Cushing Syndrom Due to Taking Prednisone and Propylthiouracil For Thyroid?

[cibule23]

Ever since 2007 that I have been having the thyroid issues and took the prednisone and PROPYLTHIOURACIL my left side of face is swollen - cheek and undereye bag. I am also growing a lot of coarse hair on my chin and my cholesterol - triglycerides are high. I gained some weight and have a hair loss. I wanted to find if taking the prednisone and propylthiouracil could be cause of all these? I took the medicines couple of weeks longer than I should have. Also, is taking 10 mg of the prednisone for 7 weeks considered taking it long term and high dosage and could it cause permanent side effects like the ones I have? Or are these related to the hypothyroid? I thought all the symptoms would go away with time but it doesn't get any better. Could these be a symptoms of the cushing syndrom?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you very much,
Eva

[SwanSong]

With a TSH of 4.82 you are under medicated.

[cibule23]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply.

I actually don't take the PTU and Prednisone since 2007. I just take the levoxyl (50 mg and in Sept. may TSH was 4.82). I am worried because the left side of my face (cheek, under eyes) is swollen since last week. It got better but it is still not normal. Can hypothyrodism cause a swelling on one side of the face?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Prednisone can cause drug-induced cushings and too much PTU can cause hypothyroidism -- both of which can cause some of these symptoms (hypo more likley to cause swelling of eye lids).  Would talk to your endocrinologist about current thyroid levels and plans to wean off steroids.