Overactive thyroid - newbie here, pls he

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Overactive thyroid - newbie here, pls he
15
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 1:16pm

I'm 27 yrs old and I was just diagnozed with overactive thyroid just 2 weeks ago. What are my options? What should I expect?

My doctor wanted to send for some kind of 'radiation' - or something like that. Is that what you call RAI? I told him "no". He said I would drink some liquid...

He prescribed me just pills. I have to take one pill a day and he said to come back in 2 month.
I will also have some tests done at the beginning of September.

I don't know how serious it is - I have just some of the symptoms: hair loss, energetic, eating a lot and never gaining (I haven't gain any weight since 3-4 yrs ago).

I also get swollen ankle (it hurts too sometimes) every couple weeks or so. I had it checked in the past and they couldn't find anything (here in Canada) - they did tell me that there is something wrong with my lymphs circulation or something like that, when I lived in Europe. Does it have anything to do with my overactive thyroid?

I would like to get more information on what my healing options are and also would like to know if there is a way of healing it naturally? I'm thinking to see a holistic doctor one of these days.

Any food/drinks I should avoid? Any lifestyle changes I should do?

Thank you guys so much!!!!

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Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 9:25pm

Hi Sentimentalgirl,


Welcome to our board.


As someone who has also been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, I can relate to what you're going through.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 8:07am

Hi Calley,

Thanks for your reply. I will definatelly try to find out more and try to understand it better.

As for the tests, they just did a regular blood test (I had my yearly check up) and they found it there. Unfortunatelly, I don't have the results but I could ask them to give me a copy.

They booked me some more test at the beginning of September. I'm not sure what kind of tests but I have 3 appointments. All of them will be done in hospital. What I understood was that they will do ultrasound? or x ray? or something like that.

My family doctor told me that he wants to wait 2 month to see what the medication does and then he would send me to specialist. I don't want to have RAI done so I have to see what else I can do to help myself. I don't want to do anything drastical to my body.

I don't think it's too serious right now because I don't have as many symptoms as some other people have (what I read on the forum) but I think my doctor is concerned that it could get worse? I don't know.

From now on, I will try to get copies of any tests. :)

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 8:44pm

Hi Sentimentalgirl,


It sounds as though you'll probably be having the thyroid ultrasound and/or scan and maybe the uptake tests.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 8:27am

Hi Calley,

thanks for the link. I'm going to look at them today. Yesterday I picked up a copy of my blood test results. I would like to share what it says, maybe you can let me know how bad it is. :(

Here is what it says:

test name: thyrotropin (sensitive tsh)
result: <0.05
abnormal: LO
reference range: 0.35-5.00
units: MIU/L
test locn.: A0

and then underneath it says this:

test name: free thyroxine (free T4)
result: 20
reference range: 9-23
units: PMOL/L

Free T4 is recommended to confirm a previously abnormal sTSH result or to monitor therapy

test name: anti-tpo
result: PND (means pending???)
units: IU/ml

The pills I'm taking are Propylthyracil 50mg and I have to take one a day.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 9:02am

Hello,


your free t4 isn't even out of range yet.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 9:17am

Hi jonaprilpow,

I'm going on vacation next week and will be away for 3 weeks. The doctor told me to take Propylthyracil 50mg once a day. Is it going to do any harm since the lab doesn't show hyperthyroid?

When I return from vacation, I have 3 tests scheduled and I will be going to the doctor again - I can ask him about the T3 level.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 9:24am

Hello! I wouldn't go against your doctors orders at this point.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 9:33am

Thanks April, I really appreciate it. I will try to call the doctor today and see if I can have the T3 done.

thanks!
eva




Edited 8/17/2006 9:54 am ET by sentimentalgirl
Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 11:08am

Hi Sentimentalgirl,


The drug you're on is usually referred to as PTU.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2006
Thu, 08-17-2006 - 11:27am
Thanks Calley! :)

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