Hyperthyroidism. Strange side affects, anyone ... - Thyroid UK

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Hyperthyroidism. Strange side affects, anyone else with the same? Also has anyone tried CBD oil to alleviate symptoms?

headtheball profile image
25 Replies

Hi All,

I am newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. I live in Spain so I am not sure if the blood analysis is the same but here are my results

T3 14.69 should be within 2.02 - 4.43

T4 3.19 should be within .85 - 1.71

Thyrotropin < .0010 should be within .400 - 5.0

I was started on carbimazol 20mg and it appears to be working. as my results dropped within 1 month to the following:

T3 5.57 should be within 2.02 - 4.43

T4 1.58 should be within .85 - 1.71

Thyrotropin < .0010 should be within .400 - 5.0

Problem for me is that I am starting to feel really bad again. I have some very strange symptoms too:

My thumbs are extremely painful, the joints click and I can't use them. Doctor maintains that it is nothing to do with thyroid but I think it started when I took the medication.

My right eyelid is flickering almost on a constant basis. This is part of the thyroid problem but the doctor has no way of sorting it for me.

I have many hot flushes throughout the day and night.

So I am wondering if any of you have these symptoms and if yes, have you come up with any ways to alleviate them? Also, has anyone tried CBD oil to help with hyperthyroidism.

I will be seeing a specialist in April but it appears that I just have to live with these annoying side affects until then.

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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headtheball
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25 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

You should not have been put on carbi before antibodies were tested. Are those all the results you have? You need to know if you have Grave's or Hashi's. Carbimazole is the treatment for Grave's, it is not appropriate for Hashi's. If you are taking the wrong treatment, that could be responsible for the symptoms you're experiencing.

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to greygoose

Thanks for the information, I had no idea about antibodies. I will ask them to check for this. They put me on Carbimazole in the accidents & emergencies because I was in a pretty bad state with racing heart, high blood pressure, etc.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to headtheball

OK, but your levels weren't that high in the tests posted above. Where they the ones done in the A&E?

The antibodies needed are:

TSI or TRAB for Grave's

TPO and Tg antibodies for Hashi's

You need to be tested for both, as it could possibly be either.

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to greygoose

I was in another country when I ended up in A&E and never got to see the results. The Dr came out and told me that I had a hyperthyroid and prescribed me with the tablets. My sister had just died suddenly so I wasn't in the best place, probably the stress had brought my problem to the fore. I had gone for a blood test in Spain (the above first results) before I ended up in A&E. Maybe they spiked in the A&E because of the stress.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to headtheball

So, when were the above tests done? How long had you been on carbi at the time they were done?

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to greygoose

The first one, I wasn't on any medication and the second one, I was one month on Carbimazol

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to headtheball

OK, so they really weren't that high to begin with. Not sure they indicate Grave's. Of course the carbi is working, it stops your thyroid producing thyroid hormone. But, that still doesn't mean you have Grave's. I really do think you need to get your antibodies tested to make sure you're on the right medication. :)

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to greygoose

Graves disease has never been mentioned, I was told that I had a goiter and hiperthyroidism. I am glad to hear that my readings are not high, I have no idea about these readings. I will make sure to question the consultant about antibodies. Thank you so much, you have put my mind at ease.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to headtheball

Well, carbi is the treatment for Grave's. If you don't have Grave's then you shouldn't be taking it.

I didn't say your readings weren't high, they're obviously over-range, I said they weren't that high. Not high enough to be Grave's, but could be Hashi's, which starts with a 'hyper' phase. If you do have Hashi's, the levels will come down by themselves, and eventually you will become hypo.

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to greygoose

Thanks for that, so it seems that the Doctor in A&E and my GP are giving me carbi to bring down my levels until a specialist can diagnose the reason for my levels.

So I will go armed with all the information that you have given me and hopefully get to the bottom of my problem. Fingers crossed

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to headtheball

I hope so, too. :)

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to greygoose

Gracias

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s (hypothyroid autoimmune thyroid disease) .

Plus very important to test TSI or Trab antibodies before assuming these results are Graves’ disease (hyperthyroid)

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid phase and is frequently misdiagnosed as Graves’ disease

Link about antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have Hashimoto’s or Graves

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If you come back to UK ......

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

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 primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's.

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's and Graves. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten.

So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s and a TSI or Trab antibodies for Graves’ disease at least once .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Private testing for suspected Graves - TSI or TRab antibodies

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to SlowDragon

I am now so happy that I have asked advice because now I can go with knowledge to my consultant. Also, I have a blood test next Monday so I will make sure not to eat or drink beforehand.

I will make a list of all the details and bring it with me. I started taking B12 supplements a couple of days ago so hopefully that will help me.

Thanks so much for all your advice.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to headtheball

Good you are taking B12 - which brand and how much ? Were you tested beforehand ?

Testing Folate/B9 is important as B12 and B9 work together in the body in an important way. B12 is good above 500 and Folate mid range.

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to Marz

Hi Marz, I am taking solaray (probably a Spanish brand) and just one a day. I started this myself as over the years, I tend to have issues with B12. I haven't had a check done on my vitamin levels yet but I will request this. Many thanks for the information.

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to headtheball

It's from the US and is 2000mcg per tablet. I checked on-line 😎 Too late to test now as results will be skewed. Have you ever tested B12 as you say you had problems in the past. I only ask as the dose is usually based on results. What were your symptoms ?

A good B Complex will give you Folats and keep all the B's in balance.

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to Marz

Lots of blisters in my mouth is normally when Doctors tell me I need to take vitamin B12 supplements. There have been other occasions throughout my life that Doctors would tell me to take B12, just can't remember now why! I am normally very healthy with no problems. I will go through all this with the consultant when I visit. God love him/her, I will be armed with so much information

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to headtheball

You should also rule out Pernicious Anaemia. Hopefully consultant will know about it. Are you vegetarian ? Gut issues ?

I have a B12 issue and self-inject weekly. I have just returned from Greece after 15 years where I could buy OTC - Perhaps it is the same in Spain. Very cheap - 3 phials and 3 syringes for around 5 euro.

There is a website for the Pernicious Anaemia Society and a PAS Forum here. Good places to read and learn more.

Jacs profile image
Jacs in reply to Marz

Hi Marz, how do folate and B12 work together? I ask because my mum is on 100 thyroxine but recently her folate was showing in test as very low, though her B12 was fairly good. Doc wasn’t concerned so i haven’t got her supplements, but now i’m thinking I should 🤔 b complex or folate alone?

Thanks

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Jacs

B12 and Folate/Folic Acid work together in the body to produce red blood cells and aid iron function. Red blood cells transport oxygen around the body by sticking to iron in the cells.

Also involved in production of SAME - good for immune function.

Make sure your Mum obtains her results with ranges for B12 and Folate before supplementing. B12 good around 500+ and Folate mid-range. Once you have the results start a new post for advice.

You can use the internet - search - B12 and Folate work together. Lots of reading !

Apologies OP !

Jacs profile image
Jacs in reply to Marz

Thank you Marz. You’re right about internet of course so apologies for asking - the really knowledgeable people like yourself put it all in context which is so helpful

Marz profile image
Marz in reply to Jacs

Oh gosh no need to apologise - happy to help. Thought you may wish for further information !

humanbean profile image
humanbean

My right eyelid is flickering almost on a constant basis.

Personal anecdote : I've had this issue many, many times in the past. I haven't had a problem with this since I started supplementing magnesium and the problem went away. I also think that low potassium and/or low iron could be implicated.

headtheball profile image
headtheball in reply to humanbean

That is interesting, I will try some supplements. It is such a small thing but as you know it is soooo irritating. Thanks for that

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