Hypo or hyper: I have read a lot of blogs on here... - Thyroid UK

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Hypo or hyper

mummytina profile image
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I have read a lot of blogs on here (if that's the right word) about people having hyper symptoms and hypo systems I thought you were either one or the other, is that right!!!!

What are the symptoms of both then I'm very confused :)

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mummytina profile image
mummytina
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helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK

If you are driving a car and the engine is not running quite right, you do not always know whether it is getting too much petrol, or too little. (Mechanics talk about "rich" or "lean".)

Same with thyroid. If the level is wrong, you suffer from lots of things not working right. But the same things do not work whether you are over (hyper) or under (hypo).

In time, with lots of experience, people get better at realising whether they are over or under. But even the most experienced patient can get it wrong. And the blood tests can very much help to confirm.

Have a good look at the MAIN Thyroid UK site.

You can see a list of signs and symptoms of HYPO here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

You can see a list of signs and symptoms of HYPER here:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

You can see that hair loss is in both. Also, some people GAIN weight when hyper. And others LOSE weight when hypo.

In the world of thyroid disorders, NOTHING IS SIMPLE!

Rod

Hi Mummytina

Have you looked at the main site?

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Yes, I too thought it was one or the other, most doctors do too - however it seems we can flit between hyper and hypo symptoms if it is an autoimmune disease e.g. Hashimotos. (or be under or over treated too). Even Dr Broda Barnes said it was tricky, but temperature was a key element. Jane :D

editfmrt profile image
editfmrt

From what I have learned (I'm not medically qualified), it's not always quite that simple.

To start, those with Hashimoto's can swing from hyper to hypo and visa versa as the condition progresses. The thyroid is attacked by the immune system via antibodies, attempting to destroy the gland. It may start out silently, but the attack will eventually cause an inflammation and gradual destruction of your thyroid gland and can go on for years until eventually the gland stops production completely.

Another reason can be over or under medication: So a hyperthyroid person can be over medicated with anti thyroid medication and become under active and a hypothyroid person can be over medicated and become hyper. As the medical profession changes doses up and down this will change the status and symptoms for the patient.

I'm not too good on adrenals but I believe in the early phase there can be over production of cortisol which can give symptoms of being hyper too.

I'm sure there are more knowledgeable people than me on here who can add to or correct what I have said but I hope this gives a starter....

mummytina profile image
mummytina

What do you mean temperature, I have seen people write about temperature on here so when do I do that?

Tina x

editfmrt profile image
editfmrt in reply to mummytina

Hope this will help:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Don't worry about asking more questions for anything that is not clear - it can all be a bit of a minefield to start with but gradually it makes more sense.

xx

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