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Hyperthyroidism or Menopause

Posted , 6 users are following.

sarah22273
sarah22273

I went to see my GP today. I said I feel a bit daft trying to explain my symptoms but they feel real. I told him that I cannot tolerate heat and that I sleep with the fan on every night, now it's during the day I'm finding I'm over heating as well and my internal temperature is just so hot and sweaty all the time. I'm having terrible difficulty sleeping, my brain just won't shut down. I have constant nausea, I haven't actually been sick, but wretched enough times. My appetite has gone down and even though I have eaten or made myself eat, I have lost weight. I feel disconnected most of the time and that's a very odd feeling. The worst thing is this and this is what I dont understand, I've started feeling very very anxious and I'm having panic attacks! I had to be escorted off the train last month because I had what seemed to be an eternal panic and a feeling of going mad. Tonight I'm sat in the surgery waiting to be seen when I can feel myself panicking again. I don't understand and it frightens me that my body seems to be doing its own thing and I feel helpless to control it. The doctor said he is sending me for blood tests to test for hyperthyroidism. I was shocked! I'm not hyper, my dreadful insomnia leaves me feeling shattered every morning and I just cannot function for most of the day because of the extreme tiredness that follows. And because I feel so tired and so ill, I then start to panic. I'm constantly clearin my throats which I did mention today, that was actually the first thing that started happening about four months ago. But it could be post nasal. He said I make it worse by constantly trying to clear my throats and then it becomes sore. I'm so so weary so how can he think this is hyperthyroidism, will someone please help me out here as I'm worried. Sorry for ranting but I'm at my wits end. He said it could be menopause, but I didn't think you felt THIS ill with the menopause. Thanks for reading.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • vanessa45115
    vanessa45115 sarah22273

    Posted

    I have hyperthyroidism and have had it for years. Your symptoms do sound like hyperthyroid. It doesn't mean that you are actually hyper but your thyroid is in a hyper state, it is working over what it should be. Anxiety and panic is a very big symptom as well. On the other hand, menopause affects everyone different also and yes, I have heard of women with symptoms as yours. I have battled the anxiety for many years and it is now getting much worse especially around my cycle and ovulation.

    • linda187
      linda187 vanessa45115

      Posted

      Vanessa, have you been given Propranolol?  That does help anxiety and palpitations.  I was put on it while my doc was waiting for my all my test results to come back but once I was diagnosed and started on Tapazole, I no longer needed it.
    • vanessa45115
      vanessa45115 linda187

      Posted

      Hi Linda, no I haven't tried that med. I've been on an anti depressant for years but in July, the anxiety came at me with a vengeance. Doc increased my anti depressant and I'm still not back to myself. I was on tapazole for 3 years and could not get into remission so I had a total thyroidectomy in November. I'm at a total loss on what to do about my anxiety. It's possible that I am peri menopausal because I am 44 years old and other than that, I just don't know anymore😔

  • linda187
    linda187 sarah22273

    Posted

    Your symptoms could be due to hyperthyroidism.  You may have thyroid nodules causing it or it can be caused by an autoimmune disease such as Graves or Hashimoto's.  Menopause caused me symptoms I didn't like such as hot flashes.  I tolerated it for 3 weeks and then went on bioidentical hormone replacement.  You can be tested for all of this with blood tests both for hyperthyroidism and menopause hormone levels.  It will be helpful for you to know your lab results and what they mean.  Always keep your own copies of lab reports so you can see your progress.

  • madge1979
    madge1979 sarah22273

    Posted

    Sarah I had three tests for Thyroid dysfunction before 'they ' told me I had Graves' disease , which is Hyperthyroidism with antibodies attacking the Thyroid.... so the lab results could be wrong .. also you need to eat NO food before you have the bloods taken and they should be taken as early in the morning as is possible ...

    unfortunately , unless you print your blood results here,  no one can really advise you properly, so if you haven't got a printed copy , ask your doctor 

    either in person or by phone , if he would give them to you, they are actually your property and he is obliged to give you them! 

    once in your possession ... come back on here in a new post and ask for 

    help ... you will be pleased, as so many will be able to advise you.

    Your symptoms are very very similar to those of Hyperthyroidism .

    GOogle , if you haven't already done so... Hyperthyroid Symptoms

    and you will see a printed list of all the associated symptoms ... if you can, 

    print that list and take it to your doctor ... with the relevant boxes ticked , once he sees this , he should be in no doubt that you have a thyroid dysfunction of some kind ..   the very best of luck , you are at the beginning of the journey you must take to regain your health ..don't be daunted , once you start on this road , it won't be long till you are well again...Keep asking questions on this site , there are many good folk on here who can lead you through the maze .

    Mx🌹

  • Anachr
    Anachr sarah22273

    Posted

    A pet peeve of mine is when physicians blame female illnesses on menopause. Yes, we all realize it may cause a host of symptoms, but really?! That being said, I was shocked when I was diagnosed also. It's truly amazing the effect a malfunctioning thyroid can have on a person's health. Although, I was not initially diagnosed, thank goodness my doctor did not blame menopause. It was only after my blood work that the cause was detected. Unfortunately, like so many of us, you will feel as though you have little control of your body and of course lack of sleep only compounds this situation. The best I can offer, is to say that my medication and self education has helped me tremendously. Remember, knowledge is power. I hope you will be feeling better soon and I have helped, if even only a little.

  • evergreen
    evergreen sarah22273

    Posted

    Sarah, all of your symptoms are typical of hyperthyroidism. I did not feel at all hyper. On the contrary, I was weak and tired all of the time and hardly slept. I hope that you can get diagnosed and treated soon. If hyperthyroidism is confirmed do not wait to be referred to an endocrinologist; ask your GP if you can be started on carbimazole (if he/she does not already do that him/herself). Too many patients are left waiting for weeks to be seen by an endo when they should really be started on the carbimazole whilst they wait.
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