hyperthyroidism

For about 6 months i have had hot flashes, headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. I didn't go see a doctor until recently when the symptoms became much worse and constant. Other symptoms began appearing: extreme irritability, nervousness, itching, tremors, insomnia, no appetite, swollen eyes, and at times my heart felt like it was beating too fast.  My doctor blew all my symptoms off saying that i was having panic attacks and gave me some Xanax. When i take the xanax, symptoms subside for the most part, but as soon as the pill wears off, the symptoms are back. I'm a pretty laid back person and when these symptoms appear, I am not worrying about anything most of the time. Sure i have stress like everyone else but i just do not feel these are panic attacks. I can be sitting down at dinner having a good time and then all of a sudden, it hits me. Well recently i demanded to have a thyroid test because i was surfing the net and seen similar symptoms. My test came back abnormal but my doctor said it was only slightly overactive and that wouldn't be causing the severity of my symptoms and seems to have dismissed my symptoms again as anxiety attacks. I've become very frustrated and today i was driving and had to pull over because my head hurt so bad and i was shaking so badly, and the next thing i knew, my leg and arm on my left side went numb. I was not thinking of anything in particular so i doubt it was panic attack. When i told my doctor today, he again dismissed it saying that it was probably a panic attack and to take a xanax. Can even a mild case of overactive thyroid cause such severe symptoms? I don't even feel like i can function anymore in daily life and at times i feel like i have a 50 lb weight on my chest.


This discussion is related to Neurological Problems Associated with Hypothyroidism.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Your symptoms are very suggestive of hyperthyroidism. What all thyroid tests did you undergo? Did you undergo a thyroid antibody test?
Thyroid antibodies if present indicate autoimmune thyroid disease like grave’s disease.
I would suggest you to consult an experienced endocrinologist. The balance of hormones is a very delicate one and even slight variations can cause symptoms bad enough to disturb the daily routine.
Take care!

[emore9011]

Thanks so much for your advice. Unfortunately i am not sure what type of thyroid test my doctor gave me, but i do NOT think it had to do with antibodies. I have been getting ill a lot with colds, strep throat, and viruses however, and that does point towards having something wrong with my immune system so maybe it could be grave's disease. Thanks so much for your help. I will be making an appointment with an endocrinologist asap. I never knew hormones could throw someone off so badly. I suffer from terrible headaches and have to wonder if everything isn't tied together. I do know however that whatever is happening to me isn't a panic attack. Just found out today btw that my brother who is 11 years older than me has hyperthyroidism as well. Thanks so much!!

[emore9011]

One more comment: i had first written in wondering if Seasonique birth control pills could possibly be messing up my thyroid. I have had these symptoms before i started the pills, but the symptoms did seem to become 10x worse about a month after taking them. Can birth control seriously affect hyperthyroidism in a bad way? Both my guinecologist and family doctor say 'no' since i've been taking birth control for so long, however i had switched from Yasmin to Seasonique. I quit taking the pills last thursday when symptoms became so bad though and i feel no better. Can birth control possibly be making my symptoms of hyperthyroidism worse?