A couple of years ago I began to feel ill. I had some symptoms of an underactive thyroid such as weight gain, tiredness, brittle hair and nails and felt generally unwell. However I also had heart palpitations and felt shaky with some mood swings which seem to be indicative of an overactive thyroid.
I was diagnosed underactive and put on a low dose of Levothyroxine, (25mg), this was increased to 50mg after another blood test. Then was decreased back to 25mg a few months later. About 6 months ago my doctor told me to stop the medication completely as all my hormone levels were going haywire, indicating I was on too high a dose.
I stopped the Levo and feel fine now. No symptoms at all.
My doctor just rang me and has told me that my thyroid is now OVER active. He is going to start me on medication to counter this. But the whole thing seems a little odd to me.
I originally had symptoms of both over and underactive thyroid. The Levothyroxine, even at the lowest dose possible messed up all my hormone levels, and now things have gone totally the other way, yet I feel fine.
Has anyone else has these issues? Is it normal for things to fluctuate so much?
Is it possibly not my thyroid at all, but something different affecting my hormone levels and thyroid?
My doctor has said a number of times he will refer me to an endochrinologist but so far has not done so. Is this something I should push for?
I am quite confused about all this as I have heard of people having an overactive thyroid OR an underactive thyroid, but not both.
All my blood tests over the last couple of years have pointed to my thyroid being underactive. So why is it now overactive? I have asked my doctor but he does not seem to know.
Does anyone know if there are other things that can cause this? Certain foods? other medications? I started smoking again a few months ago. Could this be the cause?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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brightflare84
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What you describe can be indicative of autoimmune thyroid disease, aka Hashimoto's, which the thyroid is attacked and eventually destroyed, the antibodies fluctuate, affect hormone levels, can give symptoms of underactive and overactive thyroid.
Before you take any medication to counter any "overactive" symptoms, it is advisable to have full testing.
Thyroid antibodies for underactive - Hashimoto's:
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO)
Thyroglobulin (TG)
Thyroid antibodies for overactive - Graves:
Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI)
Thyroid Receptor Antibody test (TRAb)
If you post some of your previous results, with their reference ranges, say what dose of Levo you were on, we can try and make sense of them.
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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.
Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's or Graves
Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.
So it's important to get TPO and TG, for suspected Hashimoto's and TSI or TRab thyroid antibodies for Graves
First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can no longer charge for printing out, rules changed after May 25th 2018
I would just like to reassure you that if is not the levo that has caused this. Levo is not a drug that can mess things up. It is a hormone - T4. It is used to replace the hormone that your thyroid can no-longer make enough of, and your doctor was right to start you on it - although 50 might have been a better starting dose. But, you doctor obviously knows nothing about thyroid. Not many of them do.
I'd also like to point out that palpitations, shakiness and mood swings can also be hypo symptoms.
I was tested for underactive thyroid, results were "normal" but insisted on antibody tests which showed up hashimotos hypothyroid. Was prescribed levothyroxine 50mg then eventually 75mg. Made no difference, then gp took me off it altogether as he said I had become overactive!
Referred to endo who did blood test with antibodies which showed graves disease which is had 15 years ago. Has left me for a few months, now have blood test today then endo appt on Monday to see how levels are before they decide what to do next, last time she was talking about RAI treatment which I am not keen on, wondered if anyone has any views on this? Used to take carbimozole previously when I was overactive and seemed ok?
I used to work with someone who veered from under to over active for a couple of years but has been fine for the last decade. I don't recall she ever got an explanation for it. Sorry probably not very helpful .... But it isn't just you !
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