Have every symptom of hyper -Help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2006
Have every symptom of hyper -Help!
4
Mon, 07-30-2007 - 4:24pm
Hello,
I am VERY symptomatic of hyperthyroidism and have been so for a few years now. Unfortunately, EVERY time I get TSH, T3, T4 tested, the levels come back in the "normal" range.
So my question is, how in the world do I convince a doctor to take me seriously and stop going by just the scientific data in front of them???
As I previously wrote, I've had unexplained chest pains, losing clumps of hair, weight loss (went from 108 to 115 to 112), VERY heat intolerant (and have been that way for years) some embarrasing symptoms I won't mention since it TMI and gross, light periods (not that I mind this!) and yet eat more/increased appetite.
Today I went to a cardiologist to see if we can rule out heart problems as the cause of the chest pains. Although I have decided to come back for the echogram and stress tests, it seems fairly safe to assume that heart problems can be ruled out as my blood pressure is excellent, as is cholesterol, and I don't smoke, obviously not overweight, etc.
I'm just so frustrated that doctors seem to know NOTHING after all their education. And if one more doctor tells me I have Depression, I think I'll scream! Unless I'm mistaken, Depression does NOT cause you to lose clumps of hair every time you touch it or have it shed all over your clothes, couch, etc.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Beni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 07-31-2007 - 8:39am

Hi Beni,

I don't post too often here but I saw your post and wanted to chime in. I am hyper thyroid and have been on PTU meds for 2 years which has kept my thyroid in check. I had just about every symptom you mentioned and more! I didn't lose weight but had the luxury of eating anything that wasn't nailed down but wouldn't gain weight!! When my general dr. suspected hyper thyroid, they referred me to see an Endo because their office didn't treat hyper...only hypo. As someone mentioned in another post, a doctor (Endo) needs to look at the whole picture, not just blood levels. The thyroid is very complicated and requires a specialist. Finding a great Endo could be a challenge. Again, like someone else mentioned, you may need to do some calling around....I would try a big University-type hospital if you're near a metropolitan area. You may also have an opportunity of finding someone there to take on a "non-insured" patient.

I had lived w/ severe hyperthyroid for sometime and thought I was truly going crazy. Many of the hyper symptoms mimic depression. I certainly hope you can get to the bottom of this. The only advice I could give you is to find an Endo that will work with you.

Keep us posted.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2007
Wed, 08-01-2007 - 2:28pm
I haven't done as much research on this as I probably should have,, , but I have hypothyrodism. Before, and since being put on synthroid i have had the following symptoms - i have always been average weight. Im 5'5 and before taking synthroid I was 137 pounds. I have been on the drug for a month and a half and now weigh 119pounds (only since gaining one pound back). I went from always eating to consuming probably no more than 400 calories a day, simply because I wasn't hungry and the drug was making my stomach hurt horribly - for the first 3 weeks I was sick within 30 minutes of eating. Now that I've adjusted to the drug a little, i can eat again, but its almost as if Im wanting to eat more now than ever which is driving me crazy. It also screwed up my period making it come early but last half the time as normal. And, my favorite, would have to be the hair loss. All of my friends and family think Im crazy, but I notice the difference and the pain is horrible. I go through the day feeling as if someone has pulled my hair. I can't pull it back anymore, even into a light ponytail. The doctors have told me that this could be an ongoing side effect from the drug, or the pain/hair loss could eventually reverse itself. Honestly, I dont quite understand why I pay so much for insurance and medication when the doctors can't clearly tell me what the hell is going on. Im crabby and sluggish and spend my days off from work sleeping and being lazy. I wish there was another way to make this all better.....
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2007
Wed, 08-01-2007 - 2:32pm
I left out the depression thing....I've gotten that too....honestly I dont understand why everyone has to be diagnosed with depression...i guess it's an easy out? Im sick of hearing that though...I just feel crappy - not depressed!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-17-2007
Tue, 09-18-2007 - 12:01am
I got the depression diagnosis first, too. Nobody would believe that I wasn't depressed - I was tired!!!!