New thyroid sufferer

[Miishl]

I was diagnosed hyperthyroid 8 weeks ago.

Since then aswell as carbimazole 40mg I’ve now been prescribed levothyroxine 100mg.

Why am I now piling weight on? I didn’t lose any with the hyper. It’s really getting me down.

[Marz]

Do you have any test results you could share ? Ranges too. How were you diagnosed as Hyper ? Seems as if you have gone Hypo - hence the Levo.

How are you feeling ?

[Miishl in reply to Marz]

All I know is my thyroid started at 37 hence the hyper diagnosis. I think I have Graves aswell looking at all the symptoms, rash on shins, poppy eyes, sweating etc, then 25, now 16. I’ve stopped shaking and my heart rate is better thanks to beta blockers.

I’m waiting for Endo appointment but on a waiting list.

I can’t sleep and haven’t done for weeks and am getting really bad headaches.

At doctors next week so will ask for print out of all my bloods as I can see so many people post this info.

[Marz in reply to Miishl]

Yes good idea to always have copies of your results with ranges - they are legally yours ! It is good to monitor your own progress and to check what has been missed. Make sure you know which anti-bodies have been tested to confirm Graves - as some people have been mid-diagnosed. Check to see your levels of FT4 and FT3 too ...

So sorry you are feeling so rotten and shocking you have to wait to see an Endo. Stay in touch with the Forum and others who know more than me will be along soon to help. Am wondering how your vitamin levels are and how is your diet. All may seem inconsequential but also could help a little ...

[Miishl in reply to Marz]

Thank you, it’s good to feel you are not alone!

[Valarian in reply to Miishl]

There are two basic approaches to antithyroid therapy for Graves' , 'titration', which involves gradually reducing the dose of medication over 12-18 month as thyroid levels come down, and 'block and replace', in which natural thyroid production is 'blocked' throughout treatment, while Levothyroxine is provided to 'replace' what your body should have produced. Typically this lasts 12 months. In both cases, the objective is to see if you can achieve remission.

There are pros and cons of both approaches, but apparently no difference in eventual outcomes. Each clinic appears to have its preference (although B&R is unsuitable if you are pregnant).

btf-thyroid.org/information...

Are you having regular blood tests ? Antibody tests will confirm Graves', although if your 'poppy eyes' turn out to be Thyroid Eye Disease, that would also be confirmation.

btf-thyroid.org/information...

Not sure about the weight gain, that could be a number of things. If you didn't lose weight before, maybe you began eating more, or eating differently ? Moister foods tend to contain more fat or sugar, so probably more calories too. Are you exercising less ? It isn't a good idea to over-do things, but it might be part of the explanation.