Hyper and hypothyroid?

[Squirtle55]

I have a prescription of carbimizole 5mg daily for a diagnosis of hyperactive thyroid.. My latest thyroid function test reports serum free T4 15.9 and serum TSH 5.76... possible hypothyroidism...now I am confused..and impossible to get any reply to attempts to ring my NHS endocrinologist or thyroid nurse...Any thoughts?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Squirtle55, can you remind us what antibody tests you have had?

I was initially diagnosed as having Graves (as I presented with numerous ‘hyper’ symptoms and also have TED, frequently associated with this). However, following forum advice to test privately, I later found that I actually have Hashimotos.

[greygoose]

Have you actually taken any of the Carbi?

How did they diagnose your 'hyperactive thyroid'? Did they test any antibodies?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

5mg is a very low dose of Carbimazole were you started on 10mg? How long have you been taking carbimazole each dose?

Unless 5mg has been reduced from much higher I don’t see why you would need it. It’s causing TSH to rise and FT4 to be low in range FT3 hasn’t been tested.

Drs view 5mg as lowest dose as it’s the lowest manufactured pill but you take take everyone other day or split a pill with cutter.

The only thing I can think is they know you have high TRab. of 5.58 drs think carbimazole is treating it … it doesn’t really work like that it lowers the levels rather than affecting the cause of why the levels rise. Staying on too high carbimazole can cause levels to drop to hypothyroid levels & that can worsen TED.

Persist with trying to get answers from doctor / nurse.

[pennyannie]

Hey there again :

So to recap we have 1 blood test showing a TSH at 0.01 a T4 at around 30 but no T3 :

We have raised TR ab antibodies and the conclusion is that you have Graves Disease and you were prescribed 10 mcg Carbimazole :

The anti thyroid drug has successfully blocked your levels rising any further as your T4 is now down in range and your TSH risen in the range -

but again, no T3 reading - though in normal circumstances if the T4 drops so does the T3 as T4 converts into T3 in the body but this should have been run, and theses are not normal circumstances.

Your main symptoms were with your eyes and the reason why you sought medical help :

Did you manage to get any help through the Thyroid Eye Disease Charitable Trust ?

So, it's logical that the AT drug is now reduced to the lowest possible dose as too low a level of T3 is just as debilitating as too high a level of T3 :

A high T3 will give you symptoms of hyperthyroidism, which, from memory you were not aware you had and a low T3 gives you symptoms of hypothyroidism - and a slower metabolism.

Hyperthyroid and hypothyroidism are the extreme opposite ends of the T3 measuring stick.

Other than the optician recommending that you remain on the Predisolone and the AT drug, are you taking any other medications ?