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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by marolync on October 8, 2002, at 23:29:20
Are there any of you out there whose thyroids OVERfunction? I've been dogding the advice of endocrinologists for years now to allow them to give me hypothyroidism by removing or nuking my thyroid gland. Seems that the big advantage is that hypothyroidism has some known cures, while hyperthyroidism is just . . . a big mystery.
In honor of having such a big mystery disease, I try the big mystery cures, such as regular recourse in prayer to St. Blaise (patron of throat ailments,) yoga, and meditating on the "Heidelburg Tun" chapter of Moby Dick. Don't point me to the Faith strings, I really do want medical info! It just seems to be mighty scarce.
I ask because it seems to have been what made my foundation so shaky when I went through some big life changes that resulted in my being so anxiety-riddled, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to work. I have tried two antidepressant medications, which I took both with and without Methimazole to control the overproduction of thyroid hormone in my system. Well, more details if I find anyone else out there with hyperactive thyroid glands.
Posted by Bill L on October 9, 2002, at 9:04:43
In reply to Hyperthyroidism, posted by marolync on October 8, 2002, at 23:29:20
Hyperthyroidism causes people to be jittery or anxious so it's probably the cause of your anxiety. I would take your doctor's advise on the thyroid gland. They would then put you on thyroid medicine and you would probably feel better.
Posted by Eddie Sylvano on October 9, 2002, at 9:14:33
In reply to Hyperthyroidism, posted by marolync on October 8, 2002, at 23:29:20
> Are there any of you out there whose thyroids OVERfunction?
------------------------Mine is overactive, but evidently not enough that my doctor wants me to destroy it. When I found out about it and read up on the symptoms, it made a lot of sense. I tend to be physically keyed up, can't gain weight, racing hearbeat, get the shakes, sweat, etc. Along with that, I feel lightheaded, occasionally to the point that I feel I'm going to black out, and experience derealization. I'd call it a panic attack if I were panicky, but I just feel weird.
There are drugs that are supposed to suppress thyroid function (methimazole and propylthiouracil), but they're not that great, and can screw up your liver. Still, untreated hyperthyroidism can suppress your immune system, and increases your risk of heart fibrillation.
Posted by katekite on October 10, 2002, at 11:59:45
In reply to Hyperthyroidism, posted by marolync on October 8, 2002, at 23:29:20
Hi --
Yes I've had over a year battle with psych symptoms then also racing heart, fever etc and am diagnosed now as autoimmune thyroid disease, not sure what cause yet. Very high TPO antibodies but T4s are always just very high normal, a month ago, one was well over normal. Confusing the heck out of the endocrinologist since also had some high urine cortisols as if I had Cushing's (but now we think that's due to the stress of thyroid disease). Have just started on Tapazole.
A month or so ago I started on propranolol (inderal LA 160mg) which has helped immensely. Have you tried that? I've heard of some hyperthyroid people who end up staying on a lower dose of it even after they are "euthyroid" because it just seems to help.
Been researching the antidepressants and find most seem to have some effect on thyroid, either changing the ratio of T3 to T4 or lowering both or changing the ratio in the brain versus the body etc. Conflicting reports and hard to know what a significant change is. Makes me wonder though if for hyperthyroid people if it isn't better to spend a lot of effort getting the T meds perfect before adding in antidepressants.
As far as radioactive iodine, it depends if you have eye problems at all. I understand there's some report of making eye problems way worse with the iodine. And a few people who did not have eye problems who got it right after the iodine. It is apparently inexpensive compared to surgery so that is one reason it is so 'pushed'. Also hyperthyroid patients are easier to medicate once they are hypothyroid... but this is just stuff I have read on thyroid support forums.
There is also surgery as an option which depending on the exact situation might be a better option than radioI. 1% chance of vocal cord problems.
I agree it sounds nice if they kill the thyroid one way or another at least one would know one was starting at zero in order to work on replacing the exact right amount. What I would give to be cold!
Also have heard hyperthyroid people are supposed to limit iodine, and eat more goitergens such as soy, broccoli, cabbage. Something to do with people in Japan obtaining a 90% remission rate and that it might be diet.
What's your particular diagnosis and what meds have you been on, did they help, etc etc? Have you tried block and replace if you are having ups/downs? Side effects with the ATDs?
I can use all the input I can get on what you have heard is hokey pseudo-science and what is reality, etc, as I'm just starting out now looking into this disease. There seems to be way less information for hyperthyroid than hypothyroid.
Take care,
kate
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