Have hyperthyroid symptoms, but not sure why

[zoezelda]

I have all the symptoms of hyperthyroid, but I got a thyroid panel and all three values are in the normal range. My symptoms are I am very jittery all the time (feeling like I am in overdrive), weight loss, can't sleep at all, eye problems, anxiety, heart racing, mind won't shut off, hair loss, etc.

I am also having a little difficulty swallowing, like there is something in my throat. When I swallow a pill, I can actually feel it go down. I remember getting something stuck in my throat a few months ago and it hurt like hell (it was a tortilla chip). It hurt for hours afterward and I was thinking that maybe I did some damage to my esophagus. Could I have damaged my thyroid? Would that cause these types of symptoms? I am thinking not, but I don't know what else could explain my symptoms. I have been to my gynecologist and psychiatrist to find answers. No one seems to know why. They think it is anxiety. But when I take an anti-anxiety pill, the anxiety goes away, but all the other symptoms remain.

Do you have any insight? Should I get a scan of my throat?

[GravesGirl]

Hi! They do sound like hyper symptoms but when a doctor says "normal" you should ask for a copy, with the ranges for normal. Sometimes people that are hypo have these symptoms too,so you won't know unless you can get the copy. (Sometimes you can be very low in the ranges or high and they say "normal", it seems very common.) They are yours, just ask. The swallowing problem can be a nodule or a swollen thyroid, you should ask for an ultrasound of your thyroid.You don't know what tests were run either unless you see them.

[tootiredinca]

I totally understand how you feel.  I have all the symptoms as well but my tests are borderline.  My endocronologist told me that some people have bloodwork that sits right on the borderline between normal and abnormal and still have symptoms.  All other test I have done were normal thyroid scans etc., she said the only way to know for sure is to do a trial of medication and see if the symptoms go away.  I said no.  It didn't make sense to me.  The anxiety symptoms are the worst and they used to go away when i took anxiety meds.  I have a family history of anxiety so that made better sense to me, but it no longer works.  I am anti-medication but i have to admit i have been suffering a lot with symptoms and need to really think about the trial medicine.  I agree with Graves Girl, get a copy of your blood tests and compare where you are in the range.  I have had several tsh, t3 and t4s done and they have been up and down in this sort of borderline area.  I would also have the ultrasound done if you can.

[zoezelda]

Thanks, guys. I did get a copy of my panel and I can see where I am in the ranges. My T3 is at the higher end of the range. Everything else is right in the middle. I am going to my gynecologist to get a thyroid scan tomorrow.

But yesterday I went to my psychologist and she said I have symptoms of Bipolar 2 disorder, which totally freaked me out. But the symptoms are exactly the same as hyperthyroid. The treatment for either one of these includes medications which cause serious weight gain, which I am not up for at all.

I am very anti-meds right now and hate taking anything. Not sure what to do. All I know is I need to calm down and get some sleep! I have been completely wired and jittery for 3 solid months. Feel like I am going to have a heart attack. I guess I will know more tomorrow.

Thanks.

[GravesGirl]

Yes a high T-3 will give you these symptoms. I had these too when first diagnosed. i had a high normal Ft4 and an out of range high FT3. Bi-polar??? Yes some have been diagnosed as this first before they find out it's Graves. Some docs are like duh.... not doc Lupo though .