Asthma - like symptoms w/thyroid issues

[flitty]

Do any of you have or know of people who have asthma like symptoms associated with thyroid issues? I say asthma like (but not asthma) because an inhaler does not help the attacks when exercising. (And they seem to be coming on easier/quicker now.)

Was just diagnosed as hyper.
TSH .005 (4.50 - 4.5) low
T4 Free 2.74 (.93 - 1.60) high
T3 Free 7.4 (2.3 - 5.0) high

Awaiting a iodine uptake scan and endo appt.

Assuming it's Graves Disease.

Thanks for any thoughts or info. :o)

[McMillanNelson]

Hi flitty,  There are many forms of Thyroid disease and many other diseases and conditions that adversely affect the thyroid. You need a lot more testing of antibodies etc to be able to tell what exactly is going there.  Is there a history of Thyroid Disease in your family?  You mentioned inhaler, Is there already a history of  asthma and what is the medication in the inhaler, is it a steroid ?

Unfortunately Atenolol can have symptoms similar to the thyroid problems your teen already has. Not everyone functions the same on medications so you basically have to take as prescribed and tell your doctor right away if you have any problems. Tightness of the chest and difficulty breathing are some of the rare symptoms that occur in some people. I did not have those particular symptoms when I was on Atenolol. I would urge you to read up on it so you know what to watch for so if there are any problems you can contact your doctor. The beta blocker is critical in controlling the heart rate. Was your teen also prescribed an anti thyroid drug of any kind ?

You mentioned no weight loss, is there any weight gain?  It is very rare to see this kind of problem at that age.  What other medications is your teen on ?  Is there any other illness involved? How long has this been a problem?

The Thyroid Uptake and Scan will show if there are any hyperactive or cold nodules and give the doctor a basic idea of the functioning level of the gland, but you will never get the whole picture without the antibodies blood tests. For now you might want to keep away from those high caffeine energy drinks and soda like Mountain Dew which contains a form of bromide that can throw off the iodine balance. If your teen drinks lots and lots of  it. Cut out the fast food for now etc. try and to keep to a basic diet and not to much sugar.  There are actually a lot of things that can cause temporary thyroid conditions  I am certainly no expert but cutting those things out of my diet certainly helped me.

I urge you to do as much research as possible so that you are well informed when you visit the endo and you can have some good questions for him/her.

Keep us posted!

McMIllan

[flitty]

My teen was initially diagnosed with sports induced asthma but the inhaler did nothing and on further investigation they found that the thyroid was enlarged (and presumably related to the asthma-like attacks). Obviously we're not doing any sports now!

All we've had is the TSH test
TSHPituitary and tsh
Tsh .005 (4.50 - 4.5) low
T4T4 test Free 2.74 (.93 - 1.60) high
T3 Free 7.4 (2.3 - 5.0) high

Other Symptoms:
Rapid Pulse
Nausea
Stomach Pain
Light Headed on Standing
Nose feels funny?
Irrational Anger
Moodiness
(all previously assumed to be normal teen behaviour)
Heat insensitive
No bulging eyes
No weight loss
Enlarged Thyroid
Insomnia
Extreme Fatigue
Hair was once course. Now fine.

Friday there is an Iodine Uptake Scan and we have an appt scheduled with an Endo.  The family doctor did prescribe a Beta Blocker yesterday (Alternolol?) 25mg (I asked if this would aggravate the asthma symptoms. They said no.)

[McMillanNelson]

Hi flitty, Did you happen to have a thyroid Ultrasound first, or have they only ordered the Thyroid uptake and scan?

as 898_1 mentioned, you should have also had a TSI test and possibly Antibodies tests as well.  TRAb, TPOAb, TGAb.  Even with the scan the endo will likely order (or should ) the antibodies tests to get your full picture.

What are you symptoms besides the asthma type problems ?

What Medications are you on?

McMIllan

[Moostera]

Hi there. Yes, that would be in addition to thyroid drugs. I've just been reading about Beta Blockers and they can bring on asthma attacks, but there are Beta Blockers that are better for asthmatics. Here is a link I found with some good info about Beta Blockers.

http://highbloodpressure.about.com/od/treatmentmonitoring/f/asthma-beta.htm

I'm kind of a week and a half ahead of you. I am hyper and being tested for Graves ~ should get the results today. It's a learning curve, hey! I've been on thyroid medication for about a week and a half now.

[peggy64]

The synthroid caused my asthma to flare up, and acid reflux as well.

[flitty]

Hmm. Yes, the heart rate is accelerated. Beta Blockers? (This is all new to me.) Would that be in addition to anti-thyroid drugs?  Do you mean it makes asthma-like symptoms worse or actual asthma worse? Thanks.

[Moostera]

Hi Flitty

I've had asthma type symptoms with hyperthyroid. Also, if you do have an accelerated heart rate and they put you Beta Blockers, the Beta Blockers can make asthma worse. But generally I find myself feeling puffed very easily, and my lungs feel tight.

[898_1]

It can be result of fast heart rate associated with hyper.
Get your blood tested for TSI antibodies, 80% of GD patients have these.