Thyroid medication?

[Plumster]

Thank you. I like TLS's recommendation to check my iodine levels. Plumster, Bredesen's recommendation to take thyroid medicine (I've read The End of Alzheimer's) predates his more recent posting on X about the new research regarding that medicine being linked to dementia. If one is subclinical and has no symptoms, it seems that medicine may be a bad idea. I'm 56 and feel like I really still don't have an answer.

Hi again, Kitkat, I agree with you. If you have no symptoms, then just ensure that you are getting sufficient iodine. I think photobiomodulation for thyroid health is something to look into, as mentioned.

In terms of the study you mentioned, it's worth noting that it concerned those over 65 only:

The investigators found that a history of hypothyroidism was not associated with an increased risk of dementia for younger individuals, ages 50 through 64.

And that they still believe it's not necessarily the medicine (though too much is not good):

"We don't think the medication itself is causing the risk. We think it's the severity of the disease," to the point where medication is needed," said Dr. Chien-Hsiang Weng, the study's lead author.

(Source)

[Kitkat]

Thank you for all of this--I really appreciate it.

[Plumster]

You're welcome. It's confusing because there are two studies with slightly different messages:

In 2022, Brown University (the Taiwan study) found that people over 65 with hypothyroidism were 80% more likely to develop dementia than those without thyroid issues. Furthermore, those who required thyroid hormone replacement therapy had an even higher risk of dementia​. But they do not believe the medication is the reason.

In 2023, Johns Hopkins Medicine reported that overmedication with levothyroxine might be linked to cognitive decline. The research emphasized the importance of regular monitoring and adjusting thyroid medication doses, especially in older adults, to mitigate this risk​. Here they caution against overuse (and underuse). The study still only shows association and not a causal relationship.

[UlyssesWife]

My experience is that "natural"-- that is, porcine thyroid should be used. The T4-only formulations don't work to stop fatigue & other symptoms. There is also a body of evidence that in the past--before the TSH test was available--hypothyroidism was always treated with higher doses than presently. According to this line of reasoning it is an error that TSH levels are considered the authority on how much thyroid to take. If one does opt for higher levels it's important to monitor the heart for any ill effect.

The book is Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr.

[rdpchef]

My experience is that "natural"-- that is, porcine thyroid should be used. The T4-only formulations don't work to stop fatigue & other symptoms. There is also a body of evidence that in the past--before the TSH test was available--hypothyroidism was always treated with higher doses than presently. According to this line of reasoning it is an error that TSH levels are considered the authority on how much thyroid to take. If one does opt for higher levels it's important to monitor the heart for any ill effect.

The book is Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr.

Hi UlyssesWife,

Thank you for you post and welcome to the ApoE 4 forum, we're happy to have you here. I'm one of the several support interns here, with many others and members to support you and help find specific topics or just find your way around the forum. Thank you for sharing your experience with porcine thyroid.

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Patty