hyperthyroidism

[Mum1988]

Hyperthyroidism has returned. Im taking 10mg of carbimazol , twice a day and 80mg of proponolol. Still struggling with heart palpations, weight loss , mood swings, upset tummy, hair loss etc. Anyone else found this? I have graves disease and considering surgery!

[greygoose]

What exactly does that mean 'hyperthyroidism has returned'? Have you had a blood test? If so, what were the the results?

[Mum1988 in reply to greygoose]

Hey. Originally the consultant thought it was due to pregnancy and after pregnancy it settled. So Medicine was no longer needed. But the last couple of months it has come back. I am unsure of the result. I think it was 39.

[greygoose in reply to Mum1988]

Sorry, but what was 39? All tests have names, and there are a lot of tests, so we need to know the name. Ask your doctor's receptionist for a print-out of your last results - it's something you should do every time you have a blood test so that you know what's going on.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

The carbimazole will take some time to right your thyroid levels & the propranolol will help relieve your symptoms until they do. Your symptoms are all very common with hyperthyroidism.

Were you advised if the propranolol was temporary? My specialist told me to stop taking my 120g daily dose abruptly, but it must be reduced slowly when you don’t need it anymore.

When were you hyperthyroid before?

What medication did you have then & how long a remission before symptoms returned?

Have you had your graves confirmed with a antibody tests?

There are 4 different ones:

Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) and Thyroglobulin (Tg) for Hashimoto's (this can start with transient hyperthyroidism but ultimately results in under active)

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) and TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) for Graves’ disease.

Graves can only be confirmed with TSI or TRAb antibodies testing positive

Do you have a repeat test arranged, usually around 6 weekly? Ensure you are dosed by FT4 & FT3 and not TSH alone. The TSH takes longer to respond.

The NHS usually allows 18 months of anti thyroid medication before encouraging a definitive solution. Radioactive iodine is offered as first option as the NHS deem it the most straightforward treatment, then surgery if not suitable eg If you are planning pregnancy of have a very young family. Both options are highly likely to result in hypothyroidism.

Before considering surgery obtain a copy of any previous results you have had. (ask for an actual print out as you need the ranges which differ depending on the lab). You need to know what’s been tested as GPs do not always do a full thyroid function or test key nutrients or antibodies. Then post on here.

These are the test results you need

TSH

FT4

FT3

Ferritin

Folate

Vitamin D

B12

TPO

Trab or TSI

[HLAB35]

Try taking some L-carnitine- the amino acid. It can slow down and regulate thyroid hormone uptake in the cells to avoid big surges. It has proven to work alongside carbimazole. It also helps metabolize fat (you mentioned weight loss).

Vegetarians and vegans don't consume much carnitine in their diets, so it's often worthwhile supplementing.

[jayney08]

Hi Mum1988 how are you now? Interested as I've been off the Carbimazole for 7 months. The last few weeks have started to experience mild symptoms that may mean I'm going towards being over again. I wanted to ask you when you went back to the doctor to go back to your Endo how did you know was there a specific symptom that made you realise?