hi looking to help my elderly mother 85. Falling into almost a comotose sleep every evening after her dinner (5-6pm) hard to rouse her 8pm she’s ok. Not just a normal tired after eating. Doctor said it’s her thyroid so upped her dose (she’s never had thyroid symptoms as such but her numbers must have been out so was put on levo years ago. Don’t know any of her numbers but she’s been on increased dose for about 9weeks no change at all doc said she would feel like a new person by 3 months. I was wondering if it could be more like reactive glycemia as she doesn’t eat much rest of the day and it’s always after meal at night. And I think she may be pre diabetic. I’ve suggested she should do the finger prick glucose test when she has this symptom to check but won’t if doc doesn’t suggest it. Could an underactive thyroid (tsh slightly off) really cause this severe crash for 3-4 hrs in evening but ok rest of the time?
Thanks for your thoughts
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Doctors faith in their treatment really beats me sometimes. Thing is, being hypo can cause vitamin deficiencies, especially in an elderly person. See if you can get your GP to test her ferritin, folate, B12 and D3 levels. When you have those results, also with results of her thyroid test, come back her and post them for people to comment on and make recommendations.
It's quite possible that her thyroid levels are causing the sleepiness but we do need to see her latest results.
thank you for replying. I’ve asked her to find out if ferritin, b12, folate and D3 were checked and for thyroid results but despite getting nowhere with Drs she still puts all faith in them and will only do as they suggest. I will keep trying to find out what’s been tested and any results then post them here. Thanks again
If you are able to you can get a print out from the GP's receptionist but she would probably have to agree to that. I sympathise with you regarding her putting all her faith in doctors despite she isn't doing well. My father was the same, he had hypo and B12 deficiency and wouldn't listen to anyone other than a doctor despite he was pretty unwell. Difficult to help someone like that.
unfortunately she takes a lot of other medications but I did tell her recently to take levo away from the rest and first thing on an empty stomach (I had to told her this a long while back but didn’t heed me) but as this sedated feeling is bothering her so much now she’s listened and hopefully doing it but still not seen an improvement. I will try access her results. I’m sure they won’t have done her T3 I think it is only tsh they’ve checked. And try for the 4 supplements to get checked. Thanks again
she was on 100mcg for years but I think he’s increased it to 125. Not sure what brand but I will check and check she’s getting same one each time ( thinking about it she probably isnt it’ll be whatever chemist gives her as she gets a lot of different meds at the same time). Thanks
Does the pharmacy put all her tablets into a dosette box? When my mother was alive her pharmacy did this, I think it's quite common for elderly patients who take more than about 4 medications on repeat prescription.
If so then she will be taking her Levo incorrectly. Levo needs to be taken on it's own, 2 hours away from any other medication and supplements (although some do need a 4 hour gap) otherwise absorption of the Levo is affected.
yes I’ve been trying to get her to do this and take levo early away from other tablets I will check again today to make sure she’s started doing this. She has taken all tablets at same time prior to me telling her just recently. Thanks
You could try reducing the amount of carbohydrate in her meal. In my case, I can now only keep my HbA1c acceptable by limiting carbs -- my fasting blood glucose is in the pre-diabetic range of 5.5 to 6.9 mmol/l. A "normal" meal will send my blood glucose too high, though not into the diabetic realm, and will knock me out.
when you reduce your carbohydrate do you mean things like potatoes, carrots, bread with your main meal etc not just puddings and cakes. My mum has a sweet tooth and is cutting out puddings but would that be enough?
sorry meant to ask do you do the finger prick glucose test when you feel like this to check I had wondered if it is something I could get her to try to see what’s actually happening … cos it sounds like what you’re describing when you say it knocks you out thanks
Yes, the problem is if a meal has knocked me out I only see the "aftershock" when I wake up and do a test. It was a few years ago on here, someone said they were surprised with the effect oatcakes had on their blood glucose. I bought a meter but didn't get around to using it until advised by a doctor on the helpline when I had COVID-19. Both my blood glucose and thyroid levels have gone awry during/since that. Five years ago I had a District Nurse visiting who checked my blood glucose shortly after I'd had two large baked potatoes, and it was fine. I've tested my sister, who has a higher BMI but is a year younger than me, after she's had a big bowl of porridge with honey and I have a small amount, plain, and her blood glucose level is fine while mine's too high. You should test two hours after starting the meal. Under 7.8 mmol/l is OK; 7.8 ~ 11.0 mmol/l could be pre-diabetes; higher would be diabetes. Bear in mind the meter's tolerance (5% could add about 0.4 mmol/l) and wash hands before testing, not least to remove any sugar.
I craved banana bread when I first started reducing carbs. Greenish bananas are fine, and provide resistant starch, which is a good thing. There are tricks with chilling or freezing potatoes, rice, pasta, bread to increase their resistant starch. I carried on baking bread for a while, but as 50 g rolls for portion control, but it was too much of a temptation. I have a bit of fruit these days but no bread or pasta, and about a third of a smallish potato now and then. I eat mainly greens, with a small amount of carrots and peas, plus protein (pork, chicken, eggs, cheese, mackerel etc.). I'll have a small amount of porridge once a week to finish up the milk before the next delivery. Sometimes I'll do rice pudding, instead (shock, horror!). I was doing "overnight porridge" (like a soaked meusli, but without fruit) which, with the addition of linseed, made bowel movements much easier. I tried fermenting the oats, which are a bit too sour to be pleasant without the addition of fruit, plus they spiked my blood glucose. I hadn't tested the normal option, so must do that, to get the right balance.
I found using the meter gave me the motivation to make the changes, but it's not for everyone, and you don't want to cause friction. It can take just a few days of "cold turkey" to break the grip, but that can be very hard for someone who doesn't see the need.
thank you there’s a lot of good information there. I’ll look at what she’s eating see how it could be s add letter to see if that helps and will try get her to monitor/test. Thanks again
I’ve attended doctor visits with my elderly mom in the past to assure she gets proper care as she doesn’t advocate for herself.
Im in Canada but I’m curious to know if she has assigned a “power of attorney”? At her age (or any age) we need to have a trusted POA when we can no longer attend to our own affairs.
I would be sure to go with her to these appointments to confirm she gets all the tests she needs going forward. Especially with these symptoms! Best of luck
Ask her to sign to let you see her results. Tell her you are worried about her, and if you could see her results, it would stop you worrying. Tell her you are sure the GP is doing a good job (cross your fingers!) but for your own sake, you would like this reassurance.
If you get to see them, and there are glaring errors, ask to speak to the GP or the Practice Manager to sort it out, and maybe mention it in passing to your Mum. Hope it all turns out well.
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