Hi,
Jamine is 15 and is recently losing lots of weight (from 6 lb 9 oz to 6 lb 4 oz in only a week). She is also CRF, although that has been managed quite well and her last kidney numbers were very good.
My question is: as they age, does the thyroid gland put out more or less hormone? If less, then I'm probably overdosing her being that the amount of methimazole I give has been constant for the past few months. However, if such is the case, shouldn't she be gaining weight rather than losing?
Should I give her more or less medicine to try and forestall the sudden weight loss? I'm thinking that there may be multiple issues going on here and that there simply may be no way to slow down the weight loss. She is already on cyproheptadine and does eat, but is just really dropping weight recently.
My gut feeling is that we're just running out of time. It looked like Jasmine was really near the end about 3 weeks ago but then rebounded somewhat. Now, she just acts pretty lethargic and basically lays and sleeps most of the time.
Any advice welcomed. I am trying increasing the methimazole but her weight seems to have dropped again today. I guess I have to try it both ways and see if there is any change.
Is it possible that the T4 level has suddenly gone up? This would more be in line with the weight loss - in which case I should increase her meds - which is what I'm trying. Tough to know what to do and what will help - if anything at this point.
Thanks,
Keith
Jamine is 15 and is recently losing lots of weight (from 6 lb 9 oz to 6 lb 4 oz in only a week). She is also CRF, although that has been managed quite well and her last kidney numbers were very good.
My question is: as they age, does the thyroid gland put out more or less hormone? If less, then I'm probably overdosing her being that the amount of methimazole I give has been constant for the past few months. However, if such is the case, shouldn't she be gaining weight rather than losing?
Should I give her more or less medicine to try and forestall the sudden weight loss? I'm thinking that there may be multiple issues going on here and that there simply may be no way to slow down the weight loss. She is already on cyproheptadine and does eat, but is just really dropping weight recently.
My gut feeling is that we're just running out of time. It looked like Jasmine was really near the end about 3 weeks ago but then rebounded somewhat. Now, she just acts pretty lethargic and basically lays and sleeps most of the time.
Any advice welcomed. I am trying increasing the methimazole but her weight seems to have dropped again today. I guess I have to try it both ways and see if there is any change.
Is it possible that the T4 level has suddenly gone up? This would more be in line with the weight loss - in which case I should increase her meds - which is what I'm trying. Tough to know what to do and what will help - if anything at this point.
Thanks,
Keith