Hypothyroidism Support Group

Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...

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Air Hunger question

ThusFar
ThusFar

I have had SOB on exertion and gasping at night for 10 months.  I was recently diagnosed hypothyroid and have learned about the breathing problems associated with that.  I've been on 75mcg ofLevothyrosine for 12 days and am hopeful I will finally get some relief.  I am hoping my treatment isn't as complicated as what I am reading it has been for so many people.  I would like to know if anyof you have experienced this symptom...especially the gasping at night.  Not certain, but I think the gasping at night is worse on the days that I exercise and am wondering about others' experiences with this and how soon the meds gave them relief.  Thanks

lighttheway
lighttheway
I think gasping for air at night might be sleep apnea? Have you had a sleep study done? I think its when you actually stop breathing for a sec and your body wakes up startled and gasps for air.I used to have it but not so much anymore..when i'm hypo i will feel short of breath trying to go for uphill walks.Really frustrating. hope you get some answers..Ask you dr about sleep apnea.sometimes people need to sleep with sleep apnea devices.(cpaps). let us know how your doing..:)
dawnrose0004
dawnrose0004
I think sometimes this is anxiety. Do you feel like you're on the right dose?
ThusFar
ThusFar
Thanks fallingleaves and dawnrose! I was tested for sleep apnea but had one of my rare good nights when I took the test. I have a friend who went through this same symptom with her thyroid. she was waking up gasping 2-3 times per night for many years. All the while the doctor was telling her that her thyroid tests were borderline but that he didn't want to begin treatment. He told her the breathing issue was probably just anxiety. She says she believed him because she is a worrier. Fast forward several years and he began thyroid treatment. After one month on the medicine the gasping issue stopped.

I wish it were anxiety. But I know something else is wrong. I have had a major depression once and went on meds for that for a few years. So it's not as if I'd be unwilling to admit it if I had that issue going on. Anyway, that is how I began to possibly associate it with the thyroid issue. I've only been on meds for 3 weeks and really no improvement yet. I have been drinking coffee 30 minutes after the medicine in the morning and then cereal with milk about one hour after. I think I am going to put off coffee for one hour and maybe switch to eating something without milk so I don't take a chance on the med not getting absorbed.

I haven't been on meds long enough to get levels that would tell me anything yet. Fallingleaves and Dawnrose can you or anyone else share your routine for taking your meds and eating?
ralpert
ralpert
You should not have any calcium within 4 hours before or after taking your thyroid pill. Also, try chewing the pill. I seemed to feel an effect faster after I started chewing mine.
ThusFar
ThusFar
Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies. I've been on the levo for a little over a month and would say my most troubling symptom--gasping at night--is about 80% better, and the shortness of breath in the daytime is much, much better. I have blood work ordered on Dec. first. If the gasping is not completely gone by then, I will ask the doctor to do a full thyroid panel to see if I am a candidate for Cytomel. I also plan to ask if he is open to prescribing armour because I have read some people do better on that. Thanks so much for the support, and I will keep you updated. I hope so much that my journey will help someone else...
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