Thyroid

[DownBelow21]

Hi All

A couple of questions for my fellow hypothyroidism friends.

First one - for the ladies - did it affect your periods?

I was diagnosed in pregnancy a few years back (my baby is 2 in November) and was slightly under so started taking 50mg of levothyroxine daily and have done since. Had my bloods tested Feb time and Dr said that I'm on the correct dose and will need to keep on taking it as is.

I've noticed that the majority of this year my periods have been a bit off, for example:

Feb period come after a 46 day cycle
March period come after 34 day cycle
April period come after 33 day cycle
May period come after 29 day cycle
June period come after 51 day cycle
August period come after 32 day cycle
September - no period
October - currently on cycle day 49 with no period

I'm 30 and have taken pregnancy tests which are negative. Just so stumped as

Second - chest heaviness

Does anyone ever get an ache in their chests? At first I described it as a 'heavy feeling' I sometimes experience when I have bad anxiety, but it's pretty much always there, I'm not particularly breathless or anything... it's just always there? I've probably had this around 10-12 weeks?

 

[DownBelow21]

No, I am the opposite. My hair was thinning, dry papery skin on legs. Mine was diagnosed on a wellwoman blood test. Since taking 150 of Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism my skin is back to normal and my hair is thickening up.
Was your hair thinning to begin with?

No, my hairs always been really thick and quite long so I'm confused as to why it's suddenly started. Noticed it particularly around my fringe and sides of my hair.

I had a baby 17 months ago so could be related to that? (was diagnosed with underactive thyroid half way through my pregnancy)

 

[aggytha]

Has anyone here had thyroid issues during pregnancy?

I’ve never been diagnosed with thyroid issues before (despite suffering various symptoms in the past, including having a goitre! My levels have always been normal apparently)

I am currently in my 2nd trimester and expecting twins. My obstetrician decided to check my thyroid as I’ve been suffering with a very fast heart rate and palpitations, alongside severe headaches. He only tested my Free T4 I think and I got a phone call to say it is 23 and they would expect it to be no higher than 20 (I believe the levels may differ in pregnancy to the norm?)

He basically said he needs to contact the endocrinologist to see whether they want to medicate me or not as it’s not “ragingly high”. I’m just a little concerned of the risks associated with thyroid problems and pregnancy and I’m struggling to get answers out of anyone! If I need to be on medication I am more than happy to do so. And would prefer to do it sooner rather than later!

Any thoughts appreciated

 

[monga]

according to my Fitbit my resting heart rate is 72, my bpm is 81 although I can’t breathe properly so make of that what you will

My mum used to complain of a smothering feeling that’s how she knew when her meds needed upped it’s to do with the muscles if they’re not getting enough hormone they get sluggish

 

[monga]

Thank you. I don't think I have much choice. I think my windpipe is deviated again unfortunately.
Thinking of you and hoping you're back to full health soon.

Thanks , hopefully we'll all start to feel better soon

 

[knivesnflowers]

interesting about the breathlessness - i've noticed it a bit more recently but put it down to either the in between weather / too many layers when walking about or the fact that i'm on a double dose of the progesterone only pill. i do have a bloods check up on friday so if that comes back with a change in medication needed (hypo and hashimotos) ill be sure to mention it here!

 

[hettywainthroppp]

Ah ok - so I think you would be put on synthetic thyroid drug i.e. levothyroxine or similar, if you do have the whole thing removed as your body obviously won't be making its own thyroid hormone anymore. When I developed underactive thyroid weight gain was one of the first giveaways for me that there was a problem, alongside crazy fatigue and very dry hair and skin. Try not to worry about something that may not even happen though! Wait for your results and see.

Weight gain has been my main issue, alongside extreme tiredness, hair loss and terrible leg aches and pains and heavy periods.
I used to be a size 12, now I’m a 16-18, really struggle to shift it no matter how hard I try.
I’ve only had half of mine removed for the same reason as you, but it turned out to be harmless and the removal of the second half wasn’t needed! I know it’s worrying @ChampagneBox but try to think positive

 

[monga]

Thanks for replying- I do have symptoms too. I’m just concerned if the next blood test is ‘better’ I’ll be fobbed off again. Just have to wait and see but everything I’ve read about an underactive thyroid has concerned me. Maybe I’m just panicking though!

That’s actually overactive! Unless I’m mistaken? What type of symptoms have you got?

 

[monga]

Thank you! I describe it as the sensation of being chased by a tiger! May I please ask if you ever had freefall dips in levels as well?

Some weeks I have constant adrenaline rushes and heavy limbs, other weeks my heartrate is super low and I feel weak/faint, it seems to swing back and forth although the jittery adrenaline sensation is the more prominent

Yes it’s an awful condition, it does give you weak muscles ,that’s part of graves, the excessive tiredness is due to your system running on overdrive, my consultant explained it like driving a F1 car the effect too much hormone has on the body.
You’ll get everything from diarrhoea to palpitations.

 

[Cotton3112]

Was it your consultant advised this ? there is medication available but has to be carefully monitored ,if it's an autoimmune condition that's causing your hyperthyroidism it actually goes away in pregnancy as your immune system dampens down .

Yeah it was, I’m on medication and was told about there being a different type of medication that would be given during pregnancy with thyroid problems. Oh really! My Drs have never actually told me what the cause of having it is

 

[lexle]

I’ve only had half removed so far so not on medication, but if it turns out to be cancer I’ll have the rest out then I will be. Probably overthinking things, just wondering if weight gain happens to everyone

I had half removed due to cancer and I’m on Levothyroxine now. I wouldn’t say it affected my weight in terms of made me put on any, but I do think I have to work harder now to keep the weight gain from happening

 

[monga]

I'm not on any medication currently. I just get my bloods checked annually by the GP, hence the referral back to Endo. It behaved itself for ages and didn't get any bigger and my TSH was stable. I missed a blood test during Covid so I'm not really sure at what point the TSH started to decrease.
Even though I don't want an operation, I'm hoping they agree to remove the other side. I don't see much point in being put on medication that can have some horrible side effects when the size of it is causing a problem as well x

I hope you get it sorted x I’m surprised they only check on you annually it can drop as well as increase both are equally hard to live with .

 

[catmama1692]

It’s usually goes away in pregnancy if it’s an autoimmune condition you have, you must contact your GP or consultant for advice if you’re running under.

Hi! I got told it was overactive in july but that was all the info I got so I'm not sure what the cause of it is, I had the original TFT as I have a different autoimmune disease. Do you think that's what it is then? (I know your not a doctor, just open to opinions )
Yes I have 2 appointments for it next month just being pregnant, I'm a bit paranoid about it so looking for advice until then!

 

[aggytha]

First time poster-

does anyone suffer with any heart complications or symptoms as a result of their thyroid?

 

[monga]

Thanks for your reply. My OB has contacted Endocrinology to ask whether to repeat the bloods, medicate or do nothing. So I am awaiting that answer!

I also realised he tested my TSH and it is suppressed <0.01 which I believe may indicate Graves?

That’s even better , Graves usually settles down during pregnancy without medication, they’ll probably just test you again in a few weeks to see how things are, main thing is not to worry ! if you need medication it’ll be safe and well monitored.

 

[GamerLlama87]

Hi everyone, bit of a long winded message but hope I can get advice. I have had underactive thyroid since 2012, always been between 50mg-75mg for my thyroxine. Since December I have dropped from 56kg to 49.5kg , my bloods were taking in January and shown I needed to up my medication from 75mg to 100mg, anyway I'll be complety transparent here as I feel I can't be to family, but I'm scared of taking my tablets incase I gain weight, is this what will happen, I have never always taken my tablets religiously - silly I know but I hate taking tablets and I always forget....since getting the results back I found if my readings required me to " up" my dosage , then why am I losing weight as opposed to gaining which is a symptom of underactive... I've always struggled with weight and become fixated on it and to not gain and lose, even though my BMI is now underweight. I have now found my throat has the " lump" and I struggle to swallow or feels like my throat is closing up which has been on and off for years with the swallowing but the lump is new, I went to the GP and I am being referred for an US, so I'm waiting for that, in the mean time can anyone advise if I was to take my Thyroxine would that bring my weight down or make me put it on... sorry for the post and please no judgement over I'm being silly for not taking it but I do struggle with body image. Thank you xx

I'm horrendous at taking my levothyroxine 🫣 i take it all times of day and after coffee etc, I'm rubbish lol. I used to be religious with it but since having two babies I barely ever remember.

Anyway, I basically have zero symptoms from my underactive thyroid but whether I'm taking my tablets properly or not has never affected my weight. I've always been around 58kg or so. Even after I had my first baby and my TSH was chilling at 25 🫣🫣

 

[Beth1980]

Fingers crossed @knivesnflowers that they have found something (in a nice way) and you get the correct treatment and feel better soon. I really need to get myself together and go back and ask for another increase but after the last doctor's reaction I don't have the fight yet.

 

[TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo]

Are they proposing a hemi or total thyroidectomy? I had a hemi because I was hyper due to a multinodular goiter that was also compressing my windpipe. My levels have been within range ever since apart from briefly creeping toward hyper after every Covid jab I had. It seems to have settled again now.

If it's a hemi they are suggesting then it might be worth considering surgery over RAI because you stand a greater chance of being medication free for a period of time (possibly a considerable length of time).

However, obviously our circumstances could be totally different so this might not be an option for you.

Ive managed to mess the quoting bit up so your post has ended up beneath my reply. Sorry, I presume you'll still get a notification.

Has anyone had radioactive iodine treatment? I’ve been hyper on & off for about 4 years , on & off carbimazole. I’d got it reduced to taking 5mg every other day & was hoping to be discharged at next appointment with endocrinology. In November I started feeling rough & thought I was peri menopausal but had a blood test last Monday & have been told to increase the carbimazole to 20mg a day & start propranolol too- and think about either RAI or surgery. I’ve always said I’d just carry on with the medication before but enoughs enough I’m having a permanent treatment this time.

 

[ChampagneBox]

Well take it easy as least you've got a cause for the tiredness ,hope you feel better soon x

Thanks should I be telling someone given I’ve just had an operation?

 

[Bidscavan]

Random question, my going through tests. Do I have to take medication if it comes back I have it. I’ve been having symptoms for a year? Someone I know is on meds for it and another said you don’t have to as once you’re on them that’s it. just mixed messages.

U usually get meds so they can try regulate it. I'm still on meds five years later but I have associated heart problems so will always be on neomercazole