What is Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism (or "overactive thyroid gland") is the clinical syndrome caused by an excess of circulating free thyroxine (T4) or free triiodothyronine (T3), or both.
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Newly diagnosed male seeks info
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Hello there.. I am a male in my mid 30s and was diagnosed as being hyperthyroid approx 30 days ago and have been prescribed methimazole to take 30mg 3 pills at once every morning. I must say that I may have felt a little better the first week but nothing significant yet. I am afraid that it is not going to work. Also I must say that 7 years ago I was diagnosed as being hypo and then upon return to test levels was completely taken off of synthroid as the NEW doctor said that it was not needed. Then the levels were not tested again since. Then recently I was feeling horrible after a dizzy spell and pounding in my chest for several days. I saw the cardio doc and the heart was fine. Later I found out from my new Dr that i was hyper and needed to go to an Endo. My guess is that the first Dr. misdiagnosed me in the beginning which is probably why I have had anxiety, been forgetful, and been extremely irritable for several years. I really couldnt have clear thought when talking to someone and always ready to leave family functions early. I was always told that I was probably ADHD but never thought about my thyroid. I have now lost 41 pounds and it seems that no matter how much I eat I cant gain a pound. I have anxiety daily as well as being emotional. My wife is having a very hard time dealing with me. I only hope she can learn more about what I am dealing with. I know that people think that it is not a big deal, but I feel like crap, and am tired of people asking me whats wrong ? or why I have lost so much weight. I hope someone can help me with what I can do for myself untill these meds start working better? Thanks for any input. I will post my test results so if anyone can give me an idea of what im dealing with?
RESULTS 4/24/09 T3 6.67 High TPA 718 High T4 2.42 High TSH 0.01 LOW Posted on 06/18/09, 12:06 am |
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Hi and welcome:
Please include the lab ranges to go with the labs. I will need to know if the T3 and the T4 you had done are the Free Ts. MMI (Methimazole) per pharmacy inserts and online instructions is meant to be taken two to three times a day in divided doses. Consider getting a pill cutter and split up your doses. This will prevent one from getting too hypO for the first 12 hours and the last 12 hours hypER. It takes about six to eight weeks for the thyroid levels to start reducing. Are you taking any beta blockers to lower down your cardiac/hypER symptoms? It will help with the anxiety symptoms you have and get back on track. It is very important to get labs done every six weeks of the Free T3, the Free T4, and the TSH to begin reducing the MMI and to aim the Free Ts at mid ranges and slowly reduce the MMI. Otherwise one can go hypO on too high of doses of the MMI and that's not good either. It can be just as bad to be hypO as it is to be hypER. I tell people to aim their Free Ts at mid ranges, but some people may feel better either at a bit higher ranges or lower. I feel better with both the Free T3 and the Free T4 at mid ranges. Thyroid disease is very difficult for many people. It can cause emotional/mental problems when the Free Ts levels are off. It can cause problems within a marriage. Your wife will need to work with being as patient with you as possible. Sometimes it is not a very easy thing to do. I used to tell people I have a thyroid problem when they would asked what was wrong and why was I so thin. I don't have to anymore because I have my thyroid levels pretty much where it needs to be. Take care... :-) 
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Here are the results once more with more info. Thank you so much
"Normal Ranges" Free T3= 6.67 2.3-4.2 Thyrid Perox= 718 0-60 Free T4= 2.42 0.89-1.76 TSH= 0.01 0.35-5.50 Thyroglobulin= 9.3 Thyroid Stim. Immunoglob= 157 Lab range= less tha 125
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It did not space it right.... The results are first then the labs normal ranges are second
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Hi:
Yes, you definitely have Graves' Disease. It's time to go get another set of labs since it is heading into seven weeks. Get labs every six weeks. You will need to find out where you are at with the Free Ts. If these are in the mid ranges, it will be ideal to begin reducing the MMI as not to go hypO. Get a pill cutter to take in divided doses three times a day. Are you on any beta blockers to reduce your cardiac/hypER symptoms? Take care... :-)
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Hi Hyperguy,
I am sorry to hear about your troubles. I took methimazole and it helped me feel better. It is possible to go hypo on methimazole, and that is what I did, but after getting off of it i have started to swing back up to normal thyroid levels. There are some foods that I started to avoid while being hyper because they would cause heart palps, jitters, insomnia or eye trouble for me, and those were mostly high iodine foods like processed lunch meats, cured meats, pickles, fast food, cheese, dairy, seafood and eggs. Just one sandwich from Subway or the like would give me jitters and shakes and I wouldn't be able to sleep for a few days. Try to keep track of what you are eating and see if anything makes you feel not too good, or if some stuff makes you feel better. I actually kept a diary book and found out that mostly fruits, veggies, nuts and lean meats like chicken or lean beef would be okay, etc. I hope you feel better, soon! Hannah
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Thank you so much for the info... What makes you think that it is definatly Graves Disease?? also does anyone have any advice on exercise. i have just joined the gym with a personal trainer to get back into shape. i was upfront with my condition and am looking at it like "physical therapy". I do not plan on overstressing my body and they agree.... what do you think?
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Hi There,
I think a personal trainer is an excellent idea, and keeping some gentle activity in your life can help you reduce stress, and hopefully help you keep your muscle mass and bone density. I think it can help us to keep our spirits up as well. Your FT4 is still high, so that means you will have to be sure to be gentle, and I think it would be good to wear a heart monitor. I wear one when I exercise. It wraps around my chest, and there is a watch that beeps at me if my heart rate is too low or too high. One concern about exercise when you are hyper is that there is something called periodic paralysis that can happen to us if we exert ourselves too much. I think it might have something to do with too much potassium, too? I read about it in "Thyroid for Dummies." I think that book is really helpful for me. I know that I feel better when I take a fitness class, or go to the gym to work out. When I feel hypo, I don't really go because I hurt a lot when that happens, and haven't gone for a few weeks now, but think I'm feeling better and am going to go back to a yoga class that I like real well. I hope you feel better, really soon! This thyroid stuff is sure is a trial, isn't it? Hannah
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Thank you so much hannahbee I appreciate all the support and info. It has seemed that this is the only place to talk about this as knowone else has any idea, nor do they think that it is worth researching. I think people just think that this is very common and not to bad. I must say that I felt great yesterday and like crap today. This rollercoaster sucks and I want off, but it dosent seem to stop!! Thanks again and we will talk soon !!!
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Also no beta blockers as of yet. Not sure what they really do? I feel like im putting enough crap in my body so I just listen to ALOT of MUSIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and try like heck to relax..
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Eek....no exercises if your heart rate is over 90 and above! First getting your thyroid levels under control would be wise. It will likely take a few months and then slowly begin an exercise program. Get a doctor's clearance on the exercises first.
The TSI (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins) test indicates you have active Graves' Disease. Beta blockers help to lower down the Cardiac/hypER symptoms. Take care... :-)
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