Hyperthyroidism

[danniellabella]

I've just been told that I have hyperthyroidism and have to go have more tests to find out whats causing it so I can get the right treatment.
I've been googling it to find out more and find out about treatments and causes. I think it's starting to make sense and certainly does explain everything I've been feeling.
My TSH level is 0.4 so only slightly lower than normal but enough to be of concern and require treatment.

I just wanted to find out if anyone else has suffered from this. How long did your treatment take. When did you start feeling normal again?

[~mamaspice~]

Hi there,
I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism back in 2003. My symptoms were rapid heart rate, intollerance to heat, weight loss, hand tremors, muscle weakness and I was very moody.

Mine was caused by an auto-immune condition called Graves Disease but there are various different causes.

I was put on thyroid suppressing medication (propylthiouracil) which worked quite well, but you cannot stay on it long term so in January last year I had a total thyroidectomy and I now have to take thyroxine hormone for the rest of my life.

becasue your TSH isn't fully suppressed hopefully your condition is a transient one and will rectify itself in time.

best of luck and keep me posted on your test results

[sammy2149]

hi there,
Im a suffer and im currently 11 weeks preg, I am on PTU it does stop the heart palpatations which is the most important, other symptoms will get better once the meds kick in, there is also neo-mercazole which is a simlar drug to the ptu.

Ive had these problems since the birth of my daughter back in aug 08, was diagnosed about 6-8 months after her birth as no one knew what was wrong with me.

My thyroid levels T$ & T3 are within range, but with grave's disease people the TSH is lower than average, mines currently 0.04 same as yours, make sure your doctor does quiry this as it will effect symptoms and you also gotta watch out for soooo many foods..

[danniellabella]

Thanks for your responses. Sounds interesting. Doc said basically not to avoid anything and just continue as normal until the next lot of blood tests reveal more.

I haven't noticed any rapid heart beats thankfully. My main problems have been more frequent bowel movements (around 2-4 a day instead of the standard 1 a day), skin sensitivity, insomnia at night even though I've been very lethargic during the day, jittery, loss of concentration, tired fatigued muscles - I thought initially that was just because I've increased my exercise level and been doing more weight exercise...it seems not.

It's really nice to have an answer though (well, the first part of the answer anyway).

[alioops]

I might go and get my thyroid checked soon after hearing that. Hope it is all ok

[danniellabella]

I might go and get my thyroid checked soon after hearing that. Hope it is all ok

I'm sure it will be ok. Just need to get it treated while it's still relatively early.

[sammy2149]

Thanks for your responses. Sounds interesting. Doc said basically not to avoid anything and just continue as normal until the next lot of blood tests reveal more.

I haven't noticed any rapid heart beats thankfully. My main problems have been more frequent bowel movements (around 2-4 a day instead of the standard 1 a day), skin sensitivity, insomnia at night even though I've been very lethargic during the day, jittery, loss of concentration, tired fatigued muscles - I thought initially that was just because I've increased my exercise level and been doing more weight exercise...it seems not.

It's really nice to have an answer though (well, the first part of the answer anyway).

The insomnia and a few other symptoms are a sign of grave's disease, normally graves disease is the reason you u get the hyperthyroidism, there is foods that will make you feel heaps worse, and heaps more tired, insomnia, your lucky they heart palpatations havent started, but the longer they leave you without meds the worse the TSH T4 & T3 will get, be on top of the doctors, and be careful of bread, as u have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, that means u are overactive, which means u have to much iodine... Bread has iodised salt in it, lots of foods do.... u need to avoid this ad it will make u feel really tired and really unwell. Ive actually stumped my thyroid doc, he has actually learnt from me, and had never told me half the stuff he should tell all his patients, docs never tell u the full story

[danniellabella]

I started drinking a lot of soda water a couple of months ago to cut down own the amount of unhealthy softdrinks I have because I still like the bubbles but don't want all the other crap that is in a soft drink. I wonder if that has had anything do with it coz of the salt in soda water.

[sammy2149]

I started drinking a lot of soda water a couple of months ago to cut down own the amount of unhealthy softdrinks I have because I still like the bubbles but don't want all the other crap that is in a soft drink. I wonder if that has had anything do with it coz of the salt in soda water.

I quit all soft drinks as you have to watch out for certain artifical colours and preservatives and flavours, that can make u not feel the best to. Most soft drinks contain an ingredient thats ursed for getting rid of rust out of cars. Thats when i stuck with water only and juice that i make, some pre packaged juices are ok as long as no artifical stuff in it or added sugar.. as sugar can set ur heart racing were u will feel unwell. Ive been doing reaserch which seems forever, most of this i didnt find out from the doctors and all they cared about was getting there $$ for 15 mins and not explaining the full deal, with food u will know how u feel, if u start to feel unwell dont eat it. As for the salt, make sure its not sea or iodised salt as that will help you out to no end. I hope some of this information has been usuful to you, as i said b4 the docs dont tell u everything

[danniellabella]

I got more test results back today and it looks like I have Graves Disease. I have to have an ultrasound to check the size of my thyroid and make sure there are no growths or anything. Off to a specialist in May, unfortunately I couldn't get an appointment sooner but that's to be expected with specialists I guess. My GP said that the specialist will either put me on some tablets or radioactive iodine or might recommend surgery to remove the thyroid leaving me on thyroid hormone replacement tablets for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately this means that unless I have the surgery I'll have to put off having a baby until 6 months after I'm finished whatever treatment I have and I could be on treatment for 12-24 months! Not overly deverstated about that at the moment, but we were planning to start TTC#2 next year so might be a bit sad later.

[~mamaspice~]

Daniellabella, Graves is what I had. I had a total thyroidectomy 12 months ago, but prior to that I was on medication (PTU) for 6 years. PTU is safe for pregnancy so you won't have to put TTC on hold. It's only if you have the radio-active iodine treatment that you cannot conceive for 6=12 months after treatment.

[danniellabella]

Thanks for that info. It's really helpful to hear from someone who has been through it. Puts my mind a little more at ease. I guess I should wait until I see the specialist in May and get more answers then.

[~mamaspice~]

yeah I really think they will suggest trying to control it with meds first. Because sometimes it can go into remission and no further treatment is needed. I think they would really only start talking thyroidectomy or RAI treatment early on if the graves was extremely severe and non responsive to medication.
Best of luck for you appointment. it's a pity you can't get in til May, but hopefully it comes around quickly.
Hope you're feeling okay in the meantime.

[sammy2149]

I got more test results back today and it looks like I have Graves Disease. I have to have an ultrasound to check the size of my thyroid and make sure there are no growths or anything. Off to a specialist in May, unfortunately I couldn't get an appointment sooner but that's to be expected with specialists I guess. My GP said that the specialist will either put me on some tablets or radioactive iodine or might recommend surgery to remove the thyroid leaving me on thyroid hormone replacement tablets for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately this means that unless I have the surgery I'll have to put off having a baby until 6 months after I'm finished whatever treatment I have and I could be on treatment for 12-24 months! Not overly deverstated about that at the moment, but we were planning to start TTC#2 next year so might be a bit sad later.

Not good to hear, Be careful when they give you that scan to check nodule, as they will give you contrast and that will upset your thyroid and may send you out of whack to.. Be extreamly careful with RAI especially with graves disease as graves disease can effect your eyes, i cant have RAI as i ended up with the thyroid eye disease from graves disease, if i had it my eyes would be buldging out of my eye sockets for the rest of my life. As for TTC #2, I'd reccomend staying HYPER-thyroid having PTU and just getting your levels in whack, wait till ur down to 1 pill a day then TTC, Thats what i did now preggers 14 weeks, still on PTU to.. Ive heard some people who go HYPO- thyroid need to take large amounts of thyroxine to maintain a preg, up to 60% more.. so do some research to see what suits you best. Hyper is easier to maintain through out pregnancy, also diet, also symptoms, have you heard about hashimoto disease when people have RAI or surgery they get this..? one of the reasons y i havent done anything, but u could be lucky, i have a lil group and we all got either hypo or hyper so its amazing what your do learn from it and especially what doctors do, they just have a set routine, diagnosed, scan, RAI or removal, they set time limits, but dont let a doc push as they never tell you the full story - oh and make sure ur doc has started you on thyroid meds, the sooner the better, the longer you leave it the worse the symptoms will get...

[danniellabella]

Sammy thanks for that info. I've been on implanon for the past 2 years and it's worked so far in preventing a pregnancy so if I need to wait longer then I'll just get it replaced when it expires. When we're ready to start TTC#2 (IF we decide to TTC at all) I'll be wanting the ok from the doctor first I think, just to be on the safe side.
My Aunty had hyperthyroidism so I'm finding stuff out from her as well. Though I don't think she had Graves Disease.

I had a thought though about the possible complications with the eyes: I wear contact lenses. I guess I should ask the doc or optomotrist if it's ok to keep wearing them.

[danniellabella]

My hyperthyroidism has turned into hypothyroidism with my TSH levels going from 0.04 to 40 and then to 24. I've started thyroxine medication, currently 1 tablet each day but going back for more tests at the end of the week. The nurse at my GP is getting very accustomed to me coming in for blood tests, though it's not something that I think I'll ever get used to.

[Bathsheba]

I've been diagnosed with Graves Disease for about 2 years now. At first I was on PTU and now i'm on Neo-mercazole (Carbimazole). There are a few other threads in BB about hyperthyroidism. I have a good book called Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism; What Your Doctor Won't Tell You (something like that LOL). it's been very useful. I'm managing mine with medication. it's a bit of a rollercoaster ride but i'm not keen at all to have my thyroid gland radiated or removed if i can help it. I have been in a euthyroid state (normal T4 and T3) for up to 5 months... stupidly took myself off the medication and have now had a mild relapse. I think though i have good prospects of going back into remission.
I don't have a goitre and I don't have problems with my eyes fortunately. I don't smoke or drink soft drink... these increase my chances of going into remission.

How has your hair been? I can always tell when i'm going hyper again as my usually very thick hair starts to fall out! Also start to feel like i have permanent PMT I'm seeing my specialist next week actually... let us know how you're getting on.