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How long can hyperthyroid symptoms last after stopping synthroid?
Back in March I had a blood test that came back showing a high tsh level of around 9 (t4 and t3 were not tested). Because of this my doctor put me on synthroid: 50mgs (I did not have any hypothyroid symptoms). Beginning in May I started to feel sick on and off- tired, diarrhea, abdominal cramps....thought I was just sick. However after about two weeks of this I also developed anxiety and had episodes of uncontrollable crying. I went to the doctor and was prescribed buspar and xannax to help with the anxiety. They tested my blood and though my tsh was lower, both my t4 and t3 were high. I have since stopped taking any synthroid and the anxiety has lessened but I still feel more stressed than usual and my digestive system is still upset (its been just over two weeks since beginning the anti-anxiety and stopping synthroid). Has anyone had some kind of similar experience to this? How long do the symptoms last? Is there anything I can do to help my body recover? I just start to freak out that maybe I wont ever get better.
Thanks for any help or advice
Thanks for any help or advice
I'm going in for another blood test in about two weeks, hopefully the FTs will have come down further by then.
Telus2: I agree that it seems odd that such a low dose of synthroid would lead to such problems but I never had ANY of these issues before taking the drug...doesn't it seem unlikely that hashimotos or graves would suddenly appear right as I began the drugs?
Telus2: I agree that it seems odd that such a low dose of synthroid would lead to such problems but I never had ANY of these issues before taking the drug...doesn't it seem unlikely that hashimotos or graves would suddenly appear right as I began the drugs?
1 Comments
It's unfortunate that your FT levels weren't tested when you were diagnosed hypo with a TSH of 9, because it's possible that you didn't even need the thyroid hormones to begin with. If you didn't need the med, any amount could cause your levels to go too high...
Were you tested for Hashimoto's? There would be no reason to test for Graves Disease, as that's "always" associated with hyperthyroidism and since you had hypothyroidism, you wouldn't have Graves Disease.
If you've had antibody tests, please post the results, with reference ranges.
Were you tested for Hashimoto's? There would be no reason to test for Graves Disease, as that's "always" associated with hyperthyroidism and since you had hypothyroidism, you wouldn't have Graves Disease.
If you've had antibody tests, please post the results, with reference ranges.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I don't think you should wait, too long, to see the endo... Your FT3 is still higher in the range than it should need to be and your FT4 is still over range, but your TSH has gone back up to 6.92, which is too high... With FT3 and FT4 as high as yours, we would expect your TSH to be lower than it is. It appears that your pituitary gland isn't recognizing the fact that you seem to have plenty of thyroid hormones.
There are some people who, simply, have a high TSH, but are comfortable with lower FT levels and it's possible you're one of those, but you need to make sure that's what it is.
When are you scheduled for blood work, again?
There are some people who, simply, have a high TSH, but are comfortable with lower FT levels and it's possible you're one of those, but you need to make sure that's what it is.
When are you scheduled for blood work, again?
I think you should go to the endocrinologist ASAP to evaluate if you have a thyroid disorder such as Hashimotos or Graves disease.
I do not believe that the 50 synthroid that you took is sufficient to drive your T4 and T3 labs to the levels that they are at.
I do not believe that the 50 synthroid that you took is sufficient to drive your T4 and T3 labs to the levels that they are at.
New test results are finally in. Ft3 4.2 range 2.0-4.4 Ft4 2.06 range .82-1.77 TSH 6.92 range .45-4.5
I have also been put on 25mg of atenolol, and been given a referral to an endocrinologist. However I'm wondering if I shouldn't just wait a few more weeks to see how things develop before going to a specialist, especially since my symptoms have lessened in severity over time.
I have also been put on 25mg of atenolol, and been given a referral to an endocrinologist. However I'm wondering if I shouldn't just wait a few more weeks to see how things develop before going to a specialist, especially since my symptoms have lessened in severity over time.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I took beta blockers when I was hypo and had rapid heart rate and palpitations. I was on them for for about 3-4 yrs and have been off them, now, for about 3 yrs.
I'll look forward to seeing your blood work on Wed or Thurs. Don't forget that some of us have the same symptoms when we're hypo, so your levels may have dropped too low since you stopped the Synthroid. Be sure to post your new results and reference ranges when you get them.
I'll look forward to seeing your blood work on Wed or Thurs. Don't forget that some of us have the same symptoms when we're hypo, so your levels may have dropped too low since you stopped the Synthroid. Be sure to post your new results and reference ranges when you get them.
Free T4 was 2.32, reference range .82-1.77. Free T3 was 4.5, range 2.0-4.4. T3 was 204, range 71-180.
I will be going in to have my thyroid tested again today, should have the results Wednesday. If still high, has anyone had experience with beta blockers? I am not very comfortable taking the xanax for anxiety since my family has a history of addiction problems and was wondering if beta blockers would be a good alternative.
I will be going in to have my thyroid tested again today, should have the results Wednesday. If still high, has anyone had experience with beta blockers? I am not very comfortable taking the xanax for anxiety since my family has a history of addiction problems and was wondering if beta blockers would be a good alternative.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What were your actual T4 and T3 results and were they Free T4 and Free T3? Also, please post the reference ranges, since ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report.
It takes 4-6 weeks for a T4 medication to reach full potential in your blood and while it will take a few weeks for it to be "completely" out of your system, you were on a relatively small dose, so there shouldn't be much left. It may, however, take a couple of weeks for thyroid hormone levels to drop and symptoms to subside.
We'll be able to advise you better once we know the actual levels of your Free T3 and Free T4 and their reference ranges.
It takes 4-6 weeks for a T4 medication to reach full potential in your blood and while it will take a few weeks for it to be "completely" out of your system, you were on a relatively small dose, so there shouldn't be much left. It may, however, take a couple of weeks for thyroid hormone levels to drop and symptoms to subside.
We'll be able to advise you better once we know the actual levels of your Free T3 and Free T4 and their reference ranges.
1 Comments
Free T4 was 2.32, reference range .82-1.77. Free T3 was 4.5, range 2.0-4.4. T3 was 204, range 71-180.
Thank you!
Thank you!
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