So I had a baby Jan 2024 I started getting severe panic attacks again which I hadn't had in about 2 years since starting sertraline
My heart was 177 pushing a double pram up the hill home whereas when I was heavily pregnant it was 153 doing the same thing so I contacted my Dr and advised my iron is low or it's my thyroid I was also getting boiling hot just doing small things and my temp would be 37.7
I had bloods done and it was both,
Iron only a small bit low at 8.4
Thyroid levels are as follow
T3 12.4
T4 29.8
Tsh 0.01
I then booked in to see a private endocrinologist and he advised I'm only a bit overactive and he's only giving me carbimazole as my family have underactive and because I'm so symptomatic he gave me 10mg carbimazole once a day.
He said he thinks it's graves disease as I was near the end of where you get postpartum thyroiditis, anyway my results came back and this is what he said ....
I now have the results of Abbie’s investigations. Her thyroid function tests continue to show a biochemical
picture of thyrotoxicosis with an undetectable TSH at less than 0.01 and raised free T4 and free T3 at 28.2
and 9.1 respectively. Her TSH receptor antibodies however, are undetectable which is against a diagnosis of
autoimmune thyrotoxicosis. I will review her again as arranged
These results were before I started the carbimazole also and they are lower then the 2 weeks before when I had the first bloods
Anyway I'm on carbimazole been om it for 7 days and I feel so rotten I feel sick and my panic attacks are extreme I constantly feel like I'm burning up
Is this normal? My b12 etc are fine from what I can see on my bloods. Is it possible for white blood cell count to drop low just after 7 days of taking the tablets ? Is it postpartum thyroidits ? Is it possible to go hypo after 7vdays of tablets ?
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Abbie10101
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Here are my blood results from the first test I had apparbetly my liver marker was high due to the thyroid ? My nhs Dr's aren't helpful atall but the endocrinologist was sure I had graves so I don't know what's going on all I know is that it started 2 months after having my baby but I just put it down to getting the depo injection
Serum ferritin level is the biochemical test, which most reliably correlates with relative total body iron stores. In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing.
It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Test early morning, only water to drink between waking and test. Avoid high iron rich dinner night before test
Generally iron/ferritin are higher with Graves’ disease and lower with Hashimoto’s
B12 and folate levels are low
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a separate B12 supplement
A week later add a separate vitamin B Complex
Then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), you may be able to reduce then stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
If Vegetarian or vegan likely to need ongoing separate B12 few times a week
Thorne Basic B recommended vitamin B complex that contains folate, but they are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule) Thorne can be difficult to find at reasonable price, should be around £20-£25. iherb.com often have in stock. Or try ebay
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 5-7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate folate supplement (eg Jarrow methyl folate 400mcg) and continue separate B12
Post discussing how biotin can affect test results
Thank you very much for your help, also I got the depo injection which is a contraception injection 10 weeks post partum and my husband was googling and apparbetly this can affect your thyroid results ? I was due to have the second one on the 6th June but I decided against it to see if this was also what was causing all of this
So I had a blood test Friday and my ft3 and ft4 are now in range?! I had only been on the tablets 7 days and I hadn't took it the day of the blood test before the test was done, my ft3 is now 5.9 it was 12.8 and my ft4 is 19 it was 29.8! How is this possible?
Do you have lab ranges? Ranges vary between labs. By most ranges your levels are elevated.
With Graves autoimmune hyper (continuous) either TRAb or TSI are positive. The thyroid is being stimulated. Levels often go very high eg 3x normal range but not always, any continuous elevation needs treatment.
The doctor acknowledges TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) is negative but has still treated as if you have graves.
Dr haven’t appeared to test TPO or TG antibodies which would show if you have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s) which causes transient hyper. Often occur post partum but can occur any time.
With Hashimoto’s the immune system attacks thyroid and the damaged thyroid releases stored hormone. Over time the damage cause low levels. Over 90% of hypothyroidism is due to this and it can run in families and likely what your family have.
10mg carbimazole is quite a low dose but if your levels are naturally dropping reducing what new hormone can be made isn’t going to help. You would become hypothyroid quickly. Carbimazole is for continuous hyper only.
Propranolol can be used for temporary hyper. As relieves symptoms. Or you can ‘ride it out’ Propranolol can’t be taken if asthmatics, and need to be reduced slowly when stopping, but it’s an option.
Ask GP to test TPO & TG antibodies and confirm what you are dealing with.
I went Dr's today and had full blood count as I have health anxiety and convinced myself my white blood cells are low and he also tested my thyroid again but this test was at 4pm, I was prescribed propranolol a low dose but I'm to scared to take it as I had a very bad experience with it after I had my son in Feb 2023 it made my heart go to 39,
T3 range is 3.5 - 6.5
T4 range 9.00-22.00
Tsh 0.10-4.00
I'm.not due to see the endocrinologist until the 16th July
My biggest concern is my husband is away on and off for work until August and I have 2 young ones and I won't get answers until the 16th, he did say I have no lumps etc that he can see nor feel...here is what he put down on the visit when I saw him...
Diagnosis: Possible Graves’ thyrotoxicosis
Possible postpartum thyroiditis
Anxiety
Medication: To be commenced on propranolol 10 mg BD
To be commenced on Carbimazole 10 mg OD
Sertraline 50 mg OD
Many thanks for coming to see me in my clinic at the Alexandra Hospital this afternoon. You have developed
symptoms of increased anxiety, hot facial flushes, increased heart rate and frequency of bowel motions.
Your GP checked your thyroid function test and found your TSH to be undetectable at less than 0.01. Free T4
and Free T3 were raised at 29.8 and 12.4 respectively. Other blood test showed your ALT to be slightly raised
at 45. Your iron transferrin and transferrin saturation index were also slightly low and you have been
commenced on iron tablets. There is no past medical history of significance apart from anxiety. In your
family history your mother and your maternal aunt have an under active thyroid. There is no other family
history of significance. You are an ex-smoker but you now vape. Your alcohol intake is minimal.
On examination you weighed 68 kg. Your blood pressure was 140/80. You had a fine tremor of your
outstretched fingers. I was unable to palpate a goitre and there was no bruit on your neck. Heart sounds
were normal. There was bilateral lid retraction and lid lag. I explained to you that the differential diagnosis is Diagnosis: Possible Graves’ thyrotoxicosis and postpartum thyroidits
Hello Abbie, you say your main worry is because your husband will be away sometimes in the coming weeks. Do you have any family or friends who can see you through this difficult time? If so, please tell them how you are feeling and ask for their help. Do not try to go through this on your own. I did this and it was not a good time. I notice you nention the Queen Alexandra hospital. Are you in Portsmouth? If so, and you do not have a viable support please pm me as I might be able to help.
Oh yes I have my neighbour she's brilliant but she's away that certain week i just keep thinking what if the worse happens to me and there's noone In the house to look after the babies, I think my mother in law is coming over on the dags where I have no-one atall , I'm.in manchester not Portsmouth but thank you xx
So glad you have your mother in law coming over. I didn't really tell anyone when my thyroid problem was undiagnosed and it was the worst thing I could have done.
I suppose the good thing is that I know I haven't had it long as it was tested in October and it was fine it's my anxiety with knowing my heart rate all of the time which is how I picked up on something was wrong, I hope you're doing better now xxx
I remember my heart rate pounding but when it was taken it was 'normal' so this was one of the difficulties I experienced. It was only later that I realised my resting heart rate is naturally quite low so other people's 'normal' was pounding for me. It meant I wasn't being taken seriously for quite a long time.
I have my smart watch so I showed them the readings...but there was 2 occasions where I went to the Dr's and they said its my anxiety it was only when I demanded a blood test I got one xxx
This is me currently I normally have a low H.R but to me it's been pounding out of my chest. Its been a really scary time at first I didn't know what was going on and was diagnosed with postpartum anxiety &stress. I then had bloods completed and pp thyroiditis. There were days I felt like I was crawling through the day on the constantly on the enldge of a panic attack. I started on 20mg carbimazole 2 days ago and already starting to feel better. However I am so so worried now about going into hypothyroidism because from what I've been reading it seems like this can happen taking Carbimazole. I'm going to pay for a private bloods after 3 weeks as suggested by another member.
I was on my tablets for about 2 and a half months I started on 10mg then they lowered it to 5mg...my tsh then came into normal range so I stopped the tablets 3 weeks ago now I feel great I'm due to have my bloods taken again soon so I'll see if my thyroid levels are still OK, going hypo is possible for you I was scared I'd go hypo but I was onlynon a low dose as are you, how old is your baby ? Xx
I know the endocrinologist did tell me ill probably get postpartum thyroiditis again if I have another baby
I went private as I have bupa I didn't actually get diagnosed til my baby was just 6 months old do you have a smart watch ? I actually knew something was wrong based off constantly monitoring my heart on that kt would go to 177 pushing the pram and I was also hungry all the time and constantly needing the toilet and my panic attacks were alot worse than usual and more frequent I think you'll KNOW if you start to go hypo as you're so used to being hyper xxx congratulations on baby
Thanks for sharing this. This has explained why after abt 12 hrs I'm getting symptoms again and night sweats through the night still. I'll try splitting my dose today to see if I notice a difference
I haven't even been seen by endocrinology yet, they gave advice to my gp to call me and prescribe. I'm so grateful to have found this platform because honestly there is not much out there for new mums experiencing this, I'm on my 3rd baby and never even heard if it and the medical information suggests symptoms can be very mild when actually they are really quite debilitating particularly the Intense levels of anxiety and constantly feeling on edge.I thought I was loosing my mind initially
I had postpartum thyroiditis that turned into Graves’ disease. I had it after the birth of each of my three kids. Carbimazole helps so much but it takes a while to kick in and notice a difference. I had a hyper episode recently and it took three weeks (5mg three times a day). The doctor had started me on 30mg per day but I felt rotten so we reduced it to 15mg in total and then I felt better after three weeks. All the best!
My Dr started me on just 10mg but I felt rotten so I took 5mg instead the last few days as I waiting on blood tests did you feel like sick and dizzy and r3ally anxious when you started the meds ? I keep feeling really weird I can't explain it, what is a hyper episode ? I keep seeing people saying it but I'm new to all of this I'm glad you're feeling better xx
A hyper episode was where I lost a lot of weight, was insanely anxious and panicked. I was fatigued, I had heart palpitations, weird skin rashes, terrible insomnia and just felt generally off and weak and irritable. It was as if I had drunk ten red bulls all the time. It’s very draining. I had a blood test and it revealed my thyroid had gone wonky again. You need to give yourself a few weeks on the carbimazole to notice a difference. Well, that was my experience! The problem with postpartum thyroiditis or just having thyroid issues when you have babies and young children is that you assume your symptoms are because of motherhood so you brush off the anxiety, tiredness, irritability etc. As soon as the carbimazole kicks in, you will feel SO much better, almost like a new you!
I wouldn't know if I lost weight tbh I just assumed it was baby weight as i had a baby last Feb then fell pregnant again 10 weeks later then had baby in Jan so ibjusy put it down to that, I can't cope with how hot I get from doing little things ! Do you wake up feeling hungover ? I get this alot and I don't even drink anymore since having the babies I was taking 10mg a day for the last week but took 5 the last 2 days as waiting on the blood tets resulrs if they are OK ill put it back to 10 again do you think I should do 5mg in the morning and 5 in the evening,? Xxx
Yes I did wake up feeling hungover but that was because of awful insomnia! Have you only been on carbimazole for a week? I think you need to give it more time. 10mg each day for a week is not a lot in my humble opinion! Your blood test results were similar to mine. My TSH was something like 0.00071 and all other markers outside the norms. My starting dose was 15mg per day and on that, I only noticed an improvement after three weeks minimum.
Initially I was told to take 30mg per day and I didn’t feel great but I can’t be sure if that was the hyperthyroidism or the meds. After about a week, I reduced it to 15mg per day and was happier and then after three weeks, I noticed an improvement.
If you are only taking 5mg per day, it could take a while to notice a difference. It’s hard to know whether feeling rotten and anxious is related to the hyperthyroidism or the meds. It is probably the hyperthyroidism! I preferred starting on a low dose with monthly monitoring blood tests.
Oh my goodness I could have written your message, am exactly same I feel dreadful on carbimazole! Congratulations on your beautiful baby by the way xx yes I was same told to take 10mgs of carbimazole but can only tolerate 5 it's ridiculous I literally am in bits with gumboils mild but constant sore throat and headaches on 10, my levels are coming down slowly my T 4 was 49 at one point now it's 17 My endocrinologist is here in Dublin he's very dismissive, basically told me being female is my main problem. Am private. I did start hawthorn herbs for palpatations and noticed a huge difference, also in anxiety and sleep and thermoregulation. I recently went on hols for two weeks airport took herbs so all I had was carbimazole needless to say ended up taking beta blockers again for palpatations, it's horrible, going to get more bloods done, and yes I also had that have my white blood cells plummeted feeling starting carbimazole, I got them checked as they tend to be low and ironically the were better than normal? So I stayed on Carbimazole, I took it Monday Wednesday Friday then herbs weekend then moved to 5Mgs every day
I had bloods test on Friday I'm waiting on the results to be emailed to me they couldn't tell me them in the phone she just said they are in normal range ? So I'll find out when I get the email, how long have you been on the carbimazole for ? My resting heart was 90s now it's 60s 70s so it's obviously done something for me already, I've only been taking them for 9 days xxx
I hope you have been prescribed 5 milligram tablets to let you have flexibility on dose and timing? You shouldn't have to split 20 tablets. And 10 tablets are incredibly expensive.
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(Edited) Latest Bloods & TPOab 246
