Auto immune hypothyroidism

[Ellie1985]

I have recently been diagnosed with auto immune hypothyroidism and have started thyroxine however I can't stop the shakes in my hands and arms has anyone else experienced this and found anything to help stop it?

[pennyrose]

Hi lovely

I've been ill for just over a year and was just diagnosed on Wednesday with the same. Today I started thyroxine but not sure how long it will take for me to feel any effect. What dosage are you on and how long have you been on this?

How are your iron/b12/folate levels? is your endo addressing all issues relating to your condition? I'm sooooo new to this that it will be interesting to see how other people are getting on!

[Marz]

...do you have any blood test results you could post ? It's early days. When I first started on T4 I did not feel right and eventually stopped taking it on the advice of an Endocrinologist. Waited for it to clear my system and then re-started on a smaller dose and SLOWLY built it up. I too have Hashimotos..

[Ellie1985]

I can't find my blood results anywhere but I am due for retests in 2 weeks. The shaking was one of my symptoms before I started the thyroxine but they seem to be getting worse. I got diagnosed about 10 weeks ago and don't feel any better yet - I seem more tired but I work shifts and am studying so I old just generally be tired how long does it take for the thyroxine to clear ur system?

My iron levels r very high at 15.4 I have no idea about b12 or folate he literally tested for t3 t4 and tsh and they were abnormal

My other symtoms included weight gain, tired, feeling very cold, hair falls out, and I have a goitre which is very painful and very swollen

Be interesting to see what next results say x

[Jackie]

Hi Every one`s in put is probably right. However, one thing you do not mention are you on vit D ( hormonal)? if so, do you have corrected calcium tsts and are they in range? This is dangerous and a common cause of shakes, well known in fact. It his is the case, discuss with Endo. Usually you if corrected calcium is over range essential to stop the D. Then if still over range, you need 3 blood tests, Corrected calcium, vit D and parathyroid( PTH) , they must be done AM and together, ( GP-0, they do all need to be done together, a lot of GP`s do not understand! If all high or 2 high and D high for you. then the next step is a painless, nuclear scan with CT in a specialist teaching hospital. This is the only way of checking if there is a problem with the PTH, , not so unusual either!Also in that case, an ultra sound of the thyroid, biopsy if nodules etc.

Best wishes,

Jackie

I think you probably know but to reply to a specific post, cllck on "Reply to his" so that we know.

[Ellie1985 in reply to Jackie]

They have never mentioned vitamin d or calcium I literally got sent my results went to docs and he started me on thyroxine and was told to come bk in 3 months for repeat tests the consultant was happy for the doc to take over my care the only reason I'm seeing consultant is for swelling in my neck and tachycardiac which I have been told is probably due to auto immune hypothyroidism i am glad I've been stared on medication but feel like I've almost been dumbed with the gp I don't feel any better my shaking is very bad in the mornings to the point it makes me feel sick - I'm sleeping more and freezing

[marram in reply to Ellie1985]

Hi Ellie 1985

Is your tachycardia all the time or attacks every so often? Do you take your pulse when it happens? it is useful to keep note when it happens and what you have been doing, how you feel, and so on. If you are hypothyroid then it is likely to be a sign of under-treatment.

It can be frightening but I can assure you that when you are having the correct treatment it should clear up.

I can quote my own personal experience, I was having attacks of tachycardia (sometimes 180 or 190 beats per minute for as long as 40 minutes) while I was on 100 mcg Levothyroxine. It was increased to 125 and I found that the attacks were less prolonged, and up to about 150. I was very cautious because the doctor had told me my heart was enlarged, but then I increased the Levo to 137.5 (half of a 25mcg tablet) and once again the attacks began to reduce, averaging 120to 130 for no more than 5 or 10 minutes, and always when I had been very busy in the morning, it would happen in the afternoon.

Now that I have reached 150mcg Levo, the attacks last no more than one or two minutes and no higher than 105 to 110, then they settle and I go back to my normal rate which is about 80 in the afternoons. (it is only between 64 and 74 in the mornings)

You can see from this that I have been keeping careful records, this helps so much to understand what is happening in the body.

Last of all, I agree with Jackie that you would do well to see how your vitamins and mineral levels are, especially the calcium for the shaking. She is always very hot on these and rightly so.

I don't see the shaking as a sign of being over-treated. You can be reassured on that point, the result of being over-treated is a very fine tremble which the patient sometimes is not even aware of, unless they know what to look for.

Hope you start to feel better soon, Marie XXX

[Jackie in reply to Ellie1985]

Hi well yes swelling, swallowing, speaking can all be a problem, but essential to have an Ultra sound, if nodules, common important to have a needle biopsy, radiologist under ultra sound. Enlargement likely, nothing can be done about that, not dangerous just not nice.Always have bloods and keep with the ranges, all vary at different Labs. Hospital phone the secretary, your blood, nothing to do with Data protection, same doc receptionist free T3 test and possible treatment with Levo and T3 very important.If you feel ill, your levels are not right. However, it does take a while, you need frequent tests ( all 3) to start with ,with drugs increased as needed until stable. If it was me, I would be getting bloods done at Blue Horizon ( I do) on their main WEB site, finger prick or venous blood. For discount quote TUK 10, then £60- £70. It should not be needed but fact of the NHS now and vital to get well.Very well known Lab which is important, if you wish to show to a doc for treatment.

Best wishes,

Jackie