Potassium,Magnesium, TSH, FT4 and dementia, confusion, anexiety

[Billydave]

85 year old female reasonable good health mild cognitive imparement. Recent change in anexiety combativeness . Blood test results low potassium corrected by raising Rx from 20meq.day to 42,eq/day (low food intake) Magnesium levels low increased by adding OTC magnesium glycinate 500mg/day/

TSH low o.011 accepted range 0.45-4.5

FT4 high 3.32 accepted range 0.82-1.77

Rx is Levotyroxine 50 mcg/day been on it for decades gradual change in diet to liquid malts containing bannana strawberry, whey protein. Patient is Type-2 diabetic recently changed from Novalog to Humalog requiring increase in injections to maintain BG. Does the Levotyroxine need to be increased, decreased or changed to another brand

[radd]

Billydave,

Welcome to our forum,

 At 85 years old, you might expect some decline through just wearing out but you sound a very caring husband. 

Sometimes there is (incorrect?) thought that older people need less thyroxine to match a more sedentary lifestyle. However, your wife’s results are indicating excess Levothyroxine but 50mcg is only a small amount so I’m guessing maybe blood was drawn soon after her taking daily dose? 

The body will always try maintaining magnesium levels to protect the heart, and when it isn’t readily available it will be drawn from the bones and other sources. Therefore, when serum levels are shown to be low, it usually means deficient. 

The most absorbable form to be supplemented by an elderly person is the pico-ionic liquid version that doesn’t upset the tummy as absorbed before it hits digestion. There are various brands but the original and most potent is Remag, who also offer a skin cream. You only need a few drops a day to start with and increase very slowly for maximum absorption. As you mention potassium the brand also offer other electrolytes. It’s a pricey range but very pure as contains no unwanted fillers. B6 helps magnesium absorb better. 

[SlowDragon Administrator]

important to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

On levothyroxine we need GOOD vitamin levels

Has GP tested these

Was thyroid test early morning and importantly….last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[RedApple]

Billydave, You appear to be asking on behalf of someone else. Please keep in mind that this is a 'patient to patient' forum. No-one here is medically qualified. Any comments you receive are purely from patient experience and/or self education. Given the age of the patient, the health conditions and symptoms you describe, I strongly advise that you get help from a qualified medical professional.

[Batty1]

This is my mother’s current health issues…. My mother’s doctors keep telling her that her thyroid levels are good (doubtful) she has had a goiter for a very long time. She also was currently tested and is very low on potassium,calcium and magnesium…. The US needs to do a better job taking care of its elderly population.

[bookish]

Please ask for vitamin B12 and folate results, or ask for them to be tested, and post them on the forum. 'Normal' results do not rule out deficiencies of either or both. And please be very wary if doctor suggests high dose folic acid supplement without supplemental B12, as the B12 should be sorted first.

[Litatamon]

Yes on b12 as soon as you can. Do not expect the doctors to know a lot in this area. Please read up.

Don't be alarmed by the amount of articles I have linked - they are both concise and informative. And have footnotes from medical journals.

It is not uncommon for any of us to have absorption issues as we age, even if one does not have an underlying condition causing the deficiency. So make sure you cross this off (as well as folate and vitamin d).). A vitamin b12 deficiency can impact so many aspects of health from head to toe, including cognitive issues.

stichtingb12tekort.nl/engli...

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All the best to you both.