Hyperthyroidism and Breathing Problems

[DotPro]

I was recently diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism.

One morning, my heart started to race (palpitations) a few minutes after mtly breakfast.

For months I had been very weak for some hours in the afternoon and my eyes were sensitive to light.

However, my breathing was sometimes difficult. I was using Salbutamol.

For the weakness, one doctor had thought my blood sugar was the problem but others disagreed.

They said it was not possible to have such symptoms unless I had been diabetic for a long time.

This is to alert some who feel difficult breathing, to please check your Thyroid function.

[Beefull8]

Hi. I have both hyperthyroidism and recently have moderate lung restriction and obstruction. I wondered if there was a relationship because when I was first diagnosed I felt out of breath just walking. With this new symptom however I feel more like I’m suffocating. Do you have both asthma and hyperthyroidism or is your shortness of breath due to hyperthyroidism?

[DotPro in reply to Beefull8]

It can be confusing.

I may have both. It can be hard to tell which is happening.

But if you you are treating hyperthyroidism you should notice an inprovement if it is hyperthyroidism causing the shortness of breath.

Similarly, if it's asthma causing the shortness of breath, you should notice a difference while treating it.

For suffocation, I wonder if it's more of chocking or gasping to try to catch your breath? That could be hyperthyroidism. It affects muscles, and that could be breathing muscles being affected.

Also if you have a Goitre, it could cause some bit of airway restriction.

Finally, with Hyperthyroidism please have your heart checked. A good heart ultrasound to see how it's functioning and rule out any issues that could be related with circulation... especially if you notice your heart racing/palpitations (tachycardia).

I also initially noticed issues when I would move from a seated to standing position to walk. I would feel dizzy and weak.

[Beefull8 in reply to DotPro]

Thanks! I’ve been to cardiologist twice cause of heart palpitations and she said my heart is healthy so no problems there. I have the same symptom from seated to standing makes me dizzy too.

I just reduced methimazole slightly so I’m wondering if it caused it but so far my endo says it’s not thyroid related. I do have several goiters. The feeling sometimes is I can’t find my breathe or my exhale is cut short. Weird thing is sometimes it goes away after I eat. Air condition and pollution from the volcano, I live in Hawaii, also causes these symptoms.

[DotPro in reply to Beefull8]

Well, breathlessness could be air locked up in your stomach or chest. Could be indigestion or still, gas trapped due to having over active thyroid which causes intestines to work hard. Belching can help. Dribj warm water to help also. The food you are eating seems to open up the path so that trapped gas can move. I have had lots of reflux, slow digestion sometimes, so I know how it feels.

[Beefull8 in reply to DotPro]

Interesting so you’ve felt better with eating as well? I’m on a few inhalers and have been on it for two months now. When first diagnosed I could barely walk or talk and went to the emergency room a few times cause I felt like I wasn’t getting air. It started with a stomach virus. But I actually went to the er cause I couldn’t breathe. When they checked me they said I had stomach flu and the breathing thing was just cause I wasn’t feeling well. But for two months I couldn’t breathe and when I would fall asleep I’d completely stop breathing. It was terrifying. I’m glad I’m feeling better but was wondering if the thyroid problems were connected. But I’ve had hyperthyroidism for ten years and never had this serious problem with breathing.