Hyperthyroidism

[Mule1397]

I was born with the symptoms of hyperthyroidism disease, i.e., hyperthyroidism. I have been experiencing hyperhidrosis, severe anxiety, panic attack or disorder, confusion, hyperactivity, nervousness and etc.

Now I am following my treatment for this case at biggest hospital here in ethiopia known as saint Paul medical college. I am taking PTU as ATD. It is almost 11 months since I have start taking it. The result from my August TFT shows that normal range of all tests I.e

TSH 1.57 range is [0.27-4.2]

T4. 10.55 rang is [5.1-14.1]

FT3. 2.94 range is. [2.02-4.43]

Eventhough all tests shows the normal range, I am feeling as before starting the treatment. Please, is there anybody who help me ?

[pennyannie]

Hello Mule and welcome to the forum :

Your treatment for hyperthyroidism seems to follow the same treatment regime as that here in the UK .

Is this your first phase of being prescribed the Anti Thyroid drug - there is another AT drug - Carbimazole - should you not feel the PTU is not working well for you :

What dose of the Anti Thyroid drug - Propylthiouracil - PTU - are you now taking - as your TSH is not suppressed and your T3 and T4 appear to be well in range - and as you say - normal.

However you still appear to be dealing with terrible symptoms - have your doctors suggested any other treatment options ?

Do you also get your ferriin, folate, B12 and vitamin D levels monitored - as when metabolism runs too fast as in hyperthyroid or too slow as in hypothyroid these core strength vitamins and minerals can nose dive through the ranges causing addition symptoms and compound your ill health further ?

Some people in the UK get offered another treatment option - Block & Replace - where the AT drug is increased to fully block your own new daily thyroid hormone production BUT a dose of T4 thyroid hormone replacement is prescribed so your T3 and T4 do not fall too far through the ranges causing the equally disabling symptoms of hypothyroidism.

What were your initial results at diagnosis and do you have any antibody readings - probably looking like a TPO - TgAB - TRab - TSI - or maybe a TSH Receptor reading and range ?

We do now have some research that you might like to have :-

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/338...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/306...

I found the books and website of Elaine Moore the most well rounded of all i researched - elaine-moore.com

[Mule1397 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you Dear Pennyannie! for your response, the lab test before treatment was

TSH 0.005 range is ( 0.27-4.2)

FT4 2.05 range is (0.93-1.71)

FT3 4.00 range is (2.02-4.43)

I haven't taken any drugs except PTU ,and in every lab test I made, there was good improvement, however, my symptoms are still severe. My GP didn't prescribe antibodies tests.

[Mule1397 in reply to Mule1397]

My dosage of PTU is adjusted from 200mg to 400mg per day, following my symptoms are becoming severe.

[pennyannie in reply to Mule1397]

So at your initial diagnosis your TSH was .05 and your T4 over the range at around 143% but your T3 in range at 82% :

There is more than 1 reason why your feel as you do - we need to see which antibodies were / are over range to know for sure what you are dealing with as the medication is different dependant on the antibodies found in your blood.

Graves is generally prescribed an AT drug - which seems to be how your doctor ' sees you ' but your results at diagnosis do not look like typical Graves -

There is also a condition called thyrotoxicosis -

commonly referred to as Hashimoto's - another Auto Immune disease -

which causes ' spikes ' of hyper type symptoms but is not medicated with an AT drug - and it is essential to have the thyroid antibodies run -

Graves and Hashimoto's can present in the same way -

Have you had a scan / ultra sound of your thyroid ?

Do you have any other health issues or on any other medication ?

Do you have any swelling around your neck area or have trouble swallowing or breathing ?

[Mule1397 in reply to pennyannie]

I am grateful to your support!. I did most tests at first, including thyroid scanning ,neither nodule nor swelling was found. as you mentioned earlier, I think dealing with thyroid antibodies test is ,more significant.

[Mule1397 in reply to Mule1397]

I have no issue with breathing and swallowing, sometimes in late night I feel dementia and heart race. I was on treatment of AIHA (Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia) for more than 1 and half year. I had successfully completed the treatment already.

[pennyannie in reply to Mule1397]

I'm sorry - but I am just another person who has been on AT drugs when diagnosed Graves Disease -

My understanding is very limited and considering you last details of having been diagnosed / treated for AIHA -

I am totally out of my depth and unable to comment any further :

[pennyannie in reply to Mule1397]

Yes - ask for the thyroid antibodies to be tested as I detailed further up this post.

[Mule1397 in reply to pennyannie]

Okay I will do that. Thank you for your invaluable support.