newly diagnosed Thyroid issue

[Bruno2019]

Hi all , just been diagnosed with over active thyroid , put on carbimazole tabs once daily, a month ago , feeling so so exhausted 😴 is this normal ? Awaiting hospital appoint 19th July...kind regards

[Wetsuiter]

similar reply to the one ive just given someone else, so I ll copy and paste

When you had your blood test a month ago, what were the results (inc reference interval)?

Hopefully you have results of

TSH

Free T4

Free T3

Any antibodies

Those results might give a starting point for members to ask further questions, and give info.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease

Very important to test TSI or Trab antibodies for Graves

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common with both Hashimoto’s and Graves

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin

medichecks.com/products/thy...

Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays

Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Can be slightly raised with Graves’ disease

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Link about Graves’ disease

thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

Add any results you have already

Ask GP to do thyroid and vitamin testing ready for your consultation on 19th

[Marz]

As you were diagnosed by your GP it is possible you were mis-diagnosed - something we do see here quite often. This is why it is SO important to know what was tested - especially anti-bodies. You could have Hashimotos - so the carbimazole would be the wrong treatment.

[Lora7again]

If you are feeling exhausted you might need to reduce your medication so you really need a blood test to see what your levels are.

Here is a link about Carbimazole

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/carbim...

Also have a look at Elaine Moore's site she helped me a lot when I was first diagnosed.

elaine-moore.com/

[Valarian]

Whatever the cause of your overactive thyroid, it is causing various systems in your body to run much faster than usual, so exhaustion is a very common symptom - or sometimes, periods of frantic activity (which may leave those around you feeling exhausted !) followed by complete collapse. You may feel breathless walking up a single flight of stairs, and if you crouch down on the floor to pick something up you may find your thigh muscles no longer work as they did a few weeks ago. It can be awful, but should hopefully pass as your thyroid levels come down.

There is useful information here: thyroiduk.org/hyperthyroid-...

[pennyannie]

Hello Bruno

There are two main reasons why the thyroid becomes overactive, and both diseases start off with a hyper phase.

Carbimazole is an anti thyroid drug and prescribed if you have a diagnosis of Graves Disease so can you please confirm back that you have an antibody blood test confirming either a TSI - ( stimulating ) and or a TR ab ( Blocking ) positive blood test result.

There is also Hashimoto's and this auto immune disease also attacks the thyroid but this phase of this disease is transient, and should not be treated with anti thyroid medication.

[Blitzen50]

Hi

I have been on carbimazole for 7 months now and haven’t noticed exhaustion from the drug itself ( more from life in general!) With an OA thyroid you need to keep your pace of life slow and calm because your system is working much faster than usual. I noticed your age on your profile and wondered whether the menopause may have anything to do with you feeling tired? My OA thyroid kicked off exactly the same time as the menopause, so double whammy of symptoms.

You have an appointment on the 19th so hopefully your endocrinologist can review your medication and advise.