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 😊

My referral letter says if we haven't contacted you by 26th August to call them so that would technically be 2 months. Hopefully they call before that🤞

Your GP is allowed to prescribe Carbimazole, but it's possible your thyroid isn't over-active enough for them to think this is immediately required and would prefer the endocrinologist to diagnose and prescribe. I was immediately prescribed the starting dose by my GP, but my symptoms were quite acute and there was a strong family history supporting a diagnosis.

Is there a history of thyroid hyperactivity in your family? Grave's is usually inherited. I'm also someone that drank the Iodine-131 koolaid.

My dad had it and then after a heart operation it went under active. He told me that one of his aunts had it too. So don't know if that's enough history iyswim. About the iodine koolaid😂 have you got children who were little when you had it?

Don't really feel anxious, the rage however is definitely there though don't know if that's thyroid or peri iyswim 😂

If they both had Grave's then that sounds like a fairly suggestive family history.

Ooh, yeah, I have Grave's too. Good call. Made my eye swell up. Back to normal now though.

Sorry to sound stupid but is Graves another descriptor of OA thyroid?

There are two common autoimmune thyroid conditions:

• Grave's disease - normally presents as overactive
• Hashimoto's - normally presents as underactive

If your GP hasn't done so already, the endocrinologist will do some antibody tests to confirm if it's caused by autoimmune condition such as Grave's.

Aaah thanks, now I understand. Haven't even seen GP. Got the diagnosis on the phone so hopefully in 2 weeks at my appointment I can ask questions now I've got a bit more knowledge 😁 thanks so much for your help 😊

Don't worry about the radioactive iodine treatment

• it's not always necessary, many people can manage their thyroid purely through tablets
• there's an alternative surgical treatment if you're one of those that can't control it just with tablets

I have read about the eye thing but haven't had that one thankfully. It's alot to learn about but I'm one of those people that would rather know the absolute worst that could happen so I can at least feel slightly prepared. Not that anything ever works out how you expect. I went for the blood tests initially for a suspected gynae issue but got thyroid one instead 😅

My thyroid likes to go over active on occasions. 1st time it happened gp sent me to a psychotherapist thinking I was just a tad mental was a locum who went erm nah let's do some bloods for thyroid.

Mine comes and goes if I'm going through stress seems to set it off or after having a baby. I'm not currently on any meds and thyroid is doing all right atm. When it goes over I usually take meds for a while then stop on docs orders.

Interesting, I'm pretty sure it was having my little one that set mine off. Apparently it's quite common. I just thought that as I was 36 having my first child I put the knackered feeling on being older😂 I do feel terrible but hopefully meds can even me out. That GP sounds like a typical "oh its just a woman being hysterical" type 🙄 Glad you're doing good now 😊

Oddly enough, it was also a locum in his first week as a GP that sorted my blood tests and fast-tracked me to an endocrinologist.

If you are indeed overactive and have Graves’ disease, look at getting copies of all of your blood tests and learn how to read them. Consultants will often treat your thyroid but understand little about Graves’ disease. If you manage to get your thyroid under control you need to make sure your Graves’ disease is also in remission too otherwise you can end up back at square one again within a few months of withdrawing meds (bitter experience here).

Consultants want you off their books and back to GP care so will very quickly start talking to you about definitive treatments such as RAI or surgery. Do not feel pressurised into either option. If you know your blood tests, symptoms and have researched and know how you feel, it’s perfectly possible to stay on carbimazole for years, despite what consultants say. Good luck.

I agree with @Pinkstanley I'm in remission now, and I wouldn't have surgery or RAI, I'd stay on the anti-thyroid drugs if I relapse.

I was very lucky with my endocrinologist, he was excellent.

Its the thyroid - it is amazing how it affects your hormones and creates these feelings.

I waited 5 years before having surgery - the endocrinologist didn't like the fact I wouldn't just do as they told me - but tough, I waited and then saw a lovely surgeon who operated on me and I was put on thyroxine afterwards. As others have stated, don't be pushed for surgery or RAI treatment - though I doubt they'll do RAI if you have a small child.

My relative (cousin) had hyperthyroid through pregnancy and it then disappeared and 47 years later hasn't returned - but our aunt had surgery twice. It definitely is in our genetic make-up

The problem with endocrinologists is that there are far too few of them and they're generally loaded down with diabetes patients.

Be very cautious when researching thyroid conditions online. The "support" groups, blogs, etc. are infested with charlatans and nutcases that will try and sell you their books/guides on treating it with special diets or non-standard/private prescription pills. You really do need to understand the condition to manage it, but remain cynical about off-piste sources.

Oh I definitely wouldn't just take any random info and assume it was correct. I've been looking at more scientific journals. To be honest I wouldn't go on social media platforms to talk about it, but I did in here because there are alot of people on here who have the condition and are happy to talk about it without making up a load of bullshit to make it sound too awful. I've really appreciated all the posts because you've all shown me different aspects that I wouldn't have known otherwise

Last year my thyroid was over active. And I got prescribed a small dosage medication to bring it down under recommendations by a telephone endocrinologist consultant between GP. Until I waited for my appointment.

The medication made me dramatically reduced and nearly caused a thyroid storm. I was that low.... I had to stop immediately to see if my thyroid would balance out on its own.

I have had issues for the last year health wise.

I have just seen the endocrinologist today after 1 year waiting list...... to be told that my TPO thyroid antibody is positive and have hashimotos disease.

My TSH levels are within normal range at the moment and don't need medication..

You have to make sure you get the right treatment as soon as possible.

My thyroid gland is ruined no longer butterfly shape due to repeated thyroiditis and my immune system attacking my thyroid due to the autoimmune disease

@Crazymad15 thanks for telling me your experience. Will definitely be researching thyroid storms now. Sorry you've been through all that with such a long wait too. Hope you get it under control and feel better 🙏