Under active thyroid

Hootie19

My daughter, aged 24, and diabetic for 8 years now, has been told that her thyroid is "starting to become under active". She has been started on some medication for this.

Is it possible that mismanagement of her diabetes could have triggered this? She is "behaving" herself now, but is wondering if this is self-inflicted due to her ridiculously high levels and DKA incidents in the past.

Or are the two things totally separate?

She didn't get a lot of information from her GP, and I think she was a bit shell shocked at the time and didn't know what questions to ask.

cheepskate_2

Would it really matter if it was, the damage is done now.

Thyroid probs, especially if just starting is nothing to worry about, and will be back to normal basically as soon as she starts on thyroxin. She will get 6 monthly bloods to keep an eye on it

The inability of the Throid to stop producing ts4 can start with no known reason, just one of those things.

Seemingly better to be under than over,

maire1

I think these things can happen to diabetics regardless of control sometimes. As type 1 is an autoimmune condition, sufferers are more likely than non sufferers to develop other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid problems. Luckily your daughter has better control now though which will help prevent other complications.

Itismehonest

I doubt the diabetes mismanagement is directly responsible for the hypothyroidism.
Among descendants of my grandparents there are children with Type 1 & another with hypothyroidism.
I was told by a doctor more than 30 years ago that the 2 conditions will frequently be found in the same family - a genetic thing. Apparently there are also other associated problems like eczema, psoriasis & various allergies. At least this was the thought back then. The medics may have changed their minds in the intervening years.

Hootie19

cheepskate wrote: »

Would it really matter if it was, the damage is done now.

In all truth, no. It wouldn't.

But she's beating herself up about her past behaviour now, and is worrying that she will pass on these conditions to her daughter. If the thyroid problem was because of the problems with diabetes, then she feels that if her daughter DOES develop it, then she can say to her "don't do as I did, as this may happen to you as well".

I think she's just upset at having *something else* wrong with her, alongside the diabetes and the also-recently-diagnosed heart murmur.

McKneff

Aslong as it is managed she will be fine.

As far as I am aware, anyone with this problem can get free prescriptions.
My daughter has underactive thyroid problems and she gets all prescritpons free.
You will have to google for the list.

huskypup

Yes you do get free prescriptions if you have an under active or over active thyroid, your doctor should give the form you receive a card which you show at the chemist - it has medical exemption on it.

I am very underactive and take between 250 - 300 mg a day changes with each blood test, my father also suffers and takes 75 mg - both our doctors (not the same) have told us it is not heredidary - my husband has also been diagnosed - but they are monitoring his - no medication has been subscibed yet.

Once she settles into the medication she will feel alot better.

Hootie19

Thank you - she already has three prescription exemption cards. Any more and she will be able to play snap with them!

I have very little knowledge about the thyroid, but do I take it that once it starts being over or under active, then that's it for life? It doesn't get repaired in any way?

I know I could probably google this information, but I have done that before with medical conditions and scared the holy crap out of myself, so prefer to ask people who have the conditions themselves now, and can speak from experience!

Itismehonest

Again, advice may have changed but an underactive thyroid will mean taking tablets for life. A very over-active one used to be operated on which sometimes would leave the person slightly under active which, in turn, would be treated with thyroxin.
If your daughter is Type 1 & having to do regular blood tests, have insulin jabs etc. then treating the thyroid problem will be pose very little problems to her. All she should have to do is take a tablet(s) each day. It may, like the diabetes, take a little while to get the dose right but then it's just a case of blood tests to ensure the correct dose is being taken.

This page will explain possible causes without scaring you, I promise
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Thyroid-under-active/Pages/Causes.aspx

huskypup

No an underactive thyroid is usually with you for life. I have been on medicaction for 8 years - it is more common than you think - tell your daughter not to worry - take the tablets and carry on - xxxxx

Poppy7

Hi,
I wanted to reasure you that with the medication she will be perfectly fine.
I have had my full thyroid removed due to thyroid cancer but i am perfectly fine with thyroxine, will need to be on them for life but i notice no difference other than 3-6 mth blood tests and re adjusting the does every few years as and when needed. Try not to worry Honestly! xx