Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
How Can Thyroid Level Be Managed Effectively In A Patient Without Thyroid?
My 85 year old mother has no thyroid and has been on synthroid for years. In recent years it has been hard to get the correct dosage.She was on 88mg in December, her levels dropped to 2.60 and the family dr. Changed her to 75. This week she had blood work done and it had dropped to 1.9. Her dr. Said to keep her on 75 but not to take it on Tuesday and Thursday. She is crying a lot and cannot sleep. After not taking it on Thursday she slept better for 2 nights, But she took the 75 again on Friday and Saturday and is now a nervous wreck. I do not know why They did not try 50 mg. she does not take generic. It is synthyroid.. What is your opinion?
Fri, 13 May 2016
Welcome to HCM,
It appears as if the doctor is trying to reduce her dosage, but an every other day schedule is not the way I would go if I were to give any input on this case. All hormones are synchronized on a day to day basis not an every other day basis and the thyroid needs to be consistently functioning day to day.
This means she needs to consistently take medication on an empty stomach 4 hours before any vitamins are given and 20 minutes before any food. Then perhaps your idea of 50 mg of synthroid per day might stabilize her at a comfortable level.
If I were to have input on your mom's case, given her nervousness, insomnia and dropping TSH, I would support your decision to go to the doctor and request a decrease in her synthroid to 50 mg daily in am on an empty stomach 20 minutes prior to breakfast.
Then, I would suggest a liquid multivitamin be given at noon, particularly if she has had any weight loss during this period of time where her TSH was low. The lower the TSH, the more active T3 hormone is present in the blood and the less need for the precursor, T4, which is present in synthroid.
Good luck to you and your mother. Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
It appears as if the doctor is trying to reduce her dosage, but an every other day schedule is not the way I would go if I were to give any input on this case. All hormones are synchronized on a day to day basis not an every other day basis and the thyroid needs to be consistently functioning day to day.
This means she needs to consistently take medication on an empty stomach 4 hours before any vitamins are given and 20 minutes before any food. Then perhaps your idea of 50 mg of synthroid per day might stabilize her at a comfortable level.
If I were to have input on your mom's case, given her nervousness, insomnia and dropping TSH, I would support your decision to go to the doctor and request a decrease in her synthroid to 50 mg daily in am on an empty stomach 20 minutes prior to breakfast.
Then, I would suggest a liquid multivitamin be given at noon, particularly if she has had any weight loss during this period of time where her TSH was low. The lower the TSH, the more active T3 hormone is present in the blood and the less need for the precursor, T4, which is present in synthroid.
Good luck to you and your mother. Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Loading Online Doctors....