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Lightheadedness and Hypothyroidism
Just throwing a question out there...
Has anyone experienced lightheadedness and almost anxiety attacks about a week after starting treatment with any supplement thyroid replacement hormone?
Has anyone experienced lightheadedness and almost anxiety attacks about a week after starting treatment with any supplement thyroid replacement hormone?
I see several problems with your treatment. First, TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that it is totally inadequate as the sole diagnostic for dosing a thyroid patient. At best it is an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4. Free t3 is the most important of these because it has been shown to correlate best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
Second, since you have Hashi's, it is very likely that you need an increase in your thyroid med, to offset the diminishing output from your thyroid gland as a result of having Hashi's. The doctor should be testing you and adjusting dosage as needed to relieve hypo symptoms.
Third, hypo patients taking T4 only type meds often find that their body does not adequately convert the T4 to T3, resulting in too low Free T3 and thus hypo symptoms. To determine if there is a conversion problem, the doctor should always test for Free T3 and Free T4 each time you go in for testing.
Fourth, a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So you need to go back and be tested for Free T3 and Free T4 to determine if you need to supplement your meds with a source of T3, or if you just need to increase your T4 med. Since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for other important areas as well, you should also request to be tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.
While you are with the doctor, you should also ask if he is going to be willing to treat you clinically as described above. If not, then you are going to have to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.
Second, since you have Hashi's, it is very likely that you need an increase in your thyroid med, to offset the diminishing output from your thyroid gland as a result of having Hashi's. The doctor should be testing you and adjusting dosage as needed to relieve hypo symptoms.
Third, hypo patients taking T4 only type meds often find that their body does not adequately convert the T4 to T3, resulting in too low Free T3 and thus hypo symptoms. To determine if there is a conversion problem, the doctor should always test for Free T3 and Free T4 each time you go in for testing.
Fourth, a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So you need to go back and be tested for Free T3 and Free T4 to determine if you need to supplement your meds with a source of T3, or if you just need to increase your T4 med. Since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for other important areas as well, you should also request to be tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.
While you are with the doctor, you should also ask if he is going to be willing to treat you clinically as described above. If not, then you are going to have to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.
I have been hypo for 2 Years. Since then-I'm on 112 Levothyroxine and have been lightheaded constantly. I can't even walk a mile without feeling like fainting. I've been to a therapist thinking I have anxiety issues but even she told me she strongly feels my thyroid treatment is wrong. My doc only checks tsh. I've been to the er for a panic attack. They told me I have Hashimotos and to keep on taking my pill. I'm going to see a thyroid specialist an hour from my house. Praying she can help. I am so frustrated living with this because of the daily off balance feelings. I can't even exercise the way I want too. It's gotten so ridiculous. I feel for everyone that goes through this. I'm only 38 and feel like my life has gone down the tubes since starting Levo!
Armour Thyroid is about 100 years old. Made from pigs thyroid. THe benefit of it is it is natural, and has T1, T2, T3, and T4. The synthetic thyroid meds only have T4.
I feel like I have overdosed on diet pills, I am so nervous.
I feel like I have overdosed on diet pills, I am so nervous.
Please get a second opinion... I really feel that your current Dr is not treating you properly. I am on Armour Thyroid. Doing much better on it.Do not have any panic/anxiety attacks anymore. THANK GOD!! Maybe a little anxious at times, but I mean just alot of energy and feeling like I had a little too much caffeine. Nothing bad like before. Before I thought I was having a heart attack all day long!!!
Well honestly I am now on Zoloft because the doctor thinks that I have anxiety... which if I told you my symptoms you would most likely think that I have anxiety as well. But I am on Zoloft 50mg now and it sucks.. makes me feel like absolute S*** and not only that I have to take it at night because the antidepressant interfers with the thyroid medication... Besides that I really do not know what Armour is so Peggy should be able to handle that one...
No way, I was the most confident carefree person. People really used to admire my confidence. I am sooooo different now. As you know it is hard to leave the house sometimes. I'm on levothyroxine 100mcg. Celexa 60mg, for depression/anxiety and 2mg of ativan a day. I have never had these test or even heard of them. I have learned soooooooooo much here in the last 2 days. I am calling my Dr. office as soon as they open to get a referal to an endocrinologist. I have never even had my thyroid physically checked, felt, nothing. And alot of people here seem to think that would be a good start for me. Also I will mention these test make sure I get them. Thanks so much, you guys are awsome. I have not tried xanax, the ativan is VERY helpful. Are either of you on an anti-depressant as well? What is armour? Is that for hypo, or hyper? Hugs back, good luck girls!
So were you guys anxious people before the thyroid thing? or did the anxiety come with the thyroid disease? Because I was never anxious untill this thyroid stuff came and all hell broke loose and I still have not been the same person that I was before... makes me sad..
I am so sorry to hear that.
Has your dr checked your free T3 and free T4? Thyroid antibodies?
Also, ask for copies of your lab work. and ask what range it is exactly.
are you on synthroid or Armour?
Has xanax helped? It really hasn't me. works for about 2 hours and then back to the anxiety/panic thing.
Here is a big hug from me to you for support.
Has your dr checked your free T3 and free T4? Thyroid antibodies?
Also, ask for copies of your lab work. and ask what range it is exactly.
are you on synthroid or Armour?
Has xanax helped? It really hasn't me. works for about 2 hours and then back to the anxiety/panic thing.
Here is a big hug from me to you for support.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about a year ago. Since them I have had anxiety/panic attacks that have gotten worse and worse. I am currently unable to work, or even function on a normal level. I hear over and over that this could be related to my thryoid but my Dr. Says "no" because my levels are fine. Should I be seeing an endocrinologist? Are these symptoms related? Also my hair is getting extremely thin. I am in lots of thereapy and I keep thinking that this just may be a health problem , not a mental problem. Anyone have any answeres, or suggestions. Thanks a lot, Deziree
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