Suggest Treatment For Sciatica And Hypothyroidism While On Prednisone

Posted on Sun, 12 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 12 Feb 2017 Answered on

Tue, 7 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I have sciatica and my Dr. prescribed prednisone for a month. I also have hypothyroidism and am taking synthroid. I've finished taking the prednisone, but am feeling very week and tired. Could it have effected my TSH levels in a bad way. Now that I've quit the prednisone will my levels balance out again?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Adrenal insufficiency should be excluded:

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
Taking prednisone 15 mg/ day for more than 15 days can block the production of the cortisol from the adrenal glands and after stopping treatment, adrenal insufficiency may be installed.
So, the actual symptoms you reported ( weakness, tiredness) may be due to adrenal insufficiency caused by prednisone treatment.
Your physician will suggest you a synacten stimulation test, to evaluate the adrenal function.
It is true, prednisone can alterate the thyroid hormonal level causing slightly alteration.
You may check the thyroid hormones too.
Hope the information will help.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad