In 1991, my husband started complaining about being foggy-brained and lethargic. His doctor ordered tests and found that he had extraordinarily high levels of calcium in his blood. He told us that this was a sign of cancer or a malfunctioning parathyroid gland.

After further tests, they found that my husband had tumors on his parathyroid gland which were immediately removed at the Cleveland Clinic. After the surgery he was back to normal. His specialists told us that untold numbers of people with this condition end up in mental hospitals because the high calcium level causes them to seem insane.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for writing to share your story. Your husband was lucky to have had prompt testing and a knowledgeable physician who could properly interpret the findings and treat him.

To give you related information I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Thyroid Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
Oddly enough, there are several possibilities. One is the weather, since the nose is most often unprotected when we are out of doors in cold weather. Then there’s the possibility of a viral respiratory tract infection, Raynaud’s (a disorder of the small blood vessels associated with poor circulation), hypothyroidism (reduced functioning of the thyroid), the natural aging process, and more.

Return to your physician to request a simple blood test for hypothyroidism. Perhaps you have a low-grade viral infection or symptoms of Raynaud’s. Discuss what might appear to be mild, unrelated symptoms and work together to get to the bottom of your problem.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my new Health Report “Thyroid Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

She is repeatedly sent to mental institutions. From what I have read, I understand that doing bizarre things to one self is caused by the disorder. I know she is not insane and hope you can help us.

She is only on one medication, Tegretol for grand mal seizures.

DEAR READER:
You don’t say whether your daughter has too much or too little thyroid hormone, therefore I must generalize.

There are three glands that work in conjunction to regulate the amount and type of hormones that are released. The hypothalamus releases a hormone that stimulates the pituitary gland to release yet another hormone which in turns signals the thyroid gland to release its hormones. In a normal body, these three glands work in unison to keep the levels in a normal range. When something goes awry with any of these glands, it can lead to problems.

I urge your daughter to be seen by an endocrinologist who can examine and test not only her thyroid gland but her pituitary and hypothalamus glands as well. Most causes of thyroid disorders arise from the thyroid gland itself but in some instances abnormalities, tumors or other conditions can cause the pituitary or hypothalamus glands to malfunction.

Mental symptoms from thyroid disease (such as anxiety and irritability) are generally mild, but for some they can be severe and may mimic mental illness. Once proven they are caused by abnormalities of the thyroid hormones, they often subside as the levels are brought back into a normal range.

Since your daughter is not taking any medication for her thyroid condition, her symptoms will not likely go away on their own. Get her to an endocrinologist, perhaps at a teaching hospital or clinic.

That being said, there may be another cause of her bizarre behavior. Tegretol is a medication used in the treatment of epilepsy and trigeminal neuralgia. Some of the side effects include confusion, visual hallucinations, depression with agitation and more. It also has a black box warning because it increases the risk of developing two rare blood disorders.

Depending on how long she has taken the Tegretol, when her abnormal behavior started and if she truly has a thyroid problem, this may be considered as a cause. Ask her neurologist to investigate this further. Perhaps a switch in medication is in order.

Your daughter clearly needs help but I don’t believe a mental institution is the answer.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my new Health Report “Thyroid Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

I am on a diuretic and Timolol for my glaucoma, Zocor for high cholesterol readings and Ativan for sleep. I’m also on a daily multi-vitamin, kelp 150 mg daily, 2 fish oil tablets, a 400 IU cod liver oil tablet, four calcium with D pills, magnesium, an 81 mg aspirin, 1,000 mg niacin, and Echinacea. My doctor doesn’t endorse vitamins but I’ve taken them for 60 years. I’m told I look 55 and attribute that to good genes.

DEAR READER:
Hypothyroidism presents when an individual has an under-active thyroid gland. Most cases are caused by the gland itself; however, certain diseases and some medications can decrease thyroid function.

Symptoms vary, but hair loss and thinning are common. Weight gain, cold intolerance, fatigue, brittle nails, elevated cholesterol levels, depression, a slowed heart rate, and swelling around the eyes are often reported.

Now, let’s take a look at a few of your medications. Timolol can cause depression, glaucoma, cold hands and feet, cardiac arrhythmias and nightmares. Synthroid therapy can be responsible for hair loss early on, but ordinarily levels off once the system adjusts to the medication. Adverse reactions include headache, insomnia, palpitations, decreased bone mineral density, weight loss, anxiety, and more. I feel your Timolol is directly related to your nightmares. And, if we can pinpoint Synthroid for your hair loss, we have that answer as well.

I appreciate your 60 year devotion to supplements; however, you can successfully eliminate the kelp, fish oil, cod liver oil, magnesium, niacin and Echinacea. With the exception of one good multi-vitamin, I recommend you bank all the money that would be spent on these supplements. If you eat properly and exercise regularly, one vitamin that contains the recommended daily allowance is all that is necessary. I must side with your physician on this count. Speak with him or her regarding a replacement for the Timolol.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my new Health Report “Thyroid Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.