[Lauri]

#1018432

I just got a call from the dr…now they say I am Hypo…from what I have read most people take on average about 6-8 wks or more to notice changes…so why is mine like 6-8 DAYS?

Here is what I have:

Normal Ranges: FT4 – (0.65, 1.4, NG/DL); TSH – (0.40, 4.00, UIU/ML); T3 – (72, 170, NG/DL)

04/24/2008: FT4 – 1.37; TSH – 3.59; T3 – 109
12/22/2008: FT4 – 1.53; TSH – 2.4
05/03/2010: FT4 – 1.91; TSH – 0.0001
05/28/2010: FT4 – 1.42; TSH – 0.012; T3 – 157
06/11/2010: FT4 – 1.22; TSH – 0.014; T3 – 128
07/06/2010: FT4 – 0.84; TSH – 0.452; T3 – 89.5
07/16/2010: FT4 – 0.80; TSH – 4.07; T3 – 90

Is/has anyone else gone through this?

Also the uptake/scan was within normal ranges

[Ski]

#1064782

If you have been taking ATDs, they actually can create these kinds of dramatic fluctuations in your blood levels (with a large enough dose), and you can correct the slide with a lower dose of ATDs.

If that’s not what’s going on with you, then you may want to look into whether you also have Hashimoto’s Disease ~ it’s a separate autoimmune disease in which the antibodies force your body to go hypo, and several people we’ve met here have both Hashimoto’s and Graves’. When a patient has both conditions, thyroid hormone levels depend on which antibodies are dominant "that day," if the patient’s thyroid is still functioning. Once the thyroid is destroyed, neither set of antibodies can affect levels, it’s all synthetic replacement hormone.

I hope you get this figured out soon! That particular roller coaster is NO fun.

[Lauri]

#1064783

Thanks Ski. It has been a very frustrating 6 weeks…

[cynthia]

#1064784

I have a question ???? my daughter has been dx. with hashamoto’s ( 2 years ago)she has been having chest pain whitch she thinks is anxiety which it might be she is a RN and in a difficult job family life is good and of course she has me ha ha anyway I am afraid she also has problems with hyperthroid she has many of the signs this is my question how quickily can you go from hyper to hypo or euthroid?????? I made her apt with my endo on aug 3rd going with her but she is so stuborn don’t know where she gets that?????? ha ha anyway need more personal info on relationsip between graves and hashamoto’s anyone help!!!!!! I have been a rn for many years never knew how horrid graves can be and I don’t think many others do also….. we need more info in the medical field and nursing schools!!!!!!!!!I think my professor took 2 hours on throid if that??????am thinking when I get better of going to the nursing school where I graduated to talk to some of my professors maybe I can give a short informal speech???? what do you all think ( from the south) ha ha thanks cb

[ewmb]

#1064785

Cynthia,
I had horrible chest pain when I was first really sick with my hyper stage. It landed me in the emergency room one weekend.
The cardiologist they sent me to was the one who asked me if I had been checked out for hyper. Encourage her to get tested as soon as possible.

ewmb

[Bobbi]

#1064786

Hi, Cynthia:

Hashimotos is an autoimmune thyroid disease, like Graves. In simple, layman’s language, in Hashimotos the antibodies block the TSH receptor; in Graves, the antibodies stimulate the TSH receptor, making it think that it needs to produce more hormone.

Some people have the antibodies for both Hashimoto and Graves. You cannot be both hyper and hypo at the same time, so the people who have both diseases experience serious swings in their thyroid levels.

I hope you get some answers from the endo.

[cynthia]

#1064787

my question is how fast can you go from hypo to hyper????? thanks cb

[Ski]

#1064788

Depending on the cause, it can happen quite rapidly.

[Kimberly]

#1064789

Hi Lauri – Sorry for the tardy reply…for the last few days, I have been getting an error message when replying to posts.

I also wanted to mention that with ATDs (although I’m not positive that is the treatment you are using), T4 is actually a better benchmark than TSH to look at. T4 and T3 represent the levels of *actual* thyroid hormone in our bodies, while TSH is a substance that tells our thyroid whether to pour out more thyroid hormone (if we have too little) or to put the brakes on (if we have too much).

The 6-8 week benchmark generally applies to our T3/T4 levels. ATDs will block the production of *new* thyroid hormone, but the body has to start depleting its existing stores before you will start to see relief from hypER symptoms. If you look at your T4 results, you can see that they have been falling steadily this year. The huge swing that you had in a short period of time was with your TSH. When that number swings higher, your body is telling your thyroid it needs to make *more* thyroid hormone.

Also, as Ski said, it’s common to reduce the dose of ATDs in order to keep T3/T4 levels *out* of hypO land. You might double-check with your doctor if you are on ATDs and he/she hasn’t made any adjustments to your dose lately.

[Lauri]

#1064790

Had blood work done today, since reduction of MMI to 5mg on the 21st to see where the levels are. Physicaly i feel prety good, the fatigue is still there, but I’m not lethargic as I was a couple weeks ago. Newest complaint is the leg cramps…OMy…never felt pain like this before.

Thanks for the replies…Lauri

[cynthia]

#1064791

Lauri didn’t see what meds you are taking but I had to get off meth….. because of leg cramps endo said this was a frequent feect on this med. good luck cb

[Lauri]

#1064792

I wish I could decipher whether or not it is the meds giving me legs cramps as I have had them off and on for many many years…Had one bad episode on Thursday night, I tend to stretch in my sleep and it produces them very quickly…This one was so bad, my leg is still sore today, but thankfully I’ve had no more cramping. Still haven’t gotten the phone call from the endo about labs on Friday…hopefully Mon or tues.

[snelsen]

#1064793

Re leg cramps. The standard drug for that used to be quinine, but it is not available anymore. BUT, here is a safe and easy fix for you to try. Buy a few bottles of tonic water (which is basically "quinine water" I have very rare, but very painful leg cramps or spasms. I find this works well, sometimes in a few minutes. If I had them more often, I would probably take a little swig every evening, see if they go away. When I have them, I HAVE to get up, bear weight on the leg, seems to be the only thing that helps me. Sounds like the cramps were present before the meth?
Shirley

[Lauri]

#1064794

Thanks Shirley…my mom also had Thyroid Disease, and leg cramps were common with her. Funny you mention quinine, her Rheumatologist told hjer about that, and she used to drink tonic with quinine every night. Unfortunately the last time her graves came out of remission they ablated her, and then she passed from lung cancer 2 yrs later. I am finding as my mind is starting to clear I am putting things together better, and a look at my numbers appears as I was borderline hypo back in 2008…it all makes sense to why the PA, who is working with my endo, was somewhat confused when the tests in May all came back as Graves’…i’m still trying to put all the pieces together, and when the fog lifts a little more I should be able to get a grasp of it pretty good.

[snelsen]

#1064795

Hey, it really does work! (Quinine.) Your mom knew! Give it a whirl. What part of the country do you live? Are you able to go to the conference?
I am in Seattle, I am going. First one. Have had thyroid issues and eye issues big time the past two years.
Glad fog is lifting. We have ALL been there, I sure have. I am super old now, no fog, it can happen!
Tired, good night!
Shirley

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