Overactive thyroid nightmare!
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi folks.
on 21st January 2015, after 2 separte blood tests, I was diagnosed by my doctor as having overactive thyroid.
i was prescribed Propylthiouracil 400mg a day and Propranolol 80mg a day , 4 weeks later and I'm worse than how I felt before I went on medication , it's a nightmare , how long does it take until I start to feel normal ?
0 likes, 11 replies
jeanette25032 karen18367
Posted
what symptoms are you having now.
I have been on propylthiouracil for almost 4 years and still feel like hell. Not sure if the thyroid makes me feel like this or the meds. My left arm, chest, neck hurt, numbness in hands and feet, back pain and allergies to most things including perfumes which makes it difficult going out. Dizziness and breathlessness and odd vision means I don't drive anymore. I think I will opt for a thyroidectomy this year as I have had enough. 7 years of this crap. It took 3 years for a diagnosis.
Why are you on propylthiouracil and not carbimazole? I was initially on Carbimazole but was allergic and swapped to propylthiouracil.
Don't know if my symptoms are all thyroid related or not as I tested positive to lyme so hopefully you will have an easier time with it.
Let me know your symptoms as you have to keep an eye on liver function and wbc on this medication.
Regards Jeanette
karen18367 jeanette25032
Posted
The symptoms I am having are very low mood , extremely emotional, exhausted all the time , sweating a lot at night and really itchy , no concentration or interest in anything , tears running down my eyes for no reason. I am struggling to get to sleep at night .
The doctor didn't put me on carbimazole as I wanted to get pregnant in the future, he said would be safer on propylthiouracil.
Regards
karen
jeanette25032 karen18367
Posted
what we're your lab results. When I started on propylthiouracil my FT3 and FT4 were highest normal but my TSH was 0.03. I started on 200mg daily then after a year went down to 150mg, then 100mg. I now take 50 to 100mg daily. Itching isn't good on this as it may be affecting your liver. If you notice yellowing of eyes or skin or sore throat, mouth ulcers, blood blisters in your mouth then you must go to ER for blood tests as this drug can cause liver failure and agranulocytosis (I think that's the correct word) problems with low WBC. Your dose seems high but depends on your lab readings.
julie2510 jeanette25032
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debbie38655 karen18367
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linda187 karen18367
Posted
For myself, I have Graves disease caught early with my levels not extremely high out of range. I was on Methimazole, 10 mg for 2 years and two out of three thyroid blood tests normalized right away but my TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) remained at less than 0.001 for two years until I added the supplements L-carnitine 3,000 mg and vitamin D, 1,000 mg to my treatment. I did this based on a medical research paper I found that showed it was beneficial to hyperthyroid patients but most doctors do not know about this and will not recommend it. I took it along with my dose of methimazole. Then my TSH began to rise and FT3 and FT4 lowered. I switched to another form of carnitine called Acetyl-L-Carnitine 1,000 mg and my levels really normalized with my thryoid antibodies decreasing. As my levels improved, my doctor lowered my dosage of methimazole in half. Carnitine is an amino acid naturally found in the body that is deficient in hyperthyroid patients. Hyperthyroid patients are also deficient in vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals. The more you research as a patient, the more empowered you will become to get well. Always get a paper or electronic copy of your lab tests and keep your own records. Most traditionally trained doctors do not know enough about this disease.
karen18367 linda187
Posted
Yes I am taking it 3 times a day , I have asked my doctor on several occasions is there a certain time I should be taking them , she confirmed there wasn't.
I am on a waiting list to meet with the consultant but was advised can take up to 20 weeks for the appointment.
Thank your for all your advice, I shall research more into overactive thyroid.
Regards
Karen
sarah00123 linda187
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linda187 karen18367
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kitykat14 karen18367
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sarah00123 kitykat14
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