Just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism

[db102]

Dear Dr Lupo,

Have recently been diagnosed as hyperthyroid. Had symptoms such as tremor in my hands and d fast heartbeat for quite a while, but lately have been really hot all the time, and it's winter here in Australia.

I'm a 22 year old male, in good shape and really worried at the moment, have always been pretty healthy.

Went to the Drs as my symptoms got alot worse lately: tremor in hand, much worse than nervous/anxious, sometimes fast heartbeat, low libido which is starting to effect my relationship, constantly warm (its winter and need to sleep with the fan on), difficulty getting to sleep (only recently) and quite often very tired.

My blood test results:

TSH: <0.01

Free T4: 54.0
Free T3: 16.2

Also had an ultrasound scan:

Findings:
The right lobe of the hyroid measure 4.2 x 1.9 x1.8 cm (7.6cc)
The right lobe was mildly heterogenous in echotexture.
No discrete masses or nodules were idenfified.
There was a mild increase in vascularity pertaining to the right lobe.

The left lobe of the thyroid measure 3.7 x 1.4 x 1.6cm (4.2cc)
The left lobe was mildly heterogeneous in echotexture
No discrete masses or nodules were identified.
There was a mild increase in vascularity pertaining to the left lobe also.

This ishmus appeared unremarkable and measured 3mm. Normal appearing cervical lymph nodes were idenfitied throught the right and left anterior cervical lymph.

Comment: Mildly heterogeneous thyroid with mildly increased vascularity, in keeping with any cause of acute thyroiditis.

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I'm at a loss what has caused this.

Dr has prescribed me Carbimazole 10mg 3x a day to begin with. I asked about the low libido and apparently my testosterone levels are fine, it is supposed to be a side effect of hyperthyroid which makes sense I spose.

I really hope I don't have graves disease.  My Dr hasn't really addressed my concerns so I'd like to know what you think.

Thanks,

David

[db102]

The other thing i'm confused about is how do I know if it is graves disease or not? The doctor seems to think it is thyroiditis but was not certain

[db102]

Woops, wrong section. Been on carbimazole for 4 days now. Feel a little calmer and less of a tremor. Still no libido, luckily my girlfriend is understanding. Hopefully will normal out soon. Just trying to rest alot, feel very tried, particularly at like 5pm everyday.
'
Thanks for your kind response :)

[armywife92]

David this is the community section. The good thing is that no nodules were found so no need for biopsy. If it is graves, graves is treatable(don't let them rush you into RAI, that is really not necessary as long as meds are working) and it will most likely go into remission at some point, even for several yrs. This disease causes you to be overly anxious and sometimes paranoid. Knowing this will help when you are thinking you're loosing your mind. Once your thyroid panel normals out, your libido will be back in full swing:)

Be patient, the meds can take up to 2-6 weeks to do it's job.