Dr. Lupo,
I have been having some symptoms that have changed my life for the last six weeks. At first the tremors, muscle twitches and weakness in my arms and legs were the worst symptoms. Those symptoms lasted for five weeks. The tremor was a constant resting and positional tremor. I have an appointment to see a neurologist May 18th because I have a family history of familial ALS. (Four have had it and two are being tested now.)
The doctor checked my thyroid and my TSH was .5. He said it was in the normal ranges. We do not know of anyone in the family that has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, but just wondering if this sounds like it could be. Currently, my worst symptoms are extreme fatigue in my arms, hands and legs and a total, physical exaustion if I attempt to do anything as simple as walking my daughter two blocks to school. It is like my body melted. Any stress will start the tremors again, they get so bad that I can hardly walk. (Like the phone or doorbell ringing when I am resting.) In studying hyperthyroidism I noticed that I have had many of the following symptoms most of my life. Some just changed or began recently with this episode of tremors that began March 25th.
fine, dry hair, early hair loss
dry skin
edema in hands, ankles and feet
waves of nausea
irritability with noise that is getting worse. (Some days I wear ear plugs so I don't cry.) Kids (5) do not know.
eyes very sensitive to bright light
extreme forgetfulness and distractability
shortness of breath (besides asthma) recently
my normally very low blood pressure is now raised to 130/82
normally cold, but have been having hot flashes recently
tremor (resting and positional in entire body)
soft bowel movements about 2X a day
insomnia, sporatically and recently
puffy, red face
40 lbs. over weight/ Lost 9 lbs in last 6 weeks
muscle twitches, weakness, and- recently
Please tell me if you think this sounds like a possible case of hyperthyroidism. Thank you.