Overactive Thyroid questions❓

[Devilsmommy]

So about 2 weeks ago I was told by my GP that my blood test showed I have an Overactive Thyroid. She then said that they can only prescribe medication for under active thyroid so I will have to see a specialist, and endocrinologist I think? So my question is for those who have this or know someone who has, how long did you have to wait between being diagnosed and actually seeing a specialist to receive treatment? I'm 37yo and I am a sahm to a 21 month old. I just really want to get myself better for my little one. I've just got no idea about how long a wait is normal. TIA for anyone who can help 😊

I saw an endocrinologist privately, as the GP admitted there was a long wait. However, you shouldn't just be left, your GP can contact the endo to ask for advice on prescribing. to you because I'm sure you feel awful.

Also try to have a look at the Health Unlocked thyroid forums, there's lots of advice on there.

@BatshitCrazyWoman love the name😁 I didn't know the doctor could do that about the medication. I've just had the referral letter that says if hospital haven't contacted by 26th August to call them. I really can't keep going so long with how completely exhausted I feel. Will definitely give GP a call because I've got a toddler and being so shattered is killing me. Thank you for the advice 😊

My GP prescribes me my thyroid meds but I am in Scotland so it may be different. It can be dangerous to go long periods of time without meds so keep pushing and pushing. Also ask for a test for Graves’ disease. They may do that automatically at your next blood test but make sure it’s done. There are good Facebook pages for both an OAT and Graves if you have it.

@Pinkstanley thank you for replying. My GP said they can only prescribe for under active thyroid so have to see the endocrinologist for meds. But I don't see how I can keep going feeling how I am. I've got a toddler and I'm just shattered all day and then nighttime comes but I can't sleep 😭 I'm starting to get forgetful and clumsy, it's feeling really dangerous but I just don't see what can be done if GP can't prescribe me anything iyswim

I'm currently on meds for hyperthyroid, I was prescribed them immediately after diagnosis but that's because I was diagnosed in hospital having become very unwell.
It is true the GP isn't supposed to prescribe them, it should be an Endocrinologist. My first prescription was from the hospital emergency doctor, but my GP was able to refill it for me while I waited for the Endocrinologist appointment. They said I was on an emergency 2 week pathway.......didn't get an appointment for 3 months in the end due to waiting lists.
Sorry, its rubbish isn't it 😔

Should add, if you're feeling that bad, keep an eye on your heart rate. If it gets high, go to A&E. That's how it all kicked off for me and they did the initial prescription for me. They can't leave you with a racing heart, its dangerous.

My GP immediately prescribed me anti-thyroid meds and beta blockers. As others have said, it's very dangerous to leave you hyper. Please ask to speak to another GP.

This is what I don't understand. I'm waiting for the endocrinologist appointment but I've got so many symptoms that are just getting worse and worse. My heart tends to race in the evening I've noticed. It makes me feel like I can't catch my breath. Then it makes me unable to sleep which is really starting to get dangerous because I'm a sahm to a toddler and the sleep deprivation is making me feel so forgetful, clumsy, unbalanced. I'm just so scared of how long I'll have to wait for any meds I so desperately need. Thank you for your reply

The GP can do two things while you wait:

1. Prescribe beta blockers. These will calm almost all of the symptoms. If you can get the GP to prescribe the slow release ones, these are much much better than ones you have to take 3 times a day which leave you on a rollercoaster of increasing then waning symptoms. The slow release ones level you out for the whole day/bight (you may need one morning and night). Note that beta blockers do not treat the underlying condition, they just mask it be controlling symptoms.

1. Get advice from the endocrinology team about what else they can prescribe in the meantime (ie anti thyroid medication). Wait times can be long and it's dangerous to leave you with high thyroid levels for too long. It can cause heart problems, and osteopenia/osteoporosis over time. There is also a risk of thyroid storm which is very serious.

Beta blockers will mean you will be able to sleep as they'll calm the wired/anxious/hyper feeling and the palpitations.

I was immediately prescribed a fairly low dose (10mg) of Carbimazole and 5mg of a beta blocker (forget the name) whilst waiting to speak to the Endocrinologist (2 and a half month wait) This was by my GP in England. I didn’t need to push or fight for it. He just got my initial blood test results back, prescribed the meds and referred me to the Endocrinologist at the hospital.

@AbraAbraCadabra @MercutiosFiddlestick thanks for replying. I'm definitely going to be calling doctors today and seeing a different GP. It's ridiculous to me that knowing how long a referral takes the doctor can just leave you with all these symptoms and expect you to just get on with it. Will definitely ask about beta blockers so thanks for the advice 😊

@Devilsmommy how did you get on?

I had overactive thyroid. My GP prescribed carbimazole to reduce its function. Eventually I saw an endocrinologist who sent me for radioactive iodine treatment. I now have an underactive thyroid and need levothyroxine.

@HappiestSleeping couldn't get an appointment until 2 weeks time because the gatekeeper (receptionist) said that they only had locums in so I'd have to wait for the doctor 🙄 I can only imagine what I'm going to be feeling by that point. I'm barely surviving as is😭

I would guess that your resting heart rate is high (mine was over 100), your internal thermostat won't be working, so you'll be hot (I was wearing shorts and t-shirt when everyone else was in a jumper), and eventually you will have the shakes, especially your hands.

It was the shakes that let me know I had an issue as, amazingly, I hadn't noticed the other two issues. I'd probably had it a while.

My medication was prescribed and dosage changed by the endocrinologist, I can't remember how long it took to see them though as it was over 10 years ago. If you are having racing heart they should be able to prescribe beta blockers though. I didn't have that problem.

Oh it's constantly fluttering making me feel like I can't catch my breath. And yes I'm boiling hot all the time. My hands are never really steady but that's probably because I drink 25 tea and coffees a day😂 and just in case you think we'll it's obviously the caffeine making my heart race, it really isn't, I've drank that much since I was a teenager 🤭 thank you so much for that info. At least I know that it is the thyroid causing it. My dad had OA and then after a heart operation it went UA. Is that a normal thing to happen as you said yours went UA?

I was zapped with radioactive iodine which specifically targets the thyroid. It is an inexact science, so they try to reduce its function back to normal, but it very often goes a little further and makes it underactive. There are other options, but I just wanted it dealt with and taking daily tablets isn't an issue.

I know what you mean about the coffee. I am not awake until about my fourth mug 😂

Oh, and if / when you have the iodine, you have to stay 2m away from any other person for a period of time. 48 hours if I recall correctly.

Blimey I really hope I don't need the iodine 😬 Im a sahm to a 21mo. Don't know how I'd get around that one. At least I know the coffee is allowed😁 thanks so much, you've been a huge help 😊

I was diagnosed a few years ago & had to wait 2-3 months for a telephone appointment & then had ongoing telephone appointments for the past few years until I was finally seen face to face a few months ago. I was prescribed carbimazole in my first telephone appointment & was on that a while but now on ptu, now they are pushing for RAI but unsure due to reading that this can cause weight gain.
I hope you speak to a consultant soon. Hopefully it won’t be more than a 2-3 month wait.

I'm not sure 'allowed' is the correct term 😂

I don't know how you'd handle the iodine with a child, but I doubt you'll be the first in that position, so there may be alternatives.

I think mine had been bad for ages, I just didn't realise. I would imagine that, left unchecked, it would become problematic, but if you can still hold a pen to write, you aren't as bad as I was. It's strange, as once I noticed the shakes, they seemed really obvious and were worse when I was under pressure. Just sat relaxed, they went away.

Also, mine was triggered by quite fast weight loss and stress. I lost 3 stone and was rewarded with a thing that helps you lose weight after I'd lost it 🤦‍♂️ I only mention this as, if you are looking to shift a few pounds, now is a good time as it will be easier than any other time in your life.

🤣🤣🤣 I'm a size 6 now, was 8-10 before little one was born. That's one of the things that made me know something was wrong, unintentional weight loss.

It is another give away sign it seems.

I've heard anxiety can be an issue too. It wasn't for me, but something to be aware of.

I had to go private the wait was too very long 9 months where I am on the nhs. Was seen in 2 weeks privately. I was prescribed beta blockers by the GP while I waited to help with symptoms

If at any time it become to much

take yourself to A&E

i was sent straight to hospital as my hrt was 150 vertical and they knew something was wrong. After a day of tests, they diagnosed me, gave me carbinizole and beta blockers- only I’m asthmatic so after 3 weeks they had to take those away.

being anxious and irritable is part of your symptoms, which doesn’t obviously help with the high heart rate