And here is one more article to look at:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles...-menopause.htm

Oops, here is one more that lists drug and hormone interactions with Levothyroxine (if you read carefully, you will find that androgen and other sex hormones are listed under "Thyroid Physiology", and near the bottom of the page, the Tricyclic antidepressants are mentioned (Elavil falls under this class):
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/levothy_ad.htm

I hope this info helps. There is definitely a connection between thyroid and estrogen, in particular estradiol. It seems to have more to do with oral estrogen replacement than transdermal, but I know in my case even on sublinguals my thyroid levels have been all over the place and I have had to have them monitored constantly. Like I said in another thread, due to being on such a tiny dose of estrogen and not getting much, my thyroid actually seems to function better and I may be on too much Levothyroxine as I am having many symptoms of hyperthyroidism now (before hyst I was very hypo for many years even with thyroid meds), but before I jump the gun on this theory, I need to find out my hormone test results (have appointment with gyn Tuesday to discuss the findings). I am still in the process of researching this topic further so that is all the info I have for now. I hope it helps you understand things a little more.

Thanks naturebound. My doc increased my levoxyl to .05 mcg yesterday. What time of day do you take yours?

I take mine in the mornings. I am not sure that it matters, except if you take oral estrogen or calcium supplements you would want to take those at least four hours before or after you take your Levoxyl. I forgot to add that about the calcium and Levothyroxine in my last post, here is an article that explains this:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/AN01181

Right now I am taking .112mg of generic Levothyroxine. I have fluctuated over the years between .10mg and .15mg (have had hypothyroidism since 1989 when I first had a goiter). I used to take Synthroid but now my insurance won't cover it (major surprise there) so I have to take the generic, which for me means I need a stronger dose to get the same effect. Strange how that works. I hope this dose helps you. I am assuming you meant .05mg instead of .05mcg? .05mg would be 50mcg I think (my math really *****). Good luck to you and I hope this resolves at least some of your fatigue!

guess i am doing it all wrong take all the pills in pm
calcium, levotabs and estratest

johart 7,
If you are feeling good with this regiman, I wouldn't worry too much about it, but if you are having some problems, this is something to take into consideration....separating your Estratest, calcium, and levotabs by several hours. Hope all is well with you!

I have been on both hrt and levothyroxine since 1994. I have also read many reports and articles about the reaction,but in practice I have experienced no problems that I have been aware of.
I take 100 mcg thyroxine and have the minimum oestrogen patch 0.25. I am 14 years post menopause.
I always take my throxine at 7 am...I can remember it better at that time and have it before breakfast. It suits me that way, but I have never been told when to take it.

PS...sorry, not doing too well expressing myself this morning!Must be the heat!

I did not want to give the impression in the post above that I did not believe in the link between the female hormones and the thyroid function...it is just that I have not experienced a reaction between the two drugs.
I went into a natural menopause at 39 at the same time as I started thyroid problems. Still don't know which came first really.

Hey, me again. Ok, strike my theory on being over treated with Levothyroxine due to estrogen being low. I got my results back and my TSH was actually a little high, but my T4 and T3 levels were completely normal. So if anything I am slightly on the hypo side afterall. Doc doesn't want to make any changes with thyroid meds right now though. My other hormone levels are almost nonexistent, especially the testosterone, so I will be starting on that shortly. I hope this helps my energy levels. Margo, have you ever tried testosterone to help with energy? Just curious.

Hi Naturebound, your results are just like my recent ones!!!! TSH a little high at 5.5, but T4 normal. Doc wants to re test in 3-4 months to see if I need a little more.
I am wondering whether the raised TSH has to do with our recent recovery from surgery. I explain below. See what you think.
I have read that when there is inflammation or infection in the body, there is a high level of C Reactor Protein(or something like that). This C Reactor protein is believed to be linked with raised TSH readings where the T4 is normal. Could be why they don't like to test for thyroid issues for people in hospital.
It will be interesting to see if our TSH goes back to normal once we have fully recovered. I don't feel the inflammation anymore, it disappeared at about 13 weeks. But when I had the thyroid blood test at about 8 weeks post op it was raging