Aa
Hyperthyroid, am I going to be on thyroid pills forever bc of tx?
Pegasys and Riba are making my thyroid act weird. going to see endocrinologist soon, but in the mean time, what do I do?
T3 UPTAKE [H] 36 % 22-35
T4, FREE [H] 2.3 ng/dL 0.8-1.8
TSH, 3RD GENERATION [L] 0.02 mIU/L
have read some older hcv forum posts about thyroid issues, most say they first get hyper, then hypo. and when they see endocrinologists, they are put on pills. probably for the rest of their lives. are you kidding me?
screaming
T3 UPTAKE [H] 36 % 22-35
T4, FREE [H] 2.3 ng/dL 0.8-1.8
TSH, 3RD GENERATION [L] 0.02 mIU/L
have read some older hcv forum posts about thyroid issues, most say they first get hyper, then hypo. and when they see endocrinologists, they are put on pills. probably for the rest of their lives. are you kidding me?
screaming
note I said they usually don't. Of course the exception is usually if the pituitary improves following tx then the signaling to the thyroid improve.
With Hasimoto's it can go way or continue to get worse, as this is autoimmune in origin.
There's no way of knowing ahead of time whether a thyroid will recover or not.
Before I had HCV I treated myself with powdered kelp, which is a high source of iodine, essetial to thyroid function, however eventually this approach did not keep my level high enough and meds became necessary. During and after pregnacy, and after any radioactive treatment or head/neck injury, or chemo therapy are all vunerable times for the thyroid. Even though tissues don't always regenerate ther, the still healthy tissue can take up the slack, but if enough damage is done by whatever means, then she will have to be on something.
You may see a reduction in need as time goes on and the system is flushed of all the riba etc. But I'm just saying if it does not return to normal fairly soon she would be well advised to on the meds.
Often times thyroid conditions are thought of by GP's as minor illnesses since they are so common, however when the glands over or under produces they effect every other bodily function in some way.
Where some of these symptoms may sound minor...thinner nails or hair for instance, the changes to heart and brain function are still occuring as well, just not as noticable until more time goes by.
My main point is to take the condition seriously, it can really mess with you and if it does self correct and you monitor that well great, you'll be the exception, but if not, take the darn meds and keep your health. The thyroid hormones are extremely powerful and effect everything from food metabolism to body temperature and much much more.
mb
With Hasimoto's it can go way or continue to get worse, as this is autoimmune in origin.
There's no way of knowing ahead of time whether a thyroid will recover or not.
Before I had HCV I treated myself with powdered kelp, which is a high source of iodine, essetial to thyroid function, however eventually this approach did not keep my level high enough and meds became necessary. During and after pregnacy, and after any radioactive treatment or head/neck injury, or chemo therapy are all vunerable times for the thyroid. Even though tissues don't always regenerate ther, the still healthy tissue can take up the slack, but if enough damage is done by whatever means, then she will have to be on something.
You may see a reduction in need as time goes on and the system is flushed of all the riba etc. But I'm just saying if it does not return to normal fairly soon she would be well advised to on the meds.
Often times thyroid conditions are thought of by GP's as minor illnesses since they are so common, however when the glands over or under produces they effect every other bodily function in some way.
Where some of these symptoms may sound minor...thinner nails or hair for instance, the changes to heart and brain function are still occuring as well, just not as noticable until more time goes by.
My main point is to take the condition seriously, it can really mess with you and if it does self correct and you monitor that well great, you'll be the exception, but if not, take the darn meds and keep your health. The thyroid hormones are extremely powerful and effect everything from food metabolism to body temperature and much much more.
mb
Just stay positive and remember OZ is not all what it is cranked up to be. I went hyper then hypo and back to normal about 3 months after treatment. Just because it has happened to others it is not you, yet! so keep the spirit of the fight and it will be over soon and then you'll know for sure.
jasper
jasper
thanks everyone for being so honest, sometimes, i can't control what goes on, i mean i could technically stop txing right now, but i think i would regret not finishing. i was warned before that interferon could cause people to have diseases/ symptoms that they were genetically programed to get later in life anyway. i'm currently hyper right now, but as some have mentioned that might just be the peak before the hypo, could be irreversible. my mom has hypo and just like most of you have said, it's 1 pill each morning, that's it. still, if i had a choice, i wouldn't want to take a pill a day for the rest of my life bc my thyroid might not function normally on it's own anymore. sure you all would agree.
now, i'm just feeling that i really wasn't sure what i signed up for when i decided to tx, guess things could be worse.
now, i'm just feeling that i really wasn't sure what i signed up for when i decided to tx, guess things could be worse.
I went 'subclinical' hyper within the first month of tx. My TSH was low but the other two were still within normal range. (The range here is a little different but whenever my T3/T4 rose, I knew my TSH was going to do the opposite).
By week 24 I was started to flip over to hypo as my T3 and T4 were lowering and my TSH was rising. As soon as I came off the meds (week 24) I went back to subclinical hyper again (TSH went down to .06 and T3 and T4 has risen to top of the normal range), then by week 8 post all were normal. I guess my tx stopped just as I was starting to go hypo.
I was told if I had gone below .06 I would have been put on betablockers which they would adjust, but mine has, thus far, normalised.
The hyper is treated with beta-blockers to block the T3 uptake which pushes down the TSH (i.e. when your T3/T4 are rising you can expect your TSH to drop soon after). My friend was hyper for a while and didn't have her next bloods done because she couldn't get out of bed (hypo makes you sleep and sleep). She had flipped radically to hypo; her TSH was an incredibly high reading. To me, your range doesn't look too bad at present, and hopefully, even with the betablockers, it will stabilise at the end of your tx.
I must admit, I went through the same panic, and was getting to the point of being more concerned with my thyroid than my liver..... got heaps of books out. But, with my liver damage, I had to concentrate on the benefits of getting through tx.
Be careful that your multi-vitamins don't have iodine in them (too much iodine promotes hyper) and use sea-salt instead of iodised salt; Vitamin C which also promotes T3 uptake which you don't want and if you're gobbling down all those green leafy veges for your liver, cut down on them too. If you flip to hypo, of course, you'll do the opposite. Also, copper enriched foods are good for suppressing hyper. It gets really complicated but those were the main bits I took notice of.
Mmmmm, I'm really no expert here L'apple; I'm just sharing what I read, so please do some research before fanatically following my advice as I'm still on the thyroid-watching voyage. Big hugs and prayers for your next bloods, and your appt with the endo. You are young and fit and I'm hoping your body has got lots of bounce-back, unlike some of us oldies who kind of expect some of this stuff to happen. Thoughts are with you.....
By week 24 I was started to flip over to hypo as my T3 and T4 were lowering and my TSH was rising. As soon as I came off the meds (week 24) I went back to subclinical hyper again (TSH went down to .06 and T3 and T4 has risen to top of the normal range), then by week 8 post all were normal. I guess my tx stopped just as I was starting to go hypo.
I was told if I had gone below .06 I would have been put on betablockers which they would adjust, but mine has, thus far, normalised.
The hyper is treated with beta-blockers to block the T3 uptake which pushes down the TSH (i.e. when your T3/T4 are rising you can expect your TSH to drop soon after). My friend was hyper for a while and didn't have her next bloods done because she couldn't get out of bed (hypo makes you sleep and sleep). She had flipped radically to hypo; her TSH was an incredibly high reading. To me, your range doesn't look too bad at present, and hopefully, even with the betablockers, it will stabilise at the end of your tx.
I must admit, I went through the same panic, and was getting to the point of being more concerned with my thyroid than my liver..... got heaps of books out. But, with my liver damage, I had to concentrate on the benefits of getting through tx.
Be careful that your multi-vitamins don't have iodine in them (too much iodine promotes hyper) and use sea-salt instead of iodised salt; Vitamin C which also promotes T3 uptake which you don't want and if you're gobbling down all those green leafy veges for your liver, cut down on them too. If you flip to hypo, of course, you'll do the opposite. Also, copper enriched foods are good for suppressing hyper. It gets really complicated but those were the main bits I took notice of.
Mmmmm, I'm really no expert here L'apple; I'm just sharing what I read, so please do some research before fanatically following my advice as I'm still on the thyroid-watching voyage. Big hugs and prayers for your next bloods, and your appt with the endo. You are young and fit and I'm hoping your body has got lots of bounce-back, unlike some of us oldies who kind of expect some of this stuff to happen. Thoughts are with you.....
I went Hypo after 26 of 48 weeks and my thyroid never recovered. Synthroid every morning with my milk thistle and vitamin supplement and life goes on. No big deal. You'll be fine.
Teuf
Teuf
Actually thyroid issues CAN go away after treatment and the difference seems to be whether one has Hashimoto's or not. Some people have thryoid antibodies in their blood and these would have been pre-existing before treatment, not caused BY treatment. The fact the antibodies exist, combined with treatment, sometimes causes the thyroid issues to present themselves during treatment.
However. My endocrinologist, the one I reallly like, told me that even with Hashimoto's, which is what I have, it can STILL go away after treatment is done.
So no...it's not true that going hypothyroid during treatment means that you will have thyroid issues permanently. Those with Hashimoto's are more likely to have thyroid issues permanently and not everybody who is hypothyroid is also Hashimoto's.
Even if you are, lalapple .. it's simple. The pill a day...what's important is to find the right dose and then go for the regular tests which I think amount to once or twice a year? Just to make sure the dosages you are on remain appropriate for you.
Trish
However. My endocrinologist, the one I reallly like, told me that even with Hashimoto's, which is what I have, it can STILL go away after treatment is done.
So no...it's not true that going hypothyroid during treatment means that you will have thyroid issues permanently. Those with Hashimoto's are more likely to have thyroid issues permanently and not everybody who is hypothyroid is also Hashimoto's.
Even if you are, lalapple .. it's simple. The pill a day...what's important is to find the right dose and then go for the regular tests which I think amount to once or twice a year? Just to make sure the dosages you are on remain appropriate for you.
Trish
I've had thyroid problems for 13 years and it's kept under control with one pill a day. Although, I am hypo and know nothing about hyper. From what I understand this happens while on tx to some people. It sure has played havoc with my thyroid and my TSH has been off since week 3 of tx.
Don't worry about it too much because it can be corrected with medicine. I have read some people go on to not need thyroid meds after tx, while some need it rest of life.
Don't worry about it too much because it can be corrected with medicine. I have read some people go on to not need thyroid meds after tx, while some need it rest of life.
sorry I'm brain dead...the thyroid rarely recovers from hypo, it means drugs for life, but with hyper it could settle back down eventually. However you even MORE need the suppresion drug in that case in the meantime, for hyper (Graves) is even more dangerous left untreated than is hypo.
mb
mb
as pills go thyroid meds are benign, inexpensive and easy to monitor.
you get your blood work every 6 wks until they find the right dose, after that, every 6-12 months a simple TSH test to assure the dose has stabilize you.
It's one of the few glands easy to treat with few side effect or life complications if it is treated right.
If left untreated it is dangerous and life threatening, so you take your pill each day...preferably early morn on an empty stomach only, and you'll be fine,
I've been doing it for 30 years, I put my pill out each night on the night stand, and try to take it when I wake up for a 500am pee...then go back to sleep...later when I wake up..if the pill is gone I remembered to take it...if it's still there I take it then and wait 30 minutes before eating. Once you get used to it, it's no big deal, it's just the idea you have to overcome. There's no real way to bring back damaged thyroid tissue, once it slows down it seldom comes back to the former levels.For some reason the thyroid takes up certain toxins and is hurt by them, but it does protect the rest of the body when it does this...so...be happy.
mb
you get your blood work every 6 wks until they find the right dose, after that, every 6-12 months a simple TSH test to assure the dose has stabilize you.
It's one of the few glands easy to treat with few side effect or life complications if it is treated right.
If left untreated it is dangerous and life threatening, so you take your pill each day...preferably early morn on an empty stomach only, and you'll be fine,
I've been doing it for 30 years, I put my pill out each night on the night stand, and try to take it when I wake up for a 500am pee...then go back to sleep...later when I wake up..if the pill is gone I remembered to take it...if it's still there I take it then and wait 30 minutes before eating. Once you get used to it, it's no big deal, it's just the idea you have to overcome. There's no real way to bring back damaged thyroid tissue, once it slows down it seldom comes back to the former levels.For some reason the thyroid takes up certain toxins and is hurt by them, but it does protect the rest of the body when it does this...so...be happy.
mb
Hm..kind of coming back to me....I recall when I went hyper, that's when I wasn't sleeping very well anymore either....couldn't sleep much at all, couldn't relax, couldn't slow down, would just lie there awake with my mind racing for hours and finally fall asleep and be awake again a couple hours later and couldn't fall back to sleep. THAT part wasn't fun at all. Just ride it out ... it will take it's course.
Relax ... thyroid issues are incredibly common in the general population, aside from people with HCV.
I went hyperthyroid on treatment also. It doesn't usually last and it's common to start out hyper and it lasts perhaps a few weeks or a bit longer. I was on beta blockers until it settled down and then I went the other way and went hypothyroid. You will NOT necessarily need to be on the synthroid for the rest of your life. You will end up going for a blood test and you'll be checked to see if you have the antibodies for the thyroid in your blood which means you've got Hashimoto's - in that case, you are more likely to need to be on synthroid every day.
Let me tell you what that's been like for me. I wake up in the morning, I take a pill and I forget about it. That's it, lalapple. No side effects, nothing. Just take a pill every morning and carry on. The endocrinologist will sort out what your proper dosage should be as the dosage is based on how much hormones your body needs to make up for what your thyroid isn't making anymore and the pills take care of that. It's not that big a deal. I'm not sure that I notice any issues with my thyroid right now. I'm not gaining weight, I'm not losing weight, I'm just me. My sex drive is, well...let's just say that I'm doing okay that way and I could do with less. Yeah, I know..tmi. However that's one of the things thyroid issues impact and it's such a vital part of life that it bears mentioning.
Don't sweat it too much. Go see your endocrinologist and keep your cool. It's not all that fun going between hyper and hypo...not terrible just extra stuff to keep track off... felt like a plane always wanting to take off and fly only very accelerated, that's what hyper was like... a JET plane...and hypo was me settling down. Perhaps others had it harder on the hypo side of it but I'm thinking it's all about finding the right dosage for your synthroid if it comes to that and then like I said.. a pill a day and carry on.
Hope that helped.
Trish
I went hyperthyroid on treatment also. It doesn't usually last and it's common to start out hyper and it lasts perhaps a few weeks or a bit longer. I was on beta blockers until it settled down and then I went the other way and went hypothyroid. You will NOT necessarily need to be on the synthroid for the rest of your life. You will end up going for a blood test and you'll be checked to see if you have the antibodies for the thyroid in your blood which means you've got Hashimoto's - in that case, you are more likely to need to be on synthroid every day.
Let me tell you what that's been like for me. I wake up in the morning, I take a pill and I forget about it. That's it, lalapple. No side effects, nothing. Just take a pill every morning and carry on. The endocrinologist will sort out what your proper dosage should be as the dosage is based on how much hormones your body needs to make up for what your thyroid isn't making anymore and the pills take care of that. It's not that big a deal. I'm not sure that I notice any issues with my thyroid right now. I'm not gaining weight, I'm not losing weight, I'm just me. My sex drive is, well...let's just say that I'm doing okay that way and I could do with less. Yeah, I know..tmi. However that's one of the things thyroid issues impact and it's such a vital part of life that it bears mentioning.
Don't sweat it too much. Go see your endocrinologist and keep your cool. It's not all that fun going between hyper and hypo...not terrible just extra stuff to keep track off... felt like a plane always wanting to take off and fly only very accelerated, that's what hyper was like... a JET plane...and hypo was me settling down. Perhaps others had it harder on the hypo side of it but I'm thinking it's all about finding the right dosage for your synthroid if it comes to that and then like I said.. a pill a day and carry on.
Hope that helped.
Trish
I recall several people with tx thyroid issues. The ones I remember are NY, Xenigma and Medic Mommy (?). Try to find their old posts because they're worth digging up.
You're doing shot 40 of 48 TONIGHT, and I don't think any of them had as late an on-start as you. This could be a very good thing for you, given you only have nine weeks left. If you have to take meds, it won't be for long and my guess is it will be temporary.
I think X and MM went completely off the medication after tx. Not sure. (I know I should check for you but, as we said earlier, we're both busy crumpling.)
NY is still on synthroid but she treated for 72 weeks. She said a few times that once you get used to the idea, it's no big deal.
That said, my bet is that if you have to correct it during the next nine weeks, it won't be long after you're done tx that you can kiss all the meds goodbye. Every one.
xoxo
Port
You're doing shot 40 of 48 TONIGHT, and I don't think any of them had as late an on-start as you. This could be a very good thing for you, given you only have nine weeks left. If you have to take meds, it won't be for long and my guess is it will be temporary.
I think X and MM went completely off the medication after tx. Not sure. (I know I should check for you but, as we said earlier, we're both busy crumpling.)
NY is still on synthroid but she treated for 72 weeks. She said a few times that once you get used to the idea, it's no big deal.
That said, my bet is that if you have to correct it during the next nine weeks, it won't be long after you're done tx that you can kiss all the meds goodbye. Every one.
xoxo
Port
It'll be okay...truly it will...but I know how frustrated you must be that this is yet another issue on your plate now. Since you already have an appt set with an endo, that's half the battle.
I've had thyroid issues since just prior to starting TX but I'm hypo, not hyper so I don't know much about hyper. I do know that another friend of mine went hyper just towards the end of her TX (about the same as you) and her endo elected not to do anything about it until after her tx was over. Now that she is 2 weeks post treatment, she is going to have some tests run to determine what's what. She was not put on any meds or anything...they just monitored her.
So...it could correct itself after tx! Try not to worry because you will be seeing a specialist soon and they will help you get through this!
I've had thyroid issues since just prior to starting TX but I'm hypo, not hyper so I don't know much about hyper. I do know that another friend of mine went hyper just towards the end of her TX (about the same as you) and her endo elected not to do anything about it until after her tx was over. Now that she is 2 weeks post treatment, she is going to have some tests run to determine what's what. She was not put on any meds or anything...they just monitored her.
So...it could correct itself after tx! Try not to worry because you will be seeing a specialist soon and they will help you get through this!
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