Carbizamole

[debbiejayn]

Hi..Have been taking Carbizamole for about 4 months.Now on a maintenance dose of 10mg per day..For the last 3 weeks I have had cold symptoms and cataarh..also a stye on my eye ( not sure where from as havnt been anywhere!). The last few days I have been feeling cold and light headed..also slightly nauseous Is this just anxiety(I have a lot going on with family..). or are these symptoms enough to get my white cell count checked.?thanks D..x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Think you need to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done

Were TSI or Trab antibodies tested to confirm Graves dose

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

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

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, with Hashimoto’s or Graves’ disease

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)

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 antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

Graves Disease antibodies test

medichecks.com/products/tsh...

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-...

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

Debbie : Have you now got copies of the blood test results and can we see which antibodies were over range and positive when diagnosed ?

I'm not aware of a post confirming back any antibody blood tests - have I missed one ?

[Lalatoot]

I would be more concerned about thyroid hormone levels. These are symptoms I get when my body is out of sync. Usually when my hormones are too low.It could be that you need a reduction in carbi. My final dose was 5mcg per day.

Or it could be thay you are hypo and not hyper.

Did you get antibodies tested to confirm Graves?

Are you aware that hypothyroidism can start with a hyper phase which can be mistaken for Graves?

[debbiejayn in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks all..thought I had replied but didnt seem to work..As far as I know Endo had results to confirm Graves..He was happy with my thyroid results following initial treatment..I am due my blood tests to monitor but as my husband has had a Cancer Op we have been shielding so havnt chased it up..I'm very grateful to those of you who are very knowledgeable ..I will get all the tests done as recommended...I've also got facial flushing which I have had before but not sure if that's to do with Thyroid..I shall try not to panic..(which I do) and call my GP in the morning..Thanks again.D.x

[ling in reply to debbiejayn]

Sorry to hear u are going through so much right now. Your stress levels must be through the roof : (

If u are able to easily get a copy of all your results, that would be great. Confirmation of Graves should be in the positive Graves antibodies results, specifically TRAb or TSI. TPO results are also useful.

Looking over your previous posts, I don't think you've had a blood test in a long while. Please have one done. U could have gone hypo. The carbimazole may need to be titrated.

Best wishes.

[debbiejayn in reply to ling]

Thankyou..Yes I am very stressed!..I called my GP this morning and the doctor is ringing me later..D.

[ling in reply to debbiejayn]

Great! It's not good to remain in a hypo state for too long.

God bless you well, and give u the strength u need.

[debbiejayn in reply to ling]

Thankyou.x

[NIKEGIRL]

I would go and ask for a complete blood count and full thyroid panel to give you the peace of mind you seek.

[helvella Administrator in reply to NIKEGIRL]

I agree with you, NIKEGIRL.

A patient can only be expected to follow advice. Which, for one UK make, is:

Stop taking Carbimazole and see a doctor straight away, if you notice any of the following side effects:

• Any infection such as a sore throat or mouth ulcers

• Fever

• Unusual bruising or bleeding

• Feeling unusually tired

• You are feeling generally unwell or think that you may have an infection.

Your doctor may need to do some tests to check for something called ‘bone marrow depression’ before you start your treatment again.

medicines.org.uk/emc/files/...

The problem is that deterioration can be fast and serious. Notice how inclusive that last sentence is - and is meant to be. It covers almost anything.

If in doubt, contact a doctor.

[debbiejayn in reply to helvella]

Thankyou so much for that..I have called Surgery and Doctor is ringing me back this morning..D.x

[debbiejayn in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Hi..Doctor has called..I have the choice of having a Covid test first..(mention anything to do with "A Cold" or sinuses and they ask you to take a test)..I think if I had a thermometer and could have told him my Temp I could have gone for blood tests asap...Just borrowed 1 from next door and its spot on..Option 2 was go to a Surgery in the next town for people who need treatment but may have Covid..I refused that V quickly..!!.Option 3 is send me some Antibiotics to clear any infection then book blood tests..I'm going down that route...The GP was 90% I didnt have it as well but rules are rules..We dont go out apart from an occasional walk round the block..Haven't been in a Supermarket since March..thank goodness for the Morrisons Van!!..D.x

[NIKEGIRL in reply to debbiejayn]

Yes god bless Morrison’s. I think option 3 is a good choice. You don’t want to put yourself in harms way with regards Covid. R u happy with the outcome?

[NIKEGIRL]

I’ve taken carbimazole myself. I have Graves. I ended up in ED due to having a fever, atrial fibrillation and mouth ulcers whilst taking carbs. So I guess politely I am saying I’ve kinda been there. Seek the reassurance you need and want. Politley contact your GP.

[debbiejayn in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Thank you so much..just needed reassurance I wasnt making a fuss..I've just phoned surgery..Doctors ringing me back this morning..D.x

[debbiejayn in reply to NIKEGIRL]

That sounds awful..Thanks everso for your advice..Just called the Surgery and Doc is ringing me this morning..D.x

[NIKEGIRL in reply to debbiejayn]

That’s ok. I understand. It’s hard sometimes to find the confidence. It’s best to talk with the dr and see what he or she suggests. I would write down your symptoms and your concerns that way they are there to hand as I usually forget what I want to say. You have support here. I hope it goes well. I’m sure it will.

[debbiejayn in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Thankyou so much for your support..Just waiting for the call.It's the lightheadedness and slight nausea I'm struggling with..I will make a list of my symptoms..I'm worried they will say it's just stress because doctor knows what else is going on at home.D.x

[debbiejayn in reply to NIKEGIRL]

Sorry I replied further up just to confuse everyone!x

[NIKEGIRL in reply to debbiejayn]

No that’s ok. Worked it out. So long as you are happy with the plan and the anxiety and stress has been removed then that’s all that matters. Plan 3 sounds reasonable. Try and enjoy the day.

[debbiejayn in reply to NIKEGIRL]

I will try..I have health anxiety too which doesnt help..My nextdoor neighbour who lent me thermometer said I should send for a test anyway..She had the virus weeks ago..She's in her 70s..South Asian and Diabetic and sailed through it!!She wasnt anywhere near as careful as me..went to Tescos every other day and Chauffered her teenage granddaughter round!x