Please help.

[Thatravers]

Reading about hyperthyroid and anxiety. Seriously?! My head is about to explode with anxiety about being told I have this but not having any information. Less than a week ago, bloods came back and gp spoke to endocrinologist who diagnosed me as hyperthyroid and I’m taking medication. I have no idea what the hell is going on. Just seeing all sorts of acronyms and things that I don’t understand and feel really tearful. I just feel so ill and have no faith in the health system. Nobody has explained anything to me. I’ve just been put on drugs.

Also, people talk about bone density, gluten intolerance and other related issues. How do I get all of this checked?

[fuchsia-pink]

It's tricky isn't it. But you're doing the right thing by reading up on your condition yourself - most doctors do very very little about thyroid in their training, and the vast majority of endos are diabetes specialists, rather than thyroid guys.

Suggest you have a good rootle around the Thyroid UK site - they have nice clear explanations - and look at helvella 's excellent glossary - look at "posts" above and then "pinned posts"- to get to grips with all the jargon.

The people here are kind and knowledgeable, so if you post your last blood results [and ranges] they can help you decipher them, We need the lab ranges as these vary from lab to lab. You are legally entitled to your blood results - say you want them "for my records" if they ask why. Some people find it easiest to get them on-line; others through the receptionist.

Good luck x

[Thatravers in reply to fuchsia-pink]

Thanks for your kind words. I’m really upset and baffled. Yesterday, I posted the bloods I have just had done that triggered all of this. They are available on Patient Access. Still don’t know what they mean, other than I should have had more done.

Thanks for the advice about ranges - I wonders why somebody asked me about that yesterday.

[pennyannie]

Hey there again

You have increased your anxiety by trying to read and given yourself information overload :

Please take the medication prescribed by your doctor and give it time to work, and you will start to calm down :

You are currently not in the right head space : No disrespect intended - but I've been there and got the T shirt :

Turn off and tune out :

[Thatravers in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks. That made me smile! Not feeling myself at all and feel like my world is falling apart. I’ve just completed a horrible four week skin cancer treatment and was looking forward to feeling ok again and having some fun - Covid permitting!

[Lora7again]

When I was told by my Endocrinologist that I had Graves' 10 years ago I went home and googled about it. All these horrible pictures popped up with people with enormous goiters and protruding eyes and I was horrified I would end up the same. I was really obsessed with my eyes and one kept twitching and started to bulge slightly. However I think I must have seen extreme cases of people who hadn't undergone any treatment and I thankfully I don't have a large goiter or TED. Do research your condition because knowledge is power and I joined loads of sites in the US including Elaine Moore's which is full of information. The ladies on these sites were very helpful and showed told me what had worked for them. Some of the advice was not so helpful like certain remedies for my extreme hair loss. I have been lucky because I still have my thyroid even though it is full of nodules but I have regular ultra-sounds and none of them look suspicious so far. One thing I do know is that stress can make my condition worse and I do try to keep calm even though we are all going through a stressful time in the UK. As long as you have regular blood tests and make sure you are monitored properly you will be ok. The one thing I am glad I didn't do was have my thyroid removed or have RAI. This was the first thing that my Endocrinologist suggested and I am glad I didn't take his advice because you can struggle to get the correct treatment afterwards.

[Thatravers in reply to Lora7again]

Thanks. I just need some simple explanations And to understand what my bloods mean - thyroid language is alien to me right now. I won’t be letting anyone take my thyroid away!

[Lora7again in reply to Thatravers]

I knew nothing about thyroid disease until I started to google my symptoms. Infact my GP knew nothing about it either and said I was suffering from the menopause, for over 2 years I was left untreated. You can read my story on my profile page if you are interested.

[Thatravers in reply to Lora7again]

Yes, will have a look. 😊