Prednisolone and thyroid medicine?

[mrsQuics]

Does anyone have experience of both? Namely carbimazole?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There are a few people on thyroid meds - be patient, it can take a few days to collect everyone!

[mrsQuics in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you ... any pred and thyroid med experiences would be most welcome.

[Rose54 in reply to mrsQuics]

Hi I take Levothyroxine 125mg a day at night

Been on it for over 20 years never had any problems

Meds review yesterday with Pharmacists she would rather I take it in morning as she was worried about absorption but I explained that it difficult to fit in with morning meds as needs to be taken on empty stomach GP is aware and my levels are fine

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rose54]

That pharmacist needs some reading matter! Studies have been done - and night time dosing was found to IMPROVE management ...

[Rose54 in reply to PMRpro]

She did say that was the guidelines when she was training she also sounded very young.Once again the patient knows best

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rose54]

Guidelines are usually about 5 years behind, sometimes 10 ...

[YuliK in reply to PMRpro]

I have been taking euthyrox 100mg for 15+ years…I take it as soon as I wake in the morning..half an hour before I have breakfast.

[Cobalt2sister]

Hi. I am also on levothyroxine 75 which I also take in evening. Haven't had any problems with prednisone ( now on 40 mg) but admittedly haven't had any thyroid tests recently. Were you having reactions? Keep us posted.

[mrsQuics in reply to Cobalt2sister]

My mum may be starting carbimazole but is worried by the possible side effect of it stopping white blood cells being produced, the disclaimer says'if you develops severe sore throat or mouth laceration seek an urgent full blood count blood test' ,she has 'subclinical thyrotoxicosis' and they say gravitated towards hyperthyroidism (though doesn't match a lot of the symptoms) ... then of course she's already on pred which suppresses the immune system.... I should probably get on a thyroid health unlocked aswell ...this levothyroxine seems to be popular with pred on here, are you hyper or hypo type of thyroid issue? Many thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to mrsQuics]

Pred tends to raise the number of white cells - it is unlikely there will be a doubling up of the problem from that point of view. It is a potential adverse affect of a lot of immunosuppressant meds - it must be mentioned and the warning issued just in case - but it doesn't mean it will happen.

[Orla1968]

I have been on been on Carbimazole for Overactive thyroid and Graves’ disease for 7 years currently on low management dose of 1 alternate days. Started on 15mg Prednisolone last August ,now tapering currently on 6mg. Have not experienced any problems with the combination of these medications.

[mrsQuics in reply to Orla1968]

Many thanks- am I right in thinking that overactive thyroid is hyperthyroidism? What sort of thyroid symptoms did you have? (I'm aware people don't necessarily tick all of the symptoms for each condition) good to know you've had no problems with both and on low management doses/ tapering- well done! Did you commencd thyroid meds when had a full blown thyroid condition or sub clinical? Many thanks.

[Orla1968 in reply to mrsQuics]

I had just about every thyroid symptom possible. Tremors, heat intolerance, palpitations,anxiety and very rapid weight loss, over 2 stone within about 6 weeks. Once diagnosed and started on Carbimazole 30mg,levels gradually started to reduce. Last year when diagnosed with PMR I was taking 5 mg carbimazole each day. Levels so far ok

[PMR2011 in reply to Orla1968]

I was on Pred and metronidazole (for hyperthyroid) for 3 years and had no problems. There were the warnings about sore throat or fever/infections that my endocrinologist wanted an immediate call for. I did have a sore throat once which they were very prompt in culturing and checking my blood counts, but it was just a cold. You could also ask a pharmacist. My Graves’ disease resolved once the GCA was under control (I still think the 2 were related). You are doing well to seek the knowledge.

[seamaid]

Hi I am also on Levothyroxine 75 mg daily, I have hypothyroidism due to having an adenoma - plus a part of my thyroid -removed years ago , ( levels still fine at my last blood test a couple of weeks ago ) . I am on 9mg , of my preds working down to 8.5 following DL tapering plan all is well, ( Thank you Dorset Lady .)

[Exflex]

I’m taking Levothyroxine 25 micro grams and 3.5mg Pred without problems or interaction that I’m aware of.

[slopers in reply to Exflex]

I too am taking 50mcg Levothyroxine for about 20 years (Hypothyroid). I'm tapering the prednisone very slowly and am currently at 3.5mg daily. No effects that I'm aware of. Best to you.

[PMR2011]

One other thought...with hyperthyroid you run higher risk of losing bone calcium which Pred also does. There is a section in this site for bone health which you’ll want to read.

[Exflex in reply to PMR2011]

Could be totally wrong here, but Levothyroxine is normally prescribed for hypothyroidism, ie an under active thyroid. I started on 50ug, however after 2 years (approx) it somehow mysteriously recovered, to some degree (currently 25ug).

[PMR2011 in reply to Exflex]

You are correct. Carbimazole and methimazole are for hyper thyroid.

[mrsQuics in reply to PMR2011]

The mad thing is she was prescribed the levothyroxine one years ago, didn't agree with her and nothing ever really came of it .... I think she fits the hypothyroid picture more than hyper aswell ... which just adds another layer of stress around it all! The letter even just makes it sound like 'start her on a small dose' of carbimazole even before we get this years thyroid results in, just to see! Which doesn't fill me with sensible ness!

[PMR2011]

Agreed! Requires looking in to.