My husband

[zorid]

My husband has been on Synthroid for 4 years now and I was never sure why.  Lately I have been questioning why he takes the medication.  He says his doctor told him it was so he does not get hutch back?????
For the pass few years he has become very irritable, forgetful and just plain nasty.  Could this be symptoms of the medication?  
I happen to mention this to him and he decided on his own about 2 weeks ago to stop taking the medicine.  Was that a mistake?  and could the synthroid be giving him those bad symptoms?

Thanks

[borninquisitive]

From the sounds of it, your husband's conditions hasn't been monitored well. He needs to get in to see a doctor, preferably an Endocrinologist or Internist.

"Hutch?" I wonder if what he meant was Hashimotos [hypothyroidism].
Thyroid dysfunction (outside transient) needs to be treated for life. Your husband needs to be seen by a doctor and thyroid testing done: TSH, FT3 and FT4.

Thyriod dysfunction certainly can disrupt mood and a sense of well being (or lack thereof).

Get him into the doctor's office ASAP. In making an appointment, let the receptionist know that your husband discontinued medication 2 weeks ago.

Best,
~Kate

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Would talk to an endocrinologist.  Usually in cases when someone comes in and asks if they really need the medication, I will look at thyroid antibodies, ultrasound and thyroid function tests (TSH, T4, T3) on the medication -- or in his case 2-3 weeks without medication.  In many cases the medication is not needed.  I have no idea what is meant by a hutch back -- it may be a dowager's hump like in osteoporosis but this is not common in hypothyroid or like cretinism which only happens usually with untreated congenital hypothyroidism.  

A good endocrinologist should be able to explain why he needs the medication and if he is really hypothyroid -- in which case he would certainly need to stay on medication (w/ proper dose monitoring).