Newly Diagnosed

Hi all,I've been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism this week. They don't know the root cause yet, I've to get more blood tests.

I started taking Carbimazole 15mg a day on Tuesday. Since then I feel sick every time I eat, and vomited once.

I was wondering if anyone else had this experience? Does it go away?

Thanks

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the TUK forum loseweightby40

So we can offer better advice, can you share blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Correct antibody testing is extremely important. I say this because I was initially diagnosed with Graves, largely based on symptoms BUT when encouraged by this forum to check antibodies, I later found I am actually hypothyroid with Hashimotos.

Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) needs to be confirmed via positive TRab or TSI:

TRab

TSH receptor antibodies

TSI

Thyroid-Stimulating Immunoglobulin

TPO & TG antibodies may be Graves or Hashimotos.

 TPOab

Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies

TGab

Thyroglobulin antibodies

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Welcome to forum.

15mg is a fairly low starting dose for carbimazole. Do you know what your levels are? The TSH, FT4 & FT3? You are entitled to your results. Either online access or printed copies. (With lab range)

It may be because the root cause in unknown doctors are looking for the cause before adjusting dose. Ideally that should be checked before starting carbimazole.

Hyper can be transient. It can occur during early stages of autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) the damage areas release hormone stores. Levels can drop after as there’s less functioning thyroid. Carbimazole not correct treatment.

See if doctors have tested TRab or TSI antibodies levels, this will confirm hyper Graves. TPO & TG antibodies can be positive with both Graves & Hashis.

Read the patient information leaflet (PIL) carefully. Nausea is common side affect & should settle.

There are other rare side affect to be vigilant for. Rereading the leaflet good idea. They update them from time to time.

[Hidden]

Thanks for the replies. Honestly I don't recall my blood results except I think TSH was 0.1. I wasn't really taking things in as I thought the appointment was going to tell me I was type 2 diabetic or at least prediabetic.

I am getting the antibody test in my next blood test.

I've been referred to endocrinologist however the GP called them to get advice on starting treatment so I know the information about medication came from there.

Hopefully regardless of everything else the nausea/vomiting is a short term side effect.

[pennyannie in reply to Hidden]

Hello Looseweight by 40 and welcome to the forum :

Carbimazole is an Anti Thyroid drug that simply semi-blocks your own daily thyroid hormone production while we wait for your immune system response to calm down and slowly your over range T3 and T4 blood test results should lower, back into range, and your symptoms be relieved.

Very important to find out what antibody has caused this immune system response and caused you body to start attacking your thyroid rather than defending your body -

There is an alternative to Carbimazole if you can't tolerate this AT drug - called Propylthiouracil - PTU - for short.

Do you have the Patient Information Leaflet ( PIL ) there regarding the side effects of Carbimazole. if not you could look them up online.

If you have online access to your medial records held at the surgery - what were your TSH Free T3 and Free T4 results and readings at diagnosis ?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Usually people who are hyperthyroid (Graves disease) loose weight and are thin

And hypothyroid thyroid patients (usually Hashimoto’s disease) gain weight

Both are usually caused by autoimmune disease

Hashimoto’s frequently starts with short term hyperthyroid type results and symptoms before becoming more hypothyroid

As your profile suggests you struggle with weight gain this suggests hypothyroid

We see a steady stream of early stage Hashimoto’s patients who are initially tested and thought to be hyperthyroid

It’s ESSENTIAL to test all thyroid antibodies

TSI or Trab antibodies to confirm Graves’ disease (Hyperthyroid)

TPO and TG antibodies for Hashimoto’s (HYPOthyroid)

Also vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Honestly I don't recall my blood results except I think TSH was 0.1.

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for your reply. I am an RMN so I know can ask to access records. I just haven't yet as it's all happened in the last few days and I know I'm waiting on further testing. As far as I know I can't access online yet, but I'll look into it. I am overweight however have lost nearly a stone since Christmas without any changes so that was one of my concerns when I went to GP. I used to access this site a while ago for weight loss support, which is why everything is aimed at that.