A question about Levothyroxine
Hi. My sister in Manchester has asked me to contact an eminent Professor at Man Uni. However, as well as not being able to find his contact details, considering this guy is the National Clinical Director for Dementia in England, as well as at my brother in law's hospital, it seemed inappropriate for some random member of the public ( me ) to try and contact him with a question. So I'm asking on here ! Her 60 year old husband has Alzheimer's Disease and lives FT in a care home. He was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid some time ago. Is given 50 mg of Levothyroxine daily. She knows there are side effects to this drug. Her husband simply cannot keep still. He walks about all night long and sleeps only a little during the daytime. Apparently, no-one can understand why he can't keep still. When my sister goes to visit him, she sits on his knee, as it is the only way to prevent him from getting up and walking off everywhere. Anyway, she has a question. She wants to know if it is possible, before Atrophy begins, for the brain to interfere with blood test results; showing underactive thyroid hormone secretions. After which the patient is then given this Levothyroxine . ( Don't know if what I have written makes any sense). Basically she wants to try and understand why he can't sleep. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight as well, which I understand is one of the side effects. Can anyone help? Thanks, Lisa.
(edited 2 years ago)
Original post by markova21
Hi. My sister in Manchester has asked me to contact an eminent Professor at Man Uni. However, as well as not being able to find his contact details, considering this guy is the National Clinical Director for Dementia in England, as well as at my brother in law's hospital, it seemed inappropriate for some random member of the public ( me ) to try and contact him with a question. So I'm asking on here ! Her 60 year old husband has Alzheimer's Disease and lives FT in a care home. He was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid some time ago. Is given 50 mg of Levothyroxine daily. She knows there are side effects to this drug. Her husband simply cannot keep still. He walks about all night long and sleeps only a little during the daytime. Apparently, no-one can understand why he can't keep still. When my sister goes to visit him, she sits on his knee, as it is the only way to prevent him from getting up and walking off everywhere. Anyway, she has a question. She wants to know if it is possible, before Atrophy begins, for the brain to interfere with blood test results; showing underactive thyroid hormone secretions. After which the patient is then given this Levothyroxine . ( Don't know if what I have written makes any sense). Basically she wants to try and understand why he can't sleep. He has lost a tremendous amount of weight as well, which I understand is one of the side effects. Can anyone help? Thanks, Lisa.
Speaking in general terms and not specifically about your brother-in-law, 50 micrograms (not mg!) is a rather mild dose of levothyroxine. It shouldn't be causing agitation or weight loss in someone who has been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid on their bloods.
Patients who are commenced on thyroid hormone replacement have their bloods checked after starting treatment to see when their thyroid function is in the correct range so they can stay on a steady dose. It's unlikely that "over dosing" would occur in a way to make a patient hyperthyroid, especially with a mild dose like 50mcg.
The situation you're asking about with a "brain reason" for thyroid specific dysfunction would be uncommon and is generally a result of certain growths/tumours, infections, following radiation exposure and some other rare causes.
Patients with dementia commonly experience sleep problems. A small dose of an anti-depressant can sometimes be helpful (this is not always to treat depression, some of them also cause drowsiness as a useful side effect). Other types of medications can also be used. The patient's GP is the best person to ask about this though sometimes referral to a geriatrician or old age psychiatrist is necessary.
(Doctor, not able to provide specific advice about your brother-in-law but merely general information!)
Hi! I just saw this post. My mum (39) she also has an under active thyroid and takes 100mg of Levothyroxine and she’s absolutely the same. She can’t sleep at night and also can’t in the day but sometimes she has a nap. She just says that I don’t feel sleepy. We talked to her Gp about it but they didn’t say much and said that her blood should be tested again. But I’m sure agitation is normal because of the medication.
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