Excessive Thyroid Medication Linked to Cognitive Disorders
Common med is vital and helpful for 19% of US adults, but many people inadvertently take too much
I’ve been taking thyroid medication for about 20 years, ever since radiation therapy for breast cancer rendered my thyroid inactive. I’ve swallowed those tiny white pills for hundreds of months, not giving it a second thought, complacent in the knowledge I was doing my body good, checking my levels every couple of years, according to my physician. Now, I may need to pay more attention.
A new Johns Hopkins study has found that older adults treated with too much thyroid medication may have an increased risk for the onset of cognitive disorders. And the longer and higher that too-much-medication was given, the greater the chance for cognitive harm.
I’m among some 19% of Americans who have an underperforming thyroid and take thyroid supplements. According to GoodRx, thyroid medications are among the most common prescriptions in the United States.
And lots of people inadvertently overdo. As much as 20% of those prescribed thyroid hormone may be overtreated, placing them at risk for thyrotoxicosis — excess thyroid hormone levels in the body — other research has shown. And now, apparently, an increased risk for the…
