Hyperthyriod Problems - How Do You Live with This?

Updated on December 17, 2009
J.B. asks from Bloomington, IN
18 answers

Ten months after I had my daughter, April of this year, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. To say the least I was floored by this diagnosis. To be honest I thought the itchy skin and hot nature were just my body recovering from having a baby. Then my hands started to shake and the itchy skin kept me up a night. Of course losing 50 pounds of baby weight in 9 months is a little suspicious. (ha!) By the time I saw my GP, my body was basically on it's own crack. (Beta blockers quickly solved the problem!) My GP was able to get me into remission with very high doses of tapazole after 3-4 months, but I was not a fan of the effects of it. Not only was I extremely tired, but I gained two pounds just thinking about food and my hair started falling out. Augh! It was awful! I got a second opinion from an endocrinologist who basically said since I was in remission I could go off the medication and play 'wait and see'. My TSH level had yet to return to a normal level, but free T4 and T3 were in range.

Fast forward two months later and I know I'm out of remission already. I can eat 3,000 calories for every meal and lose weight at the end of the week. (Doesn't it sound blissful?!?!) But the other symptoms are dreadful. My since taking the tapazole my hair has continued falling out at alarming rates; it's almost as thin as a pencil. Not to mention the itchy skin, shaky hands, mood swings, and the damage I could do to my heart over time. These symptoms are not worth being able to eat any food I want. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. The medication is awful. The radiation treatment sounds awful. Living with the symptoms is awful. And my daughter would be a fantastic big sister! But I need to be healthy before I put my body through another pregnancy. Are there other women who experienced this? What solution worked best for you? Any advice towards living with either option?

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K.L.

answers from Canton on

J.-

The exact same thing happened to me after I had my first child (who is now 15). I was diaginosed with graves disease (a form of hyperthyroidism) when she was 4 months. I had hair falling out, weight loss etc an dthought the same as you. I saw an endocrono;ogist as well who recommended the radioactive iodine. I did this and my thyroid began to shrink. About 2 months after taking the radioactive iodine my thyroid shut off completly and I started on leviothyroid, I slept for about 2 weeks straight until the Levithyroid got up to the level it needed to be. That was the worst of it. You are right to let it continue like that will not be healthy for you. I had another child 2 1/2 years later and all they had to do was keep an eye on my levels and adjust them as needed for the pregnancy. I hope this helps! Good Luck! K.

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L.J.

answers from Cincinnati on

Dear J.,
I go to a chiropractor that has the education of a MD. He cannot give out perscriptions, however. I'm giving you his telephone # at his office because I think you are in a desperate situation. I think your body is out of whack and it needs supplements(vitamins & minerals). You might need an adjustment also. His name is Dr Gerni in Connersville, IN. ###-###-####.

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T.H.

answers from Columbus on

I am on Natures Thyroid. It is a prescription thyroid medication but it is actually derived from a pig thyroid (I know weird right?) But it really works. My mom was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in March and they removed thyroid and all parathyroid glands. They also put her on this medication and monitor her T3, T4 and TSH levels regularly. Since I no have a family history the doctor thought that even though my blood levels came back normal that it was a good idea to put me on it. It has worked wonders. Talk to your doctor about it. My doctor actually studied with one of the TOP thyroid specialists in the United States (in Detroit) and he is just a DO. More than half of his patients are on thyroid medications. It is worth a shot. I know the losing the hair, itching, tired feeling and I thought since I didnt have problem losing weight (lost 68lbs in 6 months) that I was fine. I wasnt! Good luck to you!

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R.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Your hair loss is related to your thyroid problem, not the meds. I would suggest going with the advice of your endocrinologist. They specialize in dealing with these issues, so he will know the best course of treatment.
Good luck.
R.

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

FIRST & FOREMOST.......WHATEVER YOU DO...MAKE SURE THE CALORIES YOU INTAKE ARE QUALITY CALORIES!!! Do some research on HYPERTHYROIDISM (Prescription for Nutritional Healing is a great place to start) and note the nutrients needed to help the problem. In addition, there will be recommendations of things to do, avoid, etc. It's AMAZING what your body is capable of and how well it can help heal itself when given the proper stimulus, nutrients, etc.

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H.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

Five years ago I was diagnosed with a goiter. Basically a non cancerous lump pressing on one side of my thyroid making it work overtime and the other side was almost completely dormant. I had all the same hyper symptoms that you have. And I was miserable. I had the radioactive iodine treatment done. I took a pill and then couldn't be around my family for three days. I'm not sure other than that what radiation treatment you are talking about. Because it wasn't that bad. After the treatment and my body "flatlined" I was able to return to normal with synthroid, which I take everyday. Once the levels got to normal it's amazing how much better I felt. There are no side effects to the synthroid. I suggest getting the radiation done and then taking the medicine prescribed. You will feel better all around.

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S.L.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hi J., I too was diagnosed with Hyperthyroid and I did have the radiation done.. It really was no big deal and the outcome was good. The only thing is,, You can't go thru this radiation and be around children under a certain age or older people for a while..I forget how long but, ask your doctor. There is something about radiation that you can't be around little ones? like I said I forget why because I did not have that problem. The radiation worked and I do have to be on Meds the rest of my life but it was worth it to me..Good luck.

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A.R.

answers from Cincinnati on

All of the women on my mom's side of the family have had either hyper or hypo thyroidism as far back as we can remember. My mom had hyperthyroidism and had the same symptoms that you had. She was treated with a one-time radioactive drink that ended up killing off more of her thyroid than it should and she went from hyper to hypo. She now takes Synthroid once a day and will have to for the rest of her life. After the birth of my first child, I developed hypothyroidism. I have always been a small person with a very high metabolism and all of sudden I just started gaining weight like crazy and could not loose it. Plus my hair started falling out, I had skin problems and was very tired all the time. My doctor put me on Synthroid also and I will be on that for the rest of my life. I did have a second child while taking the medication and I had no problems. Based on my mom's experiences, the hyper is worse than the hypo. She had the radiation treatment 30+ years ago so I'm sure the technology is better now. I have had other people tell me that the radiation treament worked well for them.

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E.W.

answers from Kokomo on

Ask your GP or ENT specialist about Synthroid. It worked wonderful for me. I had gone from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism after having just the right side removed. I feel alot better now that its more in the normal range but still wish I had Synthroid every now and then . Have you had a biopsy done on it by MRI? Good luck in finding the right meds.

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M.

answers from Cleveland on

I had a similar problem after having my son. But I was a mix of hypo- and hyperthyroidism. My gyno referred me to an endocrinologist who put my on Synthroid. I felt GREAT after starting the meds. I took it for about a year and then didn't need to take it anymore because I guess my body had cured itself. My gyno once told me I'd have to take this for the rest of my life, but my tests have come back perfectly for the last 3 years. I'd say see another endocrinologist or see if you can try another type of medication that agrees with you more.

Good luck!

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K.J.

answers from Columbus on

For our family, the best option was to have my thyroid surgcally removed. We knew we wanted to continue our family and didn't want to worry about the radiation side effects of having my thyroid removed that way. I had a tremendously severe case of Graves' disease (hyperthroidism)that began following the birth of our son. I will warn you that while we were trying to regulate the correct amount of synthroid my body needed I did suffer with the itchy skin. Once my synthroid levels were correct we were able to get pregnant immediately.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

I'd suggest getting an opinion from another endocrinologist. I sold Diabetes meds for 9 years and know endocrinologists well - not all are created equally and have much different opinions on how to treat the same things.

A friend of mine was diagnosed with thyroid cancer during her last pregnancy. Her endocrinologist originally missed it.

I did not experience any thyroid issues after the birth of either child, but I was diagnosed with cancer 2 months after the birth of my daughter 18 months ago. My OB/GYN wasn't concerned with the symptoms I had, but that voice inside me thought something much more serious was going on. My Family Practitioner got the ball rolling for an eventual diagnosis with Hodgkins lymphoma.

Any good physician will not mind you seeking another opinion. Their ultimate goal is to get you healthy.
Good luck.

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K.V.

answers from Columbus on

I was diagnosed with postpartium thyroidosis about six months after my first son was born. Basically immediately after he was born I had hyperthyriod for about four months followed by hypothyroid and it swings back and forth. I had severe diareah and lost 30 pounds within about two months of delivering. Then my thyroid litterly shut down. I was hungry and could never get enough to eat. They were able to set me right with a heavy duty dose of steroids. Check all of your options before you make a decision.

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K.M.

answers from Fort Wayne on

I also had hyperthyroidism about 6 years ago! I went through the radiation treatment! All I had to do was take a radioactive iodine pill and somewhat avoid close contact with people for about a week! It was not a big deal at all! I felt a little sick to my stomach for a day, but other than that I was fine!! Much better than the symptoms of hyperthyroidism!! I do still lose a little hair, especially if they need to adjust my meds, but to no extent as before my treatment!! Good Luck making your decision!

K. Minnick
Work at Home with the Kids!
www.Mommysbiz.org

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A.L.

answers from Cleveland on

J.,
I know you've already gotten alot of responses. My girlfriend has this...after a couple months on our products and her hair stopped falling out. I would love for you to hear her story. Please feel free to call me. It is worth taking the time to hear what she has to say.

Sincerely,
A.
###-###-####
www.HopeShared.com

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K.I.

answers from Indianapolis on

I also have Graves disease.
I went through the radio active iodine.
I saw your post and wanted to respond but I am getting ready to go on a job interview, so I will have to message you a little later.
Just know you're not alone. I totally understand!

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A.H.

answers from Cleveland on

i have had thyroid problems for over 20 years. finally, i am finding relief. check out the book and website: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

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E.W.

answers from Cleveland on

I also went through what you did and am in remission. I am waiting for my current tests because I have had a very hard stressful year with children's medical issues. What helped me was seeing an osteopath. She worked with me to get my body in shape. There are supplements that can help support your thyroid health. I take certain vitamins and get exercise and was doing yoga once a week. At one point I was seeing an accupuncturist. All this helped my body to become more balanced. I also watch what I eat. I avoid certain fruits/vegs that are not organic. I only drink organic milk. I do not eat meat with antibiotics or hormones added. I shop at natural food stores and make healthy smoothies. The osteopath treats me for certain allergies that wear down my body. SHe is trying to help me avoid the radiation route. SO I am trying to heal all of me even spending more time with God;praying and reading the Bible. ALl this has helped me.

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