Question Thyroid Cancer/Levothyroxine + Nitrox

[MWright254]

Hi everyone! I am cancer-free from thyroid cancer but do NOT have a thyroid. I am on Levothyroxine and Cytomel as hormone replacement and my levels are normal.

It is safe for me to dive with Nitrox? I’ve been seeing some conflicting posts etc about it being safe, not being safe (higher risk of oxygen toxicity it seems?)

Any insights would be great!

I reached out to my doc and she didn’t have an answer for me

 

[Searcaigh]

This is interesting, and I'm keeping a watch here as my current main buddy also had her thyroid removed last year, although I'm not sure what medication she is on.

We've done several dives on Nitrox since she resumed diving with no noticeable effects.

 

[FishWatcher747]

1 in 300 people in the US have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and are on pills to replace their lack of production of thyroid hormones.

You have been diving with these people without knowing it. And many of them are on Nitrox.

 

[rongoodman]

Interesting. i’ve been on Synthroid for years and this is the first I’ve heard of it.

 

[MWright254]

Interesting. i’ve been on Synthroid for years and this is the first I’ve heard of it.

Do you dive on Nitrox?

 

[rongoodman]

Yes, although the issue wouldn't necessarily be the Nitrox itself, but the increase in ppO2 involved. You quadruple it just by going to 100' on air, so if there's an issue, it would be a question of how much of an increase causes a problem. So far, I've seen no references to such a problem.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

@Duke Dive Medicine

 

[Doctorfish]

I don't think it would be an issue if blood hormone levels are in the normal range through taking the medications. Levothyroxin and Cytomel are virtually identical to what your own body would produce if you actually had a thyroid gland.

 

[JMBL]

Ok, my retex on the matter of Levothyroxine and diving nitrox. Just a reminder, it's my own personal experience, not a scientific study.

Had my thyroid taken away in 2001 (not because of cancer though) and had been taking Levothyrox on a daily basis ever since. Had already been a certified diver for 11 years when I had surgery.

Since then, I've diving Nitrox and various mixes, including Trimix and pure O2 on a regular basis. Around 50 dives pro year, more or less. Now a rebreather diver, another way of stating I'm diving Nitrox mainly if not all the time.

Never noticed any conflicting effects between my med and Nitrox or diving for that matter. Diving has always been my way of cleaning up my mind, wouldn't renounce it so easily.

To quote @Doctorfish : "I don't think it would be an issue if blood hormone levels are in the normal range through taking the medications." That what my GP and specialist told me years ago.

On the other hand taking Levothyrox on the long run is a true pain in the neck, with loads of f.....g side effects, at least for me.

 

[Brant Emery]

My wife has been on Synthroid 75mg and Nitrox for over 25 years with no side effects.