Hyper with Hashimoto's and Doctor refuses to treat.

[sleep23444]

So, here's my (complicated) question... They just found out I have Hashimoto's, which is not too surprising because my mom has hypothyroid. However, I am in the intermittent hyperthyroid stage, before my thyroid dies and I turn hypothyroid. My doctor just wants to wait until I "level out" before treating with synthroid or the like and asked me to come back in a few months to get bloodwork repeated. Which I was theoretically fine with because my bloodwork did indeed seem to be leveling out. But then I'm pretty sure I'm hyper again now, because my heart is racing and my hair is falling out again, etc. I'm concerned that the doctor is just going to keep waiting until my thyroid is completely dead because it keeps sputtering into hyper (which is technically my body killing my own thyroid). She thinks that adding thyroid medication to an already hyper state will just aggravate the hyper. (which seems like common sense in terms of pure additive math.) But I've also read studies that suggest treating with synthroid before someone goes hyperthyroid is important, but these studies only treated euthyroid (t3,t4, TSH normal) and not hyperthyroid. So, I'm a little panicked. Has anyone been told something different or had a different treatment suggested while in hyper state?  Studies would help so I can take to my doctor.

[sblythe]

With Hashimoto's the antibodies to the thyroid gland cause inflammation which causes the gland to release thyroid hormone which has already been made and is being stored within the gland. As you know, eventually the gland will "burn out" and you can become hypothyroid. There is no benefit in taking extra thyroid hormone during the hyperthyroid period. However, if you are suffering hyperthyroid symptoms, those can easily be blocked by using beta-blocker medications such as propranolol.  Keep a diary of your heart rate and any symptoms such as diarrhea and tremors and show that to your doctor - if you are having these symptoms frequently, taking a beta-blocker would make you much more comfortable.

[goolarra]

Please post your lab results with reference ranges.  

If you are already hyper, taking replacement hormones would make you even more hyper.  "Euthyroid" patients are often treated with meds.  However, that's because thyroid test ranges are seriously flawed.  Many of us find that FT4, for example, has to be close to midrange before symptoms are relieved.  So, the whole lower half of the range should probably be considered hypo.  It depends on how you define "euthyroid".  

[Pantx]

I'm not a doctor but I have suffered from thyroiditis. Basically I was hyperthyroid for a while and then went hypothyroid.
If you are too hyperthyroid then an endocrinologist can help level you out if you're having unbearable symptoms.  Its generally not recommended to take thyroid hormone when your body is already hyperthyroid. Your thyroid regulates all of your metabolic processes and OD on thyroid medication is very dangerous. Your doctor seems to be treating you adequately but I dont know what your lab results are. If you are very hyper thyroid you may want to see an endocrinologist. If you are just wanting a second opinion, go to an endocrinologist they are the experts