Doctor? OTC cold remedy and thyroid

[dss62467]

I've got a cold and hypothyroidism. Although I usually suffer through the cold without taking an OTC remedy, today I had to go to work and couldn't deal with the constant tickle in my sinus, runny nose, and watery eye. So I opted to take some Tylenol Cold, which clearly states on the back of the package to consult my doctor before taking.

I did actually talk to my doctor about OTC cold meds. when I saw him 2 weeks ago, and I think his answer was vague enough so I can't recall what he said. I do remember he told me that I had to be careful about iodine and I THINK he gave me the go-ahead to take the cold medication. But I also remember I said something about how I usually suffer through the colds. So maybe he told me to not take them? I don't know!

What's the worst thing that could happen? I can't sit at my desk all day with an itchy, streaming eye. I have make-up on and contact lenses in!

I know it's funny to post this on this forum - but it's the only forum I ever get answers to my questions!

 

[nancy324]

Well, I haven't had any problems taking cold medications with my hypothyroidism. I know the package always says not to take the meds if you have thyroid disease, but I assume they are mostly referring to folks who are hyperthyroid as opposed to hypo. Those folks are very restricted as to what they can take, whereas those of us who are hypo don't really have any restrictions that I know of.

I usually take Sudafed just because it works so well, but try not to take it too often because I find the side effects to be somewhat unpleasant.

I am a total cold wimp and would not dream of suffering through a cold without meds!

Hope you feel better soon..
-Nancy

 

[dss62467]

Thanks Nancy, I knew I could count on you to answer. My fellow hypothyroidite. I suppose I know the reason they don't want the hypers taking it - I'm all sorts of jittery this morning. I feel like I'm on speed or something! It would probably cause a coronary blow-out on a hyperthyroid person!

 

[nancy324]

Donna, are you jittery because you took meds? That's a pretty common side effect of Sudafed and some of the others. I assume you felt it was okay to take the meds and did so? Hope it helped!

Yes, I think it would wreak havoc with the system of someone who was hyperthyroid!

 

[dss62467]

Yeah - it's from the Tylenol Cold. I felt it was OK enough, because otherwise I would have had to stay home and I did that on Friday. I figured, I doubt it will kill me only taking it for a day or two. Gotta live life on the edge sometimes, eh?

 

[bceogirl]

Hi,

I have thyroid cancer and take a high dose of synthroid and cytomel everyday that leaves me a bit on the "hyper" side and my endocronologist says that it is fine to take any of the OTC cold medicines. I had read on the box that it said people with thyroid disease shouldn't take, and I asked him about it and he said it was fine for me.
Hope this helps and your cold is getting better now. I know so many people with sinus infections and broncitis right now. Take care.

 

[dss62467]

Thanks Becky. I am actually feeling almost 100% today and don't need the cold medicine. I was afraid for a little while that it was turning into a sinus infection. I had one last winter and the cure was worse than the infection. I was out of work for 3 days because of what the meds did to my stomach.

That's awful about your thyroid. Is it something that's treatable?

 

[bceogirl]

Donna, I'm glad to hear you're feeling better! Sinus infections are awful.

The type of thyroid cancer I have is very treatable . Normal treatment is removal of the thyroid , which I had done 7 years ago, followed by radioactive iodine treatment. Unfortunately for me, that part of the treatment I am resistant to, so despite having it twice, it didn't work. Now they rely on surgical removal for me, so to date I've had 5 surgeries. The happy news is that while I still have a trace amount, it isn't even large enough for removal so I am just being watched and live life as normally as anyone else.
I do Cathe workouts, so you know I'm not frail and weak and sickly!!

I'm glad you're feeling better. Have a great day and thanks for asking about me.

 

[nancy324]

Glad to hear you're feeling so much better Donna!

BTW, I think hypothyroidism is almost as common as menstrual cramps these days. I hardly know any women who don't have it! I was diagnosed probably about 10 years ago before I even had any symptoms (I had a wonderful doctor back then who I can't afford any more because he doesn't take any kind of insurance). I feel lucky that my dose of synthroid has never increased. Anyway, I've taken every kind of cold med over that time period and never had any problems. I know you're new to this, but I think you'll find that there is almost nothing that you need to change about your life, including medications. Just get tested every year to make sure there are no changes.