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Overactive thyroid.

Posted , 8 users are following.

joy87504
joy87504

Hello there, I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid last week and my GP started me on Carbimazole 20mg, but on Sunday just gone I was extremely breathless with my heart racing. I ended up at A&E where I was given Bisoprolol 2.5 mg to be taken every morning. The endo`s at the hospital saw me and believe I have Graves disease, so also gave me some drops for my eyes. The Endo doctor raised my Carbimazole to twice a day and said I`d feel much better when I go to her clinic in about 6 weeks time. However I feel so incredibly tired and wonder if this was normal. I`ve no energy or want to do anything. I`m 63 yrs old so wondered if my age has anything to do with this tiredness as I thought `hyper` would leave me with boundless energy. Thanks in advance for anyone who answers me- all help is gratefully appreciated. x

0 likes, 22 replies

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  • ariadne43
    ariadne43 joy87504

    Posted

    Hi Joy, i too recently found out I was hyperthyroid.  I dont have loads of energy either!  I think because I dont sleep well that leaves me exhausted during the day.  Stick with your tablets and see how you fare out.  I noticed I was breathless a few weeks back just walking up a hill which I always do.  I am on propanalol which helps with palpitations.  Its scary stuff when you are first diagnosed.  Im glad you got to see an endo, I am waiting for my appointment.  More bloods done today.  After a week on carbimazole my levels were slightly better.  Come back and let me know how you are getting on xx
    • joy87504
      joy87504 ariadne43

      Posted

      Thank you ariadne43, its a great help hearing how others are coping with this. I hope you soon feel much better too. x
  • emmaj43
    emmaj43 joy87504

    Posted

    Hi Joy, you will be tired with your body going into overdrive,  I couldn't lift or walk up the stairs and I was 42, but still was losing 1 kilo a day.  Just rest and wait for the tablets to start blocking the over production.  The reason, i believe (someone please correct me if I'm wrong!) it takes 6 weeks for results is because the overproduced thyroid hormones takes 6 weeks to be used up, the Carbimazole blocks more being made.   Sorry you have also got this.  Take care x
    • joy87504
      joy87504 emmaj43

      Posted

      Thank you emmaj43 you`ve really reassured me,  its not nice for you either with this lack of energy. I hope you feel much better soon x

       

    • emmaj43
      emmaj43 joy87504

      Posted

      Hi Joy,  I have two friends and a friend's father who had graves and they are absolutely fine now, 2 without radio iodine and one with.  Just get though the next couple of weeks and you will start to feel so much better. It is frightening have this, but as my consultant said it is very treatable.  X
    • joy87504
      joy87504 emmaj43

      Posted

      Thank you again so much. The endo I saw suggested the iodine treatment for me too, once my levels are back. She said the same that its very treatable. She did reccommend Selinium from Holland & Barratt which my husband got for me yesterday. I wouldn`t have tried it unless the Endo had suggested it- the `write up` is very good for treating Graves.
  • jeanette25032
    jeanette25032 joy87504

    Posted

    Hi Joy

    I have been on anti thyroid medication for 3 years. I started on Carbimazole but after 3 weeks git hives so they changed me onto propylthiouracil. Every day I am breathless and my heart races and my muscles hurt but the propranolol helps a lot with palpitations. I hope you are in for a better ride than me. If you manage to find a nice/good endocrinologist let me know. I have seen many. They say hyperthyroidism doesn't give the symptoms I have but everyone suffering from it seems to go through the same. Wish I could find an endocrinologist who has hyperthyroidism they might be a bit more sympathetic.

    Regards

    jeanette

    • emmaj43
      emmaj43 jeanette25032

      Posted

      Hi Jeanette, have you not been advised to have definitive treatment?  I have been on Carbimazole for just over a year and now being strongly advised down that route of surgery.  I would like to see if it comes back first. Thanks 
    • jeanette25032
      jeanette25032 emmaj43

      Posted

      Hi Emma

      I haven't been given any advice by doctors. I asked my doctor if it be surgically removed and he reluctantly agreed.  I did book in initially for a thyroidectomy in December but cancelled it as my doctors kept telling me there is an underlying problem and a thyroidectomy may or may not cure me. I went or further tests, and tested positive for trichothecene mycotoxins and adrenal maladaption. As an archivist 6 years back I was dealing with lots of mouldy papers. Within weeks I started becoming allergic to medicines so an allergist injected me with corticosteroid. Within 15 mins I had an anaphylactoid reaction and have been ill ever since. I spoke to a mould specialist who said the normal course for the mould I tested positive for would be adrenal, thyroid and nerve damage as well as other organs. The corticosteroid would have lowered my immune system and the mould would have run riot. Doctors haven't a clue on what to do next. I have so many allergies I am terrified of going under general anaesthetic in case it kills me. I am allergic to insecticide, incense, some cleaning products and various medications. I can't go into supermarkets or malls without feeling like I'm going to collapse. Life has been hell for 6 years and I can't find anyone to help.

    • joy87504
      joy87504 jeanette25032

      Posted

      Hi Jeanette the Endo I saw is in Norwich at the Universal Hospital.  She said that all the symptoms I have including the aching joints suggest Graves to her. I hope you feel better soon x
    • emmaj43
      emmaj43 jeanette25032

      Posted

      H Jeanette, I am so so sorry to hear all the medical issues you have to deal with.  I can't believe no one can help you.  I look like I have a simple cold in comparison.  Have you been to an alternative health site for guidance?  It must be so awful for you. X
    • jeanette25032
      jeanette25032 emmaj43

      Posted

      Hi Emma

      I currently live in Bahrain but haven't found a doctor over here that can help.  Am looking for one in Dubai as it is relitively cheap to fly there weekly/monthly.  I have found one that may be able to help at home (London) but the fares are high and I can only get home in the school holidays - cant disrupt my daughters education as she's in year 9.  My endocrinologist is in London but hasn't a clue on what is causing all this and as I have to go private (being an expat) isn't interested unless I am there to pay the consultation fee.  Interestingly my husband met a lady yesterday that has thyroid disease and the same allergies as me.  My allergies are so bad that last time I was in the middle of a reaction I was tested for porphyria and although I don't have a genetic porphyria, my porphyrin count was extremely high, like I had lead or arsenic poisoning.  Some sort of toxic issue going on as I got tested for lead and that was normal.

  • Pippa26
    Pippa26 joy87504

    Posted

    hello Joy, my 14 year old daughter was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in April and was prescribed carbimazole and propranolol. Initially, she was exhausted, incredibly breathless and couldn't  walked up the stairs without a rest so it isn't your age possibly just the condition and the meds. She was also given 2 types of eye drops. Now, at the beginning of June she has a lot more energy and is more her old self althought she does still get tired. I think 'hyper' means your body is working too hard all the time which leaves you exhausted. The advice seems to be give it time and rest when you need to. I hope you start to feel better soon.
    • joy87504
      joy87504 Pippa26

      Posted

      Thank you Pippa, I think you are spot on especially when I hear of your young daughter. Please  wish her all my best wishes and that she feels 100% again very soon.  I was given two types of eye drop too and the consultant suggested Selinium from Holland and Barratt. x 
  • linda187
    linda187 joy87504

    Posted

    Hi Joy

    I have posted to this Board many times before about the benefits of using L-Carnitine or Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Vitamin D along with your doctor's prescriptions.  The reason is most Graves patients are deficient in these two things along with their other symptoms.  You can request blood tests to confirm your vitamin D deficiency and carnitine deficiency.  You can obtain both of these supplements from a Health Food store.  My Graves improved tremendously when I added L-Carnitine and then Acetyl-L-Carnitine.  My TSH was at less than 0.01 for two years while I was only on meds but when I added first the L-carnitine it rose to 0.05.  Then with the Acetyl-L-Carnitine it rose to 0.78 and then 1.4 and 2.4.  It drops if I discontinue it.  Also my ophthalmologist inserted collagen plugs into my tear ducts and that keeps more moisture in my eyes.  Today I have normal results, and no Graves antibodies.  Your doctor won't know about the L-carnitine or vitamin D deficiency and as long as you are following her instructions, you can add these supplements yourself.

    • joy87504
      joy87504 linda187

      Posted

      Thank you Linda, I`ll have a look for these supplements x
    • linda187
      linda187 joy87504

      Posted

      Somebody else on the Board posted about using Ashwaghanda for adrenal suppot.  I think a Naturopath could advise you and help you strengthen your immune system.  I know diet is very important and for hyperthyroid patients, the advoidance of Aspartane  found in many products and sodas is very important as well.  If you go the route of surgery or Radiation therapy, then you would have to supplement with thyroid meds and many people don't feel better on them because they are synthetic hormones.  So I would try everything else possible first.  I know most thyroid patients are vitamin D deficient as well and I also supplement with that.
    • joy87504
      joy87504 linda187

      Posted

      Thanks Linda, I was already wondering about vit B deficiency x
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