Unstable thyroid - any advice?

[Corygal]

Groan. For the past 18 months I've had an underactive thyroid. Then it got a bit better. Now it's overactive.

I'm fed up of it - either I'm so tired and stiff I can barely move, or I'm shaking, jittery and pouring sweat.

Does anyone have any experience or words of advice on how to proceed? GP seems a touch clueless.

[Pobblewhohasnotoes]

Are you on medication? Do you see an endocrinologist?

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Yes I have years of experience with hashimotos. If you ask your gp to test you for this you will be told it is not therapeutic (doesn't affect medicines/ treatment) as these are NICE guidelines. However, if you insist and give reasons for wanting it (wanting to know what is causing your condition and thus taking away some worry and anxiety) they would probably do it.

[annielostit]

I would ask for blood tests for tsh t4 and t3 plus an antibody test, for you to be up and down I would suspect hasimotos. I was up and down for years until they found out my gland had given up. Take thyroxyn now and mostly normal.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

How are you getting on, op?

[Corygal]

Just back from GP - it was a false alarm!! The thyroid is even more underactive than it was, which may be why I can't stay awake. Not overactive (the receptionist is dyslexic).

So off I start on Thyroxine.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Ok...but you don't get 'shaking, jittery and pouring sweat' type symptoms when hypothyroid. Unless you're over medicated.

Anyway, glad you went back. You'll need to keep on at them to keep testing your levels over the months, until you're happy with your symptoms and energy levels and they're happy to prescribe.

[littleowl14]

well I must add that post baby 5 mo I'd probably missed a few doses on top of needing more and I lost a lot of weight, was very weak and shaky and sweated. I was bf ing too at the time. I couldn't sleep but felt v tired. was surprised I needed more. the thyroid is a funny thing.

[YeGodsAndLittleFishes]

Yes, yes, sometimes people get the reverse symptoms, not typical ones. I forgot that, sorry. Hope you are feeling better.

[littleowl14]

(oops didnt mean to be harsh! ordinarily I'd have agreed till I experienced that! though I often loose weight when v under, I seem to loose my appetite)

[digerd]

I had all the classic symptoms of an overactive Thyroid in my early 20s but later I met an older woman who had it but put on weight and was very laid back.

[naty1]

I had the same after failed ivf i thought my thyroid had gone from under to overactive due to symptoms sweating trouble sleeping got tested and it had gone up to 4.
I also find i gain weight on synthroid due to increased appetite.
So now wondering what happened after birth when i got so hot and lost all the baby weight in about a week