I think I have an overactive thyroid. Symptoms ... - Thyroid UK

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I think I have an overactive thyroid. Symptoms geting worse :(

ItsBenji90 profile image
12 Replies

Im currently waiting to do a blood test - 2 weeks from now. I've been googling my symptoms and it all seems to point towards Hyperthyroidism which feels likely (gotta wait for bloods tho).

Symtoms have gotten a lot worse over the past 2 days. I feel jittery/sickly/light headed typing this. I live on my own and im pretty scared I can barely look after myself.

I have eaten so much today but I feel as if ive eaten nothing. Like malnourished. I am always fatigued, losing weight uncontrollably. Feel sweaty andd hot occasionally. I dont know what I should do, what i should be eating. If i pass out no-one will know.

Im posting here because Im starting to struggle.

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ItsBenji90
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SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

ItsBenji90

Is this an NHS test with your GP?

If so then when you've had the test, give it 2 or 3 days and ask the receptionist at your surgery for a print out of your results (don't ask the doctor, they don't like it). In the UK we are legally entitled to our test results without question or charge. Then post your results, along with their reference ranges, on the forum for comment.

If you are given a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and a prescription for Carbimazole, you really need to have thyroid antibody tests done first before starting the medication, you should only take Carbimazole if you have positive TSI or TRAb antibody test results. There are two types of autoimmune thyroid disease, one which causes hypERthyroidism and one which causes hypOthyroidism but that often starts with a hypER episode. We can explain more, if necessary, when we've seen your results.

ItsBenji90 profile image
ItsBenji90 in reply toSeasideSusie

yeah nhs test. I will post back with the results then. thanks

fuchsia-pink profile image
fuchsia-pink in reply toItsBenji90

With my last blood test (early on in lock-down) I asked for the results - in writing - via the receptionist before I left the surgery as communications with the surgery were quite restricted at that point.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

Whatever your problem is, assuming it is thyroid-related, even if your GP can't prescribe anti-thyroid drugs like Carbimazole (yet), you should ask for a prescription for beta blockers, if one isn't offered, to help slow your heart down if it is going nuts. A very fast heart rate is exhausting, and makes it incredibly difficult to sleep.

There are other possibilities for the symptoms you describe, but thyroid certainly sounds most likely.

Wetsuiter profile image
Wetsuiter

are you 'waiting' cos yiu cant get an appointmt? I d be inclined to speak to Dr and day you re struggling.

I ve seen on here that people have been told they cant have 'routine'tests, but if you re not well, it s not routine

ItsBenji90 profile image
ItsBenji90 in reply toWetsuiter

Waiting because they say its the earliest they can do. Rang all the places in my area and they say theyare booked up for tests. I will ring the docs again if i still get worse then. Barely slept in a while my body feels like it goes in overdrive!

Worth noting i take 20mg amitriptyline for sleeping problems

deancat profile image
deancat

You are probably already doing this but try to avoid anything with caffeine in. The occasional tea I coped with but coffee really upset my heart especially if drinking later in the day. I also found that I needed to avoid chocolate, alcohol, fizzy drinks and for some reason Pontefract cake type liquorice.

Are they doing any heart related tests i.e. ECG?

I was also told by the doctors that if the symptoms really worsened to go to A&E to check out what was going on.

Good luck and hope you are feeling better soon.

ItsBenji90 profile image
ItsBenji90

Still ticking. But holy sh** this is hard to cope. I can barely work and anxiety is through the roof. All my family think its just anxiety on its own but I feel my body is completely out of wack. Feel as if I'm gonna pass out if I dont eat every couple of hours or so. Even lying down trying to nap feels like the most exhausting task ever, how does that even work!

Cant wait to feel better, feel desperate right now.

PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator in reply toItsBenji90

Where I am, the 2 local hospitals have phlebotomy clinics where you can just turn up and wait in line for blood test, you will need your blood form from the GP. I usually make an appointment at a evening one, but the hours have reduced due to Covid. Have you checked this option?

Do you know what the GP plans to test and have they said they suspect overactive thyroid? Your symptoms do sound like it.

You don’t sound well. Have you considered going to A&E? Especially as you are alone and feel like you could pass out.

Failing that phone 111 for advice, they have quite detailed procedures and algorithms to adhere to and it could flag up a symptom confirming you need urgent assistance.

ItsBenji90 profile image
ItsBenji90 in reply toPurpleNails

There was a clinic by me that was like that but its all appointments now post covid.

Fortunately today at least so far have been a very good day! Complete 180 from what I was feeling yesterday. I've cut out dairy today (as a stab in the dark at maybe lactose intolerance or something) and I've felt a lot more lively, still more hunger than usual but I'm a lot more funtional :)

I still have my thurs morning bloods appointment. They are testing:

Bone profile, full blood count, fasting glucose, liver function, renal profile, thyroid function test TSH, cortisol, ESR.

Valarian profile image
Valarian

It does sound like hyperthyroid, although symptoms alone aren’t always a reliable guide.

For now, be kind to yourself. So long as you are still losing weight, eat when you need to, but try to stick to a healthy balanced diet and normal mealtimes so far as you can, as this will make it easier to get back into good habits as your thyroid levels drop. I was most likely to feel really faint when I was out and about, and found 10 mins sitting down with a latte or cappuccino (both of which I’d previously detested) would get me back on my feet.

Take the rest you need. I found I could just about be active for half the day, but if I sat down on my bed while taking shoes off when I returned home, I would often just curl up in a ball and go to sleep. If you are hyper, your metabolism will be running much faster than usual, this can be very exhausting.

Try not to worry too much (I know that’s asking the impossible !) because stress will make your symptoms worse. Try to find a way of dealing with this ... yoga, meditation, listening to music, spending time in the garden... Anxiety is itself a symptom of the condition, you may be able to alleviate it a bit, but it won’t go away until you get treatment.

Assuming you are hyperthyroid, you may not start to feel really better until you’ve been on treatment for 4-8 weeks, and your symptoms may even get worse in the short term - but you will get there; for many of us here, what you are going through is just a nasty memory now. Not sure how beta blockers play with amitriptylene, but they can often take the edge off the worst symptoms while you are waiting for the anti-thyroid treatment to take full effect, so as @Humanbean says, it may be worth discussing with your GP.

ItsBenji90 profile image
ItsBenji90 in reply toValarian

Thanks, yeah I'm trying to eat much more healthy food than I normally would. As I posted above I've felt much better today cutting out dairy (usually start the day with cereal).

I have weekly councillor sessions now over the phone who will hopefully help with the anxiety problem.

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