Hyperthyroid now hypothyroid: TSH 6.7 (0.2 - 4.... - Thyroid UK

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Hyperthyroid now hypothyroid

123JJ profile image
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TSH 6.7 (0.2 - 4.2) FREE T4 12.8 (12 - 22) TPO ANTIBODY 475 (<34) Hi I am a newbie. I was diagnosed hyperthyroid in 2013 and I take Carbimazole and I now feel awful. Thanks

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123JJ
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Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake

Do you know why you are taking Carbimazole because your TSH level is high, showing you are hypothyroid, in other words your thyroid is underactive according to your blood tests. Are you taking levothyroxine?

Also, you have thyroid antibodies which mean you have autoimmune thyroid disease otherwise known as Hashimotos thyroiditis.

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

Yes I am taking Carbimazole for initial hyperthyroid results.

TSH 0.03 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 33.8 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 11.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

Not taking Levothyroxine at all

Thanks

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to 123JJ

How long have you been on Carbimazole and have you spoken to your GP about these results? When was the blood test above done?

You are now hypothyroid so you need to speak to endocrinologist or GP about whether and how you should reduce carbimazole. Perhaps you had an attack of antibodies that caused your thyroid to release a lot of additional hormone and it caused your thyroid to become overactive?

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

I have been on Carbimazole since 2013 and I haven't spoken to GP about these results. The ones posted were done 4 weeks ago and the hyper ones done on diagnosis

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to 123JJ

Have your results showed overactive thyroid every test since 2013? How often are you getting blood tests done? I'm puzzled about why you've been on Carbimozole for so long as it appears you have Hashimotos. Did you have tests for Graves disease too? What antibodies have been tested?

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

Thanks I have only had overactive results twice, back then and in August 2014. TSH 0.02 (0.2 - 4.2) Free T4 23.6 (12 - 22) Free T3 6.4 (3.1 - 6.8) and I had blood tests done every 6 months and each time they have come back with either TSH and Free T4 and Free T3 in range or TSH high and Free T4 and Free T3 in range. TSI negative and TRAB negative. TPO antibodies were 84 (<34) in January 2013, 46 (<34) in November 2013, 181 (<34) in August 2014, 98.5 (<34) and TG antibodies 283.5 (<115) in May 2015

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to 123JJ

Well, you haven't got Graves disease as antibodies TSI and TRAB are negative so it looks like Hashimotos with the high TPO antibodies.

August 2014. TSH 0.02 (0.2 - 4.2) Free T4 23.6 (12 - 22) Free T3 6.4 (3.1 - 6.8), these results are only slightly overrange on the FT4 and FT3 is in range and were you on carbimazole when you got these results?

I think you need to discuss getting off the carbimazole with your GP and then test again a couple of times to see what's happening.

You also need to test vitamin levels as low vitamin levels can cause symptoms.

Test B12

Folate

Ferritin

Vitamin D

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

It was stopped between March 2014 and September 2014 due to feeling overactive and losing weight. My TSH was 1.87 (0.2 - 4.2) and Free T4 13.8 (12 - 22) and Free T3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8) and I was started back on it in September 2014

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to 123JJ

If it were me, I would have held back on the carbimazole (unless thyroid went very overactive) as it's likely short term and make sure I retested in 6 weeks. It looks like you could do with starting on some levothyroxine when your TSH level is high as that might help prevent the antibodies attacks.

Has your GP suggested taking betablockers for short term overactivity of thyroid? You can read up about Hashimotos on the Thyroid UK website. It explains what happens. There are other people on this site that can explain more from personal experience.

SlowDragon recommends gluten free diet to reduce antibodies.

up to 200mcg of selenium a day might help to reduce antibodies attacks.

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

TSH has been as high as 20

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to 123JJ

Well that just proves you need to be on levothyroxine not carbimazole now. As your GP doesn't seem to know what he/she is doing I would find someone more knowledgeable and read up and find out about Hashimotos. We have to educate ourselves. Take someone with you to your next GP appointment if you can.

Silver_Fairy profile image
Silver_Fairy in reply to 123JJ

Im not sure they even know what they are doing? "It was stopped between March 2014 and September 2014 due to feeling overactive and losing weight." - which is when the dose should have been raised slightly!

LAHs profile image
LAHs in reply to Silver_Fairy

Yes, I noticed that. It's just the opposite of what the doc recommended.

123jj, like Nanaedake said, read up as much as you can so that you can get in control of your illness and change doctors, this one doesn't know what s/he is talking about - or could have just a little knowledge. I was in a similar position for two years until I started to read up on thyroid problems, changed my doc (three times!) and now I am perfectly fit. Start with internet articles plus what you learn from this forum then read a couple of books: Tired Thyroid by Barbara Lougheed and Stop the Thyroid Madness by (Janie Bowthorpe?). And don't stop there, read as much as you can, your health depends upon it and probably your life.

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply to Silver_Fairy

When you are underactive, you often produce excess adrenaline to make up for losing your "get up and go" from thyroid hormones - this can give you hyper-type symptoms - sweating, anxiety, tremors, headaches - but you are still underactive.

Angel_of_the_North profile image
Angel_of_the_North in reply to 123JJ

Those Sept 2014 tests showed that you were UNDERACTIVE beacuse you have Hashimotos disease (aka autoimmune thyroiditis) which gradually destroys the thyroid making you more and mor ehypo over time. Each time the Hashois flares up and kills a bit more of the thyrpid, the hormones are dumped into the bloodstream giving temporary Hyper symptoms and blood tests but you are actually hypo/underactive. You should probably not have been on carbi at all, but given thyroxine after those tests. You need it now for sure

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

I supplement these but feel no better. GP isn't being very helpful regarding these. Thanks

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake in reply to 123JJ

Have you got any vitamin blood test results if so, post them here as there are people who can give great vitamins advice.

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

FERRITIN 17 (30 - 400)

VITAMIN B12 201 (190 - 900)

FOLATE 1.8 (2.5 - 19.5)

VITAMIN D 22.9

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to 123JJ

This also indicate that you have Hashimoto's NOT Graves

They are all far too low

See SeasideSusie reply to similar results

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Make urgent appointment with different GP for correct treatment for these very low vitamins

Negative TSI and Trab means you never had Graves

You have Hashimoto's

Have you ever seen an endocrinologist? Anyone with Graves should be referred

GP has been extremely negligent

Silver_Fairy profile image
Silver_Fairy in reply to 123JJ

OMG you must feel crap! What is your GP doing about these levels?? They are ALL under range!

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Silver_Fairy

Hi only supplement vit D

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Nanaedake

Supplementing vit D 800iu only

ITYFIALMCTT profile image
ITYFIALMCTT in reply to 123JJ

As per SeasideSusie's many replies on this topic, with that vitamin D deficiency, daily 800IU is not going to raise your level to adequate - that's a maintenance dose for someone who has corrected their level to adequate from 'deficient'.

You need a higher, loading treatment for the vitamin D.

Silver_Fairy profile image
Silver_Fairy in reply to 123JJ

Can you change your GP?

SickLeo17 profile image
SickLeo17 in reply to 123JJ

You definitely need to have a treatment review

humanbean profile image
humanbean

I would say that your doctor(s) have been grossly negligent in your treatment.

Testing every 6 months is simply not sufficient for someone on carbimazole (in my opinion), particularly if your TSH has several times gone well into range or well over the range.

I'd tag people who are (or have been) hyperthyroid if I could remember any who use the forum, but my brain has turned to mush recently, and all the names have gone.

Clutter can you help?

Nanaedake profile image
Nanaedake

123JJ No wonder you feel terrible with vitamin levels like that. Perhaps SeasideSusie will respond tomorrow with her great vitamins advice but 800iu of vitamin D won't help a deficient mouse let alone someone with levels below 30. You need to get right back to your GP on Monday and ask for the correct treatment. Are you in the UK? If so there are guidelines your GP must follow and as your vitamin D is under 30 your GP should prescribe loading doses of vitamin D and then an adequate maintenance dose.

You need to take magnesium and K2-MK7 with vitamin D3 in order to absorb the vitamin D effectively. Magnesium citrate is ok but there are other choices for magnesium.

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

All your vitamin levels are dire. Have you got symptoms of B12 deficiency because if so, I advise you to post your B12 and folate results along with an outline of your thyroid condition and symptoms, low ferritin etc on the HealthUnlocked Pernicious Anaemia forum healthunlocked.com/pasocand ask their advice about what your GP should be doing. Really, it looks like you need vitamin B12 injections and/or further investigations to rule out pernicious anaemia.

B12 symptoms of deficiency

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

B12 The Guidelines Doctors follow

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

Ferritin is absolutely dire. You need ferritin to be at least 70 or mid-range for your own thyroid to function properly. Have you had a full iron panel because if not, your GP needs to do one.

Iron deficiency anaemia NICE guidelines

cks.nice.org.uk/anaemia-iro...

Maybe find a different GP. Is there another in the practice you could see?

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Nanaedake

123JJ I agree with everyone who has said you were never overactive, that you have Hashi's, and I believe your endo is a diabetes specialist who hasn't got even half a clue how to treat thyroid disease.

Nanaedake has given you useful links and I can see that your nutrient levels are absolutely dire at

FERRITIN 17 (30 - 400)

VITAMIN B12 201 (190 - 900)

FOLATE 1.8 (2.5 - 19.5)

VITAMIN D 22.9

I am on the verge of going out and won't be back until this afternoon, so I can't get on my PC at the moment for all my information. I will come back and comment later but in the meantime click on my user name then REPLIES and look through to find posts where I have commented on results very similar to yours.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to SeasideSusie

123JJ Your GP has been extremely negligent ignoring these results.

FERRITIN 17 (30 - 400)

For thyroid hormone to work (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range.

You desperately need an iron supplement and as your level is so low you should ask for an iron infusion which will raise your level within 24-48 hours, tablets will take many months. You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/in...

You also need to ask for an iron panel and full blood count. Low ferritin can suggest iron deficiency anaemia and this needs to be checked.

**

VITAMIN B12 201 (190 - 900) FOLATE 1.8 (2.5 - 19.5)

Do you have any signs of B12 deficiency - check here b12deficiency.info/signs-an... then go and post on the Pernicious Anaemia Society forum for further advice then discuss with your GP healthunlocked.com/pasoc Quote your folate, B12 and ferritin results, any iron panel/FBC results or iron deficiency information, also any signs of B12 deficiency you may be experiencing.

You really should have intrinsic factor antibodies tested, you may have Pernicious Anaemia, you may need B12 injections, you will need folic acid prescribing for the folate deficiency. However, folic acid should not be started until further investigations have been carried out, and B12 should be started before folic acid.

I have read (but not researched so don't have links) that BCSH, UKNEQAS and NICE guidelines recommend:

"In the presence of discordance between test results and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment."

And an extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:

"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".

"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."

**

VITAMIN D 22.9 - vit D 800iu

Well, 800iu D3 isn't going to ever raise your level. It is hardly a maintenance dose for someone with a reasonable level. You are severely deficient and need loading doses - see NICE treatment summary for Vit D deficiency:

cks.nice.org.uk/vitamin-d-d...

"Treat for Vitamin D deficiency if serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels are less than 30 nmol/L.

For the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, the recommended treatment is based on fixed loading doses of vitamin D (up to a total of about 300,000 international units [IU] given either as weekly or daily split doses, followed by lifelong maintenace treatment of about 800 IU a day. Higher doses of up to 2000IU a day, occasionally up to 4000 IU a day, may be used for certain groups of people, for example those with malabsorption disorders. Several treatment regims are available, including 50,000 IU once a week for 6 weeks (300,000 IU in total), 20,000 IU twice a week for 7 weeks (280,000 IU in total), or 4000 IU daily for 10 weeks (280,000 IU in total)."

Each Health Authority has their own guidelines but they will be very similar. Go and see your GP and ask that he treats you according to the guidelines and prescribes the loading doses. Once these have been completed you will need a reduced amount (more than 800iu so post your new result as the time for members to suggest a dose) to bring your level up to what's recommended by the Vit D Council - which is 100-150nmol/L - and then you'll need a maintenance dose which may be 2000iu daily, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with City Assays vitamindtest.org.uk/

There are important cofactors needed when taking D3

vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems.

D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.

Magnesium helps D3 to work and comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds

naturalnews.com/046401_magn...

Check out the other cofactors too.

As you appear to have Hashi's, when you come to buy your own D3 you should buy an oral spray for better absorption. BetterYou do a D3 only spray, they also do a D3/K2-MK7 spray.

As you obviously have an absorption problem, as a result of the Hashi's, take a look at SlowDragon 's reply in this thread which has information and links about how to deal with this healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

purple64 profile image
purple64 in reply to SeasideSusie

I've just been started on 50,000 vit d3 have to take it once a week. Prescription says to take it on a Thursday 🤔 No idea why

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to purple64

Prescription says to take it on a Thursday 🤔 No idea why

:D

How strange! I'd be saying, No, I want to take it on a Sunday (or any other day!) :D

Are you taking the cofactors mentioned in my post to 123JJ? Doctors don't know about those as they're not trained in nutrition, but they're very important.

purple64 profile image
purple64 in reply to SeasideSusie

Think the pharmacy might have got there days muddled took it last night I'm sure the tablet won't know 😂😂. I started magnesium a few days ago to try and relax muscles due to clenching my teeth. Wasn't sure if I could take them both together but read up about it last night and found that you should.

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to purple64

Hi maybe post your own question as this may have gotten lost

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7

I haven't this problem and neither do I have antibodies so can't speak from personal experience but people I have spoken to who were over and treated were kept a close eye on by an endocrinologist and onexeven given a home contact number should the situation change suddenly. So were you monitored by an endocrinologist? If so I think you should ring his secretary saying you need an urgent appointment and explain what is happening. If not then I think your GP should be getting an urgent appointment for you to be seen by one.

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars

I agree that you appear to be grossly misdiagnosed. This is gross negligence. Towards beginning of Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroid disease (you have thyroid antibodies indicating Hashimoto's), it is very common for your thyroid to go back and forth between hypo and hyper. Your doctor test you when you were hyper one time and hastily put you on carbimazole and didn't bother re-testing you after starting medication until a year later, which is not the way that thyroid disease patients are usually managed. His ignorance, misdiagnosis and wrongly prescribed medication has unfortunately lead you to where you are today.

I also agree that this is an urgent situation. I don't know enough about carbimazole to know if you can just stop taking it or not, but it this was me, I'd be researching and consider stopping it. By taking it, you are increasing your antibodies against your thyroid (Hashimoto's) and increasing your hypothyroid symptoms, which are a symptom of this autoimmune disease.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

You were never hyper, as such. You had high levels of thyroid hormone in your blood and therefore a low TSH, because of autoimmune attacks on your thyroid. The dying cells were dumping their store of hormone into your blood, but your thyroid itself was never over-active. Carbi was the wrong treatment for you.

These high levels in the blood are only temporary, and will be used up/excreted and, eventually, you will become hypo, as your thyroid is slowly destroyed.

Unfortunately, these days, doctors don't seem to know the difference between Grave's (over-active) and Hashi's. I find this difficult to understand, but we see the proof every day on here. You need to be weaned off the carbi slowly, because you are now hypothyroid - no matter what past blood tests said! - and the carbi is making you worse. You should see another doctor as soon as possible. :)

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to greygoose

Hyperthyroidism is simply overproduction of thyroxine, no matter the cause. Her FT4 was 33.8 (12-22). Hyper is simply the over production of thyroxine (which she had), plus the symptoms she described. She said she felt hyper and lost weight, which are symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Saying she wasn't hyper with the below blood results would be like saying someone with high TSH and low FT3 and FT4, plus hypo symptoms, is not hypo. Remember, Hashimoto's and Graves are autoimmune diseases first. The symptoms can be hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectfully. Either way, the autoimmunity of the diseases cause the thyroid to fail, and then the thyroid does not produce the correct amount of hormones. The result can still the hypo or hyper symptoms, as driven by thyroid hormone levels.

TSH 0.03 (0.2 - 4.2)

FREE T4 33.8 (12 - 22)

FREE T3 11.2 (3.1 - 6.8)

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ShootingStars

Thank you for the lesson. Would you now like me to teach you to read? Especially that first paragraph where I explain the difference between Hashi's and Graves? I didn't say she was hyper, I said she didn't have an over-active thyroid.

You may not have been 'reading' on here for very long, but I have, and i can tell you that those labs are absolutely typical of a Hashi's 'hyper' swing (note the inverted commas round 'hyper' because the thyroid is not over-active, there is just too much hormone in her blood). Personally, I think it's important to understand how things work. Obviously you don't and are just content to look at the blood tests and have a knee-jerk reaction. You wouldn't happen to be a doctor, by any chance, would you?

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to greygoose

You're welcome. You just wrote that she was "never hyper". Go back and read what you wrote. You are correct. You didn't say she was hyper, you said she was never hyper.

This is a discussion here. Why get so defensive and testy? And flinging those insults? Those of which are completely uncalled for. Does not look good. "Reading" on this website a long time, or for any length of time for that matter, is not a qualifier nor a disqualifier. She STATED her symptoms, in addition to her labs. Symptoms + lab results are indicative of whether a person is hyper or hypo. Not some person's opinion on the interwebs. SHE provided her personal evidence indicating her swinging between hyper and hypo.

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to ShootingStars

Greygoose wrote "Obviously you don't and are just content to look at the blood tests and have a knee-jerk reaction.". No. I actually read what her symptoms were, read her blood test results. No knee-jerk reaction required when she had those symptoms and that blood work. :)

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to ShootingStars

Excerpt:

"Blood tests. A diagnosis can be confirmed with blood tests that measure the levels of thyroxine and TSH in your blood. High levels of thyroxine and low or nonexistent amounts of TSH indicate an overactive thyroid. The amount of TSH is important because it's the hormone that signals your thyroid gland to produce more thyroxine. These tests are particularly necessary for older adults, who may not have classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism."

Thyroid antibodies indicate an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimot's and it leads to hypo as antibodies attack the gland until we are hypo. One can swing between feeling hyper (rush of antibodies) or hypo (fewer antibodies).

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ShootingStars

'High levels of thyroxine and low or nonexistent amounts of TSH indicate an overactive thyroid.'

They CAN indicate an over-active thyroid. But, in this case, they don't, because her antibodies tell us she has Hashi's. And if you have Hashi's, you cannot have an over-active thyroid - unless of course, you also have high TSI or TRAB, but she said she doesn't.

You have to look at it from all angles.

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to greygoose

"Indicate" overactive thyroid. Indicating, as in specifying, marking, or designating indicating, or indicating meaning some other definition?

- It is not just elevated antibodies that tell us a person has Hashi's or Graves, it is also their consistently high or low thyroid levels, and their symptoms.

- It is possible for a person to have both Hashimoto's and Graves at the same time.

- TPO/ab is not specific to Hashimoto's. It indicates a person has Hashimoto's or Graves.

- TG/ab can also be elevated in Hashimoto's and Graves.

- You can have have Hashimoto's by having elevated TPO/ab, TG/ab, or both TPO/ab and TG/ab together.

- If only TRAb, TSHR/ab, or TSI are present, then the diagnosis is Graves, not Hashimoto's.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ShootingStars

But, you didn't fully read what I said, you were attacking me on what you thought I said.

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to greygoose

I have not attacked you, but see your response to my original reply. It's not that I thought you said something, it is that you typed it.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ShootingStars

I wrote she was never hyper 'AS SUCH'! Meaning - as I went on to explain - that although her levels were high in the blood, her thyroid wasn't over-active. Or is that the same thing, to you?

Of course she's swinging between hypo and hyper, she has Hashi's. That's what happens when you have Hashi's. But, if it comes to that, you were pretty rude to me, inferring that I didn't know what I was talking about, when in truth, you hadn't understood what I said. You weren't 'discussing', you were telling me I was wrong.

And, the trouble with people saying they 'feel hyper' is that they don't realise just how many symptoms can cross over-between the too. So, yes, we have to look at the labs, which I did, and as I said, they were typical of a Hashi's hyper swing. I've seen it so often on here.

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to greygoose

-First off, this is not about you. This is about 123JJ's experience, his/her symptoms and blood results, and his/her request for help. That is all.

-No. Actually, at no point did I say "Greygoose, you don't know what you are talking about" or that you were talking in circles. I stated facts. Again, this is not about you. Nothing here to be taken personally. She owns it: her symptoms, blood results, her experience.

-I was never rude or insulting, but it's funny you mention "rude".

-And no, at no point did I tell you that you were wrong. I simply stated what hyperthyroidism is. That is all. For some reason you have your own definition about what it is. (one minute a person with hyper symptoms and hyper levels of blood work is NOT ever hyper, and then next stating she's swinging between hyper and hypo).

-Furthermore, in reference to where you told her that she was never hyper, this is not a matter of her just "feeling" "hyper", she lost weight (consistent with when a thyroid goes hyper, not hypo), but she also had the blood test results to back her up.

- So now you are back peddling from saying she "was never hyper" by saying, "Of course she's swinging between hypo and hyper, she has Hashi's. That's what happens when you have Hashi's." and "So, yes, we have to look at the labs, which I did, and as I said, they were typical of a Hashi's hyper swing." First was she never hyper, now has a typical Hashi's hyper swing?

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to ShootingStars

'You were never hyper as such', is what I said. Now, you can make what you like of that, but what I meant was she's not hyper in the sense of having an over-active thyroid - which is Grave's - she has Hashi's, which means that although she has high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood, it's not because she has an over-active thyroid, but because her dying thyroid cells are dumping their hormone into the blood, which is a temporary condition, unlike Grave's, and in the end, she's going to be hypo because her immune system is attacking her thyroid, and that's what Hashi's is.

No, this is not about me, I'm just trying to explain things to the OP, so she has a better understanding of her condition. You are making this about me. If the OP doesn't understand, she can say so herself, but I am done talking to you.

Have a nice day.

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to greygoose

Thank you for explaining what you meant. Have a great day too.

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase

You haven’t mentioned seeing an endocrinologist- or you have and I’ve missed it. Normally in the UK carbimazole is given out by endocrinologists and people who are hypo are dealt with by an endocrinologist and not by their regular GP.

If you aren’t being seen by an endo then you need to go and be seen and if you are then you need to contact them and find out exactly what is going on. I’m finding it hard to believe that you can be left like this with such poor blood tests and also that you have been on carb for such a long time, most endos dont want you taking it for extended periods of time.

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Fruitandnutcase

Sorry yes I am seeing an endo

Valarian profile image
Valarian

How much carbi are you on 123JJ, and has this been constant throughout ? Have you ever seen an endocrinologist ?

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Valarian

Yes seeing an endo and after August 2014 taking 20mg from 5mg

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply to 123JJ

That’s ok - thought your GP was doing it.

Sounds like you are titrating upwards rather than reducing.

With my Graves I started taking 20mcg, my GP started me on it but they file share with our local teaching hospital and I imagine it was in consultation with my endo.

Anyway I took 20mcg of carb for four weeks, had a blood test, nothing changed, I then got a letter from my endo telling me to get more carbimazole and take 40mcg every day.

I didn’t see the endo until two months later by which time I had gone from TSH - < 0.03 (0.35 - 5.5 ) Below low reference limit. to TSH 7.2 same lab range. At my first appointment I was told to take a ‘few days off carbimazole ‘ ( I stopped it for five days then started again along with the thyroxine ) and I started on thyroxine that same day.

I’m not surprised you feel awful. Your body is rocketing from one extreme to the other. I felt dreadful when I was so hyper but hypo wasn’t any fun either, i still felt dreadful but 8n a different way.

Good luck, at least you have discovered this site. If you haven’t done so already look up Thyroiduk.org.uk, lots of great information on there.

Valarian profile image
Valarian in reply to 123JJ

Some GPs prescribe an initial dose of 5mg, to help take the edge of symptoms while waiting for an endo appointment.

Leaving aside for the moment the question of whether you should have been prescribed carbi in the first place, that seems quite a high dose to have been on for so long (especially if they haven’t prescribed levo in parallel), and, from what you’ve said, with so few blood tests.

Time to change endo ? And maybe GP too.

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle

I was diagnosed hyper in july and put on carbi by my doctor but later tested for hashis which was positive and now taking a titration dose of carbi 10mgs which endo requested as my blood levels were dipping towards hypo but i do have to test every 4 weeks and just had more done- i have had mixed responses from people about me being on carbi- endo insists i should be on carbi hashis or not and doesnt believe in testing for graves!! Idiot. Also been told i wont be put on levo as the dose of carbi will titrated down lower no matter what. I also feel that hashis gets pushed to one side.x

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Rmichelle

Sounds like you need new endo too

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply to SlowDragon

Ha. Yes i know mines a idiot- still waiting for a phone call from him 2 weeks later after my initial call- phoned 4 times so far and secretary says "i have told him" im seeing someone else in december- he is sacked.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Rmichelle

Get TSI and Trab tested to definitely confirm Graves

If it's Hashimoto's then you need different treatment

Had your vitamins tested?

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply to SlowDragon

Ive had tpo done. Endo refuses to do graves as he states their is no definite test.!! Ha. Thats why ive been ringing him as he has put down in big letters on the letter he sent hyperthyroidism and graves auto immune disease and have spoke to secretary asking " how as he come to the conclusion that i have graves when he refuses to test for it" see my predicament. I had my my iron levels tested this time ferritin etc fbc,bi will post everything on here around tuesday- in july my ferritin was low and have been supplementing with 20mgs of solgars gentle iron tablets and eating lambs liver once a week and spinach etc. Folate was a little low but b12 was top marks. Doc refused to do anything about ferritin he said " you can take iron tablets and they will raise within a few weeks"ha. Yes it takes longer than that!! Am i right in thinking aswell slow dragon that having celiac disease aswell as that destoys vitamins and minerals in our bodies?

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Rmichelle

It's more likely gluten intolerance and/or low stomach acid

Good stomach acid need to breakdown food so we can access nutrients

Leaky gut result of low acid (?) anyway holes in gut lead to gluten crossing into blood.

If you read my profile there often seems little difference between coeliac and intolerance (except one is much harder to test for)

Low vitamins are usually symptom of Hashimoto's

Not sure if get same with Graves

Amy Myers website good on Graves (she had it)

Get vitamin D tested too

Vitamindtest.org.uk -£28 postal kit- very easy

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

Other things to help heal gut lining

Bone broth

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Probiotics

carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...

Importance of magnesium

hypothyroidmom.com/two-vita...

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Rmichelle

What is your doctor doing. It would appear to me that (and I'm not medically qualified) that you actually have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease commonly called Hashimoto's due to have high antibodies in your blood. The treatment is levothyroxine and I'll give you a link:-

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

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

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

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply to shaws

Thankyou shaws but was told no matter what, the treatment is carbi due to hyper results of bloods. Foyr weeks ago my bloods were showing more towards hypo levels and thats when he titrated dose but i still feel overmedicated on that dose.10mgs. I am getting to wait until my bloods come through monday and thyroid scan and take it from there and i think i need to challenge endo if he ever picks up the bloody phone. Sorry feel like im stealing someones elses query.xx

123JJ profile image
123JJ in reply to Rmichelle

No problem :)

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply to 123JJ

Hope you get this sorted ( both of us). Im ready with my boxing gloves and you have liads of good advice here for your ammunition.😠😠

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Rmichelle

Yes, you are correct - in that if our T4 is very highwith practically no TSH that is hyperactive. You can copy and paste your question on a new post as not many will read your comment above.

Can you get a print-out of your blood test results with the range that you can post on a new question?

Excerpt:

"Blood tests. A diagnosis can be confirmed with blood tests that measure the levels of thyroxine and TSH in your blood. High levels of thyroxine and low or nonexistent amounts of TSH indicate an overactive thyroid. The amount of TSH is important because it's the hormone that signals your thyroid gland to produce more thyroxine. These tests are particularly necessary for older adults, who may not have classic symptoms of hyperthyroidism."

Thyroid antibodies indicate an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimot's and it leads to hypo as antibodies attack the gland until we are hypo. One can swing between feeling hyper (rush of antibodies) or hypo (fewer antibodies).

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle in reply to shaws

Thanks shaws. Just had new set of bloods done do when they come through around tuesday i will post through as i should have thyroid scan result then big thanks as always.xx

Rush2112 profile image
Rush2112

When I was on carbimazole I had to have blood tested every 6 weeks endo said it was a dangerous drug as it can severely lower or was it higher can't remember now but which ever way it was it could have fatal results the endo clearly tell you that if you get a sore through the to have blood tested immediately

Hi I’m new to this site too. I have a Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis found on ultrasound and confirmed with TPO antibodies of more than 1300. I had a diagnostic left Thyroid lobectomy in Sept for a symptomatic nodule that was benign and started on 50mcg of Levothyroxine My latest blood results show that I am very Hypothyroid TSH is 81 T4 is 7 and T3 is 2. My Levothyroxine has benn increased to 125mcg.

I believe It is possible to switch from Hyper to Hypo and vice versa if you have autoimmune disease. It does look like you are now Hypothyroid and need to speak to your GP

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to

Wa10ram, if you want some help for your own situation, more people will notice if you post a new thread of your own, rather than posting on the end of an already quite long thread. :)

ShootingStars profile image
ShootingStars in reply to humanbean

I think Wa10ram was sharing her experience, just as others have done above. I don't see where she asked for help or asked a question.

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