Thyroxine stopped by gp

[Catho]

My 86 yr old Mum has taken thyroxine for 60 years (yes, sixty) and last year, after a fall, her GP said it could be interfering with other medications she was taking and stopped the thyroxine. It was minimal dose (though I can't remember exactly how much) but since it stopped she has been having anxiety attacks. Could it be related? I've asked the GP and been told its unrelated but they cannot diagnose any other reason for the distressful anxiety episodes. Any advice appreciated, thanks.

[ITYFIALMCTT]

Do you have any blood test results (with their reference ranges) that you can share with us so that it's easier for members to comment on your mother's circumstances, please?

Was your mother on something like 50mcg of levothyroxine?

[Catho in reply to ITYFIALMCTT]

I don't at the minute but I can request them when we visit GP on Monday re her anxiety.

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Catho]

That would be helpful - I hope that you have a useful conversation with the GP because anxiety in elderly people can be especially distressing and debilitating for them.

[Catho]

Yes, very distressing as she has never suffered anxiety before, we feel helpless.

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Catho]

You have my sympathies as you do feel so helpless.

During the chat, if your mother hasn't had vitamin and mineral levels measured in a while, can you request them from the GP? If she has had them, can you post those with their reference ranges? Also mention any supplements that your mother is taking, together with their dosages, please. Given your mother's age, it's not implausible that she needs supplemental B12, vitamin D etc. as so many women do at that age.

[Catho]

Will do, thanks so much for your quick response and advice. Homeopathic remedies were helping at one point but she's not taking any other supplements.

[Marz in reply to Catho]

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

Scroll down in the above link for the signs and Symptoms of LOW B12. Her result should be over 500

Hope all goes well for you both ....

[Catho in reply to Marz]

Thank you x

[ITYFIALMCTT in reply to Catho]

Irrespective of the thyroxine, it's probably time your mother had her vitamins and minerals checked.

As above, B12 deficiency is very common in people as they get older - you can read about B12 deficiency in older people here: nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b...

ETA: x-posted with Marz

[Dreamer12]

Hi Catho

Sorry to hear about mum falling and being taken off her thyroxine. When I was very hypothyroid my symptoms included falling frequently and I was only 50. Now I have been adequately treated (by myself) i have not had falling incidents at all since thyroid function improved .I have not heard of thyroid medication causing falls. The members here will give you excellent advice. Best wishes to you and mum .

X

[Catho]

Thanks Dreamer12, I know very little about thyroid issues and was very pleased to find this group. x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Anxiety and panic attacks are extremely common sign of being hypothyroid

Print this list out and tick all that apply - show to GP

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Thyroxine is hormone REPLACEMENT i.e. We need it because we can't make it ourselves

Sounds like GP was being completely idiot to stop it

For full evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested.

Low B12 is VERY common in elderly, affecting balance

You are unlikely to get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP but see what you can get

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting (and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after). This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

[Catho in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, that's really useful x

[greygoose]

It's more likely that her other medication is interfering with her levo! And if she were given the correct dose of levo, she probably wouldn't need other medication. And, that would mean a loss of income for your doctor! Do not believe he is doing this in her best interests, he isn't. He doesn't care about your mother, only about being able to prescribe a load of unnecessary drugs to another poor, unsuspecting patient. If it were my mother, I would have his guts for garters and make earrings of his... How dare he stop a life-giving treatment for an old lady?!?

[humanbean]

I think low thyroxine is going to increase the risk of falls. When my thyroid hormone levels are low I feel very weak and start stumbling and tripping more than normal because I lift my feet less when I walk. And I'm only in my 50s!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Under medicated for hypothyroidism leads very often to low B12, thus causes balance issues no dizziness

Her dose should be reintroduced at 50mcg. Tested after 6-8 weeks, and increased in 25mcg steps until TSH is around one and FT4 towards top of range

Vitamin D, Folate, ferritin and B12 are all likely to be low and need supplementing

[Catho]

Hi just a quick update. I couldn't get the blood test results as Mum had a home visit from a GP. She had further blood tests on Wednesday and I got a phone call yesterday from GP to say there was some thyroid "issues" - surprise, surprise but it wasn't a classic result that the GP or her colleagues could analyse. We are awaiting a call back after the surgery has had advice from the endocrinology team at the local hospital. Her blood cells were also "large" which could indicate a B12 deficiency? In the meantime I have bought multivitamin tablets (Wellwoman 70+) and Mum is taking those. Hopefully have some answers on Monday. Thanks for all your help, I wouldn't have queried the vitamin/mineral levels without your advice.