Fourth opinion(s): Hi there folks. Poss have... - Thyroid UK

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Fourth opinion(s)

Supertoughfish profile image
9 Replies

Hi there folks. Poss have hyper. Just looking for some answers because doctors have not been v helpful.

Resting pulse about 100. Exp 90% of the typical symptoms (eat 4,000+ kcals a day & lose weight, light sensitive, constant fatigue, etc).

Many symptoms I've had forever which I thought were normal. But the last 3 months I have developed a lot more. I used to be a cross country runner, but I got breathless walking to the surgery. Never had fatigue but some days it has me feeling like I've been hit by a truck. I've always been a happy optimistic person but now have super negative thoughts & the anxiety & paranoia is so bad. I sat next to an empty seat on the train with a black duffel bag & phone charger & had a panic attack because I thought it was a bomb.

I hate to be sensational - but something is wrong with me.

TSH - 0.7 (0.2 - 4.2)

T4 - 24.6 (10 - 22)

Seen three GPs. One theorized I was trending towards hyper but said come back in 2 months. Did not want to diagnose me with anything.

Another said I was fine because TSH was in range. He was offended at my referral request because it would waste NHS resources over my "internet rabbit hole adventures".

The third was totally uninterested. Except when I politely informed him I will be going private. In fact he was so apathetic that he looked stunned when I held out my hand - it was like looking at an alien who had no concept of human handshakes.

From reading here my plan is to order to full range of blood work & then get some more feedback.

Thanks in advance friends.

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Supertoughfish
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9 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Supertoughfish

Before jumping to any conclusions about possibly being hyperthyroid, get full thyroid testing:

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

Tg antibodies

TPO and Tg antibodies are the usual tests for Hashimoto's - autoimmune thyroid disease which is where the immune system attacks the thyroid and gradually destroys it. Levels fluctuate, as can symptoms, and Hashi's tends to start off with a hyper episode before going hypo, and then can swing between them both.

To be diagnosed with Graves disease (hyperthyroid) you would need positive results for TSI and TRAb antibody tests.

Supertoughfish profile image
Supertoughfish in reply to SeasideSusie

Thanks for your rapid response! Yes, I have ordered a blood test kit for what you mention & more.

I just wanted some confirmations that it's 'not nothing', which is what was conveyed to me by my doctors.

In a way I would be relieved & happy to know there is a cause (that can be treated) as to why I do not feel like a normal human being.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Supertoughfish

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges

Low vitamin levels can cause symptoms in their own right, or affect Thyroid

Anxiety is common symptom of being both hypothyroid or hyperthyroid

vocalEK profile image
vocalEK in reply to Supertoughfish

What the doctors are really telling you is this: "I am too incompetent to diagnose what's wrong with you, but it would be embarrassing to admit that. Therefore I will gaslight you and tell you that there is nothing wrong with you."

Mama196 profile image
Mama196

Sorry to hear it, I can’t really help but also have anxiety which may or may not be thyroid linked (I suspect it is) and it’s exhausting in itself and feels hideous. I hope you get some relief soon .

Supertoughfish profile image
Supertoughfish in reply to Mama196

Your kind words are most appreciated! Really.

I hope you confirm your suspicions. As bad as it is, it's much better TO KNOW there's something definitive wrong so that it can be treated. The worst part is multiple doctors basically saying "you're fine - stop bothering us".

Greekchick profile image
Greekchick in reply to Supertoughfish

Wishing you good luck, supertoughfish! I was borderline hyperthyroid for 25 years with symptoms similar to yours and developed Graves 2 years ago. I had a TT 6 months ago.

Once you get a diagnosis and should you have hyperthyroidism, I’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have if I can help. Just post here again. All the best.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

Do testing for iron and ferritin - this test is a good one if you live in the UK :

medichecks.com/iron-tests/i...

You can get 10% off the price with a voucher code :

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

Low iron can lead to tachycardia (fast heart rate) and arrhythmia (irregular heart beat). It can also impact mood very badly, in my personal experience. It also causes dreadful fatigue.

...

Test for low Vitamin B12 (preferably the Active B12 test rather than serum vitamin B12) and low folate.

Low B12 and low folate are common. For a list of possible symptoms, see this link :

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

b12deficiency.info/media/10...

...

Test for low vitamin D.

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

...

Having low levels of any of the minerals and vitamins listed above are common in people with thyroid problems, but they are also common in the population generally, too. Having a result for any of the above that is in range is NOT the same as optimal. What is optimal depends on the nutrient being tested, so if you get these tested post your results and reference ranges in a new post and ask for feedback.

HLAB35 profile image
HLAB35

Could be Hashi's or Grave's - so, like you say, it's best to do full bloodwork. It's good that you're really going for it in catching it early, because you'll be properly forewarned and the doctors won't mess up making the wrong diagnosis.

I agree with the comments above that feelings of paranoia and anxiety can be down to low vitamins and minerals affecting your brain. Magnesium is a natural sedative (it also works very well with p5p which is a form of b6 that I particularly like). As the doctors won't test for Magnesium levels properly* you may like to try some** as soon as you want. You'll need it anyway if you have low vitamin d levels (see second link).

*Serum Magnesium tests are useless which is covered in this article explaining the benefits of supplementing magnesium for anxiety.

** Also mentioned in the article are the 'best' forms of Magnesium - some are rubbish!

bebrainfit.com/magnesium-an...

easy-immune-health.com/magn...

Also

for panic attacks it is definitely worth not hyperventilating as it just compounds the problem. This breathing technique is good as it concentrates the mind on controlled, steady slow breaths out.

breathe in for a count of 4

_ _ _ _

hold it for 7

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

breathe out for a count of 8

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

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