I don't know what it's like for others, but sometimes I can't tell if I'm hyper or hypothyroid when getting symptoms. For example, at the beginning it was really easy: not eating, weight gain, hair falling out, slow pulse? Hypo. Shiny and sweaty, losing weight, racing pulse? Hyper.
But in the last few years I've had weight gain and appetite loss, and been hyper. Or felt a little too 'wired', and been hypo. Goddamn symptom overlap!
Do others have the same problem, and is there one 'gold standard' symptom that defines either hypo or hyper?
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hose1975
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Hose, There can be quite a cross over of hypo and hyper symptoms. Suppressed TSH and elevated FT4 and FT3 determine hyperthyroidism. Subclinical hypothyroidism is TSH >5 and within range FT4 and FT3. Overt hypothyrodism is TSH >10 with FT4 and FT3 below range.
Feeling wired or experiencing hyper symptoms can be due to overmedication which will show as low TSH and elevated FT4 and FT3. Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) can cause hyper and hypo symptoms, sometimes hyper or hypo for a few weeks/months and then swing the other way, sometimes more frequent swings and occasionally hyper and hypo at the same time. Bloods often remain 'normal' and don't reflect the symptoms. Antibodies will usually be raised after Hashi flares or swings.
Sorry, Clutter, I should have clarified. I meant is there a 'gold standard, guaranteed to tell you one way or the other' physical symptom to differentiate between hyper and hypo, without a blood test? I've been hypo for nearly 20 years so I do know how the blood work goes!
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