Mental Illness after thyroidectomy related- HELP for my father

[Adrianna455]

My father had surgery about a year ago and sadly he is not the same person. He exhibits slow speech (I know that is part of the outcome),voice change,and he seems a bit slow. There is swelling on his face particularly the area around hands, and feet.  Recently I've been noticing his behavior has changed. He seems delusional, paranoid, and aggressive. I don't know if I should define it as psychotic behavior.  This has develop for some time but we thought of it as him being a groggy. It is now affecting us because he thinks everyone is against him...I am scared that he might even harm us. I know he is taking synthroid..

Can this be from all the medication he is taking? Could it be that the Doctor prescribed a low or high dose of his medicine.?

Is there a medication that has a side effect like the ones I've described?

[stella5349]

On a thyroid level - this could be associated with being too low on a hormone called Free T3. Many people face depression- sleerd speech - anxiety - swelling- paranoid behavior when this thyroid hormone level is less than adequent. False diagnoises of bi polar behavior and dementia are commone with low thyroid hormone

I take that he had his thyroid removed? Some patients experience a low conversion level of Free T4 hormone to move into active Free T3. Again active T3  after surgery to remove the gland. Conversion from T4 meds is the component to achieve normal thyroid living function.

He may definately benefit from looking into adding T3 to his regimin of thyroid replacement - but you need to ( especially in a certain age bracket) look at cardio and liver testing prior to just taking it.

Active T3 is also a lead in cardio issues and can aggrevagate a pre exisiting condition.

What other meds is he taking? That could effect the stimulate of the thyroid hormone too? How about his daily way he is taking his meds? What does he take with Synthroid? supplements? Calcium? Is he eating with it?

Lots of questions...

Labs are important - Most optimal thyroid patients with little function or none at all - are living very well at a HIGH range of active FT3 hormone and a MID ot LOWER FT4 hormone. This shows great conversion of the meds and allows the person to get back to living.

The liver in a non - thyroid patient when taking straight synthetic T4 meds as Synthroid is mostly go through a process that depletes the hormone conversion. The stomace may have a slow acid churn with too little  ( in many hypos) that takes way the hormone potency. Then the liver ( filter)  is critical in converting the T4 into T3. If the liver is "slow" the conversion is not taking place optimally and the person is left with to little hormone. Liver test is needed at his age.

Rule to go by... TSH is not the tell all in most cases with labs. Rationally looking at FT3 and FT4 seeing the optimal ratio guidelines above is really more of the story. Normal is not normal for all and trying different things to balance the body is needed when trouble you have with your father is present.

[dawnangela]

I feel the same, maybe he is not getting enough meds, as he still has swelling, Has he had bloods done recently?

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

This behaviour could be from less than optimal treatment.  Him being under treated could explain the symptoms.

Can you tell us what his thyroid results are?  TSH, FT3, FT4, anythign else he's had tested and the reference ranges?

TSH should be between 1-2 and FT3 and Ft4 should be in the upper  half to 1/3 of the reference range.

I would want to see his vit B levels (particularly B12) are optimal, and same for Vit D.

Regular testing of his levels would be required (ie. every 3 - 6 months) to make sure that everything is stable and optimal.  If he is still not doing well, it may be possible that he would do better on a natural thyroid product or on a combination treatment of T3 and T4.

Has anyone discussed this with your Dad's dr?