support needed for the following tests results - hyperthyroid and graves. 15mg carbimozle

[pure786]

Hello

I started experiencing fatigue about 5 months ago, followed by an increase in appetite. Then, about 3 weeks ago, I began experiencing palpitations, weight loss, shortness of breath, and itchy eyes.

The doctor prescribed 40mg of Carbimazole, but I feel this may be too much. Can 15mg, along with good healthy habits, clean eating, and regular stress relief - improved gut health help solve this?

I have also stopped smoking and some symptoms have reduced.

Thank you

Zakiya

levels

tsh - <0.01

free thyroxine 35.9

free t3 11.5

thyroglobulin antibody 61.4

thyroid peroxidase antibodies >600.0

TSH receptor antibodies 6.16

Thank you for your support!

[jimh111]

It's usual to start on this dose and then reduce it as you get better. Your hormone levels are very high and possibly dangerous so I would stay on this sose. Also if TSH remains suppressed for some time it can stay low and cause problems later.

[JuSa44]

I reckon start on a high dose and move down as you start to feel better. I had similar blood results to you and it took about three weeks to notice a difference and start to feel better. All the best!

[pure786 in reply to JuSa44]

Thank you so much for this! How are you feeling now?

My results have just come back i'm on 1.12 tsh, 4 t3 and 9 t4 - did you have something similar?

[pennyannie]

Hello Zakiya and welcome to the forum :

Can you please edit your post to include the ranges please ?

Just press the More button :-

It looks as though your immune system is very upset with all 3 antibodies likely being over range and believe you have a positive for both Graves a multi organ Auto Immune Disease and with Hashimoto's when the immune system tends to only attack the thyroid and sometimes the eyes .

The thyroid is an important, major gland and the controller of the whole body 's synchronisation from one's physical, through to mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being and also controls one's metabolism -

which being ' hyper ' means you are running too fast - just as being ' hypo ' means you are running too slow - and why it is very important to have your T3 and T4 well maintained within the ranges - not too high and not too low - as hypothyroidism has equally, if not more disabling symptoms and why we need to see the ranges on the above blood test.

Graves is considered life threatening if not medicated ans an Anti Thyroid drug is prescribed along with a beta blocker if there is undue pressure put on the heart - and treatment for Graves takes precedence over Hashimoto's AI thyroid disease.

Quite why, now, your immune system has decided to turn and attack your body rather than defend it as normal, is the 64 million $ question ?

All the AT drug does is semi-block your new own daily thyroid hormone production while we wait for your immune system to calm back down again with your T3 and T4 falling back down into the ranges.

Hopefully your TSH will move - as currently it is under the control of your immune system which is driving down the TSH which in turn drives up T3 and T4 readings - so the AT drug is acting as a brake and stopping your T3 and T4 rising any higher.

there is no cure for this AI disease - and all the AT drug does ' buy you time ' while we wait for your immune system to calm back down again -

so you are put in a holding position - much like a plane waiting for a landing slot - circling above losing fuel and height to come down smoothly and land safely back on the ground.

When is your next follow up appointment ?

Have you seen an endocrinologist - or is your doctor managing you with input from the hospital endocrinology team ?

Your T3 and T4 are not as high as we usually see so glad to read that some symptoms have eased and the AT drug obviously working.

I would suggest trying to listen to your body and sleep when you need to, look after yourself and try and reduce stress which is a major trigger, currently your body is in a heightened state and totally understand there can be a mismatch between what your brain tells you to do and that which your body is capable of.

Likely better to cook and eat from scratch - no processed convenience ready meals, consider looking at what you eat, and before you change any eating habits, get checked out for certain food intolerance such as gluten, dairy and wheat :

If you wish to ease your eyes with OTC drops and ointments just ensure all are Preservative Free - even those prescribed by the NHS.

All things Graves Disease - elaine-moore.com books and now a website :

All things Hashimoto's - Dr Izabella Wentz who writes as thyroidpharmacist.com

[pure786 in reply to pennyannie]

Thanks so much for this Penny. i really appreciatiate your extensive reply. I have been on a upward trend and seem to be out of the graves numbers and into the hashimotos levels. I'd love your thoughts - TSH 1.17 t3 4 and t4 9. I feel better but do get quite tired by 4pm every day. I'm working out regularly and eating well + taking 5m in the week and 10 on the weekend. Thank you in advance for your reply xx

[pennyannie in reply to pure786]

Since you are taking an Anti Thyroid drug this is what is reducing your thyroid hormone readings - as it semi-blocks your own new daily T3 and T4 thyroid hormone production and as your T3 and T4 fall back down into range the dose of the AT drug is titrated down - otherwise you risk your T3 and T4 falling too far through the ranges and causing the equally disabling symptoms of hypothyroidism.

When metabolism is running too fast as in hyper / over active thyroid or too slow as in hypo / underactive thyroid - the body struggles to extract key nutrients through food -

so please have your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D run as these need to be maintained at optimal levels so not to compound your health issues further than necessary.

Your TSH is responding and back up the range - but without a range I'm just guessing that your T3 is low and your T4 is now too low - has the AT drug dose been reduced yet ?

You will be tired - your body is in a heightened state and there can be something of a brain / body mismatch - rest up - the more energy you expend working out - the more tired you are making yourself - and currently your thyroid hormones are not best placed to support you through any additional activities - try just walking and pace yourself - stopping before you think you should - I know your brain maybe running fast - but your body is exhausted.

[MerriJ]

firstly congratulations on stopping smoking!

It will take a while for your numbers to drop on free T4 and T3 and even longer to get any change in TSH from my personal experiences.

Helping your stress levels and changing your eating plan to improve gut health is a good plan alongside your meds .

As is checking vitamin levels and amending if necessary D3 , B12 folate and ferritin

I have been taking Carbimazole now for something like 6 years and have now reached a fairly stable point where my current dose is 5mg every other day .

My most recent blood test this week

TSH .37 T4 10.3 T3 5.1

Care from the Endocrinology team , regular discussion with Endo nurse ( telephone appointments since Covid ) and regular blood testing obviously as dose changes.

I stopped my meds during lockdown and in 6 months was showing results similar to your current ones - higher than at my initial diagnosis.

Personally I have resisted all suggestions for RI as the “solution “ and please bear in mind I only tested positive for TSH receptor antibodies at diagnosis

[pure786 in reply to MerriJ]

Thanks Merri! I appreciate it! It's not been 3 months smoke free and I feel so much better. I'm still very tired and my levels seem to be doing better but have tripped to the hashimotos side. at tsh 1.17 T3 4 AND T4 9. How are you doing?

[higgy52]

40 mg seems a lot, I'm on 10 mg