Hypothyroid and Sleep Apnea

[ct123]

I had a TT on 10/11 and am waiting for RAI treatment on 11/27.  My TSH is over 75 at this point.  Mostly I feel pretty good except that I have been experiencing pretty bad sleep apnea for the past 1-2 weeks.  Mostly seems due to an inability to breath through my nose at night.  Any suggestions on how to minimize this for the next few weeks before I start Synthroid(12/11)?  Have tried sleeping upright, on side, etc without much luck.

Also, if I am having sleep apnea now, might this suggest that I had some degree previously?  I originally went to the endo because I was waking up at night with palpitations (pretty similar to what I experience now when I stop breathing at night)?

[Madmaggie]

I have read that sleep apnea can be a symptom of hypothyroidism so yes, its possible that you have had it previously. I actually went for a sleep study because I was tired all the time and got diagnosed that way. 2 years later (just recenlty) I got diagnosed with hypo! So I think the two are connected.

There is no way to minimize the sleep apnea by adjusting your sleeping positions. I would try a) Breathe Right strips - available otc in the drug store. You put them on your nose and they open the nasal passages a bit making breathing easier. However the long term solution to sleep apnea is a CPAP machine that forces air into the nasal cavities, to keep them from collapsing. I cant' use them, very uncomfortable. So i just don't sleep that well! But you might find with the synthroid you sleep better. TSH of 75 is pretty high. Good luck!

[Auto2005]

I had sleep apnea when I was newly diagnosed as hypo and my tsh was 10 point something!! Fortunately, it was one of the first hypo symptoms to disappear when I bgean synthroid.  I'm not over weight, only 41, don't snore, don't smoke, don't drink, and never had sleep apnea until I became hypo w/ tsh over 10. Now my tsh is 2.5 and no more sleep apnea. I'd definitely say it's a hypo symptom! I also have had heart palps while in bed since becaoming hypo, and they were pretty frequently when my tsh was higher, not I don't have the palps as much. Have you mention the sleep apnea to your endocrinologist?  Hope you're better soon!

[Madmaggie]

I'm not seeing an endo at this point - just my regular doctor. I'm still tweaking my meds! Fingers crossed!