Prednisalone and levothyroxine

[Alice70]

Hi ,I've have post before about the bad time I have on prednisalone, like no sleep at all ,eating for wales ,shaking ,over the top talking ,my brain going as fast as a train ,adrenal glands jumping about ,I can stick this out for five days ,but recently I've been on them for six week that includes the coming down period ,and feel like I've been dragged through a hedge .Guess what I think I've sussed it out ,for sometime now I've suspected prednisalone is interfering with the thyroxine I have taking for years ,last night I googled prednisalone and levothyroxine ,and there it was prednisalone can send your thyriod into over active especially if you already have a thyriod problem ,I've read on here of others having a bad time on prednisolone, it would be interesting to no if anyone else who has a bad time on prednisolone are take levothyroxine, ithink not all people who have a bad time on them have a thyriod problem ,but god help you if you do

[HungryHufflepuff]

Well done you for making that connection. It's strange that doctors sometimes seem unaware of interactions between different medications. I don't take levothyroxine so can't help you with that one. Sometimes it's a relief having an explanation for why you're experiencing symptoms. Hopefully it will put your mind at ease a bit, not that it makes things easier for you! I don't even know if there's an alternative to the dreaded Pred. Best wishes to you 💐

[Alice70 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Yes hungry ,when you find an explanation ,it is a bit of relief

[powderpuff]

Hi Alice,

You may find the Adrenals more at fault than the Thyroid although that’s bound to be affected as well.

Sometimes exogenous steroids can interfere & even shut down the body’s ability to produce its own Cortisol - on low, short term doses it’s usually only temporary but as all hormones are interrelated it’s not impossible to see how they can be all effected.

I would feel inclined to post this as a topic on the Thyroid UK healthunlocked forum where you’re sure to find similar experiences.

[Alice70 in reply to powderpuff]

Hi powerpuff ,ithink my adrenal glans are affected by prednisolone, you no that feeling when you are over excited or afraid ,and stomach turns over going whoops ,just sitting down quiet ,and I start feeling my stomach going whoops for nothing ,I think that is the adrenalin over reacting ,I wonder if they are fighting back lol

[powderpuff in reply to Alice70]

The flight or fight feelings, yes quite probably Alice.

Hope things settle soon for you.

[RoadRunner44]

Hi Alice, Reading your post about prednisalone and thyroxine and the connection between them. It was through your own determinationyou and research that you found it. It makes me realise the importance of being more responsible for ourselves and our health problems. I never see the same doctor any more and although they look at our records on the screen in front of them it is not the same as seeing a regular doctor who you have built up a relationship with. I know some people say we shouldn't be finding answers on line. However, I feel I am taking control of my life by finding out these things which should, in theory, be helping the doctors to help me. Well done for sussing it out Alice. Hope things will get better for you now. Let us know how you get on. Chrys

[Whitechinchilla in reply to RoadRunner44]

Encouraging response, thanks.

[Alice70 in reply to RoadRunner44]

Thank you roadrunner,took last one yesterday thank goodness

[wheezybronch]

I and many of my fellow bronchiectasis sufferers call Prednisolone "The Dreaded Pred.", as we know the side effects very well. However we often have a bald choice to make breathe or die ! This sounds overly dramatic but if you are panicking trying to breath then we do pick breathing. I did get fat and also had drug induced Cushing's Syndrome. Another problem caused was that which has been mentioned previously, Adrenal insufficiency and Steroid Dependency . I personally am glad that I took them however, as I am still here, a little overweight perhaps. As to whether it was the interaction between Pred and Levothyroxine I cannot even guess, I am not a doctor, but even if it were it may be that your situation demanded an answer, quickly. I know of nothing better/ else than Pred to dampen down inflammation quickly. Perhaps the suspension of your Levothyroxine whilst in need of Pred. may be an answer ? I wish you the very best.

[Alice70 in reply to wheezybronch]

Yes wheezy I am also bronch ,and ofcourse when we carnt breath the choice is always to take them,to take them for five days we can stick out the side effects ,but when it goes on an and on it becomes a nightmare,i stuck it out though ,because I new I had to ,I took last one yesterday ,I have come from a massive high to a low ,hopefully I will feel better in a few days ,next time I see gp I am going to mention my findings ,and ask is there an alternitive to it,thank you for replying

[wheezybronch in reply to Alice70]

I had 60 mg Pred for months, if I had not I think that I may be dead now. When you come off them and you feel very low after several weeks I think you should have the short synacthen test, ask your doctor about this, good luck.

gloshospitals.nhs.uk/our-se...

[Alice70 in reply to wheezybronch]

I was on 6x5mg 30mgs in all for a month six weeks in all with coming down from them ,what is a synacthen test

[Alice70 in reply to wheezybronch]

O I see now you have sent me the link thank you

[ToniBisso]

Try taking the medication in the mornings only. Taking it in the evenening or late afternoon will keep you awake. Your Dr should have told you that.

[Alice70 in reply to ToniBisso]

Hi Tony, I do take them as soon as possible in the morning ,wouldnt dream of taking them at night ,because I'm up all night I take them as early as 6oclock in the morning ,thank you for trying to help

[BreatheasyBe]

Hi Alice70 you have explained how I feel when on steroids however I get these symptoms without having a thyroid problem. The brain going as fast as a train for me can bring on a lot of creative ideas and I just can’t write them down fast enough- and that’s where the over talking comes in. ‘Sleep?’ I find it difficult to sleep whilst on them and even for some weeks/months after. Apparently takes awhile before they are out of your system. I can get up at night and gorge on the contents of cupboards and fridge. No end to what I can eat. Takes a lot of restraining to try to eat only the healthy foods and to minimise the amount. Having said all of the above it’s a small price to pay to be able to clear any inflammation and to breathe a little easier. I hope the doctor finds a suitable alternative to help counteract complications you have suffered taking both of these Drugs together.

[KevinD1878]

I take 125mg levothyroxine each day as soon as I get up; then have to wait 30 minutes before taking any of my other medications for IPF (prednisolone, mycophenolate, co-trimaxazole, NAC, omeprazole). Don't have any problems with side-effects that way. I previously had over-active thyroid but because the medication for that (carbimazole) interfered with my other meds, particularly the mycophenolate, I had the radio-iodine treatment which cured the over-active thyroid but resulted in under-active thyroid hence the use of levyothyroxine, which because it is a natural replacement for thyroxin itself is not meant to cause any problems - which, again, is my experience. Good luck.