Is something else wrong w/ me?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Is something else wrong w/ me?
7
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 4:34am
Ok guys the more I read posts and visit web sites about thyroid the more I realize that I have symptoms that are both hypo and hyper. My TSH tested a couple of weeks ago at 32 so thats definatly hypo but if I have all these hyper symptoms also, could there be something else that the doctor should be testing for? how is it that I have all these hyper symptoms too?

Michelle
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 8:53am
Did they test for antibodies?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 9:33am


Hi Michelle:

What hyper symptoms are you having? My endo has been very skepitcal about the hyper symptoms I thought I was having (and my antibodies are very high). Mine seemed to come in waves... while still having hypo symptoms. The only thing he's found so far is that my PTH is high and so I'm being evaluated for hyperparathyroid (which is unrelated to thyroid function). I was knocked back when I looked it up and found muscle twitches, heart palpitations and headache are associated with parath! But I won't know if that's the answer for 3-4 days after I do a 24-hour urine catch and some blood tests later this afternoon.

Keep on searching for those answers! I've been accused of being obsessed (by my mother), and I know people around me think I'm a hypochondriac. But I think you have to dig in until you are on the path to actually feeling better! (Wouldn't that be nice?)

Good luck,

Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 10:09am


One more thought--- were you evaluated for weak adrenal function? Cathy posted some info a few weeks back; one thing I remember is that it interferes with hypo treatment and needs to be treated first or your hypo can seem worse. The test is cortisol. And my endo says it is best to have the one where you first get an injection (cant remember what) and then wait an hour for a blood draw.

Dee.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 3:06pm
I'm not really sure what he has tested for, I go back on Nov. 1st so wht I need to get is a list of things I want to be tested for. As for the Hyper symptoms I was looking at this site WWW.thyroid-fed.org/intro/patients.html and of the 29 qustions that it asks for hyper symptoms I answer yes to 16.

Always hot

skin warm to the touch

face flushed

frequent hives and itching

red palms and soles

flat thumbs

frequent bowel movements

frequent diarrhea

period slowed to min. of every 45 days

decreased sex drive ( just can't find enough energy)

short of breath

swelling of ankles

HEADACHES(especially today!)

mood swings

dificulty sleeping (at night, but I'm exsausted all day and want to sleep all day)

eyes have become "goopy" they are always running and gross.

Ok watcha think?

Michelle

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 9:54pm
Hi Michelle - I think your wise to keep searching this out. Here's an article on being both hypo and hyper. So it *is* possible. I hope this helps. Cathy :)

When You Seem to Have Symptoms of Both Conditions

by Mary J. Shomon

Frequently, readers write in frustration, stating that they have been diagnosed as hypothyroid, but have symptoms of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

I'm gaining weight, exhausted all the time, and my hair is falling out, but I'm also having high blood pressure, my heart is racing all the time, and I get diarrhea. Can I actually be hypo and hyper at the same time?

The answer is yes. While you should always see your doctor regarding any concerns with blood pressure, heart rate, or other symptoms, here are some important factors to consider.

You Have Both Hashimoto's and Graves'

Some patients actually have both Hashimoto's and Graves' disease antibodies, which puts the thyroid into a push-pull situation, where it cycles up and down through hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. This is not a very common situation, but hypothyroidism patients who frequently have hyperthyroidism symptoms should ask their doctors for full antibody profiles to detect the presence of both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease.

Your Symptoms Aren't Textbook

Everyone who has hypothyroidism doesn't follow the typical course of symptoms. Some hypothyroidism patients will, for example, lose substantial amounts of weight - rather than gain weight. And others will have anxiety or panic attacks as a symptom of their condition.

You Have Dysautonomia

Imbalances in the autonomic nervous system - known as dysautonomia - are more common in autoimmune thyroid disease. In dysautonomia, the sympathetic system - part of the autonomic nervous system that controls the body's "fight or flight" reactions - becomes unbalanced. Symptoms of dysautonomia can include anxiety attacks and rapid heartbeat, among many other symptoms.

You're Having a Thyroiditis Flare

Some patients who have the autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis are diagnosed during a period when they are hypothyroid. But in a thyroid that is failing due to autoimmune disease, the thyroid can frequently sputter into overdrive, then back into underactivity, and into overdrive again, as it "burns itself out" over time. You can, therefore, experience periods of overactivity - hyperthyroidism - even while your thyroid is underactive over time and generally on its way to burning itself out. So, you can experience hypothyroidism symptoms, but periodically have hyperthyroidism symptoms that also appear. And remember...hyperthyroidism symptoms don't "cancel out" your hypothyroidism symptoms...they more often are added to them.

At the same time, Hashimoto's can also mean that periodically, the thyroid experiences a flare-up, or "attack" of thyroiditis, which is frequently accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations. Noted thyroid expert Stephen Langer, M.D., who coauthored the popular thyroid book Solved: The Riddle of Illness with James Scheer, refers to thyroiditis as like an "arthritis of the thyroid." He explains that just as arthritis attacks the joints with pain and inflammation, thyroiditis can mean pain and inflammation in the thyroid for some sufferers. And in particular, during a thyroiditis attack, common symptoms you might experience are anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations and problems sleeping. - all common hyperthyroidism symptoms - as well as swelling in the thyroid area, and problems swallowing.

What Can You Do?

Generally, whatever the cause, some patients find relief from palpitations and rapid heartrate with beta blockers. Antianxiety drugs may also be a help in panic attacks and anxiety. Some patients find that they require treatment for particularly troublesome hyperthyroidism symptoms. For example, during periods when palpitations or high pulse become bothersome, drugs such as beta blockers - which lower heart rate and blood pressure and can slow or stop palpitations -- can be prescribed to help control symptoms. Sometimes, anti-anxiety drugs can be a help, and in some people, temporary use of sleeping pills may also be of assistance. On the natural end, some patients find that yoga, biofeedback, or breathing exercises can help with palpitations or rapid pulse.

One of the best treatments for dysautonomia symptoms is regular physical exercise, which calms down and regulates the autonomic nervous system. Palpitations are also responsive to acupuncture treatments. From a more nutritional medicine perspective, Dr. Langer suggests that patients experiencing thyroiditis and having trouble sleeping take calcium/magnesium, which are nutrients that have a sedative effect, along with a pain reliever to relieve inflammation -- buffered aspirin or ibuprofen -- before you go to bed, this might help. He's found that this helps about two-thirds of his patients suffering from nighttime thyroiditis symptoms. Reducing swelling is another key aspect of dealing with thyroiditis attacks, according to Dr. Langer. Says Langer:

Just as with arthritis, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever doesn't cure the problem, but it temporarily ameliorates the symptoms.

When it comes to palpitations, Dr. Langer feels that they can be misunderstood.

What happens with Hashimoto's patients having thyroiditis attacks is that many wind up in the emergency room seeing cardiologists. It happens a few times and then they're written off as psychiatric cranks. They end up with large doses of anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants.

Frequently, when not misdiagnosed as a heart problem, anxiety, or depression palpitations may be misinterpreted as a sign that a patient is getting too much thyroid hormone.

But when medical evaluation rules out hyperthyroidism due to too much thyroid medication, mitral valve problems, or other cardiac abnormalities, Dr. Langer has found that nutritional deficiencies may be to blame -- in particular, deficiencies of calcium, magnesium or Vitamin D. Says Dr. Langer:

There's compelling evidence coming to the surface that Vitamin D is not only a vitamin but a hormone...The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin D is 400 IU, but scientists doing studies actually believe that people who do not get regular exposure to sunshine should be getting 2000-4000 Vitamin D. The Vitamin D also has profound effects on absorption of calcium and magnesium. previous12Important disclaimer information about this About site.






iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2003
Tue, 10-19-2004 - 10:07pm
Thanks Cathy, I have printed that article out and I'm going to take it with me to my appointment, So then, it looks to me like I need to ask him to run a full antibody panel is that right?

Michelle
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Wed, 10-20-2004 - 8:47pm
Yes, that would be best. Then you can see a full picture of what's going on. I'm glad that was helpful! Cathy :)