Hello, My rheumatology consultant (suspected Raynauds) rang me yesterday with the following results: TSH 0.02 (0.27-4.2) FT4 29 (12-22)

[Deece13]

She said she suspects Hyperthyroidism and has spoken with my gp and booked me an appointment for Mid July with a endocrinologist...should I be worried?

[Clutter]

Hyperthyroidism is serious when it is undiagnosed and untreated. Your thyroid is over producing thyroxine which means you are running on fast, like driving a car with the accelerator flat down. You may have lost weight although you are eating more, be feeling anxious and jittery, have bouts of diarrhoea, have difficulty sleeping although you're tired.

You will have a blood test to check for Thyroid Receptor antibodies (TRab) for Graves Disease which is an autoimmune thyroid disease. If you smoke, quit now, smoking aggravates Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) which often, but not always, occurs with Graves. Treatment is a drug called Carbimazole and regular blood tests to monitor your thyroid levels. Carb can re-regulate your thyroid so that you may have a period of remission after 6/18 months.

If you get a painful sore throat you should contact your GP urgently or go to A&E as it may be a thyroid storm which is a medical emergency.

[shaws Administrator]

Re suspected Raynauds Disease. The question which comes after yours, the answer is interesting and I wonder if you, too, may have a vitamin deficiency also.

[Hidden]

Hi - I have diagnoses of RA, secondary Sjogrens, secondary Raynauds and Hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto's. Once you get one autoimmune disease you are more likely to get others unfortunately. The others have given you good advice so this is just to wish you luck with the drug regime you will surely be put on soon. I'm sure you will feel much better once you have learned more and get the right meds to deal with it.

Warm regards, Twitchy

[Fruitandnutcase]

Your results are very similar to what mine were when I was first diagnosed with Graves, like clutter says you need to be checked out for antibodies too.

I agree with everything she says I was always totally exhausted no matter how much sleep I got, plus I found the muscles in my thighs had got so weak that I couldn't get myself up off the ground if I knelt down.

My first contact with this group was to ask if I would ever feel normal again, the answer was a reassuring 'yes' and a year later I do. Good luck

[BexyLS]

Hi Deece13,

What other symptoms are you having besides those of Raynauds? And what time did you have the TFTs done? When you go to the endo try to get more bloods done early in the morning and fasting. It's the best time to get the tests done and definitely go for thyroid antibodies and FT3 would be good too. Don't worry and don't panic. Everyone here knows their stuff so we're all here for you. Good luck! xx

[Deece13]

Thank you for your replies. My referral has come through and I have a appointment mid July. I'm usually fit and active but recently just waking down the street my heart feels like it's about to pound out my chest. I had my bloods done at 9.30 in the morning. Does any of the drugs make you drowsy?

[brandibee2282 in reply to Deece13]

I feel the same my tsh is .010 and my t4 free is 22.0 on the dot. They say hyper I have 44 days till appointment

[Deece13]

I've got my first specialist appointment on Friday. Is there any specific questions I need to write down? I had my bloods done about ten days ago so he should have had the results for my appointment.

Many thanks in advanced.

[Deece13]

Anyone awake for a chat?

[Clutter in reply to Deece13]

What's on your mind, Deece and how did your consultation go?

[Deece13]

Hi Clutter. Went to see my consultant yesterday and he said my results have come back now as t4 10.7 and Tsh 2.2 which is now under active. Been given Levothyroxine 25micrograms to be taken once daily. Which yesterday I was processing fine in my head and then this morning woke up to the results from a recent echocardio scan I had as my gp noted I had a heart murmur and the letter says I have mild mitral regurgitation. I have no idea what that is. My head is spinning a little.

[Clutter in reply to Deece13]

Deece, if you click on the orange Reply button underneath the post you responding to the member will be sent an email alert.

Mild mitral regurgitation can be treated with medication. Will you be referred to a specialist or will your GP treat you? patient.co.uk/health/mitral...

Your TSH and FT4 have swung around a lot in 2 months. 25mcgs is a very low dose but your consultant will want to dose you slowly and gradually so your heart isn't over excited. You should have a follow up thyroid test in 6/8 weeks to monitor your progress and to see whether your Levothyroxine needs to be increased.

Levothyroxine should be taken with a glass of water on an empty stomach one hour before, or two hours after, food and drink. It should be taken two hours away from other medications and supplements although you need to check the PIL that it isn't 4 hours when you start new medication. It must be taken 4 hours away from calcium and iron.