Newly diagnosed!

[Smiley_kp]

I've been diagnosed hyperthyroid a few weeks ago, started on carbimazole and just wondering if anyone has any advice please? I am vegan, and have taken vit b, vit d, omega oil and 5htp for years. Can any of these interfere with carbimazole? I am also at the high energy end of the spectrum, so most of the symptoms (nervous energy, restless, insomnia, racing heart) are my normal, so I'm not sure how I will know if the meds are working? Appreciate any help 😊

[kittyelen]

Hi

I was diagnosed with this last Dec and on the same med.. I would say you would know more in terms of bowel movements (Sorry if tmi) but when overactive you go more lol

Well that's the only thing I noticed the most I didn't really have too many symptoms, give it a few weeks and you should notice some improvements, I don't think taking the supplements could do much harm as you are vegan I'm sure some other on here will be able to help on that side.

I take omega 3,6 and 9 capsules not always everyday. I googled that 5htp that increases serotonin, not sure about that one do you suffer from mild depression/anxiety? I know omega oils are meant to be good for that too. It also says you can't have alcohol with 5htp....Speak to your doc on that one (I have bipolar and always researched meds etc) but I would say if you have been taking it long term seek some advice on this side as you should also not stop taking something like suddenly and may need to wean off slowly. Funnily enough a side effect of 5htp is anxiety itself and heart problems!

It may be that once settled on the Carbimazole this will be getting to work and you may not even need the 5htp - all depends on the reason you started that in the first place but overall my opinion that supplement is more changing brain chemistry the other ones are helping with diet

[Smiley_kp in reply to kittyelen]

Thank you so much, I don't drink alcohol so I don't have that to worry about. The 5htp is good for balancing my moods, generally I'm a positive, glass half full person, but I can get too far on the positive energy, both physical and mental. I'll just keep on with everything then, it's early days xx

[kittyelen in reply to Smiley_kp]

That's good but I'm no expert, do check up if any meds interfere as the 5htp sounds like more than just a food supplement

[PurpleNails Administrator]

How much carbimazole have you been prescribed? How many doses per day?

Have you had a full thyroid evaluation? Obtain a print out via reception of any blood tests you have had or arrange online access with your GP surgery. Don’t accept verbal or hand scribbled notes you need a copy with ranges (ranges vary between labs). They shouldn’t ask why but if they do just say for your records.

TSH

FT4

FT3

Folate

Ferritin

Vitamin D

B12

Has the cause of your hyper been investigated? Doctor often treat all apparent hyper as Graves and treat with carbimazole, without confirming cause. What Thyroid antibody test have you had?

TPO - Thyroid Peroxidase

TG ab - Thyroglobulin

If Graves suspected important to test

TSI Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin

TRab TSH receptor antibodies

Do you have a repeat blood test scheduled, to see how carbimazole affects your levels?

Doctor & pharmacist should flag up any interaction of prescribed medications. Make sure you read though patient information leaflets for both mediations, this will list any types of medications which interact.

I have taken other medications and supplements (& food / coffee) with my dose of carbimazole in past & never had any issues but I prefer to take it alone with water an hour before breakfast.

[Smiley_kp in reply to PurpleNails]

Yes to all of the above, my gp is fantastic! I was picked up from a blood test for something else and referred and seen by an endocrinologist within 6 weeks of the initial test. Have had further tests and seen and had it all explained to me xx

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Well that’s fantastic. Unfortunately on here we mostly hear stories on here how unhelpful doctors are. Taking time to explain things is rare….I occasionally get passed a leaflet about something!

Seeing a specialist within 6 weeks is also very quick.

GPs almost always consider anything not seriously out of range “normal” “ok” “In range” & not requiring action. You need your results to be optimal.

You can share your results on here & we can add comments and pick up on anything that’s been overlooked.

Do you split your dose of carbimazole? Initially it helps reduce the production more evenly. Taking 1 dose is safe but leaving a wider gap between doses allows a window to start producing more hormone.

Once the levels are under more control a single dose is all that’s necessary.

[wattyh]

I was diagnosed with graves disease 2 years ago. I was prescribed carbimazole which I took for about 9 months while getting regular blood tests . I wS taken off carbimazole after my bloods went " normal " I did not suffer any side effects at all. My advice is if your doctor or Endocrine nurse advise you to take carbimazole. I hope this reply was helpful to you

[D9d9]

I dont know a great deal. Not even sure I should have been on it..

[HenriC]

I was diagnosed with severe hyper thyroidism 6 years ago and was immediately put on carbimazole which settled the symptoms almost immediately. I was then put on a combination of carbimazole and levythyroxine for 5 years and was taken off this medication about a year ago, with no reoccurance of the symptoms. I'd suggest trying to identify anything in your diet or lifestyle which might be causing the thyroid to get stressed, this could be certain foods, vitamins, smoking, or just general stress. Taking carbimazole can really lower your metabolism, meaning you can put on weight and it can have an effect on your general mood to, so needs to be carefully managed. I put on a lot of weight until I found the right balance of meds, going from 12 stone up to 17.5 stone. I was extremely skinny when diagnosed though. Good luck dude, all I'll say is while doctors know how to manage hyper thyroidism, they don't actually know for sure what causes it in the first place so you may need to figure out yourself why your body may have acted like it has.