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What Causes Fatigue, Confusion And Weakness With History Of Thyroidectomy?
Question: My 91 y/o father has had a thyroidectomy. Yesterday, I discovered that he has been out of his levothyroxin for maybe months. I think that he is at the point of myxedema.....with fatigue, confusion, weakness, facial edema. I have started him back on his normal dose of levothyroxin of 150 mcg a day. I have no idea what his TSH is since it is the weekend. Is there anything else I should be doing for him?
Brief Answer:
Please take him to ER
Detailed Answer:
Good day
Noted your concern. If you suspect myxedema , the best thing to do is to take him to am ER. We need to do a Thyroid function test now .
We cannot restart his full dose at one stretch at this age. That can cause heart problems. Restart with low dose of levothyroxine at this age and slowly uptitrate the dose .
Higher dose introduction at this age need to be done under supervision. hence if you suspect myxedema, best thing to do is to take him to ER. I Wish him a speedy recovery
Regards
Binu
Please take him to ER
Detailed Answer:
Good day
Noted your concern. If you suspect myxedema , the best thing to do is to take him to am ER. We need to do a Thyroid function test now .
We cannot restart his full dose at one stretch at this age. That can cause heart problems. Restart with low dose of levothyroxine at this age and slowly uptitrate the dose .
Higher dose introduction at this age need to be done under supervision. hence if you suspect myxedema, best thing to do is to take him to ER. I Wish him a speedy recovery
Regards
Binu
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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