Hyperthyroidism?

[lyeag]

Ok, so I had two blood test to test my thyroid levels. The dr retested because the first one was low. I got the second test results back late yesterday from the nurse and it was still very low. I get treated at a military hospital, so today is a holiday and the offices are closed, only the ER is open. Anyway, how long is too long to go untreated? I keep reading about all these warning sypmtoms and about thyroid storm. Does anyone know how long it takes for something like that to happen in general?

 

[mrsv98]

Ok, so I had two blood test to test my thyroid levels. The dr retested because the first one was low. I got the second test results back late yesterday from the nurse and it was still very low. I get treated at a military hospital, so today is a holiday and the offices are closed, only the ER is open. Anyway, how long is too long to go untreated? I keep reading about all these warning sypmtoms and about thyroid storm. Does anyone know how long it takes for something like that to happen in general?

First, you are HYPOthyriod, not hyper. Generally, you are probably very tired, thinning hair, brittle nails and feeling punky in general. The doc will most likely do more tests to determine the cause. Low test results are not a reason to panic, just to follow up in a timely manner. It may take 6-9 months to regulate your thyroid once you start medication so it will take time but you will feel much better once you do.

 

[lyeag]

First, you are HYPOthyriod, not hyper. Generally, you are probably very tired, thinning hair, brittle nails and feeling punky in general. The doc will most likely do more tests to determine the cause. Low test results are not a reason to panic, just to follow up in a timely manner. It may take 6-9 months to regulate your thyroid once you start medication so it will take time but you will feel much better once you do.

No- it's the opposite. from web MD- ( when I said low, I was talking about my TSH values

Low values
A low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) value can indicate an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Causes of hyperthyroidism include Graves' disease, a type of goiter (multinodular goiter), or a noncancerous (benign) tumor called a toxic nodule.
A low TSH value can also indicate damage to the pituitary gland that prevents it from producing TSH (secondary hypothyroidism). In this case, the person usually has symptoms of hypothyroidism such as weight gain, tiredness, dry skin, constipation, a feeling of being too cold, or frequent menstrual periods.
A low TSH value can occur in people who have an underactive thyroid gland and are receiving too much thyroid hormone medication.






I am feeling jumpy, irritable, fast heart rate, insomnia and out of breath.

 

[Christine]

No- it's the opposite. from web MD- ( when I said low, I was talking about my TSH values

Low values
A low thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) value can indicate an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). Causes of hyperthyroidism include Graves' disease, a type of goiter (multinodular goiter), or a noncancerous (benign) tumor called a toxic nodule.
A low TSH value can also indicate damage to the pituitary gland that prevents it from producing TSH (secondary hypothyroidism). In this case, the person usually has symptoms of hypothyroidism such as weight gain, tiredness, dry skin, constipation, a feeling of being too cold, or frequent menstrual periods.
A low TSH value can occur in people who have an underactive thyroid gland and are receiving too much thyroid hormone medication.


I am feeling jumpy, irritable, fast heart rate, insomnia and out of breath.

lyeag,
You are correct--a low TSH value = HYPERthyroidism and a high value = HYPOthyroidism. A lot of people get confused when they hear "low thyroid levels" thinking it means you are low on thyroid hormone.

I don't know much about thyroid storm, just that I guess it can happen if you get to hyper. Does your doctor have any plans to treat you?

 

[lyeag]

Well, like I posted, the labs just came back yesterday, and today the offices at the military hospital where I go are closed. I just have been doing some research and read about the thyroid storm, and I was wondering how long something like that took to develop. Very scary if you look it up. I have been having symptoms for about 3 weeks now and I want to get it taken care of ASAP. My heart is racing most of the time. I do have an appt to see a cardiologist on the 20th, but, for me, that is not soon enough.

On the good side, my dr seems pretty on the ball to have caught it in the first lab and to call for a second round of labs to double check. I am really hoping I will hear from him or his nurse first thing on Monday.

 

[Christine]

Well, like I posted, the labs just came back yesterday, and today the offices at the military hospital where I go are closed. I just have been doing some research and read about the thyroid storm, and I was wondering how long something like that took to develop. Very scary if you look it up. I have been having symptoms for about 3 weeks now and I want to get it taken care of ASAP. My heart is racing most of the time. I do have an appt to see a cardiologist on the 20th, but, for me, that is not soon enough.

On the good side, my dr seems pretty on the ball to have caught it in the first lab and to call for a second round of labs to double check. I am really hoping I will hear from him or his nurse first thing on Monday.

I think that thyroid storm is fairly rare (not sure). It's sort of like the myxedema coma in the people who go hypothyroid. It is something that *can* happen but doesn't always happen.

I guess the thing to figure out now is why you are hyperthyroid. You will need to find out if this is caused by Grave's Disease which is an autoimmune disorder--there are further tests for that. Most of the time, the doctors will try to treat you with anti-thyroid medication. Sometimes that works and other times it can be a roller coaster. Many people elect to have their thyroid gland burned out with RAI. That will then make you hypo but you can begin to manage your levels at that point.

I have been hyperthyroid before (medically induced) and IT IS NOT PLEASANT. Do you know what your TSH levels are? I'd be curious to see just how hyper you are.

 

[rie'smom]

Throid storm is very rare. Most endocrinologists see very few cases. Many times it's a case of someone who is hypothyroid OD'ing on their meds.

 

[lyeag]

I think that thyroid storm is fairly rare (not sure). It's sort of like the myxedema coma in the people who go hypothyroid. It is something that *can* happen but doesn't always happen.

I guess the thing to figure out now is why you are hyperthyroid. You will need to find out if this is caused by Grave's Disease which is an autoimmune disorder--there are further tests for that. Most of the time, the doctors will try to treat you with anti-thyroid medication. Sometimes that works and other times it can be a roller coaster. Many people elect to have their thyroid gland burned out with RAI. That will then make you hypo but you can begin to manage your levels at that point.

I have been hyperthyroid before (medically induced) and IT IS NOT PLEASANT. Do you know what your TSH levels are? I'd be curious to see just how hyper you are.

My lab from yesterday says .03

 

[mrsv98]

My lab from yesterday says .03

Well, you think I would get it right since i had it!

I was hyperthyroid and felt awful. Rapid heartrate, poor sleep, rapid speech pattern, dry, brittle skin and hair. I always felt exhausted...yuck.

The treatments vary. It runs in my family and we have done different things. I had two tumors, one on each side. I was young, early 20s and elected to try radioactive iodine. It worked really well, distroyed the tumors but not my thyroid and I don't even need synthroid.

DDad and DUncle went right for the surgery and are on synthroid. DSis tried the iodine but needed surgery in the end. Like I said, it runs in the family.

The Doc might put you on Inderol for the rapid heart rate, it will help until they can get your thyroid under control. If they do, eat lots of bananas or take potassium. Inderol blocks potassium absorbtion and I used to get wicked charley horses while I was on it.

Good luck, it sound like your doc it on top of everything.

 

[Christine]

My lab from yesterday says .03

That's pretty low but not as bad as it could be. I have thyroid cancer and they like to keep us thyroid cancer patients in a "suppressed" state. Many thyroid cancer patients tolerate at TSH of .03 quite well. I'm not one of them and about as low as I can go is .3.

 

[booger73]

Storm = end organ damage (heart = congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy; neuro = seizures, psychosis, etc)

Thyrotoxicosis = symptoms of hyperthyroid (mild to bad) = palpitations, wt loss, tremor, diarrhea, nervous, emotional liability, etc

Your TSH is low (but most tests only measure down to <.04 anyways).. It's your free t4 and t3 that matter (will both be high)

Probably should get you on a beta blocker, and then either PTU/Methimazole, and then like above stated radioactive iodine or surgery - up to you..

You're unlikely in storm (you wouldn't be typing, reading this.. PS, untreated storm mortality is pretty crappy).. but, it's really not that rare.. I've seen 2 in the last few months.. and actually have one in the hospital now.
Just make sure you get started on meds early/soon..

 

[golfgal]

Your value isn't that far out of the normal range so I wouldn't worry too much about it. I am hypothyroid and my TSH level was 95, so WAY out of normal range and nothing major happened other then I was REALLY, REALLY tired, but I also had newborn twins so who knew the difference ?

 

[lyeag]

My T4 is 1.2
T3 is 3.28

I didn't think I was in storm, just wondering how long you had to go untreated for that sort of thing to happen.

I have lost 12 pound in the last 2-2 1/2 months. I just want to get this all sorted out before my Disney trip on 12/18. I am tired of feeling like a jittery drug addict.


How low can TSH go? I don't know too much about this, but I was sort of worried when I saw .03. The lab papers say the normal is .49-4.67.

 

[grlzmom]

I have Graves disease and have been hyperthyroid. Have been in remission and also been hypo thyroid. Currently hypo...Sort of like a roller coaster.

Thyroid storm is not that common. Your tsh is low, but the free t3 and t4 are more important indicators.

My tsh when hyperthyroid is usually unmeasurable. I can tell when it is low and when I am semi-normal. You get used to the symptoms. I actually feel pretty good if my tsh is around .04.

I am followed by an endocrinologist and they do a great job of keeping me stable.

Try not to worry, hopefully you will feel better when you get a chance to talk to the docs and get started on some medication/treatment. I hope you get straightened out and feeling better before your trip

 

[booger73]

(Most) Labs only measure down to TSH of <0.04..
Beyond that, you really can't tell.. someone could be hyperthyroid or in storm with a TSH of <0.04.. that's where your t4 and t3 come in (level of elevation).. say, like 5+ or above..

Hard to say how 'long' it takes to go into storm, but it's not a 'few day' thing.. unless precipitated by stress/surgery, etc.. which can set it off... most people would have to have it a little while (weeks+) plus a trigger

 

[lyeag]

I have Graves disease and have been hyperthyroid. Have been in remission and also been hypo thyroid. Currently hypo...Sort of like a roller coaster.

Thyroid storm is not that common. Your tsh is low, but the free t3 and t4 are more important indicators.

My tsh when hyperthyroid is usually unmeasurable. I can tell when it is low and when I am semi-normal. You get used to the symptoms. I actually feel pretty good if my tsh is around .04.

I am followed by an endocrinologist and they do a great job of keeping me stable.

Try not to worry, hopefully you will feel better when you get a chance to talk to the docs and get started on some medication/treatment. I hope you get straightened out and feeling better before your trip

Thanks! At times I feel fine, others I am feel like my heart is pounding out of my chest.

So .03 isn't that bad? I looked at the "normal range" on the lab results and it said .49 as the low end of normal. I would think that I wouldn't have too far to go to bottom out on the scale.

I can't wait for this weekend to be over so I can try to get to talk to my dr. I have so many questions. Patience is not one of my better qualities.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I have been diagnosed hyper for years now. I have a total thyroidectomy scheduled for next month. I have been hospitalized 3 times in the past year with severe hyper symptoms and thyroiditis. Even then I am sure it wasnt storm but it has been close. As mentioned storm is rare and you WILL know if that happens. Being hyper at first wasnt so bad since I ate what I wanted and never gained, even lost weight! It was after being perpetaully hot, jittery, aggitated that I knew I better see what was going on.

I have been on Tapazole for 3 years and never went into remission so I one of the unlucky ones. I was close once, had surgery a year ago and its been down hill ever since. Since we all react differently your TSH level compared to others could contribute to different degrees of symptoms. My TSH has been undetectable many times. Get an appointment with a good Endocrinologist and have the proper tests done for an accurate diagnosis. (not always an easy task)

If it gets bad before Monday when you can see your doctor head to the ER and get on inderal/propranolol. It greatly helps the symptoms until the Tapazole/PTU gets into your system.

There are a few reasons one becomes hyper recently giving birth is one as well as virus induced. Cancer and Graves also. All treatable so dont worry too much before you get the answers from your Doctor.

In the meantime avoid iodine. Let us know how your feeling and if you just want to talk you can PM me any time. Hope you are feeling beter soon.

 

[lyeag]

I have been diagnosed hyper for years now. I have a total thyroidectomy scheduled for next month. I have been hospitalized 3 times in the past year with severe hyper symptoms and thyroiditis. Even then I am sure it wasnt storm but it has been close. As mentioned storm is rare and you WILL know if that happens. Being hyper at first wasnt so bad since I ate what I wanted and never gained, even lost weight! It was after being perpetaully hot, jittery, aggitated that I knew I better see what was going on.

I have been on Tapazole for 3 years and never went into remission so I one of the unlucky ones. I was close once, had surgery a year ago and its been down hill ever since. Since we all react differently your TSH level compared to others could contribute to different degrees of symptoms. My TSH has been undetectable many times. Get an appointment with a good Endocrinologist and have the proper tests done for an accurate diagnosis. (not always an easy task)

If it gets bad before Monday when you can see your doctor head to the ER and get on inderal/propranolol. It greatly helps the symptoms until the Tapazole/PTU gets into your system.

There are a few reasons one becomes hyper recently giving birth is one as well as virus induced. Cancer and Graves also. All treatable so dont worry too much before you get the answers from your Doctor.

In the meantime avoid iodine. Let us know how your feeling and if you just want to talk you can PM me any time. Hope you are feeling beter soon.

Thanks for the input and the offer. After I talk to my dr and find out a little more I most likely will pm you with some questions. I really appreciate everyone giving me their story. It helps put some things into perspective.

 

[Nicolepa]

My T4 is 1.2
T3 is 3.28

I didn't think I was in storm, just wondering how long you had to go untreated for that sort of thing to happen.

I have lost 12 pound in the last 2-2 1/2 months. I just want to get this all sorted out before my Disney trip on 12/18. I am tired of feeling like a jittery drug addict.


How low can TSH go? I don't know too much about this, but I was sort of worried when I saw .03. The lab papers say the normal is .49-4.67.

Well, I went untreated with Grave's Disease for 2-3 years. I was pretty bad off as far as the way I felt etc. Also because I was untreated for so long it took a LONG time to get stabilized and into the "normal" zone.

As for your Disney Trip, you will not be back to normal by then. Trust me. Even if you started medication tomorrow it will take 4 weeks for the medicine to take effect. You will have a blood test every 6 weeks and the medication will be adjusted based upon those results. For me it took 2 years to get back into the normal range. I went into remission with each pregnancy. After pregnancy #1 it returned after about 6 months. With pregnacy #2 I went into remission and it hasn't returned (5 years and counting).