hyperthryoidism

Can anyone tell me why it would take a physician and a thyroid specialist going on three years and still haven't found the right dose of synthroid for me??  This is getting to be the way of life for me and many dollars later!!  Back in 2004 I had a TT because of an incidental finding of pap. cancer. My GP said the chances of it coming back are real low. I see a thryoid specialist, who can't determine if in fact it was true pap. or combo of foll./ pap which are treated the same however followup is different. I called some months ago to see what type it was and no one could tell me. Well anyway to make a long story short, I had to see the GP just the other day with strange symptoms. "Most of the time after I eat My pulse races, I feel real tired and could go right to sleep. He checked my pulse and it was 120 beats a min. He seems to think that my synthroid is too high and maybe I should see another endo?? I called the endo, they wanted another TSH & FT4 to see where I'm at. Last month I was on .150 mcg and my levels were TSH = 0.31 and FT4= 1.26. He said we weren't quite there yet and raised my synthroid to .175 mcg. Now they think I'm hyper? That's odd because I really don't fell and though I have the symptoms such asinsomnia, nervousness, heat intolerance. In fact it can be 80 degrees and I can feel cold one time and 60 degrees and feel hot another. Oh, they did a blood sugar on me as well, why? Who knows! I don't have excessive thirst or any of that either.  How many more years people??? All I want, is to feel somewhat normal and not like a wet noodle!  Help Please.
Oh, I do have other underlying medical problems as well.
Buldging disc/narrowing of the spine
When my synthroid is increased my back pain seems to go away. I guess it's like trading one ailment for another.
Weakness only on my right side such as right arm & wrist and right leg from the calf to the toes either hurt or tingle. Is this all par for the course?
Sorry to run off like this, I guess I'm just trying to make sense of all of this.  
Thanks for listening.

[skymax2000]

I understand your aggravation. It's like you just want to get to the bottom of it so you can just live your life with energy.

One question. How come you have an endo and a GP working on your thyroid case and not just an endo? Just curious.

[MJ13]

I know exactly how you feel.  I have the same symtoms (symptoms) as you: heart rate and bp high, insomnia, and also hot flashes.  I'm 47, so my endo and PCP think I may be going into menopause.  I'm hoping that's what it is because these hot flashes suck!! I even have trouble sleeping taking Ambien.  My PCP is testing my estrogen level and will find out the results next week.  Hope you find answers sooner than later.

[maria19609]

I have both a GP and Endo (Sort of....) He was an internal med doc and now is specializing in Thyroid. I don't think he's board certified for Endo.
Anyway, the reason for both is that I live in such a small area, "we have no endo's here." I even have to travel two hrs. just to see this so called specialist.
It really sucks when there isn't any resources available.
Just wish they can get things right. (One hand doesn't seem to know what the other is doing!) LOL
I'm tired of being tired!! I guess everyone with thyroid problems feels that way, but for myself I feel as though it some sort of metabolism problem because the old thermostat seems to go haywire some days along with everything else.
Anyway, thanks for reading.

[meganrox]

Hi,
Just thought I should mention -- a TSH of .31 is pretty darn low. I would think an endo. would call it hyperthyroid and back off on your dose rather than giving you more Synthroid. 150 mcg. is plenty of it (!) and the insomnia etc. are hyper symptoms. I'm not a doc. or anything but did have a major hyperthyroid reaction (toxic goiter) myself a few years back, so thought I should caution you. Too much Synthroid can really make your heart race & also give you diarrhea, etc. Doc. should be cautioning you about those side effects - or check the pharmacy sheet; if you have a lot of them... I would suggest checking w/ endo. again or maybe think about getting a second opinion from another endo. Take care,
  -Megan

[meganrox]

One other thought -- I've read a few posts on here mentioning that if folks had history of some sort of cancer, their docs. were keeping their TSH really low. But I still think it's important to let your endo. & other doc. know of your symptoms 'cause they should like side effects from too much Synthroid...pharmacist might be able to help determine that too if  you ask. Good luck with it all. :) -Megan

[DLA]

I also live in a small area and my pharmacy didn't always have the same brand of synthroid, one time synthroid, next time levo, next time maybe something else.  New endo told me that you NEVER switch brands, it can cause all the symptoms you are describing, I know, been there, done that.  But also the symptoms you have described go along with diabetes, that's why the sugar.  I also don't understand why they increased your synthroid when you are so hyper, which causes those symptoms.  I also have to drive a long ways to my new endo now, but I don't have to go very often so is worth the trip.   Try asking about your area and see if someone one here can help you with an endo.  Your 2 docs can't seem  to get it together.  Hope some of this helps.  Good luck.

Dac

[maria19609]

Thanks for all the comments. Just got to reading them this morning! I only have dial up because were so secluded and my husband owns his own business.
Any way, The blood work is in and the TSH is .20 and FT4 1.21. The thyroid specialist called me personally and said that I'm where I should be now. I asked him about the symptoms and he agreed with me that if a person was "hyper" they would have the feeling all the time, which I do not. I only get this way when exerting myself or most often eating.
He said that if I wanted to lower the dose back to 150 mcg I'm more than welcome, but aslo aked if it may be certain foods that I'm eating etc.. He said to be scientific and have a halter monitor put on me.
SOooooo. I called The GP explained what my telephone conversation was and now he is suggesting the halter monitor as well.
What do you think? Lower the dose of Synthroid (name brand) that doesn't affect me all the time or Halter monitor? (For the heart)
Odd, I don't have high blood pressure however sometimes it appears to be borderline,
What do you all think??
Again THANKS for listening. This has been going on for almost 3 years now and I would have hoped that the thyroid levels would have been straightened out by now. It's constantly being either lowered or raised.

[kacisue]

I have an extreme problem with taking Synthroid.   I have to take Amour Thryoid.  Anything synthetic makes my system go out of control.   It makes my legs ache and like I have arthritis.  Maybe you should change your prescription.

[EsteeL]

Im only 25 and have just been diagnosed with hyperthryoidism, i get the sweats, the palpataions, the hot flushes, the heat rash all over my face and neck, nausea, vomiting, heat sensitivity - (like feeling heat stroke in 23 degree whether) weakness - nevousness, shakiness. insomnia, out of breath... it could go on..

alot of the above issues make sense now.. which is a good thing.. but I am   still very confused by i just went for furthur blood tests and excuse my ignorance but never heard of a problem with the thyroid.. didnt really know what the thyroid does..

i googled it and the same info comss up with the symptoms etc.. but not much info on the treatment and the seriousnesss (if any) of the condition.

can anyone help me out with some info..

confused and scared.

[stella5349]

How I wish I would have been able to post here back in 2003 when I recieved the same DX as you.

I was Graves and didn't have a clue either - I spent a long time ill and trusted many doctors to make me well with very little sucess.

I am going to copy and paste this on a new question for you - so many others will read is as a "fresh post"

This way maybe you will get more answers you are seeking.

Post on the new question what you are interested in knowing ... asks as many questions as you need to .

Hyperthyoidism is just as bad as Hypothyroidism.

We'll help you.