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Suggest Treatment For Dizziness While Driving And Exhaustion While On Synthroid
Question: I’m a 54 year old male, reasonably healthy otherwise, 5 foot 7ish, 170lbs or so. My only medication is Synthroid 100mcg daily for hypothyroidism. I have been taking this regularly for many months with no problems. I’m also a busy professional, Software VP, under lots of stress at work. About a week ago, I started getting dizzy on the drive home. By dizzy I do not mean vertigo, nothing was spinning, it was more a feeling of lightheadedness and brain exhaustion, brain sluggishness or brain fog, had to concentrate to keep focus. The rest of the drive home was very scary, really had to concentrate to feel like I was in control. It got worse for a few days, with some anxiety and nausea, since I had to travel for work and was under lots of pressure. I took Friday off and rested for 3 days. It is somewhat better now but still there. I mostly feel tired and groggy, and too much stress or mental activity makes me feel drained. My blood pressure is fine (110/85 or so), my cholesterol is a little high (235 or so) but not awful. Triglycerides are a little high (150-200) but not awful. Often I am a bit of a light sleeper, have to wake up 2-3 times per night to urinate. Nothing seems unusual in stools or urine. No recent weight gain or loss. What could this be? What should I ask my doctor to test for?
Brief Answer:
Sleep deprivation could be the culprit
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. I hope your thyroid blood works are noral now. From the history provided, it seems like stress and sleep deprivation are main issues which would have contributed to your symptoms while driving. When you wake up at night to pass urine, your sleep is further disturbed. There could be several causes of frequent urination at night.. a) Diabetes b) Prostate issues c) Drinking too much water at night d) bladder overactivity.e) Obstructive sleep apnea.
You should try to get following test done.
1) 8 AM serum cortisol
2) Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c
3) Serum PSA
4) Serum creatinine and Urea
5) Urine routine tests
6) CBC.
7) Full Lipid rrofile.
Regards
Binu
Sleep deprivation could be the culprit
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern. I hope your thyroid blood works are noral now. From the history provided, it seems like stress and sleep deprivation are main issues which would have contributed to your symptoms while driving. When you wake up at night to pass urine, your sleep is further disturbed. There could be several causes of frequent urination at night.. a) Diabetes b) Prostate issues c) Drinking too much water at night d) bladder overactivity.e) Obstructive sleep apnea.
You should try to get following test done.
1) 8 AM serum cortisol
2) Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c
3) Serum PSA
4) Serum creatinine and Urea
5) Urine routine tests
6) CBC.
7) Full Lipid rrofile.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok thank you. I will ask my doctor to add these tests to the list I normally get for my thyroid, which I need to do soon anyway. But in your professional estimation, is this likely just exhaustion/stress/sleep deprivation? What happens if the blood tests all come back normal? Do I just wait until this goes away, or is there anything I can do to make it go away faster?
Brief Answer:
Few tips
Detailed Answer:
Well, since i havenot examined you, i have to come to a conclusion from the history provided. As you are otherwise healthy with no recent change in weight, there is unlikely to be a serious problem in you. People often underestimate sleep issues. You need 7 hours of solid unbroken sleep at night and 15 minutes of short nap in the noon to remain healthy. As an endocrinologist, i do see plenty of people who complain similar issues like you and often when they sleep well, the symptoms dramatically improve. You must also ask your doctor to check your blood pressure sitting and 2 minutes after standing. Another test i would like to add is serum electrolytes ( sodium and potassium).
Sleep well for few days. Try to get home early and switch off TV, XXXXXXX phond and computer 2 hours before you plan to sleep. The best sleep is between 10 pm and 5 AM. Finsh dinner by 6 to 7 pm maximum and avoid drinking water after that. You may also try Melatonin 3 mg at night before sleeping for 1 to 2 weeks to get back the sleep. See if these measures improve your symptoms. Avoid smoking and excess alcohol as well.
Regards
Binu
Few tips
Detailed Answer:
Well, since i havenot examined you, i have to come to a conclusion from the history provided. As you are otherwise healthy with no recent change in weight, there is unlikely to be a serious problem in you. People often underestimate sleep issues. You need 7 hours of solid unbroken sleep at night and 15 minutes of short nap in the noon to remain healthy. As an endocrinologist, i do see plenty of people who complain similar issues like you and often when they sleep well, the symptoms dramatically improve. You must also ask your doctor to check your blood pressure sitting and 2 minutes after standing. Another test i would like to add is serum electrolytes ( sodium and potassium).
Sleep well for few days. Try to get home early and switch off TV, XXXXXXX phond and computer 2 hours before you plan to sleep. The best sleep is between 10 pm and 5 AM. Finsh dinner by 6 to 7 pm maximum and avoid drinking water after that. You may also try Melatonin 3 mg at night before sleeping for 1 to 2 weeks to get back the sleep. See if these measures improve your symptoms. Avoid smoking and excess alcohol as well.
Regards
Binu
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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