Anxiety and Hyperthyroidism

[Jan4glen]

Hey again, I am new here and have posted once before. I posted my test results which do show I am hyper, I have had bad anxiety for the last 6 months, and no real good reason to have it. My doctor prescribed Zoloft which just increased the anxiety terribly. He now has me on Atenolol 25mg once a day and Methimazole 5mg twice a day until I get in with a endo. My question is since starting these med my anxiety has increase somewhat. Could this be from the meds and will this go away once they kick in. Have been on Atenolol for 4 days and Methimazole for 2and 1/2. Help please this anxiety is killing me. Oh he also as me taking Xanax 1mg 3 times a day which I have not really been sticking to because I feel like that is a lot I end up breaking it in half and only taking 2mg.

[Jan4glen]

New test results
Free T3 3.59 range 2.00-4.40
Free T4 1.47 range .082-1.77
TSH 0.107 range .450-4.500
Wans on methimazole for 4 weeks got very sick from it. These tests were run while i was on the methimazole but TSH still dropped
Do you know what Thyroglobin Antibody is this showd <1.0 range 0.0-0.9

[Jan4glen]

New Test results
Free T3  3.59 range 2.00-4.40
Free T4 1.47 range .082-1.77
TSH 0.107 range .450-4.500
Was on methimazole for 4 weeks got very sick from it. These test were run while i was on the methimazole but TSH still dropped.
Does anyone know what Thyroglobin Anitbody is this showed
<1.0 range 0.0-0.9

[Barb135]

You're not bugging me... Unfortunately, thyroid diseases affect us all differently so there are no pat answers.

It's true that most people who are hyper are heat intolerant, but there are those who find themselves on the chilly side (there could be something else causing you to be chilled), just like most people who are hyper lose weight, but we do see those that gain or most people who are hypo gain weight but we see those that lose.  

Just as there are no standard answers to every question, neither are there standard treatments, because we all react differently.  

[Jan4glen]

Sorry to keep bugging you but I have one more question. I noticed from reading up on hyperthyroidism online that you usually have heat intolerance. I am the complete opposite. It is usually 72 degrees in our house and I am walking around with a light jacket on, feel cold all the time.

[Barb135]

It's the thyroid.  You should have started seeing some improvement after 3 weeks on the methimazole.  There should be someone in your doctor's office who is covering for him.

[Jan4glen]

I will call and talk to to him unfortunately he is out of town. I have been on methimazole for about three weeks now and am starting to feel very depressed is this the med or the thyroid?

[Barb135]

Sounds like you might need your methimazole increased.  You should call your doctor and ask him.

[Jan4glen]

The only thing i have had tested so far is
T4,Free(direct) 1.68 ng/dl range 0.82-1.77
TSH 0.221 uIU/mL  range 0.450-4.500
I have also had a thyroid ultrsound which shows I have nodules on my thyroid.
Have been on methimazole 5 mg twice a day for 3 weeks along with atenolol 25mg.
The Xanax I started a year ago a 1mg a day for anxiety which just kept getting worse and worse. That is why my pcp increased the dose. He finally checked my thyroid and the results above are what he found. I know it takes time for the methimazole to work but I still fell terrible, I have lost 15 pounds in the last 2 months. Was just not hungry. Starting to get my appetite back a little though.

[Barb135]

Have you started taking the meds as prescribed?  As I noted before, they won't work like they're supposed to, if you don't take them properly.

Have you had your thyroid hormone levels tested?  What are your actual levels?  Please post them so we can see where you are with it.  Even though you haven't seen the endo yet, your pcp should be keeping tabs on your situation.  If not, you should call and ask for follow up blood work.

[Jan4glen]

Hey just wanted to update you, had a thyroid ultrasound done and do have nodules on my thyroid. Have an appt. with a Endo. August 14th. I am still on same meds but things don't seem to be getting better, my emotions are all over the place. No problems with blood pressure or heart rate. I check them daily. Will all these symptoms go away soon or is this just something I need to learn to live with. It is really starting to get me down.

[Jan4glen]

Yes I have checked my heart rate and it is very slow. Have tried the Zoloft but increased the anxiety. Have not been to the Endo yet just found out I was hyper. from my Family Doc. Seems like since taking the methimazole and Atenolol my anxiety has increased. Maybe all these meds just take time to work.

[Barb135]

Please describe your symptoms.  Anxiety is different for each of us.  For instance, I had pounding heart beats that felt like they were really racing, but when I checked they were actually very slow..

Have you checked your heart rate to see what it actually is?  The atenolol should slow it down quite quickly; it did mine.

Xanax works pretty quickly, but if you aren't taking it as prescribed it won't work like it should.  

I know it takes Zoloft time to work, but not sure how much... talk to your doctor about that; you may not need it, with the Xanax if you took that as prescribed.

I'm also not sure about the methimazole; if your doctor won't answer your questions, talk to your pharmacist... s/he will... just because you have hyperthyroidism doesn't mean they have to turn you into a zombie with anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds; they only need to get your thyroid levels under control..

If, at any time, you feel that you are in medical distress, go to the nearest ER... whether it be from anxiety or hyper symptoms.