Diabetic thyroidie & possible misdiagnosed BPD

[Airmed]

My friend, an insulin dependent diabetic from childhood had a thyroidectomy 2008/9 due to thyrotoxicosis. Three years later diagnosed with bi polar disorder. I suspect mis diagnosis. Takes T4 only, continual tachycardia episodes. I have been told TFTs are in range. Yes, right, most of us have been there. Recently sectioned and was taking a very low dose of haloperidol, says does absolutely nothing. I have suggested asking for T3 to be introduced to thyroids meds, possibly end up T3 mono therapy. However, I have no experience of a diabetic thyroidie much less with possible BDP thrown in for good measure. Any advice to pass on to frantic parent would be very much appreciated. TIA

[shaws Administrator]

It would be kind and thoughtful if the GP could trial a T4/T3 combination or T3 alone to see if it t suits your friend and maybe it will relieve her awful symptoms. If we feel unwell we cannot research or may not be able take in information.

i.e. T4 also called levothyroxine and is an inactive hormone that should convert to T3.

T3 also called liothyronine is the 'active' thyroid hormone needed in our millions of T3 receptor cells and brain and heart have the most.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Presumably type one diabetic?

If yes, this is autoimmune, so likely hypothyroid is Hashimoto’s

ESSENTIAL to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 and both TPO and TG antibodies

Get them to do full thyroid and vitamin testing via Medichecks or Blue horizon

Plus coeliac blood test done BEFORE trialing strictly gluten free diet

Hashimoto’s can be misdiagnosed as bipolar

drknews.com/when-hashimotos...

holtorfmed.com/mental-illne...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

hypothyroidmom.com/miss-dia...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Airmed in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes type 1. Asked about Hashis, they have no idea. Like many thyroid patients they don’t question GP. Thank you so much for your help. Have forwarded all info to parents. Desperately sorry for them trying give and let them absorb as much information before Psych gets hold of her. Wants to increase drugs and worse which they have managed to put on hold.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Liothyronine can increase blood sugar levels, so if/when they get trial adding small dose T3 alongside levothyroxine…..will need to carefully monitor blood sugar

[Airmed in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. Have already put it to parents about introducing T3. Have also warned that her diabetes must be carefully monitored too. Thanks to everyone’s help on here and ITT friends have been able to put a strategy together for them with relevant info. Fingers and toes crossed for the right diagnosis and happier times for the whole family. I know they are going to face some incredible tough barriers/opposition as we all have. Have advised them to join HU as a great community and a goldmine of information which will help them in the future. When the daughter is well enough will advise her to join HU too.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Airmed]

There are two specialist consultants who can prescribe T3

1) endocrinologist

2) psychiatrist

We have had few members on here who were diagnosed as bipolar when were in-fact have Hashimoto’s

A good book on autoimmune diabetes and thyroid

Susan Blum

The immune system recovery plan

A bit American but show how everything is connected

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors

[e-mail]

20% of Hashimoto's patients never have raised antibodies

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Paul Robson on atrophied thyroid - especially if no TPO antibodies

paulrobinsonthyroid.com/cou...

Type 1 and gluten

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

healthline.com/diabetesmine...

endocrinologyadvisor.com/ho...

Obviously Hashimoto’s and gluten intolerance is extremely common