Thyroid storm?

[LizT10]

Has anyone experienced a thyroid storm? I woke up in the night with terrible palpitations, sweating, shaking, diarrhoea etc.

Would love to hear from anyone who has had the same thing and hear what they did.

Many thanks

[yellowmanicmonkey]

Oh my goodness you've just described what recently happened to me but I never knew it had a name! I will look forward to reading the responses. Hope you're feeling better now.....

[bantam12]

Thyroid storm is serious and needs prompt hospital treatment.

[helvella Administrator in reply to bantam12]

Thyroid storm is a medical emergency and requires A&E or ER using ambulance if necessary.

Reported as having 10 to 20% mortality.

[spongecat]

LizT10

A thyroid storm is a rare complication of hyperthyroidism. Liken it to a "runaway train" scenario, everything goes into maximum overdrive and must be slowed down by emergency medical intervention.

If you have hypothyroidism and it is the Hashimoto's variety, it is possible that the poor old gland was getting a beating by antibodies and is dumping it's hormones into the bloodstream.....a so-called "Hashi flare" which makes us temporarily hyper.

It can also happen if we hypos are over-medicated, so a proper blood panel will give us the answer. Unfortunately the NHS in its somewhat misguided cost-cutting wisdom generally only measures TSH now, or if you are very lucky T4 (oh Mr Ferrero Rocher you spoil us :D) both of which do not really give us a full picture. A T3 measurement is needed to give a truer picture of the hormone that effects our metabolism, not just the "empty box" that T4 is before conversion. If that T3 is over range then symptoms of hyperthyroid can present. This is why many of us do private blood tests to find out the full picture and if you are self-medicating it is essential to do self-blood testing.

Did your GP ever test your antibodies, Liz?

[webar4780]

Had horrific experience very similar to what you describe. Horrendous. In fact, for 1st time, ever, my husband called GP for home visit.

However, I had completely lost trust in doctors because I had suffered sciatica, 3 prolapse discs, for which GP had prescribed numerous pain relief meds to the point I collapsed. Taken to hospital, all meds were abruptly stopped by consultant. I think a big mistake! I was prescribed numerous other pain relief meds. A couple of days on new regime, I suffered a crises as you describe. I believe my thyroid went into crisis. When the GP arrived, I threw the bag of meds at her, telling her they were killing me.

On reflection, a hospital visit would have been best option during the crises, if I could have guaranteed I would get thyroid profile blood test. But, try telling some doctors you have a point of view!

As it was, I stopped taking any meds for 5 days. I drank copious amounts of water. My husband brought our bed downstairs because I could not manage stairs...... I couldn't walk without his help.

I went through 2 weeks of what can only be described as prescription med withdrawal. I lost weight. Itched all over. Suffered tremors. Nightmares. Diarrhoea. Digestive pain issues. Could not eat. Oh, the list went on... my family and friends worried.

After 2 weeks, I slowly began to regain a little hope, that I would get better.. we visited a pharmacist. Best thing we did, as pharmacists really know about drugs! I was told my body had suffered a prescription med assault and probably caused thyroid disturbance. Pharmacist, also told me, it would take a year to recover... it has taken two. Since then, I have been diagnosed Sjogrens too... but I am managing fairly well. I believe the shock of everything started cascade of symptoms..

In answer to your question, and, on reflection of my own experience, and journey over 2 years, I would suggest reading, Dr Peatfield book, looking after thyroid health... it took me, too long, to visit him. Unsurprisingly, he confirmed I was over prescribed levothyroxine for too long... that I was suffering toxicity.. since my visit, my dose has been altered from 125mcg, down to 50mcg... GP is aware.... I monitor my bloods through GP, keep a diary of my symptoms.... thanks to this Dr. I have since learned, I suffered hashimotos crises, and I still have high antibodies, we are all working together, improving my health..

I would never waste precious time, with any medic who has no knowledge, interest, or compassion, with thyroid patients dilemmas. Ignoring thyroid health, with known thyroid patients, when suffering other symptoms, is poor service.

Also, I would do, as you have done, visit this site for advice and support. In an emergency I would phone 999 or 111 for immediate advice (UK).

Good luck. I wish you all the best. Trust your gut instinct. And, learn best management techniques, as I do, from expert patients. We are never alone.