Overactive Thyroid Gland Anyone?

[Rhubarb]

Not sure if this is what I have yet, but I do seem to have most of the symptoms, GP will let me know the results of my blood test on Weds. But I was tested for this whilst preggers, about 8/9 months ago and was ok, so why would I have it now? I'm still b/f, could that play a part in it? Will it go away? Any self-help remedies? How serious is it? Anything you can tell me would be good. Ta.

Just googled for you - try hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/overactive_thyroid.html

In a minority of cases it goes away by itself. I recall that pg can affect thyroid levels for the first year after birth - don't remember any of the details though I am afraid. I think with the right meds it should be OK with an overactive thyroid. Don't think there is anything self help wise you can do. I only have relatives with underactive thyroids - underactive thyroids are dead easy to treat - you just take thyroxine medication - I think it is a little less straightforward with overactive. Good luck. At least if you do have an overactive thyroid, you'll feel loads better once you get the right treatment.

SIL has overactive thyroid, as far as I know she just takes something to totally suppress the thyoids function, and then thyroxine to bring her levels back up. She has no problems, but BFs brother had the same thing but didn't take his medication. He ended up in hospital with diabetes (didn't follow the diet), heart problems and sight problems - nearly killed himself. Its OK to selfmedicate with an underactive thyroid (my mum does) extra iodine etc but over active can be a lot more dangerous.

Is it just me or are thyroid problems becoming more common (me, my mum, BF's DB, SIL plus 3 zillon people on MN!)

As you know Rhubarb, I have it. In most cases after child birth it goes away after a short course of treatment. Carbimazole is prescribed normally but it will be carried in your breast milk and could supress your babies thyroid. That's the reason I had to stop breastfeeding ds2.

It puts a strain on your heart and other organs if left untreated. But I don't know how anyone can leave it untreated when it's so debilitating.

Let me know how you get on Rhubarb.

Rhubarb
Sorry hear that. I am certain medication will make you feel better.
I have an underactive one, just wanted to welcome you to the Honorouble Sisterhood of Thyroid Complainants, it's frightfully fashionable you know

Flip - I'm glad you found this thread! I knew you had mentioned it so when the GP said, I immediately thought of you. It sounded so bad in your case, I remember feeling really bad for you, and now I might have it too!
I dunno though, I do have some symptoms but not others. I did get the tingling fingers and numbness, but that was 2 weekends ago when I had other flu symptoms, I haven't had that since. I am very sweaty, but not all the time. My eyes hurt and I've had a sore throat on and off. I feel very, very tired and of course I've lost loads of weight. But then I am b/fing a 2 stone baby and am under a lot of stress planning to relocate to France and all of that. Plus, if I'm anaemic that would account for some of the symptoms too.

I can't wait until Weds, I need to know NOW!! Did yours start during your pregnancy Flip? Do you think if I gave up b/fing that would help at all? Stupid thyroids! What bloody good are they if they just keep packing up all the time?

Rhubarb, I don't know how the sums work out but a 7.5st woman growing a 2st baby sounds a bit unbalanced to me!

As he has done so well and is 6 months now maybe this would be a good time to wind down? (Although I can see that breastfeeding would be terribly convenient during your travels!)

My thyroid is over-active (Graves disease), the hormone levels increase sharply after birth. If you want to continue b/f there is medication that you can take as I was prescribed it when b/f dd2 - propylthiouracil, you can't take Carbimazole whilst b/f. My consultant forgot to mention that I couldn't take carbimazole so I carried on, only to end up with dd2 being very spotty for a few weeks (when medication was altered). Carbimazole only needs to be taken once per day, propylthiouracil needs to be taken 3 times per day.

My thyroid has been over-active for over 3 years now, and I will hopefully be having an operation in the autumn to remove all or part of the gland.

Try this website for info Thyroid UK