What should I expect from first appointment with specialist? What questions should I be asking?

[samspam]

Hi I'm very new to this. I've been diagnosed with overactive thyroid and have my first Hospital appointment in 2 weeks. I wondered if anyone could tell me what to expect please. Also what questions should I be asking? Thank you.

[Hennerton]

Welcome to the site. There are many others in the same position as you, who will no doubt reply. I was diagnosed in 2005 and had a total thyroidectomy less than a year later. I found it hard to get settled on the medication. With hindsight I should not have agreed to this, when my Endocrinologist suggested it and I should have given it more time. I did not have access to this site and knew only what my Endo told me.

You are in a much better position with information all around. You should take charge of this, ask for blood test results with reference ranges and always keep a record of these. Keep a note of your medication, especially changes that may be made to the dose. You will probably be given Carbimazole, or have you already started on it? Some people take just this and others have what is called Block and Replace. You reduce your thyroid output to a low level with one drug and then replace with Thyroxine. I might have done better myself on this method but nobody mentioned it.

Depending on your levels, you may be given a Beta blocker to slow down your heart, just for a short time.

Do hope you will settle quickly. It is possible for the thyroid to go back to normal in time. About 50 per cent do this, apparently. Good luck!

[samspam in reply to Hennerton]

Thanks for replying. I'm on gabapentin for the pain with no improvement but as of yet I haven't been given anything to treat the thyroid. That's really, I'll take notes at my appointment as my memory is terrible. I only found this site today after weeks of worrying. Thanks again.

[Hennerton]

What symptoms have you and where is the pain? Do you have results of your blood test, which was used to diagnose you? Perhaps your over activity is very mild. I was given medication the same day my results came. I saw an Endo later.

[samspam in reply to Hennerton]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. The symptoms I originally went to the Dr with are fatigue, muscle pain (everywhere but particularly arms) confusion, numb fingers and a general feeling that something wasn't right. She did bloods which showed I was borderline overactive which I found strange as I had more underactive symptoms. Made me repeat the bloods 4 weeks later (Xmas eve) which were worse (sorry I don't have any actual results) then refered me. Said I had to see the specialist as that was the next step. Could she have prescribed me something?. Since then my symptoms have gone into overdrive. Really don't know what to expect. Thanks.

[elayneg]

Hi

I would have thought your doctor would have put you on something until you seen the Endo.

There doesn't seem to be symptoms for Hyper and symptoms for Hypo they blur, when I was diagnosed I was stunned because I had put on so much weight and other than being tired did not feel ill.

The only thing I would say is ask your doctor for copies of your blood tests and when you get to the Endo do not be bullied into something you don't want. Do not be told you cannot stay on the pills long term as this isn't true. Hopefully you will get an understanding Endo who will listen to you and work with you.

Do lots of reading on here and other sites although I have to say this is the best one and been really helpful to me. Make notes of everything you want to ask and take someone with you that way if you miss something they might not.

Good luck

Hope it all goes well

Elayne

[samspam in reply to elayneg]

Thanks so much, think I need to do a lot more research so I can understand whats going on. Will ring for copies of blood results tomorrow.

I'm glad I found this site as no one I know has ever had this kind of thing and I can't get any advice. Thanks everyone.

[Hennerton]

I am wondering if you have Hashimotos disease, where the thyroid swings between over and under. If your GP would test for thyroid antibodies you would know for sure. Are you losing weight, fast digestive system, eating but always hungry? Try taking your basal temperature first thing in the morning, before you get out of bed. If it is below normal, around 36 or less, you are hypo. If slightly above, them definitely hyper. I had all the symptoms of aching muscles and feeling as though I had 'flu starting, plus weight loss etc. I was massively hyper by the time my GP practice bothered to diagnose. The lovely late Dr Skinner said he knew many cases where people were diagnosed wrongly, hyper when they were actually hypo. Please let us know how you get on.

[samspam in reply to Hennerton]

That's really interesting. I have lost weight but have been dieting so not sure if that's why. Also I'm always hungry. I'll give the basal readings a go and see what happens and do some research on hashimotos thank you.

[samspam]

Just an update. Been to endo today and have been told its classic graves. 10mg of carbimazole a day and repeat bloods beginning of April and back to see him 17th. He said I had a goitre and just wondered if anyone knows if this will go away? Or grow? I forgot to ask as I didn't know I had one! Thanks