Hi all, looking for advice and experiences. I was diagnosed with Hashi's two months ago and immediately placed on 150mcg. My TSH was 9.09. After a month it was 0.31 but my nerves were on edge and I acted hyper. I was then reduced to 125mcg, I then also began Thyroidium 6c and Natrum. After that I had surgery. Immediately after surgery my neck hurt, I had a cough and felt edgy. I went to the hospital when I was feeling ill, I thought I was panicking about post-op complications, anyway, I went home feeling better. A week later, yesterday to be precise, I had a fast onset of raised heartbeat, trouble swallowing and anxiety. I went to hospital and my heartbeat was 160-170, tachycardic. I honestly thought I was about to die. I was put on a drip and monitored. The heart trace was normal. My TSH was measured at .28. My doctor said I was experiencing a panic attack due to too much thyroxine. She prescribed me 100mcg to take thereafter and .5mg Clonazepam to take if I feel the same in the future. It took more than 6 hours to recover and in the end I had to take a Clonazepam. My question is, it is possible to have a Thyroid Storm with Hashi's or is it a short term phase of Hyper? I was also wondering if people had an 'emergency kit' to help you when you feel so ill and anxious? It really was a frightening experience and one I don't want to repeat. Thanks for reading.
Awful episode, went to hospital....: Hi all... - Thyroid UK
Awful episode, went to hospital....
MPG1972,
Was TSH the only thyroid measurement taken? 0.28 is usually low in range but doesn't indicate overmedication is likely.
I'm not clear what surgery you had. It is highly unlikely you had thyroid storm or a Hashi flare and thyroid dump if you had a total thyroidectomy.
People don't generally have emergency kits but some people are prescribed beta blockers to calm a fast heart rate and you can use the Clonazepam should you have another panic attack.
Yes TSH was the only measurement taken. The 0.28 range is 0.5-4. The surgery was on my knee, I've read that surgery can cause flares etc.
MPG1972,
Ok, 0.28 is mildly below range. If you had a thyroid storm TSH would be undetectable <0.01. A Hashi flare could raise heart rate but usually lasts days/weeks not just a few hours. It's more likely that you did experience a panic attack.
I think it unlikely you were overmedicated and hope you won't be undermedicated on 100mcg.
Placing you on 150 mcg was irresponsible as 100 mcg is usually accepted as a maximum initial dose provided the patient is not elderly and does not have a heart conditoin. Even so your TSH was only 9.09 which is not very high at all. Too much levothyroxine causes thyrotoxicity, essentially hyperthyroidism which presents as a rapid heart beat and anxiety.
A full replacement levothyroxine dose is considered to be 1.6 mcg for each kg the patient weights. I wonder if this is how your doctor arrived at a 150 mcg dose? However, it was a stupid thing to do. Your initial blood test results show your thyroid is failing but it is still pumping out a fair amount of hormone. Your mildly elevated antibodies suggest you have autoimmune hypothyroidsm, in these cases the thyroid can sometimes flare up releasing extra hormone.
I would stop taking your levothyroxine for a couple of days so that your levels can drop a little (about 18%). Then resume at 100 mcg. I think this will still be too much, if you find it is then skip a days levo and reduce to 75 or even to 50 if you need to. It's more important to get down to a dose that doesn't cause anxiety or rapid heartbeat, you can always increase again in a few weeks time. You can't do that if you suffer a fatal cardiac event. I would take an assertive approach with this doctor, question their decisions and switch to a better one if you can.
I would stop taking the Thyroidium 6c as you don't know what's in it, it might contain thyroid hormone from animal glands. I can't find details of ingredients, which is very suspicious.
It's always best to read the Patient Information Leaflet, prior to taking any drugs. Hopefully, the advice given by others will help.
However, if you read prohealth.com/library/showa... which is about Thyroid Function: Seeking Appropriate treatment, you will see paras 7 and 8. It mentions that cortisol levels should be checked ref: BMJ, 1996, 313, 427 – 'Adrenal insufficiency should be excluded before thyroxine replacement is started.
Although the article is written for people diagnosed with ME/CFS, the Patient Information Leaflet for thyroxine advises before you take levothyroxine tablets, do not take this medication if you have any condition that affects your adrenal glands (your doctor will be able to advise you if you are not sure).
Therefore, if you continue to experience problems I would suggest you ask whether you could be tested for low cortisol. If you receive little help from your GP, suggest you ask this Forum for help.
Hi, my cortisol was tested and found to be mid range.
May I ask what test was used and what time of day it was conducted.
That was the AM reading. I have to say my anxiety peaks from 3pm to the evening.
Have you had the private saliva test? Cortisol levels are supposed to be higher in the morning and fall in the evening. From the saliva tests I had my cortisol levels were the wrong way round.
My lack of hormones, thyroid, cortisol, growth hormone are due to pituitary problems. The short synacthen test is not reliable if you have Pituitary problems. T4 levels are important as an indication of the control of your thyroid if you have a pituitary problem.
Think you would be best taking the advice from others at the minute. You are right to educate yourself, but sadly everything takes time.
Full results for reference from a few day ago..
T3 LIBRE3.40 pg/ml 2.00 - 4.50
T4 LIBRE1.57 ng/dl 0.80 - 1.80
TSH ULTRASENSIBLE0.29 uUI/ml 0.50 - 5.00 * 0.28 in the hospital a day later
ANTI TIROPEROXIDASA62.1 UI/ml 0.00 - 33.00 *
VITAMINA B12235 pg/ml 200.00 - 1000.00
Happened again today. Was in my usual hospital this time and the doc thinks it's likely I am toxic for want of a better word and should stop taking the Eutirox and start again with the Endo. He thought I should start at 50 and go from there as my thyroid is still functioning. Absolutely terrifying experience.
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