Know How Our iCliniq Doctor Diagnosed the Cause of the Patient’s Sleepless Nights to Be Due to Thyroid Issues

A 41-year-old female patient sought assistance on our iCliniq website due to ongoing sleep difficulties. She reported a pattern of inadequate sleep over the past few months. Initially, she relied on sleeping pills, which allowed her to sleep for two to three hours and wake up feeling refreshed. However, after discontinuing the pills, her sleep duration decreased to only two hours, and sometimes she would not sleep at all, or could only manage a short nap in the morning. Surprisingly, she did not experience dizziness and maintained good concentration. She believed that her brain might not require sleep for optimal functioning, as she had dreams during brief periods of sleep. The patient disclosed a medical history including ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel disease) and subclinical thyroiditis (mild thyroid failure), for which she had taken medication. She had also stopped taking psychotic medication due to weight gain. Recent blood tests revealed thyroiditis and an infection, despite the absence of cold symptoms. Liver and kidney function tests came back normal. Expressing concerns about her prolonged sleep deprivation, she expressed a fear of potential adverse consequences and sought guidance from our iCliniq doctor, as she was unaware of similar cases elsewhere.

After reviewing the patient's concerns, our iCliniq doctor identified that, in the absence of a history of psychosis (mental disorder) and thyroiditis, the issue might have been attributed to a "short sleep duration disorder" or the perception that the brain does not require sleep. However, considering the patient's medical history, the situation became more complex. The doctor explained that thyroiditis could stimulate excessive thyroid hormone release, resulting in a significant reduction in sleep duration. Additionally, the doctor raised the possibility of "bipolar disorder" and its "mania" phase, considering the past occurrences of psychotic events and the decreased need for sleep. To address these concerns, our iCliniq doctor recommended the patient seek consultation with an endocrinologist for thyroid function adjustment and a psychiatrist for a thorough evaluation of potential bipolar disorder, which requires specialized medical treatment. Finally, the doctor requested the patient to provide feedback on the outcome after implementing these suggestions.

The patient responded and expressed that her sleep problem had been resolved. She attributed the issue to her thyroid condition rather than psychosis or mania. Following the endocrinologist's advice, she diligently followed the prescribed dosage, which effectively resolved her problem. The patient expressed deep gratitude for the comprehensive and timely guidance provided by our iCliniq doctor.

Our iCliniq doctor was delighted to receive the patient's heartfelt message expressing gratitude for resolving her sleep issues. The doctor appreciated the patient for providing an update on her current situation. Furthermore, the doctor expressed willingness to offer continued support and encouraged the patient to reach out at any time on iCliniq for further assistance.