Anyone else got hyperthyroidism?

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

I was diagnosed with it last week. Started taking the medicine for it, had all the symptoms, racing heart, shaking, headaches etc. But this week my legs are so weak am really struggling. Am usually very active and am struggling to walk upstairs.
Is this normal? It's really scaring me tbh

[youcantgoback]

I have hypothyroidism and have found the website thyroid UK and the forum healthunlocked an invaluable source of advice. There are so many people that have thyroid issues and they are happy to advise and support!

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Thanks youcant will have a look at it now.

[serialtester]

What meds are you on? If you're in beta blockers they can make you feel weak initially. Also, the initial rapid weight loss involves muscle loss from the legs.

I had sub acute thyroiditis, I'm better, although I'm sure my thyroid function is higher than it used to be.

Rest, drink lots of water, avoid caffeine and enjoy being a human eating machine!

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

I'm on carbiimazole, 20mg. Am just worried about my legs. Consultant said I would be fine to ski at feb half term but the way i feel now there is no way if am still the same. Am usually so active so this is killing me, sitting down all day

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

What is sub acute? I tried bbs but they just wiped me out and couldn't do anything on them.

[Tootsiepops]

Hi op - I had hyperthyroidism (grave's disease). I had very weak legs - they used to give out from underneath me when I was climbing stairs. It was muscle loss from the weight I lost. I just had to take things slowly. I'd not have felt well enough for skiing even without the legs issue, but once the carbimazole kicks in you'll start feeling loads better.

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Thanks Tootsie, how long did it take for your legs to feel better? And what was your T4 level? Mine was 29.

[Tootsiepops]

Honestly - it took about 6 months for my legs to stop randomly going out from underneath me and it took a year until I felt better completely. I was off work for nine months, but my endocrinologist said I was the worst case he'd seen an his 25 year career . I eventually needed surgery and surgeons were specifically asking to assist on my case because my thyroid was fucking enormous quite enlarged.

In fact, I'll stop talking now as I suspect I'm probably not helping...

[Lissette]

I had Graves but don't remember my legs going from beneath me. I did feel weak though. My T4 was 40 something. I did lose a lot of weight too. I had a very fast heart rate so the beta blockers helped a lot until the Carbimazole kicked in. That can take a few weeks.

[Lissette]

I think I'd check with your consultant OP just to be sure.

[serialtester]

Hi again OP, my hyperthyroidism was caused by a virus attacking my thyroid - at it's peak my T4 was 32. It's settled at 21, so just within range. I wasn't treated with Carb because my condition was/is self resolving. Propranolol has been a godsend though! You will start to feel stronger/more normal soon. The thyroid affects every organ system in the body so when it plays up you will feel like rubbish. Take care of yourself.

[zen1]

I had Graves and was on carbimazole for 3 years or so. The worst symptom for me was the resting heart rate of 140 which made me feel like I had to lie down all the time. I also lost lots of weight very quickly. The hospital took a while to get it balanced, and a one point I was overdosed on carbimazole which made me feel dreadful, and that really affected my legs to the point where they felt heavy all the time and every step was like walking up hill. Eventually the condition burnt itself out, but 20 years later I have hypothyroidism, which is still taking a while to get balanced. Hope you feel better soon OP.

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Thanks all, it was the consultant that said I would be fine to ski. He gave me hope as past experience of consultants makes me think they always give you the worst case scenario.

Am starting to feel a bit less shaky and heart doesn't seem as racing but it's the legs which are troubling me now. Do you think a T4 of 29 is mild in the scheme of things?

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Consultant thinks mine is Graves, waiting for the blood test to confirm. Didn't have symptoms for very long before I went to the doctors, a month maybe?
I'm hoping it was diagnosed in the early stages but maybe am just wishful thinking.

[Pleasemrstweedie]

It does depend what the range is where you live. Where I am, the range for FT4 is 9-26 and I regularly have a FT4 of 27 or 28 without being hyper, because of slow conversion, so my FT3 is only mid-range.

They did test your FT3, didn't they?

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Yes but I can't remember what that was.

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

So it depends on both the T3 and T4? I need to read up on it all. Had 2 more blood tests this week, think one was for Graves? Not sure what the other one would be for. Need to record conversations with the doc I think. All a blur.

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Doctor said the top of normal range is 22. How can it be different depending on location?

[VinoEsmeralda]

So glad ive come across this thread. I have a huge ( larger then ping pong ball ) lump/gland at front of my throat. Didnt think much of it but was at gp for something unrelated and thought id ask. He possibly thinks hyperactive thyroid. I thought i was perimenoposal- sweating, not sleeping but couldnt explain weight loss.

Im really anxious at mo and feels like it has grown again as hurts when i swallow if head isnt straight. Should i go bsck to gp? Bloods Thursday and thrn Gp for results a week later.

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

I wasn't given meds until I'd had the results, why don't you call them and see if you can get the results sooner?
Mumsnet is brilliant as there's always someone who can offer advice and give you their experience whatever the subject.

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Sorry just read that you haven't had the test yet. Maybe ask if you can do one sooner. Anxiety is one of the symptoms. Rubbish isn't it.

[VinoEsmeralda]

Results for bloods would take a week according to GP, one of requested test takes a week. I should have rolled up my sleeve there and then but so taken a back i just took 1st available app which was in a weeks time...

[VinoEsmeralda]

I was so pleased to see anxiety is an effect as am normally v v laidback but so bloody anxious all the time! Am going to call first thing monday morning for earlier app. They had one Tuesday but didnt take it as on a training ( doh!) thanks for your kind words!

[iwanttoridemybicycle]

Yes try and get one for Monday. It's awful the anxiety, feels like you are going mad. I was away for a few days the other week and my husband wasn't answering my calls. I imagined him dead in bed so called his office to check he had arrived! Am normally a bit anxious but never that bad.

[sotiredbutworthit]

I had Graves' disease and ended up having a thyroidectomy as the carbimazole didn't work for me. I feel much better now! It does get better, and easier! Graves is caused by antibodies attacking the thyroid gland causing it to pump out too much thyroxine. It is an autoimmune disease much like diabetes. Once your levels are sorted then you will feel so much better.