Central Sleep Apnea and Levoxyl

[dsj7207]

I was just recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, My question; can Levoxyl cause central sleep apnea? I've been on different dosages of Levoxyl since March of 07, with the first increase in dosage I experienced central sleep apnea which went away eventually, and then with second increase to 75 mcg I had swelling of my thyroid and felt as if my throat was closing and completely discontinued levoxyl because my regular MD thought I may have had too many thyroid antibodies built up. So now, after visiting the Endocrinologist he has started me back at 25 mcg and I am having the sleep apnea again, the Endo said it wasn't actually sleep apnea because I don't fit the part, I"m not overweight, and I don't snore but I do stop breathing in the middle of the night and wake up gasping for air as if my brain did not tell me to breath, Both Dr and Endo said maybe is anxiety but is this something that can be caused by Levoxyl? I have experienced this in the past very rarely but with taking levoxyl it has increased considerably.  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

No, levoxyl cannot cause central sleep apnea that we know of --  We know that hypothyroidism makes sleep apnea worse, but have not seen that treatment of hypothyroidism makes it worse, in fact usually it's better.  You may want to also discuss with your sleep specialist.  

[MaryluMo]

I have had Hashimoto's for the last 10 years and I have been told I may have sleep apnea too.  At night while asleep I have a adrenaline rush down my legs and sometimes my hands go numb.  I don't  know why but I feel like this problem at night is due to the Synthroid I take daily.