Hyperthyroidism starting treatment 5mg Carbimazole
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi all,
Hoping for some advice. The rundown; After about a year of progressively worsening symptoms such as heat intolerance, shaking hands, insomnia and high energy coupled with a later collapse of energy, and pressure behind the eyes (could be sinus related), I have finally been diognosed by my primary care physician as having hyperthyroidism. Had about 5 full scan blood tests showing:
TSH: Low but within reference range in all tests
Free T3: Above reference in two tests, but only a couple of points above reference
T4: My latest test showed T4 above reference but only a couple of points above, not at the same time as Free T3.
My doctor has agreed to start treatment with 5mg Carbimazole taken once daily which I had to beg him for as my symptoms are severe despite my levels only being marginally over reference.
My symptoms have been unaffected in the 3 weeks since I've started treatment, and I understand that I need to leave it longer before assessing the full benefit of the treatment, however my research tells me that typically a Carbimazole course is started at least at 15mg, 5mg 3x per day and dropped to 5mg after a period of time for maintenance.
My doctor hasn't been able to give me firm advice other than wait a little longer.
My questions to the forum are:
- will my current dosage be effective in relieving my symptoms
- has anyone else experienced Hyper symptoms only marginally above reference values?
* I'm asking for the full results of my labs to post tomorrow so will be able to update this post when they arrive.
Thanking you in advance! This forum has been a great resource in this (seemingly endless) struggle! :-)
1 like, 16 replies
jared01068
Posted
It's been a few months now since my original post and I'd like to inform you of my findings.
- diognosed with hyperthyroidism secondary to Graves' disease
- throat ultrasound showed as normal
- it took 3 blood tests to show consistent free T3/t4 results
- RAIU test was positive for Graves' disease
- testosterone on the lower side of normal
- low calcium
TREATMENT:
- initially started on 5mg Carbimazol, no change, gradually upped to 20mg under guidance of my GP
- treated by public endocrinologist who is excellent, has advised to drop to 15mg after my last bloods showed that my TSH levels were slightly high, although T3/T4 levels are within normal range
- discussed radiatoactive iodine and throidectomy however will maintain course of carbimazol for around a year and reevaluate
ONGOING SYMPTOMS:
- still feeling really hot, sweaty and flushed (it's the middle of summer here but even so...)
- insomnia has eased a little but still struggle to fall asleep and end up staying up too late and constantly lethargic the day after
- puffy face / poor skin condition comparative before symptoms were noticeable (this appeared to start improving on start of treatment but has since reverted)
Endocrinologist has booked me in for lymph node scans and bloods for lupus.
Thanks for your support