New to hyperthyroidism

[beagleem]

Hi all,

So I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism just under three weeks ago (8th Aug).. the docs though I had severe anxiety (which I thought was strange as I didn't feel like that) but was put on beta blockers (3/day) and booked for bloods three weeks later..

I had bloods (7th) and the following morning I got the call to confirm hyperthyroidism and I was referred to an endocrinologist but to come back the following week to get more beta blockers..

A week on I confirmed my appointment date (29th sept) with the doc and he immediately said 'I'm sorry I can't let you wait that long' and put me on carbimazole 20mg/day (as he thought that's what the specialist would do) and stopped the beta blocker straight away..two days later I had the worst shakes and tremors you've ever seen! My docs was closed and after speaking to 111 (as my team were worried about my visible shakiness) I was told to seek medical advice immediately.. they passed me through to my emergency doc who said the carb hadn't kicked in and my symptoms had come back with vengeance! So I was then advised to start taking the beta blockers again but only when I was shaking..

Now it's been another week and I've caught a cold, the moment I had a sore throat I spoke to my doc on the phone ( it said on the carb instructions speak to a doc if I had this symptom).. He told me that he expected this to happen and that I have minimal white blood cells and prescribed antibiotics for a week - to take along side carb as I'm still mildly shaky!! Gosh, what a whirlwind so far...so I'm now in the antibiotics week..

When I went to the docs after my tests I asked for my blood results but the doc said that I don't need them and to wait to see the endocrinologist for more info..

It's been a worrying few weeks with no control over what my bodies doing! And limited info on the internet...I seem to have all the symptoms sweats, weight loss (not yet severe),shakes tremors, swollen ankles, exhaustion, pain in my thighs;arms and knees, my hearts averaging 105bpm which seems excessive, breathless after walking up stairs (with difficulty due to my knee pain!)

Any thoughts? Shall I go back and ask for my blood results again (but they may have changed now I'm on carb) does having hyperthyroidism mean that I'm going to susceptible to any sniffle or illness going around??! Feeling a bit lost at the min!

Sorry for the long story just wanted to get it out!

[Nanaedake]

I would insist on your blood test results every time and make it a habit. I would state clearly that from now on you want a copy of every blood test for your own records. Or you could arrange to access them online. It's your right, ask reception or failing that your practice manager to give you the password and enhanced access to view your blood test results.

nhs.uk/chq/pages/1309.aspx?...

A heartrate of 100 or slightly higher feels very rapid but if your heart is healthy it's not dangerous as your heart is designed to beat fast when you run or with activity. Of course, you don't want it to be doing that when you're resting which is why you need to treat the hyperthyroidism but it feels more frightening than it is. If you start to feel very unwell when the docs is closed though, go to A & E and get checked out. As you are on antibiotics as well as other meds it's difficult to judge how unwell you are so don't hesitate to ring your doctor for reassurance. You can always get a telephone appointment at least.

[beagleem in reply to Nanaedake]

Thank you nanaeduke, I'll pop down to the surgery on Tuesday and request enhanced access to my view my test results..to be fair my docs have been very responsive since they diagnosed me by phone and by getting me in to same day appointments.. like you say though if I feel bad over the weekend I'll go to A&E as suggested. Thanks for reading and for the reply!

[SmallBlueThing in reply to beagleem]

Actually, the high heart rate due to hyperthyroidism should not be dismissed, as it can cause left ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle), which can make hypertension difficult to control.

As you're being treated, we can hope that any such effect is minimized and quickly reversed

[shaws]

It's good to get things off your chest and I cannot help but those who are/have been hyper will respond.

In the meantime, these are a couple of links from our main website TUK.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges but I think the doctor was trying to calm you.

[virginias377]

I think that you should of gotten a second opinion from another doctor. this doctor that you have now sounds like a quack!Yeah maybe you were diagnosed with anxiety but it semms that the beta blockers induced it.I too have anxiety and hypothyroidism.My sdoctor gave me Hydroxyzine for the anxiety and also for the itching I would get when I first started taking Levothyroxine.I don't itch anymore from the thyroid meds and I only take the Hydroxyzine when I have a severe anxiety attack.I don't trust alot of the meds that are out there but it also has to do with getting the right doctor.I hope the best for you.

[Karen321]

You are at the start of what could be a long and complicated journey and you need to find out as much as you can about this disease. You need to split your carbimazole dose into two and take every 12 hours as it has a very short half life. You need to get copies of your blood results so you can track your own progress and as you learn about the disease and how your body reacts you can calibrate your own doses. The beta blockers are good for slowing your heart down but try smaller regular doses and when you come off them don't stop abruptly reduce daily dose over several weeks before stopping. You also need blood tests for antibodies TrAB for Graves' disease. Do not let any doctor talk you into getting rid of your thyroid by RAI or Thyroidectomy until you are in a position to make an informed decision. I'm now 2 years into my graves journey and only just beginning to feel a bit like my old self.

It's a very scary new world for you but you will get there xx

[beagleem in reply to Karen321]

Thanks people! I'll try and split the carb up from now on - that's a really good idea..I thought stopping the beta blockers straight off would have some kind of affect on me, but you tend to listen to your doctors.. can I get the TrAB done at the docs or do I need to wait to see the specialist for that?

[Karen321 in reply to beagleem]

You could try and persuade your GP but if they won't make sure you ask the consultant to do it as it is important to know why you are hyper

[beagleem]

I now have some blood results back:

T4 (XaERr): 72 pmol/L (9.0-25.0)

TSH (XaELV): <0.05

My endocrinologist appointment has been brought forward to this Friday..I'll ask for the other tests to be done there x