Thyroid Problems from Effexor?

[FMcElligott]

I now know that if you have Thyroid problems you are not to take effexor, but has anyone had hypotyroidism caused by effexor. Right now my thyroid is shot. I just had my tests done on it and awaiting the results.

I hate effexor

[Ezin]

It is listed as a rare effect:

http://www.drugs.com/pro/effexor-xr.html

Read down towards the bottom...

"Endocrine system - Rare: goiter, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodule, thyroiditis."

[FMcElligott]

Thanks Ezin,

But WTF, I am heavy enough and I may be facing cancer in my Thyroid. I don't have a family history of it and I never had a problem with my thyroid and I am at the Doctor ALL the time.

This could be a lawsuit waiting to happen.

[dramey]

i have had hypothyroid for years, i got on effexor because of the depression the hypothyroid caused. i have not had any trouble because of the effexor in regards to my weight or my thyroid. i just am having a hard time getting off of this stuff!!! think i will try the bead method too. i dont want to take any more drugs on top of it.

[FMcElligott]

Dramey, What medication are you on?

I am having to go on something because of my hypothyroid.

[jinglebts]

I have just come off a year's worth of effexor and I would never take it again. Last month it gave me seratonin syndrome, last week it gave me absence seizures, and I just got a call from my doctor's office now saying that my thyroid is low. Since Dilantin (I been having seizures for six years now) can also cause thyroid issues, I wasn't surprised, but then I remembered -- I've been taking effexor till about three weeks ago (in decreasing doses).

I'm willing to bet it was the effexor. Damned drug!

[jinglebts]

And I'll go in with you on your lawsuit!!

[fmcelligott]

Jinglebts,

I think the FDA has dropped the ball on this one. I spoke with a lawyer and you can't even sue the FDA he said???? what do I know I'm not in that field so I can't confirm it but it is crazy.

There must be some kind of lobbying going on somewhere.

[deedles]

I have thyroid nodules (b4 effexor), my doc said the effex was OK for the thyroid!
Now I don't believe her!

[angry-not-mad]

I started effexor in the fall. I dropped a bunch of weight right after that without exercising or eating well. I was exhausted all the time, got heart palpitations, and my eyesight got worse. Turns out I got hyperthyroidism. I don't think it's such a "rare" side effect. I took my last effexor one week ago and am in the throes of withdrawal. Now i have to take drugs for my thyroid and may have to have it radiated.

[cathionwhidbey]

I have just started checking into these effects from Effexor. I have had such horrible short term memory losses. But then as I have started looking, I find this info about thyroids. My doc is sending me to a specialist because my last blook panel showed all of a sudden my sed rates are bad. I wonder if this is caused by Effexor????
between the memory and the feeling like I am having mini strokes in my brain and now this, Is there a lawyer out there that can take this on?? I lost a chance at a great job recently becuase I couldn't learn the info. I have never had a problem learning anything. So it was a big kick in the butt for me!!!
Anybody else having these problems??

[Christinem]

I have experienced a persistent inflammation of my right thyroid, a goiter, for a long while now, since, ironically, that I have been on Effexor!
I suspect it is because of taking this drug...and I wish to go off of it, and not ever go back on it!

[Jodi]

If you Google effexor xr and hives together, you will find a whole other host of problems caused by Effexor. Any of you have hives as well? I contacted Wyeth and they admitted that hives are an issue in the clinical trials, but it's not listed as a side effect because they decided it wasn't a big enough problem. I was told that unless people call them and report side effects that they won't do anything about it. They need to hear from us!

[Stephanie]

I took 375 mg of Effexor a day for several years and have been off it for five years. During that time, I developed hypothyroidism. I do not know if Effexor was to blame, but I still have hypothyroidism.

[cindy]

FMcElligott wrote:

I now know that if you have Thyroid problems you are not to take effexor, but has anyone had hypotyroidism caused by effexor. Right now my thyroid is shot. I just had my tests done on it and awaiting the results.
I hate effexor

I was on Effexor (3x 75mg daily) for the past 2.5 years and I have just discovered that I have a hypoactive thyroid. My doctor didn't mention this as a possible side-effect and I don't recall seeing it in the literature I was given. I'm pissed!!