Overactive Thyroid? Help.

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hello smile I was wondering if anyone can help me.

For the past year I have been having the most horrendous panic and anxiety attacks, feeling tired a lot more than usual, hot flushes, my neck feels enlarged but doesn't look enlarged if you know what I mean, muscle weakness from time to time, Palpitations, Insomnia.. but there are times when I feel full of energy. When I was describing my symptoms to my grandmother she said it sounded like overactive thyroid and the same thing she had gone through when she was younger, her sister also had it.

I've had blood tests done but came back fine, I'm still not convinved, I know that thyroid levels change. Could they have just missed it? 

Xxx

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Posted

    I had similar symptoms to you, I would feel so rotten I would take myself off to bed. The problems got worse after I retired, although there were times when I was younger, but could not retire to bed then, I had kids and worked. Having gone for blood tests for many years and being told, my bloods were normal. My sister, had a goitre when young, only hers was over active, it can run in families. My doctor told me in my 50's I would probably need Thyroid hormone at some point. I realised then that I was just on the border of normal. My doctor gave me the required test form, and said next time you are feeling tiered, go for a blood test. It was about six months later, I felt like taking to my bed. I got my husband to take me for the test. The lab must have decided to test for antibodies  (the lab would be responcible I believe for that decision). It came back that I had Hashimoto decease, an Autoimune decease. With Hashimoto the antibodies destroy the T4 cells. I did not have all the, signs of underactive (Hypothyroidism) I was not overweight just 9 stone. It is considered people with over active, are on the thin side, whereas, the opposite for, underactive. I am improved since I have been on Thyroxine. I hope your doctor sorts you out.
  • Posted

    My experience tells me that the TSH level defines thyroid diseases, but the borderlines of the 'normal range' are adjusted from time to time. If the TSH is high the thyroid is low and if the TSH is low the thyroid is high.  Also they are devising better tests to more accurately show what the TSH level is.  

    With hyperthyroidism, especially, they also test for Free T4 and sometimes either Total T3 or Free T3, but the Free T3 is not looked upon as being very accurate for 2 reasons:  Free T3 levels are normally extremely low, so they are hard to measure once they are even at the top of the normal range.  Also, the amount of Free T3 in the bloodstream varies greatly in various times of day.  FT4 changes less erratically so they usually wait about 4-8 weeks between tests if you are hyperthyroid, and may not test even TSH levels more often than once a year if you have normal reports.  When the thyroid is high and TSH levels are very close to zero, they need to test the FT4 and possibly FT3 to see just how high the thyroid has become.

    It is good to get a copy of your lab reports every time the results have been determined.  Then you can post the results here and some of us know what they mean and can help you understand them.

    Your symptoms don't have to represent a thyroid problem, though.  Has a doctor ever tried you on anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medication?  If so, what kinds? and how did they work out for you?

    Your symptoms also sound like they could be peri-menopausal if you are a female around that age, or if your calorie intake is low compared to your calorie expenditure.  In either case the thyroid could be affected. 

  • Posted

    Thanks both for replying.

    I've been on antidepressants on/off since I was 18 (I'm 27 now) or was, I've recently come off them as I have found they are making me worse and I think my body has had enough. Since coming off them I have been feeling a better within myself again, the only thing I'm struggling with is the Anxiety and feeling ill from time to time.

    I have had a tough year or so, but I think there's something more going on than there actually is, but my doctor seems uninterested with whatever I say, which is extremely frustrating. So I'm thinking I need a second opinion.

    • Posted

      I agree that a second opinion is often useful.

      I had trouble with the usual SSRIs like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft but Wellbutrin has worked wonders for me.  I'm different, though, because I don't have problem with anxiety and I usually feel more sluggish than hyperthyroid.  Being on anti thyroid drugs was the worst thing doctors have ever made me do.

      My husband is hypothyroid, has suffered with anxiety and depression for years.  Clonazipam for anxiety from time to time and Zoloft helped him.  H had problems with palpatations especially as he was lying down trying to sleep.  He found that he needed to be sitting up somewhat or reclining to sleep.  When he was very close to dying, he was diagnosed with Heart Failure, and the specialists in the cardiovascular clinic turned his life around so he is energetic again from time to time.

    • Posted

      I've had all the tests done and I'm fit and healthy, but I would like to be tested again for thyroid just to be sure.

      It could just be that I have depression, Panic and Anxiey. But I'd just like to be sure, because I've never had it this bad before, and like I said I have had a pretty tough year, losing my grandfather and work has been extremely stressful. I'm seeing a councillor this week, so hopefully that will be of some help too. smile

    • Posted

      I always wanted to be tested for the thyroid before going on antidepressants or anything because at least the thyroid is something they can actually test for.  So I think you are right about that.  It is also good you will be seeing a counselor  But I suspect they will look at the stress you have had this year with losing your grandfather as evidence that it is depression/anxiety causing your physical symptoms.

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