Just become hypothyroid after being hyperthyroid. Advice please

[Bnorm112]

Hi,

I was diagnosed as hyperthyroid (graves disease) in 2010. I was on carbimazole and then PHP, i then had normal levels for about 4 months and I have then dropped straight to hypothyroidism which I was told is rare usually your normal for a few years.

I have just started Hypothyroid medication and have awful hand cramps at night and have suddenly started having really bad light headed moments! I am used to being hyper and having lots of energy I wouldn't say I've noticed I'm tired, however does anyone else get light headed with hypo? It's the complete opposite and I am struggling I think to adjust!

[greygoose]

Did you have tests for Grave's antibodies to support the diagnosis? Or did they just make a guess because your TSH was low?

Going from hyper to hypo sounds more like Hashi's than Grave's. Unfortunately, doctors don't seem to understand the difference.

Could you give as a bit more information, so that we understand the situation better, please? How much levo were you started on? When, exactly did you start it? Do you have copies of your lab results? If so, post them on here, with the ranges, and let's have a look. If not, your really should ask your surgery for a print-out. If you are in the UK, it's your legal right to have one. You need to know exactly what was tested, and what the results were, and keep your own records.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

If you had a Graves it should have been confirmed by TRab or TSI antibodies test

High TPO or TG antibodies can be present in both a Graves and Hashimoto's

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

[Bnorm112]

Thank you for your replies, I will definitely go and get the results from these blood tests and post them online.

I do feel as though they guessed it was graves at the time although I can't be sure they didn't do a few more tests I have no idea what tests they did do!

I am on Levothyroxine 50 microgram, once daily. I have only been on them for two weeks now. I do feel like I'm going more hyper on them as I have lots of energy through the day but i do crash at night time.