levo possible overdose.

[johnnyxs]

well i guess it had to happen some day.

I am getting increasingly absent minded confused, anxious and my memory has deteriorated alarmingly this year .

At 11.30am I noticed that my pill box was out in the middle of the kitchen worktop .( I leave it there every night before going to bed to remind me to take it in the morning.)

Thinking I must have neglected to take my Levo earlier I flipped the pillbox lid and swallowed 125mg .

Moments later I suddenly realised that it is Thursday today ..doh.. and then I couldn't remember if I had taken Weds pills or Thursdays. ! (I do sometimes forget to take them and leave them in the box )

Phoned the Dr to be on the safe side and he said don't worry it will be 3x weeks before it would have any effect !? So if it apparently takes that long to have any effect why do we reduce, miss or up our dose occasionally to compensate for perceived elevated or reduced levels

[Clutter]

Johnnyxs, Levothyroxine (T4) takes 7-8 days to be absorbed and 7-8 days to respond to a dose reduction. Most people won't feel a dose increase or reduction until after that but some sensitive people can notice it within a day or two.

Patients suspected of non-compliance have been asked to take a week's dose in front of doctors to ensure compliance, and there is research showing that taking massive overdoses doesn't lead to death as the body's defense mechanisms prevent over conversion to T3.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[johnnyxs in reply to Clutter]

thanks for that reassurance clutter. Funnily enough as soon as I started reading your post about weekly dosing , I remember reading about it recently myself ...(.probably on here.) clearly its unlikely to cause a problem.

Smartypants thank you for that suggestion I wasn't aware of a pill box alarm. Sounds like a good idea thanks

[Clutter in reply to johnnyxs]

Johnnyxs, I have daily alarm reminders on my phone to take meds and supplements and as soon as I've taken them I mark them as completed.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to johnnyxs]

In the past couple of weeks Lidl had an alarm pill pot. Unfortunately, probably sold out but there is just a chance one or two are out there. £3.99. I think it allowed up to four alarms a day. Of course, other similar products are also available.

Moderate overdoses are not usually significant. Big overdoses tend to cause the worst problems somewhere around 48 hours after ingestion.

҉ helvella ɐllǝʌlǝɥ ҉ helvella ɐllǝʌlǝɥ ҉ helvella ɐllǝʌlǝɥ ҉ helvella ɐllǝʌlǝɥ ҉

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

[Smartpants]

I too have a terrible memory (short term) due to my B12 diminishing in the 3mnths to my next jab, plus I have to take very strong painkillers which are dangerous if I overdose them!!! So although I can't tell you medically about what you're asking, I've got to tell you that since I purchased an alarm tablet holder, I can put all my prescription tablets in separate compartments (up to 4 times in each 24hrs) and set the clock alarm to the times when I should take them. I never overdose anymore now, although you must remember to fill up the containers every am or pm for the next 24hrs, of course!!!!

[Smartpants]

You're welcome Johnnxs, sorry delay getting back, and you're right about Lidls Helvella, that's where I got mine from, like you say they still may have some left, otherwise they usually get them again another time in the future. It's been the best £4.99 spent this year for me!!! Clutter too, great idea using 'phone alarms.

[johnnyxs]

thank you everyone for your great suggestions. A pill box alarm would be a perfect solution for those of us ,like me, that are prone to miss or forget times and appointments etc .

Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to use one myself due to stress.

I have had to remove the alarm buzzers from the door bell ,microwave and washing machine because they can push me close to the tipping point .

Fortunately it was the first time that I had ever double dosed (if I in fact did!).

I also have to medicate my Father who has a heart condition, advanced dementia and is disabled so I have lots of meds to adminster to him daily as well as my own.

Thank you for your concern and helpful advice. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful resource to support us