What's the Connection Between Hypothyroidism and Seizures?

[b_d_41501]

My friend's wife has hypothyroidism and she had a seizure today. Most sites I see say that seizures might result from it but don't give a reason. Does anyone know what happens to cause the seizure? By the way, the doctors say they don't know what caused it but this has to be what it is. Knowing that she has hypothyroidism, this is the first thing I thought of being the cause when he told me.

[Jokkon]

Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid gland isn't producing enough throxin and your metabolism rate decreases. these ppl lose weight, lose ahir , have low blood pressure...blah blah

[b_d_41501]

I know what hypothyroidism is, but what is the mechanism by which it can cause a seizure.

[Dr.Stein]

Thyroid hormones (T3, T4) affect nearly evey tissue in the body. They are needed for maintaining basal metabolism rate such as oxygen consumption, body temperature, normal process of growth, maturation, etc.

They alter the function of mitochondria, resulting in greater ATP production and greater rate of heat production.

There is at least ten effects caused by hypothiroidism. If you are interested I 'll post them later, I need to search for my book

[b_d_41501]

That's okay, I don't need all the effects. I just wondered how the mechanism for the seizure worked.

[PatrickRn]

I am wondering if the seizures might be related to over use of the pituitary gland to produce high quantities of TSH. My brother has been having seizures lately and found his thyroid level to be dangerously low. Trying to talk him into seeing specialist for thyroid but he puts a great deal of trust into his PCP.

[david23]

hypothyroidism has some neurological manifestations from seizures to psychosis and other issues. The mechanism as you mentioned is Unknown.

What I can say is that in infants thyroid hormone is needed for neuological development, hence a relationship does exist, but less clear in adults because we have the hormones and neuro transmitters to deal with.

[rwulf]

This topic also concerns me. My father has Graves Disease, a thyroid disorder that caused him to be hyperthyroid about 8 years ago. He had his Thyroid irradiated and started taking generic thyroid. The initial fluctuation caused him to behave so erratically that he had to be hospitalized. The doctor assured us it wasn't the medication but once his thyroid stabilized he stopped acting schizophrenic (although we suspect he just started keeping his crazier thoughts to himself). This summer he started having seizures as he was falling asleep and in the morning after having multiple seizures in the night and almost collapsing he seemed confused and out of sorts; on the way to hospital he seemed to think it was 1983 again. He had a seizure in the hospital waiting room and was (reluctantly) admitted and put on Dilantin (note that a quick search of the internet states that this medication may result in hypothyroid). No cause of the seizures were found and his Thyroid numbers were stable. Diagnosis of seizures can be difficult and is apparently done by ruling out causes; Dad has smoked for 40 plus years, had likely overexerted himself that day, but also takes thyroid medication. He was miserable all summer; sluggish, depressed and unhappy at taking Dilantin every day. Another recent trip to the doctor reveals - low levels of thyroid. He is taken off the generic and synthroid levels are upped, but he decides to skip his dilantin and has seizures again.
So, I don't know which is the cause or effect or if it is a combination of both. Right now I am angry that the doctors and pharmacists have done a lousy job of communicating with one another, and I am less sure than ever about his endocrinologists ability to treat him.

Has anyone else heard of or experienced similar problems?

[david23]

Has your dad seen a neurologist or endocrinologist?