Does anyone here suffer from an OVERACTIVE Thyroid?

Anne_J

I have been told I have an overactive thyroid. I was told my Thyroid level is 78.2 and when they did an ecg on me, my heart rate was 123bpm.

I may sound stupid here, but I did not realise that my heart rate was actually fast, I just thought it was more prominent. I feel really unfit as I am constantly out of breath from doing the simplest of things and I dont find that there is a massive difference when taking the tablets.

I lost some weight last November, but I thought that was down to worry as I had had a cancer scare and thought it was the worry that made me loose the weight.

mookiandco

My OH had his thyroid removed a year ago becaue of an overactive thyroid. He lost alot of weight, had palpitations and was extremeley short tempered. The doc tried to regulate it with tablets for about 6 months until they decided the tablets were not helping. The operation has made such a huge difference. OH is now back to a normal weight, his snoring has decreased massively (yippee) and he's back to his happy self.

It amazed me that such a little body part could completely change his personality. He was so angry all the time and couldn't snap out of it.

I really feel for you because I know how miserable he was before the operation. I wish you all the best x

Anne_J

Thanks mookaindco. Does your OH still take have to take medication for his thyroid now? I hate the thought of medication for the rest of my life.
It is suprising to find out the amount of things which are affected by the Thyroid. I used to have healthy long nails until December, then all they all began splitting breaking and peeling until I was left with little subby ones. I have not lost a dangerous amount of weight because I have been basically eating non stop, but I am concerned that when my thyroid condition is rectified, that I will still eat loads.
I do have a blinding temper and it seems like such an excuse to be blaming it on the thyroid, and my hubby has to have the patience of a saint sometimes to put up with me. I know sometimes I am shouting about nothing, but I still keep shouting, crying my eyes out and throwing things like a little two year old.
I work on the second floor and am panting when I reach the top, and I am always too hot. I have stopped going to the gym because I was getting too out of breath and felt sickly and dizzy too. My eyes keep aching (whether that is part of it I do not know) and I have mega problems trying to get to sleep, and then during the day I am feeling totally exhausted.
I feel lazy all the time because I do a little bit in the house for 5 minutes, but then sit down for 10.
I dont know how long it is before this will calm down, I have been taking tablets for about 3 weeks now and have been referred to the hospital.

Diane65

Your symptoms are classic of an overactive thyroid. Your thyroid gland produces thyroxine to control your metabolic rate (the rate at which your body digests food and converts it to energy). As you are producing way too much thyroxine your body is basically in overdrive and you're body isn't getting any energy from your food hence you will be agitated and your heart will be racing. The aching eyes probably are related to it. My mum had this problem last year and was given a radio-active iodine drink which acted on her thyroid gland and she's back to her usual self again. You'll be like a new person when your levels are under control. Take care.

alfiedog_2

I had the classic overactive thyroid symptoms a few years back but it was a virus that was causing my thyroid to go into meltdown:eek: and had to see a specialist privately before it was diagonsed properly. I also had a scan and had to drink a radio active drink. I got better quite quickly once I started the medication.
The specialist did warn me that sometimes the thyroid goes underactive as a reaction to being so overactive and this is what happened to me although I had no symptoms the blood tests confirmed it and now I have to take thyroxine.

TomsMom

alfiedog wrote: »

The specialist did warn me that sometimes the thyroid goes underactive as a reaction to being so overactive and this is what happened to me although I had no symptoms the blood tests confirmed it and now I have to take thyroxine.

Can I just say something so as people don't get confused or worried if they have an overactive thyroid and think they will automatically become underactive?

The thyroid doesn't go underactive as a reaction to being overactive. If someone is given the radioactive iodine that's what causes it, RAI destroys the thyroid.

Radioactive Iodine 131: This seems to be the chosen option for people over 40 years of age and for those who have ups and downs whilst on Carbimazole. The treatment is given in the nuclear medicine department, at hospital either as a drink or capsule. The dosage depends on your doctor. Some doctors give a dose of 10 milliCuries, which will control the thyotoxicosis, but has less chance of sending you underactive. This may not work as well, though, and some patients will need a further dose in the future. Some doctors give 15 milliCuries to everyone, deliberately causing myxoedema, because myxoedema is easier to deal with. If this happens you will be given thyroxine.

You can read about overactive thyroid at https://www.thyroiduk.org and other sites if you google.

Anne_J

The way I feel right now, think the tablets are worse that condition!
I have come out with a very itchy rash all over and spent 12 hours in hospital yesterday due to that and also painful joints. I was realeased 11.30 last night with no real outcome apart from being told that it might get better.

I went to the doctors today becuase my feet and wrists were that painful I could barely walk - let alone drive so they have put me on the sick for a week. I have been kept on the tablets as they still need to lower my thyroid level which is now just over 46. I cant recall being in this much pain before and I am literally stuck to the settee & bed most of the day which is very frustrating.

They have prescribed me with antihistamines to reduce the rash so its now just a waiting game to see if they do any good.

mr_rush

The thyroid doesn't go underactive as a reaction to being overactive. If someone is given the radioactive iodine that's what causes it, RAI destroys the thyroid.

Sorry but I think you are misinformed. There is a condition called de quervain's thyroiditis. Read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Quervain's_thyroiditis. You become hyperthyroid and then hypothyroid.

Radioactive dye is used to identify 'hotspots' or 'cold' thyroids. Radioiodine can also be used to stop all thyroid activity, rendering the patient hypothyroid and hence requiring thyroxine lifelong.

mr_rush

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Quervain's_thyroiditis

alfiedog_2

That is exactly what I was diagonised with Mr rush. It is quite rare and my GP had never heard of it so its a good job I saw an expert in the field as I was pretty ill for a time.

mr_rush

my GP had never heard of it
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