anxiety and hypothyroidism

[rugrat80]

I was disgnosed in Sept 08 with hyperthyroidism / grave desease. I have been taking Tapazole since. In June of last year my thyroid went crazy and basically unresponsive to the treatments, by Sept. I was battling the worse symptoms of all, anxiety/pamic attacks. the occurance started in the morning. and after adjusting and adding some new meds things seemed to calm back down. in Oct I began to have uncontollable panic attacks at night. after yet another adjustment and more new meds. the panic had eased up. With the recomendation of my dr, I received the I131 treatment 7 weeks ago. some of the major symptoms worsened, especially the anxiety. now it comes nightly just about on a regular schedule. and last for sometimes 6 or 7 hours. I am now hypothyriod and I am taking meds for depression and anxiety, and have also tried a sleep aide (which produced some really bad side effects, so I quit taking it) Unfortuantley i have discovered this with my dr. and he does not think that the two are related. I need guidance on what i have read on the internet and what is the REAL truth of the relationship of what is now anxiety and HYPOTHYRIODISM.

[kl42]

levels off can do this

[danie17075rm]

The others on here are more knowledgeable with numbers but tsh is a pituitary hormone that is based on a lot of factors (from what I have learned).  Your free t3 and free t4 provide the whole picture of what your thyroid is doing.  It appears with just the tsh you are a little hypo.  I wouldn't say it is extremely risky, you just need further testing.  Mine has been 26 and there are those who have it in the 100's.  If you post your lab results and the norms your lab used in a separate post, I'm sure others would gladly help you.

[anu311]

hey my tsh level is 8.15 do u know how much risky is that?? can u plz tell?

[danie17075rm]

I meant it is one of the best beta blockers for thyroid heart issues.  I think any that are not the XL would work great though.

[danie17075rm]

I could send you several peer-reviewed studies that prove there is a relationship between anxiety and thyroid disorders (I am working on my master's in health psychology, and I have a special interest in this).  I started having panic attacks 9 month ago when I went hyper (I was normally hypo).  After that, I have constantly battled with them.  They are worse when my antibodies are high (as I imagine it is a flare up).  Yours are still dying off if you just had RAI 7 weeks ago.  It will be a while to become adjusted.  You should start to feel better.  I have a problem with calling them panic attacks, because I really do not think they are typical attacks.  My body fills with adrenaline, and it's a constant panic feeling, that has nothing to do with me being scared of something.

That being said, it's kind of like opening pandora's box.  Once you have a panic attack, those become your norm.  You start to have them even when your body is not provoking it.  Right now your body is provoking it however, but I bet it effects your mind too.  I have trouble going into stores even.  Some days I can, some days I can't.  The thing that helped me more than any medications, even the benzos, is atenolol.  If your heart rate goes up and your bp is not too low, I'd ask your doc about them.  I read a study that said atenolol is one of the best beta blockers to use.  It blocks the adrenaline.  I can't live without it.  I don't take very much.. I take 3/4 of a 25mg.  If my symptoms come on strong I take an extra 1/4.  Just a little piece like that will take the adrenaline out of your body and STOP the panic.  It has really been a life saver for me.  I tried toprol first and it didn't help me at all.  Atenolol releases everything all at once so it REALLY starts working quite fast.  I believe there are others that perform like atenolol, but I don't know their names.  You might already be on one since you were hyper.
     I've learned there is little differences between the symptoms of hyper and hypo.  Until your thyroid is regulated, it might be a little rocky.  I believe it can take 6 months after RAI.  Until you reach that point, you are probably going to need some things to help you through.  I wish you luck and I REALLY sympathize as these attacks are the worst things I have ever experienced in my life.