hyperthyroid- help!

[KM1]

Please help! I was diagnosed w/Hashimotos in November. I had no idea I had a thyroid problem until I had a low TSH at a physical in June '07. Then my TSH normalized and I had antibodies (lead to Hashimotos dx). Then I had TSH of 15 in November. Back down to .001 in February and .0001 in April. My current endo prescribed Tapazole, but I do not want to take meds if I do not need to. I know my numbers are low right now, but I have very few symptoms. I have only had very infrequent palpitations and a high resting pulse occasionally. None of my symptoms are disruptive and I really do not want to deal w/side effects of meds. I am wondering if Tapazole would possibly cause me to go Hypo? If I am not symptomatic most of the time do I really need meds? Is there anyone who has normalized in the numbers without meds? Anyone have feedback on Tapazole? What could happen if I do not take meds? Please respond, b/c I have posted a couple times before and really do not get many responses. This is a confusing diagnosis and I could really use some feedback from others going through it.  THANKS.

[AR-10]

When you are extremely hyper, bands of fatty cells are deposited in your muscles. They impede the function of the muscle. It is a slow process, but it can affect the ability of your heart to function efficiently.

My heart muscles do not contract and expand fully. Nobody will say if it is temporary or permanent. I'm guessing it is reversible, but how long it will take is a good question, since neither the GP nor the Endo will say it is reversible.

[KM1]

Thanks for the responses. I appreciate it. I am probably going to fill the rx tomorrow. I think this has just been very hard to accept, b/c I am otherwise healthy, but recently hit 30. I joke b/c as soon as I hit 30 my gallbladder stopped functioning and I had to have that out and now thyroid problems. I have one question about the response from AR10- when you talk about heart damage I am wondering what you are referring to? Is the heart being damaged in a hyper state even if a person does not have an episode like thyroid storm, or if a person does not have symptoms of hyper? Just still trying to learn everything I can....Thanks.

[Applecore]

Wow what a great answer from AR10.  I too am diagnosed with hashimoto.  I went hyper, was put on tapazole and then had RAI and then went hypo.  I now flucuate with some hyper symptoms and tsh is .97 which is really good.  I am now awaiting the results of a tsi and new blood work to be done soon and another doctor appointment.  I didn't have too many symptoms from hyper just the same as you rapid heartbeat and then wham my blood pressure went over 200 and then it all started.  I don't even remember the sequence because of the shock and brain fog.  Please follow your doctor's advice and if you are not satisfied try another doctor but you don't want to go through what I went through with the anxiety, depression, nervousness extreme brain fog etc. etc.   I learned alot from AR10's answer also.  It is a jungle that we have to find our way through, but we do get through it and this forum will be there for you to educate you and to make you know that you are not alone.    lol  and prayers , linda

[AR-10]

With Hashimoto's, your gland can go hyper once or twice in the early stage of the disease.

A hyper phase can last several months. Tapazole will bring you closer to what your hormone level should be. You should take it. It will only be for a short time.

Can it make you hypo? Yes, just like Synthroid can make you hyper. You will need to monitored so the dosage does not drive you hypo.

You are going to have periods of hypo and periods of hyper, both from your gland being unhealthy, and also from medications being wrong. It is unavoidable. The goal should be to make those swings as few and as small as possible.

Right now you are severely hyper. You may not feel a lot of symptoms, but they will come, and they will linger. You will eventually go back to hypo, but how long will it take, and how much damage to your body are you willing to accept before it happens?

I took Methimazole for 9 months, which is the same thing as Tapazole, and I really can't tell you if it had side effects or not. I know I was sick, but I don't know what came from the illness and what came from the Methimazole.

I am in the same boat with Synthroid. I don't know if symptoms are from being hypo, or from the meds. Who knows? Right now I'm taking Synthroid and I'm hyper from too much of it. This is going to happen. Many times.

The goal is to limit the number and the severity of swings from hypo to hyper to hypo. That takes close monitoring, and constant tweeking of dosages.

You may be able to avoid the Tapazole and return to a euthroid state, and then a hypo state, but how long will it take, and how low will your TSH go before it happens? Are you willing to risk heart damage? Are you willing to risk damage to your muscles and organs?

It's a decision you have to make. Tapazole is hard on the liver. Being hyper is hard on the whole body. Nobody knows how long you will be hyper, how much Tapazole is correct, or when you should stop taking it.

It's all in the bloodwork. Med changes are always too late. "Come back in six weeks, and we'll see" is the mantra you will hear.

You have to decide.
The goal, again, is to limit the highs and lows of your hormone shifts as best you can.