Hyperthyroidism headaches

[Pippydoodles]

Morning, I haven't posted for a while, been doing OK. For the last few weeks I've been living with a virtually constant headache. I don't normally suffer with headaches at all? Could this be something to do with my graves/meds? I'm currently on 10mg carbimazole. My latest results were ft4 7.7, ft3 3.5 and TSH 2.71. I was on 20mg and that was when she dropped it to 10mg. I've been on meds now for 14 months and my TSH stayed at 0.03 for 12 months of that, finally moving up to 2.71 in may. I'm wondering if it may have gone too high now? Would that cause these headaches? I've got another blood test next week and an endo appt the week after but would like your opinions please, Thankyou all xx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

We need the ranges on those results, but FT4 looks extremely low and TSH too high

Headaches are common hypothyroid symptom

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with Graves' disease or Hashimoto's

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Ask GP to test vitamin levels this week

Thyroid needs retesting 6-8 weeks after carbimazole reduction

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Helps many with Graves

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet




(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)




Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

[Pippydoodles in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankyou slowdragon, I did try gluten free for 3 months a while back and it didn't make any difference to me so I don't think that's a problem. I have noticed that my weight has been creeping up again though and my legs are so damn tired so I'm thinking it's probs time to change dosage. I will ask for ranges as well as results next time I go, thanks again xx

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Pippydoodles]

Ask GP to test vitamin levels and always get actual results and ranges on every blood test

Easiest option is to register for online access to your medical record including blood test results

Keep good record of how you felt at each test and medication you are on

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I have hyper caused by a nodule not Graves & suffer with headaches too.

Were you on any other medication? It’s commonplace for a beta blocker to be prescribed to relieve palpations, ideally temporarily.

I ask because mine were affected by the propranolol I was given.

Prior to diagnosis I was having headaches. I began taking carbimazole and propranolol and my headaches went away. When the propranolol was stopped abruptly by the hospital doctor, I had a constant headache for weeks! Worse than before. The gp said propranolol protects again migraines and put me back on them, and they went away again. I have very slowly lowered the dose but still taking it.

[Pippydoodles in reply to PurpleNails]

Hmm I have got boxes of propanol given to wme when I was first diagnosed. I took them for a short time but didn't carry on with them as didn't feel they helped. Maybe I'll ask Dr if I should start taking

[jgelliss]

I experienced headaches and head pressure with high FT4 . Before my prep for RAI I was totally off T4 and was dosing with synthetic T3 and experienced terrible headaches too . I would suggest that if your on the right dose and continue to experience headaches you might want to switch to a different thyroid brands and see if that resolves your symptoms .

[Pippydoodles in reply to jgelliss]

Will see how levels are at next appt. I think something has to change for sure, Thankyou xx

[Valarian]

didi you ever have Graves' antibody tests (TRAb or TSI ?)

[Pippydoodles in reply to Valarian]

Yes I did, they don't test antibodies at every blood test but they have done a few. I can't tell you what the numbers were but they are coming down xx