Diagnosed hyper but displaying hypo symptoms - Thyroid UK

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Diagnosed hyper but displaying hypo symptoms

bexterjenny profile image
20 Replies

Hi there this is only my second post, my first was answered by a couple of really helpful, informative members.

My reason for posting is to see if any other people have been diagnosed as hyper but displaying all hypo symptoms such as being cold, constipated, heavy periods (obviously not you chaps), weight GAIN, dry flaky skin, thinning hair, post nasal drip, high blood pressure, dry brittle nails, the list goes on and on and it’s not a pretty picture!

I have found one other member who is experiencing the same symptoms and feels isolated, like me.

This is horrible when your body is doing one thing and the doctor says another!

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bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny
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20 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

There seems to be at least one case on here every day. :(

bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny in reply to greygoose

Blimey, reading every info page for hyper, they give all the same symptoms, it’s so difficult when you keep reading the same thing over and over and it’s totally irrelevant.

knitwitty profile image
knitwitty

Hi bexterjenny

I had a similar thing not long ago, I have had hypo symptoms for quite a few years now but blood test results always came back just inside the "normal" range.

I went back to the doctors about 6 weeks ago as I had gained a significant amount of weight despite not changing my diet, i had loads of other symptoms. The doctor gave me a form for blood tests, when I got to the blood clinic the following day I ghad started to feel very shaky and I had awful pains in my calf muscles, faster heart rate etc. The blood test results showed Hyperthyroidsm, even my body temp started to rise for the first time in years. The blood tests were repeated a couple of days later and they were the same. However within a week I did a private test and the Free T's had started to drop T4 was within normal range an the T3 almost normal. For the first time in years I actually felt quite normal, which suggests to me that I need my free T's to be high in the range and not scraping the bottom as they have been in recent years.

I have been referred to an endocrinologist and will do a blood test again just before I go, I suspect by then the results will be on a downward spiral again.

Helpful people on this forum suggested that I could have had an autoimmune attack on my thyroid which could result in a surge of hormones suggesting hyperthyroidism, which might only be temporary.

The NHS choices website also explains that you can have an acute attack of thyroiditis caused by either autoimmune issues or a viral attack which would produce the same effect.

Maybe this is what you experienced, I hope that might shed a light on your issues.

bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny

Hi and thank you for your reply, that’s the thing with auto immune diseases, they are so unpredictable, I can suffer a flare for no apparent reason which comes on really bad and then a few hours later, or the next day. It will calm down, my immune system decided which part of my body is the enemy and goes hell for leather, it’s so stupid. Coincidentally, the reason I was at the doctors when I was sent for the blood tests, I was suffering from a nasty bout of tonsillitis, I wonder if this is all related?

knitwitty profile image
knitwitty in reply to bexterjenny

If the thyroid info on the NHS choices website is anything to go by maybe the tonsillitis is the sort of viral infection that could induce the rush of hormones into the bloodstream which might indicate hyperthyroidism rather than hypothyroidism.

Good luck with your journey to good health!

jacky62 profile image
jacky62 in reply to bexterjenny

Hi bexterjenny, I've autoimmune thyroiditis too, some days I feel ok, but most of the time I'm hot, sweating, then cold, legs, feet, back, neck, hands and elbows painful, some days worse than others. It's early days for me, so I've yet to settle down on levo. My dose is now 75mcg. Autoimmune disease is horrible to live with, but all you can do is try to look after yourself. Nutrients are key I find. I know tiredness is a major problem, but I make myself exercise, I walk 20 miles per week, to and from work. It does help, although by the end of the day, I'm done.

Autoimmune problems can lead to higher incidence of infection if your white blood cell count is low, like mine.

Good luck, I'm sure you will receive very good advice on here.

Bonnieblyth profile image
Bonnieblyth

Im displaying the same hypo symptoms but bloods came back as hyper. Endo said it was sub clinical. I have had hypo symptoms for years but bloods always came back normal. I did have nodules in my left and right side of neck but not on thyroid which they said were benign. Last august i had open brain surgery for aneurysm and im still recovering however my voice went very hoarse and my hypo symptoms were bad and my gp could feel a growth on my thyroid hence referal to endo who said it was strange i was displaying hypo syms. Had scan and was supposed to have biopsy but was told they couldnt do a single biopsy as too many growths. Said it was a multi nodular goiter. Im back to see endo in june but not on any meds yet and not sure what to expect.

Ive just gone back to work on phased return but this combined with the neuro fatigue is making me want to throw the towel in. I could just cry with it all.

bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny in reply to Bonnieblyth

We can cry Together! You really have been through the wringer, I’m so sorry x

Bonnieblyth profile image
Bonnieblyth in reply to bexterjenny

Lets cry together while having pink gin xx Lets hope the world does not run out of pink gin.....i will def be destroyed then lol

bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny in reply to Bonnieblyth

Oooh have you tried the violet, it’s amazing! xx

Bonnieblyth profile image
Bonnieblyth in reply to bexterjenny

Yes i have and i like it but it doesnt like me it gives me heartburn lol

NtombiSA profile image
NtombiSA

Hi Bexterjenny....Please look at my recent post to Andy, where I also had both symptoms of hyper and hypo due to my inflamed thyroid. Good luck!

bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny in reply to NtombiSA

I will, thank you x

Starfish123 profile image
Starfish123

As I understand it you can get any of the symptoms of thyroid problems with either hyper or hypo they just occur more usually with one or the other.

Rmichelle profile image
Rmichelle

I have exactly the same-up and down as i have hashis and graves its a real pain in the ass. Im within so called clinical range but still feel very poorly some days edpecially when my thyroid swells, but i too have them symptons-hashi swing they are like a rollercoaster.😊😊

Hollyhock11 profile image
Hollyhock11

I'm waiting to speak to a doctor as I have all the symptoms of hypothyroidism but they got me tested for Giant Cell Arteritis, which the Rheumatologist says I don't have! Was put on steroids, so now have to taper off them! I've now been waiting since February for a proper diagnosis & it's really getting me down. Tried to get a same day doc appt today, phone engaged for 20 mins, got through to be told all appts gone! Grrrrr

bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny

Thanks to all for your replies, it’s really eye opening and somewhat disconcerting.

Well, I went into hospital today for my 8 weekly remicade infusion for my AS and spoke with my specialist nurse, taking my blood results with me and showing her my list of notes I had made, when I am due to see a private consultant on Monday.

She listened and understood my dismay and frustration. She took everything to see my Rheumatologist consultant who, in turn, contacted the registrar. I was told that the registrar was very surprised that my GP had put me on 20mg Carimazole after just one set of bloods and especially was relying on the results, when I was suffering from a bacterial infection. Sarah confirmed that the registrar advised that he didn’t conisder it to be a problem to come off the Carbimazole before my appointment on Monday. She said she was sorry that she couldn’t give me any answers and I did thank her very much as, in fact, just listening and understanding has gone some way. I certainly got the impression that the registrar didn’t want to go against what my GP had prescribed me but I was to come off the carbimazole.

Let’s see what Monday brings.

Thanks all x

Bonnieblyth profile image
Bonnieblyth in reply to bexterjenny

Let us know how you get on andgood luck xx

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35

Some cases of acute laryngitis, may, also trigger autoimmune thyroid attack as well. I'd definitely get all antibodies tested. Sensible to be off the carbimazole if you don't actually need it to lower TSH as it can reduce white blood cells too which is no good if you're fighting an infection. I recommend Neem and Tea Tree mouthwash gargles for your throat. Taking activated charcoal may help too - it seems to be good for oral health.

wellnessmama.com/247/activa...

bexterjenny profile image
bexterjenny

Well I saw a private endocrinologist yesterday, coincidentally he already had received a letter from my GP (how on earth she knew who I was seeing as I had made my own arrangements) and low and behold, she had put in her letter that she wasn't sure she had done the right thing by putting me on 20mg Carbimazole!

Anyhow I discussed all of my concerns to the consultant, with regard to all of my symptoms being the opposite of the diagnosis (having regard to what people had told me on here that you can display the same symptoms for both hyper and hypo) and I did not want to put weight on as I was conscious of the fact I have joint disease and weight gain is not good.

The consultant arranged for me to have blood tests there and then and he is going to call me, hopefully today.

He did say it could go one of three ways, either my thyroid has returned to normal, I may be hypo or I may be hyper but he didn't seem to think to any great degree. He also mentioned Hashimoto and Graves but only touched lightly on the subject.

I did ask if my results are normal what about the heart palpitations which are continuous and he said then it will be a referral to a cardio consultant or, Infliximab which I have by infusion on a 8 weekly basis for my AS, has been known to cause heart failure!

We shall wait and see ….

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