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What Causes Drowsiness Along With Tiredness In A Person With Thyroid Disorder?
Question: I was diagnosed with hypothyroid in 10/2014 and over the last 2 months I have been sleeping over 14 hours a day very soundly , and I'm still tired, I'm an avid bike rider and practice bikram yoga both at least 5 days a week , I'm always cold and they tested my cortisol levels and they were normal , Im very happy with my life and new job .
Brief Answer:
recheck thyroid, consider sleep apnea
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It might be a good idea to ask your doctor to recheck your TSH and also check a free T3 and free T4 level. Sometimes the TSH is in normal range but the free levels of T3 and T4 are low causing you to really be hypothyroid. You should not really need more than 8-9 hours of sleep. If you are depressed then wellbutrin could help but it can take 6 weeks to kick in. I would also consider sleep apnea or some other form of sleep disorder. Sometimes when you are not getting a deep level of sleep you continue to be tired and sleepy even after you think you have been sleeping for 8 hours or so. You might need a sleep study to sort this out. At 46 it is also possible that you are going through perimenopause and may be having some hormonal shifts causing you to need so much sleep. Also consider cutting way back on carbohydrates in your diet as they can cause a lot of fatigue. It is also possible that your body has just gotten used to the change in the hours that you are working. If this is the case it may take up to 6 months for your body to adjust to the new work hours.
Regards
Dr. Robinson
recheck thyroid, consider sleep apnea
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It might be a good idea to ask your doctor to recheck your TSH and also check a free T3 and free T4 level. Sometimes the TSH is in normal range but the free levels of T3 and T4 are low causing you to really be hypothyroid. You should not really need more than 8-9 hours of sleep. If you are depressed then wellbutrin could help but it can take 6 weeks to kick in. I would also consider sleep apnea or some other form of sleep disorder. Sometimes when you are not getting a deep level of sleep you continue to be tired and sleepy even after you think you have been sleeping for 8 hours or so. You might need a sleep study to sort this out. At 46 it is also possible that you are going through perimenopause and may be having some hormonal shifts causing you to need so much sleep. Also consider cutting way back on carbohydrates in your diet as they can cause a lot of fatigue. It is also possible that your body has just gotten used to the change in the hours that you are working. If this is the case it may take up to 6 months for your body to adjust to the new work hours.
Regards
Dr. Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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