Hyperthyroid - Walnut Creek,CA

I have Hashimoto's disease....where my thyroid swings back and forth and tries to regulate itself, but does not kick in enough hormone to do so. When it was overactive, I had irritable bowels, lost hair and couldn't sleep. When it was underactive, I was lethargic and spacey.

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I am not sure which thryroid I have. Mine is the underactive one. I was so tired all the time and just didn't feel good. My thyroid was actually enlarged, and I didn't even notice it. It was a co-worker who asked if I ever had my thyroid checked. After that, I went and had blood work done. My thryroid level was so off, DR, couldn't believe I didn't notice it. I have been on meds now for about 7 years and it has been regulated. I feel much better. Good luck

I have hyperthyroidism from Graves Disease. I started losing a lot of energy, having difficulty exercising and needing more sleep. I have kinda large eyes anyway, so my doctor suspected Graves Disease and recommended thyroid testing.
I have been treated with medicine - propythyouricil (PTU) - because I would like to have 2 children and didn't have the time to wait for my body to adjust after radioactive iodone treatment (I'm 38). A certain percentage of people on PTU go into remission and so no need further treatment afterwards. With other patients, surgery or radioactive iodine is recommended. You should be able to discuss all options with your endocrinologist. I had to 'fire' my first one who said radioactive iodine was the only choice.
I currently have a 18-month old son and am planning on trying for a second in the next few months. I was able to taper off the PTU before each pregnancy and in my first, I was taken off the PTU and remained within the normal thyroid range throughout the pregnancy without medication. The first trimester is the time that the thyroid is most likely to flare up and is also the most crucial time for the baby, so it's a little scary, but I've decided to try and hope for the best again.
If you've just been diagnosed, I hope you are doing okay. I was very sad when I was given the diagnosis because I've always been so healthy. The good news is that I feel great while on the medication. I know that it's not recommended for the long term, but I'm no longer afraid of radioactive iodone if that is needed in the future. If you're feeling shaky, tired, anxious, etc, all that can go away with treatment.
Good Luck,
J.

I am normally hypo, but have slipped into hyper for periods of time and my symptoms were diarrhea, headache, periods of rapid heartbeat and or occasional palpatations. It can go unnoticed for a long time, if you're suspicious I would just get the lab work done, it's simple, and really the only definitive way to know. It not something you want to ignore either so definitely see your doctor.

I had Graves Disease (hyper). Was diagnosed after my son was born. Was on meds (Tapazole) for about 1 1/2 years, and went into remission. I still get my blood checked each year. I was diagnosed with a blood test. I did not get sick, but I lost weight, was very shakey, and had heart palpitations. Was also VERY tired. Meds helped a lot, and I haven't had to take them for years. Took a while to find the right dosage, so if you go on meds, it might take some adjusting with the dosage before you start to feel a difference.
Hope all works out!!

I was Diagnosed with thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease)!!! I have been going from doc to doc and always my blood work was in "range" and dismised... my new doctor in Roseville CA has solved the mistery of my mixed symptoms of hyper and hipothyroidism at the same time!!!
They have to check for antibodies that attack the thyroid!!! Call me so I can explain about tests and symptoms!!! ###-###-####

FYI there is also a Saliva Test!!!

Love, G.. :0)

I have thyroid disease - but i wasn't diagnosed with blood work. I had 10-11 symptoms but my blood results were coming back negative for whatever reason. I have a family history of thyroid problems. My ob/gyn prescribed me the medicine and I've never felt better in my life.

Hi, I have hypothyroidism. I am 38 yrs old, but found out by a blood test when I was 16. I did not feel sick. My thyroid is VERY inactive. So that meant that I was developmentally late with getting my period. We went to the drs to see why I was so small and not going through puberty yet. Usually with HYPOthyroidism, people can't lose weight, but in rare cases, people can't gain it. That was my case. I am not sure what your case is, but I have heard women getting hypothyroidism after having children and they find out by not being able to los weight. Either way, you need to be on medication to correct the problem. I hope it all goes well and I helped answer your question. I have been taking Synthroid for 22 years now, and need to take it for the rest of yourl ife, since your thyroid always needs to be active.

Hi SH,

Your dr will most likely give you a couple of blood tests to see what your thyroid hormones are doing and perhaps prescribe a medication to help regulate your thyroid. After three months, you will likely return for more blood tests to make sure that you are on the right dosage. If you feel super tired or experience any unusual-for-you symptoms - eating more or less, sleeping more or less, gaining or losing weight - inform your dr because this is likely caused by your thyroid condition. You don't normally feel sick because of thyroid issues.
Good luck. and let me know if I can answer any other questions about this for you.

I have Hypothyroidism and was diagnosed with blood tests. I was extremely tired, bloated and just not right. Get yourself tested, it's a simple test. I take medication and have taken it during pregnancies and while nursing, it's all good. Good luck to you and take care of it soon, if you do have it and get help it'll make a world of difference.
peace

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroid while I was nursing my second son. My first son is 20 months older, I work full time, and was going through an extremely stressful situation with my parents at the time. I think it was all the stress and my desire to be "supermom" that brought it on. I am normally very healthy, and have lots of energy. I started to feel extremely weak and tired, like my arms were numb and I could hardly lift them (strange, I know). I took time off work to rest (which I NEVER do), and got some bloodwork done that came back with hyperthroid levels. My doc said stress can bring it on, recommended I slow down considerably, work out the situation with my parents, and get a blood test again in 1 month and 6 months. I did slow down and started to feel much better. My blood test results were fine at the 1 month and 6 month intervals. I am now pregnant with my third (due in 2 days!), and really make a point to slow down when I get that overwhelmed feeling and "numb sensation" in my arms - it's a good warning for me! I know this may not help if your hyperthyroid is not due to stress, but thought I'd share my experience, just in case. I know plenty of people that have their thyroid controlled with meds, which work great. But it would be nice if there is a way to control it without meds. Blood tests are probably the most accurate way to diagnose a problem. Good luck!

I have had hyperhyroid before, felt sick, emotional, going krazy, lost a lot of weight although I eat like a pig,got down to 76 pds. at that time my husband was in the military(Navy) and was overseas, keep going to the hospital but the doctors thought I was just pretending to be sick to get attention due to my husband not being home. My thyroid was remove, not all, enough was left to keep my system normal without further taking medication in the future. I spent from July4 to October 12 in the hospital while the doctors tried to stabilize and put weight on me prior to surgery. All is well now, I am 58 yrs. old 5' tall and weight 112 pds. I know some people that decided to just take medication (for life) and things aren't going well for them

Hope this helps you

Hi!

I felt depressed and had heart palpitations. The doctor never thought about hyperthyroid because of the symptoms (He ordered an ekg and sent me to a therapist which didn't work out). Later, due to some family illnesses, I asked for a full blood workup. Luckily, thyroid was included in those blood tests. Gee, guess what? Hyperthyroidism. I take a small dose daily of methimazole. No more palpitations and am cheerful and happy again.

Good luck.

I too was diagnosed with Grave's Disease in 2007. Almost 2 years after my son was born. I was 39 when I had him and working full time. I blamed my weight loss, hair loss, lack of energy, irritable bowl, nausea, heart palpatations, and ravenous appetite on the fact that I was older, breatfeeding, and completely stressed out at work. I found out my thyroid levels were out of wack by going to a health fair and having a blood test. I would probably still be feeling rotten or worse had I not had the blood test. Unfortunately, I quit my job so that I could be with my son because I was too sick to do both. Not knowing I had the thyroid problem. Anyway, the medications made me feel worse PTU and Methimazole. I got a second opinion at UCSF endocrine department, and they were going to do the radioactive iodine, but by the time they got me scheduled my levels went back to normal and now I am in remission. I am currently not taking any meds, and feeling fine. I have blood tests every 3 months. My right eye is now larger than my left and we are hopeful that it will return to normal eventually. If not I could have cosmetic surgery to fix it. Have a blood test and see a specialist. I like UCSF and I travel almost 2.5 hours to get there. Good Luck!!

hello i am 20yrs old and found out i had a hyperthyroid aprx 2 years ago while i was pregnant...i was servery sick the whole pregnancy,went from 117 to 95 lbs and they couldn't find out what was causing it until one day while getting my daily i.v. the nurse looked at me and said, "honey,have you ever had your thyroid levels checked?"..and i said "whats a thyroid?"...at that point she called for a blood test and explain to me that she notice my neck seemed to have a lump in it(sorta looking like a smalls men's adam's apple)and she showed me her scar where she had hers removed and said she had the same symptoms as me and it took a while for doctors to find out why also.Sure enough the test came back saying i had hyperthyroid and they gave me medicine throughout the pregnacy that helped me tremendously.They checked my levels again after i had my son and everything was normal so they took me off the medication assuming it was pregnacy induced hyperthyroidism...but honestly i am still having the same problems with not be able to keep weight on and its been that way my whole life so im going to get my levels checked again.Hope this helps you a little!!!

My husband was diagnosed a couple of years ago with hyperthyroidism. It turns out it was graves disease and he had to have radioactive iodine treatment and now takes thyroid replacement hormones.

Before we found out he was edgy, thirsty, losing weight really fast, and he was shaking all the time. He did not feel sick per se, but I noticed that there was something off.

He finally was diagnosed because of a blood test. So, I would get tested.

D.

My sister has a hyperthyroid and she discovered this when she had bloodwork done. She was tired a lot and never keeps on weight, but now she has more energy and feels a lot better. She is taking pills to help her.