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What Causes Exhaustion And Excessive Drowsiness Despite Taking Thyroxine And Prednisone?

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Posted on Mon, 15 Jun 2015
Question: i take 88 mgs thyroxine daily. Was on 5 mgs daily of prednisone for adrenal gland but was exhausted so have been on 10 mgs of prednisone. It has helped the exhaustion,much better, have my energy back but I have been getting very very sleepy/drowzy around noon every day for a few hours. Now the sleepiness/drowziness is lasting longer into the evening. Feel like I was brain-dead. Like a zombie. This has increased in the last two/ three days!!



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Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
May need modification of dose of prednisone

Detailed Answer:
Good day. Noted your concern. The preferred drug for adrenal insufficiency is Hydrocortisone, not prednisone. You may have to split the dose of hydrocortisone to 10 mg on waking up, 5 mg at lunch time and 5 mg by 5 pm. This would be equivalent to 7.5 mg prednisone. However, if you have difficulty in getting or using hydrocortisone, please continue Prednisone , but in split dose. 5 mg on waking up and 2.5 mg at early evening. This may improve your tiredness.

Have you had a recent test for serum electrolytes ( sodium and potassium )? Based on this we may need to modify these medicines. How about your last thyroid blood works? Are they in the range?


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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1439 Questions

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What Causes Exhaustion And Excessive Drowsiness Despite Taking Thyroxine And Prednisone?

Brief Answer: May need modification of dose of prednisone Detailed Answer: Good day. Noted your concern. The preferred drug for adrenal insufficiency is Hydrocortisone, not prednisone. You may have to split the dose of hydrocortisone to 10 mg on waking up, 5 mg at lunch time and 5 mg by 5 pm. This would be equivalent to 7.5 mg prednisone. However, if you have difficulty in getting or using hydrocortisone, please continue Prednisone , but in split dose. 5 mg on waking up and 2.5 mg at early evening. This may improve your tiredness. Have you had a recent test for serum electrolytes ( sodium and potassium )? Based on this we may need to modify these medicines. How about your last thyroid blood works? Are they in the range?