Apologies if this has been asked before-I searched but couldn’t find anything here.
I’ve just come across this research which has really scared me. Researchers have found a significantly increased risk of dementia in older adults on medication for hypothyroidism. The risk only seems to occur in those aged 65 years and over. This has confused me as I’m 49 (been on t3 and t4 for 4 years) but will obviously still be on thyroid meds when I’m aged 65 and older.
Would love some other views on this.
Well, it's pretty vague and inconclusive, isn't it? Given that the brain needs a large amount of T3, I should probably think that these people are under-medicated - so many hypos are. But, as it didn't give any details whatsoever, it's impossible to say.
This has confused me as I’m 49 (been on t3 and t4 for 4 years) but will obviously still be on thyroid meds when I’m aged 65 and older.
Did you think they were blaming the thyroid 'meds' (hate that word!) for the link? No, that's not what they were saying at all. And there's no reason that there would be a link. Thyroid 'meds' are only hormones, not drugs, they are only mimicking what the thyroid would make itself if it were capable. If the hormones themselves were responsible, everyone over 65 would be suffering from dementia! And that's obviously not the case.
I am 78, and have been on thyroid hormone replacement for about 23 years, and I really don't think I'm showing any signs of dementia, or any other brain problems - although perhaps a tad paranoid? I really wouldn't let it worry you, if I were you. Just make sure that you are adequately treated and don't let your doctor dose you by the TSH! 
I agree with Greygoose. There has been an obsession with undermedicating and avoiding NDT or liothyronine. Who knows why??? This articles gives no details and tbh I find the claim of 81% with no explanation or hard core evidence really outrageous and scaremongering. It's one heck of a statement!!Research is not usually considered fact until there is a body of research behind it. This sounds like a one off piece. Probably preliminary looking at common denominators between Altzeimers and other conditions. As we age we tend to gather more conditions. Hypothyroidism is extremely common.
Id need to know a heck of a lot more before I'd believe their statement of 81%. More likely another example of how statistics can be manipulated and interpreted. Even more weird is that is your treated for hypothyroidism your fine up to 65!
Id ignore it....
Remind yourself of the butter/ marg saga that went on for years!!
And just to add there is Altzeimers on my mother's side of my family. My mother, Aunt & Grandma all died of it. None of them had hypothyroidism! So I figured my risk to develop is probably higher than the norm.... But doubt it's down to my optimally treated hypothyroidism!!
what's the butter/marge saga?
I found this article also dated 2022 which gives a more balanced view....
alzdiscovery.org/cognitive-....
There are some potentially interesting references to that link, if anyone cares to look.
Take this study with a very large grain of salt. Though thousands were enrolled, only 102 people were hypothyroid, and of those 68 had dementia. As others have already said, we have no idea if they were optimally treated or not, nor if they had any comorbidities like b12 deficiency, low iron, etc.
Very nice of the article not to include a link 🙄 Found this press release through google aan.com/PressRoom/Home/Pres... the article can be found by clicking on the 'Neurology' link but it is behind a paywall.
Totally agree with greygoose.
I've been on replacement thyroid hormones since before 2000....high dose T3-only for almost 6 years. I'll be 78 in a few weeks and have no signs of dementia.
My friend of 65 years on the other hand has had no thyroid problems and sadly is now in a care home with dementia.
Focus on FT3 followed by FT4 and forget TSH.
Ignore the scaremongers, medicate correctly and get on with life!!
I also agree with greygoose . Before I went onto B12 injections, I very much felt as though I was in line for Alzeimers, but after a couple of months on the injections I had reverted back to my usual self, with a memory much better than some of my contemporaries and some of those younger. Vitamins and Minerals are not given the importance in our diets that they deserve. Being on NDT at a good level a lot of my other blood tests are much better than when I was on Levothyroxine, even with Liothyronine added.
thanks all. I agree the paper doesn’t really explain anything at all. You’ve put my mind at rest a bit. And no I didn’t mean I thought the researchers were blaming the meds. I fully intend to continue on Levothyroxine and liothyronine for ever. One of the papers I looked at stated that older adults medicated for hypothyroidism were at higher risk of dementia which made absolutely no sense to me at all!
Well, as I said, it depends if they were optimally medicated. If their T3 was too low - which it often is - then it would affect their brain. But, 'dementia' is a catch-all name, it covers a multitude of sins, Are they talking about Altzheimer's? Or perhaps they don't even know the difference between Altzheimer's and reduced brain activity - depression, forgetfullness, etc. etc. etc. - caused by low levels of T3. Pretty sure a lot of people get 'diagnosed' with Altzheimer's when they're actually suffering from under-treated hypo.
You could be right Greygoose but I do know my mum had a brain scan blood tests and then an assessment with a specialist. Unfortunately I wasn't there but my brother was so can't tell you more. They can identify the difference between Altzeimers and other forms of dementia.
They can if they bother to look. But, from what I've heard, they don't always bother. B12 deficiency - which hypos often have - is another possible culprit, but how often do they test for that? Maybe your mum did actually have dementia that wasn't related to thyroid in any way. But pretty sure a lot of people are misdiagnosed.
I agree. I got my Mum to take b12 as I was convinced that was a possible issue, given you absorb less as you age. I know she did get her thyroid checked but of course she wouldn't ask for a copy of the results, just said it's fine & the GP surgery wouldn't tell me. Even when I had power of attorney for health they blocked access. I was like you dubious except I have to acknowledge there is a strong family history of Altzeimers.
I'm sorry to hear that. Long may you avoid it. x
I’ve come to the conclusion that where Alzheimer’s/ dementia is concerned ‘they’ haven’t a clue.
It makes me so cross when I read all that sort of stuff. My lovely neighbour (late 70s) now has dementia - she has always owned and walked dogs, loved her garden, she has always had lots of friends, a good social life and hobbies, they eat well - no junk food, they don’t drink - she is not overweight and she is not and never has been on medication for her thyroid.
In fact when I think of other people I know who have had Alzheimer’s / dementia not one of the ‘usual suspects’ has applied to them. They have all been very active intelligent and talented people. It is a sad, cruel condition and I don’t think throwing out the suggestion that it is caused by patients taking medication for hypothyroidism is at all helpful.
Hopefully those suggestions will not stop people taking their levo or whatever they are taking.
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