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Dr Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California San Diego and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
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Can thyroid replacement therapy cause strange behavior?
A member asks if the therapy her husband is currently undergoing is the cause of his strange behavior. Namely irritability, abusiveness, and nocturnal tremors.
Thyroid replacement therapy with levothyroxine (Synthroid) or Armour thyroid should not cause these symptoms. Remember if you are hypothyroid and exhibit an underactive thyroid, replacing it with medication should make you euthyroid (normal thyroid levels).
I would want to check your husband’s TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level with a quick and simple blood test to ensure he is on the proper dose because over replacement can look like what you are describing! Make sure you follow up with serial TSH tests to ensure you are on the proper dose of thyroid replacement.
Dr. Orrange
Thyroid replacement therapy with levothyroxine (Synthroid) or Armour thyroid should not cause these symptoms. Remember if you are hypothyroid and exhibit an underactive thyroid, replacing it with medication should make you euthyroid (normal thyroid levels).
I would want to check your husband’s TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level with a quick and simple blood test to ensure he is on the proper dose because over replacement can look like what you are describing! Make sure you follow up with serial TSH tests to ensure you are on the proper dose of thyroid replacement.
Dr. Orrange
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CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES:
Hyperparathyroidism
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Hyperthyroidism
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Hypoparathyroidism
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Hypothyroidism
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Thyroid Cancer
Displaying comments 2-1 of 2
2
When my daughter and I went on Synthroid, it just took us both back to normal. We went from being cold, depressed and sleeping too much to healthy happy people. The other symptom which cleared up for me was Rheumatoid flares. Apparently the RA drugs don't work well without the thyroid. Something else must be going on with this person, concurrently.
By Angela53510 Nov 09, 2009
1
It would be useful to know if he is on other medications, as well; namely, anti-depressants. It is possible that his mood symptoms were mainly due to the hypothyroidism. If he is prescribed them it would be worth a consult with his prescribing physician to see if adjusting the prescription is recommended. Adjusting the dosage or going off of such medications is recommended with medical supervision for various reasons.
By cdeanoh Nov 09, 2009
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