Liquid Levothyroxine

[Alisonmeredith]

Hi all

My mother is 85 and she has advanced dementia and the other day I noticed she was putting her finger down her throat and making noises and I had a word with the carers that she told me that sometimes my mum cannot swallow her Thyroxine and her throat was sore.

I was just wondering is it a possibility of getting liquid Levothyroxine? She has been on it since she was 29, after a total thyroidectomy.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Alisonmeredith

Liquid levo is very expensive compared to tablets. All you can do is discuss with her doctors, give them the evidence backed up by the carers. I don't see how they couldn't consider it in the circumstances but you never know.

[Alisonmeredith in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. To be fair I don’t think she has much longer for this world. I am dreading that day. When I talk to her about what we used to be like she smiles

[diamondial in reply to Alisonmeredith]

How hard for you. I'm so sorry.

[Star13]

Liquid levo can be administered by a syringe in the mouth a bit like you would give to your pet to make it easier. I would most certainly ask her GP to prescribe it but after a few weeks she should get a test as sometimes the liquid can work out better with absorption and you may notice a difference in her FT4 result.

[Alisonmeredith in reply to Star13]

Thank you for responding. I think it is a bit late now but it was just an idea

[Anthea55]

Another thought. Try taking the tablets with food then the food helps to move the tablet down and gives her throat a bit of protection. Might be worth a try.

Some of us do take levo tablets with food. I was advised to do so by Dr Peatfield several years ago.

[Alisonmeredith in reply to Anthea55]

I would do that if I was the one giving it her but she is in a care home and they have lots of other people to care for as well

[Veneziana]

paediatricians advise parents to crush the tablets and mix with a small amount of liquid and feed from a spoon. Maybe this would work for your mum too, if liquid levothroxine is not available.

[Brightness14 in reply to Veneziana]

Good Idea I thought the same as my mother lived to be 100 and had problems to.

[Alisonmeredith in reply to Brightness14]

She’s a little strong lady my mum. She has outlived my dad, and her ex husband and his new wife who she always called the Floozy lol!

[Brightness14]

Brilliant I like it.

[klr31]

Swallowing problems are common in late stages dementia. Can you contact SALT? They may be able to liaise and advise about liquid thyroxine.

Karen