Resolved question:
I need around 11 hours of sleep per night to feel rested. It has been like that for all my life. Obviously, I can't get that much sleep during weekdays, so I get around 9 hours per night during weekdays and accumulate debt sleep which I pay during the weekend by sleeping 12-13 hours per night. In order to sleep as well as I can and not get sleep deprived, I take sleeping pills (zopiclone).
I also have a higher than normal TSH level (6), for which I am taking thyroxine, although the T3 and T4 levels are normal. It helps me to feel less tired during the day but it does not help me need less sleep.
I did a sleep study last year and the results were normal. Sleep quality was ok and I did not have sleep apnea.
Besides that, I am in good health. I am not aware of any other health problems.
I am 31 years old patientold, I am 1 meter and 74 centimetres tall and weigh 80 kg.
Is there anything that can be done about this problem with my sleep?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Psychiatrist
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
The common causes for excess sleep are :
1) sleep Apnoea
2) Hypothyroidism
3) Depression
4) Physiological Variant.
The first option of sleep apnoea has been ruled out by you.
Hypothyroidism can be the causes as the TSH is still 6. You may require a higher supplementation of thyroid, like if you are taking 25micgm then you may require 50micgm.
Depression can be a cause of excess sleep but then there has to be symptoms of depression like sadness of mood, reduced interest in work, hopelessness, worthlessness etc. If so then the treatment will; be with Bupropion or Fluoxetine etc.
Some people have a natural excess sleep requirement. You may consider taking methylphenidate (10mg/30mg) or Modafinil (100mg/200mg) to stay awake.
Further you should also try changing the sleep medications as well. Instead of zopiclone, you may consider ramelteon which is more natural sleeping aid.
Hope this helps,
In case if you have any further query, do let me know.
Do meet your doctor and discuss these options.
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy