What Causes Fatigue, Confusion And Weakness With History Of Thyroidectomy?

Posted on Sun, 18 Jan 2015

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

Sun, 18 Jan 2015 Answered on

Wed, 4 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

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?

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (6 hours later)

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar