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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Endocrine System
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Why I Don't Go To The ER

tugboatann
tugboatann
Many of you probably wonder why I don't run to the ER when I have such horrible chest pain & symptoms. My first ER visit last year was on April 8th. In addition to the continuous dizziness I had been experiencing for over 2 years I also had weak arms. I then went again on April 30th, May 13th & May 17th. Each time I got progressively worse & very weak with very high blood pressure. On May 17th while waiting for them to admit me, I was laying on a seat shaking all over. Another woman there was so concerned she asked for blankets to keep me warm. By the time they finally came to get me, I was shaking so bad & finally hyperventilated & almost passed out. It was so embarrassing! Each time I mentioned my thyroidectomy but told them I was UNDER THE CARE OF AN ENDOCRINOLIGIST. That gave them the impression that my problem was not thyroid related. I now know that it is totally thyroid related! Unfortunately, I live in a very remote area with not very good health care. Plus, I know it is written in my many ER records that it could be merely panic attacks or ALL IN MY HEAD!
mmztcass
mmztcass
Could you post your latest Free T3, Free T4, and TSH? As the other poster says, it sounds like it could anxiety/panic attacks you are experiencing in addition.

{{{hugs}}} :-(
tugboatann
tugboatann
On 2/21/11 after 6 wks on 50+25 mcg of Synthroid my labs are as follows: Free T4 1.5 (0.8-1.8) TSH 1.78 (0.40-4.50) I still have yet to receive the Free T3. I know the endo ordered it because I am the one that took the request to the lab. I have a feeling it was overlooked & not processed. The last time I had a Free T3 done was 11/08/10 when I tried for 31 days to add 5 mcg Cytomel to 50 mcg Synthroid. The readings totally confused the endo. Remember I was not able to take the full 5mcg until the last 9 days. Before that I was taking 1/4 +1/4, 1/2 + 1/4, 1/2 + 1/4etc. Anyways, my results on 11/8 were as follows: T3 2.8 (2.0-4.4) T4 .93 (.77-1.61) TSH 1.4 (0.34-4.82).
mmztcass
mmztcass
Looks like your Free T4 is too high for you. If we knew what your Free T3 was, that would help. You might be too hypER for your needs and need to reduce the replacement med you are on.

I suggest you get your labs done again and find out if you climbed too high.

{{{hugs}}}

P.S. Some people do like their Free T4 above mid range, but it doesn't mean it is great for you to be there for the symptoms you are having...
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, My thyroid symptoms get so bad at times I am barely responsive.
My co-workers have almost called an ambulance 3 times to come and get me. I tell them not to bother.... an emergency room can't help me. My regular physcian, 2 neurologists and an endocrinologist don't understand hypthyroidism and so I know an emergency room dr will be clueless too. The best thing for me is to increase my Synthyroid and sleep for about 18 to 20 hours for a couple of days. I understand your position..... just make sure that it's really your thyroid and not something else.
tugboatann
tugboatann
Thanks for all the responses. So comforting to know I'm not the only one suffering with this debilitating condition! Yesterday was another horrible day! I couldn't even go to lunch with a couple of co-workers & barely made it through the morning at work. layed in bed most of the afternoon & cried. Lots of chest pain, heart pounding, plugged left ear & slight headache. When I went to bed my heart rate was 60 & blood pressure 145/84. Had a hard time sleeping & finally got up around 3 am. My blood pressure was then 138/92 & my heart rate was 96. Today was a good day, thank God!
Bloomsday
Bloomsday
Hi, I had very similar symptoms when I was on Synthroid, heart palps to the point of them thinking I needed a yearly heart checkup and EKG, and high blood pressure in the range you describe, not too high but high enough. It wasnt until I tried the Natural stuff that my blood pressure, cholesterol and just about everything else improved. Maybe you could try a small dose of Natural thyroid in addition to your Synthroid? That is how I started out, now I just take the Natural.
tugboatann
tugboatann
Bloomsday, Thanks for the info. I finally got a prescription for Armour & started adding 1/4 grain to my 50 mcg of Synthroid. I was adding 25 mcg of Synthroid to a 50. When I switched to 75 mcg of Synthroid, I was back to horrible heart pounding, high blood pressure, dizziness & felt like I was dying. I am sure my body doesn't need all that T4 & it needs more T3. I am being very cautious because of the adverse effects I had with 5 mcg of Cytomel. There is T3 in Armour. I plan on switching over competely in time.