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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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Also, on the cognitive level..Will I ever think and feel the same. I feel dumb and slow at work sometimes. Before I had all my hypothyroid symptoms I was the complete opposite. I was a sharp and fast thinker ...I was quick to move now its the total opposite
By JazzyFizzle Apr 02, 2011
5
I have been taking 1grain of Armour thyroid for 7 months. Although I was feeling EXTREMELY horrible my levels werent too low so my doc wouldn't increase my grains. I'm a little worried cause I'm still experiencing some symptoms and it's been 7 months already, my doctor recently tested my blood and told me I need to cut back a day because my TSH levels revealed Im getting to much how could that be ? If Im still feeling tired through out the day, still constipated, still loosing tons of hair, and still have trouble waking up in the mornings.Any advice?:)
By JazzyFizzle Apr 02, 2011
4
When I was on Wellbutrin my dr was concerned it would reduce the effectiveness of the Armour Thyroid. I could tell it was doing that after a few days. So if he is on any antidepressants that may be doing it. Also, What MM said about running the Free T3 and Free T4 is important. Synthroid did not help my symptoms at all after one year, I was thankful to get on Armour Thyroid.
By Barbell Apr 23, 2010
3
Need to run the Free T3 and the Free T4 tests as well to see where your hubby's numbers are at.
By mmztcass Dec 02, 2009
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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