Question about Thyroid Related Alzheimer’s or other Dementia

DrNani

my DW has developed a very fast progressing Dementia still waiting for a accurate diagnosis, via MRI. She has lead a very healthy life, no major medical issues, no hospitalizations. Stays very current, with our PCP, She was tested and had a lean MRI IN 2018. Her only health. Concern was her thyroid and her weight had been on the lower end. She would drink her 1 cup of nesprrsso and a 1/2 glass of red wine, sometimes a beer or a margarita. Usually = to 1/2 a glass. Being that, she has had no health concerns, her stats, overall health is better than. Most 20 year olds. When one has the idea that it may be a vascular dementia, i think of cardiovascular or other acquired ailments? We do know the first signs of dementia started December of 2021-after we had covid, she had just recently been fully vaccinated. Mild until the last 9 month which she has become completely dependent in every aspect of life. 24/7 care. But, knows her name, can walk, with help feed herself. Other wise she cannot prepare anything, figure out how to open a door, find a light switch marked with light.. yet,she will try or believe. She is in the fridge when she is in the next room rummaging through a trash can, she also has severe trouble finding her left foot or Keeping her shoes on. Or pulling up her pants after using the restroom. Anyway. Anyone hear about the higher chances of dementia in people who take thyroid medications?

harshedbuzz

@DrNani

I read something about this recently. I've been on thyroid medication for over 50 years now, so I have an interest in such things. It suggested that overmedication for hypothyroidism with levothyroxine can lead to increased risk of dementia. There is also a very slight increase in the risk of dementia in those who have hyperthyroidism. If your wife is seen regularly by an endocrinologist or PCP with routine blood tests, this would be unusual based on what I've read.

Why Your Thyroid Medication Dose Should Be Rechecked Every Year (verywellhealth.com)

Does your wife have Early Onset? Sometimes people who develop Alzheimer's symptoms before age 70 do progress more rapidly than average. I have also heard anecdotal stories of a COVID infection, especially in the early phases of the pandemic, pushing someone from very mild symptoms to later stage.

HB

DrNani

So, yes her thyroid had been adjusted up and down over the years. She had no predisposed medical conditions. She is also a practicing Buddhist, her life has been dedicated to helping others become happy. Isn’t that a pill! Since we are in misery most of 5he days lately. As far as covid, the first Dr.s DX it was covid related dementia, possibly undiagnosed or related to the illness itself, as we were all very ill. She was vaccinated, I was not. But after contracting covid, I was given the “ Anti-dote”. The ER made me take, which was taken out less than a week later, due to the combination of the antidote and my autoimmune disease was creating a version of Omnicron Varient. My morphed covid infected my family 2x in a month. We tested negative for a week, and became sicker the 2nd time with the varient, My DWs had the “ brain fog” which was a milder form of dementia which she never recovered from..

She has bee. On thyroid medication for years, i hear hospice often stops the thyroid.?

M1

DrNani, a couple of points: MRI may or may not help with a diagnosis. It mostly helps rule out things (brain tumors, obvious strokes, hydrocephalus. It may show a lot of small vessel vascular changes, but not always. Many times the imaging does not give an answer, so don't hang too much hope on it. Ditto with the lifestyle issues—many people develop dementia with no clearcut risk factors. The thryoid question is not answerable. The fact is that vascular disease (large or small vessel) remains the top killer of both men and women in this country and all Western societies. We just don't know all the reasons, and we can't prevent so many things. It won't help to drive yourself crazy wondering why. Yes, the covid may well have contributed—but the fact is that you many never really know.

This is by the by, but it's kind of a pet peeve of mine when people say that their loved ones with dementia are "otherwise very healthy." No, not really. They have major organ failure no different than kidney failure, heart failure, liver failure. They have a terminal illness in their brains. They just look okay externally. But they are very, very sick.

DrNani

Thank you, for the information you have shared with me. your absolute right, tehy are ill. She did have a MRi at another hospital which seemed vague, only to say she has shrinkage,