Hyperthyroidism and eating disorder

[Hyper_hobbit]

Hello everyone! I’m new to the forum but I have been reading a lot of your posts and learnt a lot from you already.

I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid a week ago. It was really out of the blue. I have all the usual symptoms, except the weight loss.

I’m on carbimazole now and I am starting to feel less tired (though my muscles are really weak still: I can’t squat, or even pull myself up from the sofa without putting in a lot of effort).

My concern is that i am also plagued with an eating disorder, a condition which has its own set of problems...

Anyone else in the same situation?

[Cat4health]

Yes and it is a really difficult combination! What's the situation with your ED?

[Hyper_hobbit in reply to Cat4health]

It’s not pretty to be fair. I’ve been bulimic since the age of 13. I stopped purging when I became pregnant with my daughter and put on a LOT of weight during pregnancy because of it.

Now with the increased hunger, my bing moments are absolutely crazy but my weight hasn’t increased. I know why now! I just can’t control my hunger and I struggle to assess whether it’s real hunger or my head...

Are you suffering from an ED too? Are you followed by someone? I see a CBT counsellor privately but because it’s exprnsive, I can’t go as often as I’d like. And for the past year, I lost control over my appetite completely. Again, I know why now!

Reading the boards, it appears that treatment will slow down my metabolism and if I don’t sort out my eating, I worry I’ll balloon up or go back to purging (with the disastrous consequences that it entails).

[Valarian]

What dose of carbi are you on, and have you been referred to an endocrinologist ? Do you have test results ? GPs may prescribe a low dose of Carbimazole while you’re waiting for an endo appointment - this may take the edge off the symptoms, but won’t always resolve things like the muscle conditions. (I first realised I was really ill, when one day I got down on the floor to pick something up, and realised I couldn’t get up again !)

With regard to your eating disorder, did you have this before becoming hyperthyroid ? One of the weird things of being hyper is that your metabolism increases, meaning people lose weight, or can at least eat more without putting on weight. At the same they may also experience a period of reduced appetite, or going off certain foods. I can imagine this would play havoc with an existing eating disorder.

[Hyper_hobbit in reply to Valarian]

The GP started me on 5mg: she told me she would rather wait for me to see the endocrinologist first. I’ve been referred and waiting for my letter. Annoyingly, the hospital called me yesterday to offer me a last minute appointment due to a cancellation and I didn’t see the call as I was in a very long meeting!

The carbimazole has taken the edge of the tiredness but I still feel anxious and can’t do anything remotely physical without feeling out of breath. In the past 6 months, I’ve stopped all my team sports because I can’t run or lift my arms! Crazy!

I’ve had an ED for most of my life so they’re not linked. As you say, the increased appetite really played havoc with my ED, but the heightened metabolism meant I maintained my weight. I worry about what will happen now that it’s going to decrease... I’m not sure my CBT is really going to cut it. And j don’t imagine an endocrinologist would be familiar with ED. A right mess.

[Valarian in reply to Hyper_hobbit]

I wasn’t prescribed carbi until I saw the endo, but there are other things which can treat specific symptoms, so maybe worth going back to the GP ? By the time I saw the endo, I was struggling to walk upstairs, but thankfully a high dose of Carbimazole helped sort that aspect of the problem within a few weeks.

Why not ask them endo if they have anyone with experience of treating thyroid problems and eating disorders ? I’ll bet it’s not an uncommon combination.

[Rmichelle]

I cant advice on theceating disorder only that carbimazole makes me very hungry and have to eat but i still have not put on weight but it is not has bad as it was since diagnosis is july. I have to agree with valarian about the muscle weakness as i have the same thing- my hubby had to pull me up from the floor once- used to get upset about it but not now- also things fall out of my hands. Ha. The cups i have got through- its not a quick fix and takes months of trial and error for right meds and dose

But rest as much as possible, endo appointment wait is around a couple of months or longer depending where you live.

I hope someone comes along with advice on eating disorder aswell- have you had a look at the health unlocked eating disorder site as there maybe people on their who have the same problems? Just a thought.😊

[Hyper_hobbit in reply to Rmichelle]

Oh yes, I keep letting things drop too. I’m much slower than I used to be because I have no strength. As a rugby player, not being able to run, lift or catch things isn’t very useful. I should say as a former player because I gave up a few months ago as j just couldn’t run anymore.

Good thinking about the ED boards, I didn’t think of that!!!

[Hyper_hobbit]

Thank you everyone for your very nice replies. I’ve learnt so much already. I didn’t even know what hyperthyroidism was really, I had only heard of hypo as my mum has it. And when I had my blood tests done, I really thought it was going to show i was diabetic!

[Rmichelle in reply to Hyper_hobbit]

Yes please rest as being hyper is alot of stress on the heart etc- originally i was trembling, shaking, suffering awful panic attacks in which i have never suffered before, breathless moving, even eating. The breathlessness improved but since started the titration dose of carbi i feel even worse as i know the dose of 10mgs is perhaps too much or too less.

I am on my 3rd month off work as i am not able to carry out my duties in a very busy civil service court office. You do need to take care off yourself and i think if you exercise you probably be wise to discontinue that.

That is a real shame you missed that call from the hospital as some people here have to wait months. Hope gp has told you you must have regular blood tests every 4 weeks and carbimazole does not work straight away- 4-6 weeks to see a slight improvement but if you are suffering likevi was my gp put me on a 20mg dose but remember to get bloods as thyroid patients are sort of left to themselves and fet on with it. Im sure other more experienced users will advice you on what you need to do.

Good luck with endo appointment.😊😊

[Jonpab]

Hi, there are 3 things that helped me deal with hyperthyroid: l carnitine for dealing with symptoms, copper and calcium supplements. Calcium helps a lot with muscle cramps and weakness. You can also get a lot from orange juice or milk. Copper regulates the thyroid.