Hello all,
I am 33 and was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 2 years ago, and have relucatantly been on Synthroid 50 mcg since.
I actually found out because of IBS that I was experiencing due to anxiety back then. My blood tests had high TSH (31), and I tested positive for the antibodies.
I have only recently accepted my diagnosis (hence my problem with anxiety and panic attacks- not dealing with things), but have been researching, asking alot of questions of doctors, pharmacists, etc.
I don't know that there is a direct link between HYPOthyroid and anxiety...in fact, depression is the common symptom. Now, if your medication is too high and you are HYPO, it can duplicate the symptoms of HYPERthyroid, which would include anxiety as a possible side effect.
I began suffering panic attacks in March, and that was how I was thankfully introduced to this program. I immediately thought (out of fear), that "It must be my thyroid!!"
Multiple blood tests showed that I still tested positive for the antibodies, and my medication was working so well that my TSH was now well within normal limits (between .4-2.5) as it was a 1.4.
Believe me, I have been strongly attached to this for a long time, and even now have to work to tell myself that as long as everything is in order, they are separate issues (anxiety and hypothyroid).
Thyroid Sufferers
Proof of my point, I asked that my doctor lower my dosage to 25 mcg to see if, in fact the medication was driving the anxiety.
For the 1st 1-2 weeks I felt less tense, and optimistic. These past 2 weeks I have felt less energetic, more sore after lifting weights, and that lingering fatigue feeling so popularly attached to hashimoto's.
I think that fact that for me, by not dealing with living with a chronic illness, it hit me this past Spring along with everything else I had not been dealing with. I am now believing that I am associating anxiety with having Hashimoto's, and that I am creating the anxiety...not the condition.
Reasons for this is that I have actually been getting better with this program while taking the same dosage, and now feel worse by lowering my dosage these past 2 weeks. Also, as I have said, there were several factors that contributed to this as my father was diagnosed with a blood cancer at the same time I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's (and I never dealt with this until the Spring), moving back to my hometown only to have it fail miserably, having gotten married in 6/2007, having a horribly stressful and abusive job whereby it proved to be traumatic for me (a toxic environment where your job was threatened every day), having pressure at home with talk of children and homes/ mortgage and not being sure how you will handle this when you can't count on your job, starting Grad school in an area where jobs are scarce (Buffalo, NY) and not being sure what the future holds. Also, I have desires but a part of my fear is lacking the confidence to completely pursue them, but become frustrated for puttering around everywhere but where I WANT to be. No wonder I panicked! I felt trapped with all of this junk (well, family is not junk).
Despite all of these things happening simultaeneously, my first thought and reaction was "IT MUST BE MY THYROID!!!"
All of those things, 'trainwrecked' at the same time, plus having been reacting well to the medication for the previous 2 years makes me believe that environment factors really brought on the anxiety...not HYPOthyroid.
So, I will be interested to see where I am with my next blood test, as I know that I no longer feel as tense, irritable, or have as many heart palpatations. I will either go back to my 50 mcg or see if DR. will allow me to try adding 12.5 mcg to the 25 mcg= 37.5 mcg.
As you can all see...I was on the course of anxiety and HYPOthyroid being related and now I am not so sure.
I will push my Doctor for a test of my Adrenals, however, as this has been a concern of mine since the panic attacks started back in March.
For the 1st 1-2 weeks I felt less tense, and optimistic. These past 2 weeks I have felt less energetic, more sore after lifting weights, and that lingering fatigue feeling so popularly attached to hashimoto's.
I think that fact that for me, by not dealing with living with a chronic illness, it hit me this past Spring along with everything else I had not been dealing with. I am now believing that I am associating anxiety with having Hashimoto's, and that I am creating the anxiety...not the condition.
Reasons for this is that I have actually been getting better with this program while taking the same dosage, and now feel worse by lowering my dosage these past 2 weeks. Also, as I have said, there were several factors that contributed to this as my father was diagnosed with a blood cancer at the same time I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's (and I never dealt with this until the Spring), moving back to my hometown only to have it fail miserably, having gotten married in 6/2007, having a horribly stressful and abusive job whereby it proved to be traumatic for me (a toxic environment where your job was threatened every day), having pressure at home with talk of children and homes/ mortgage and not being sure how you will handle this when you can't count on your job, starting Grad school in an area where jobs are scarce (Buffalo, NY) and not being sure what the future holds. Also, I have desires but a part of my fear is lacking the confidence to completely pursue them, but become frustrated for puttering around everywhere but where I WANT to be. No wonder I panicked! I felt trapped with all of this junk (well, family is not junk).
Despite all of these things happening simultaeneously, my first thought and reaction was "IT MUST BE MY THYROID!!!"
All of those things, 'trainwrecked' at the same time, plus having been reacting well to the medication for the previous 2 years makes me believe that environment factors really brought on the anxiety...not HYPOthyroid.
So, I will be interested to see where I am with my next blood test, as I know that I no longer feel as tense, irritable, or have as many heart palpatations. I will either go back to my 50 mcg or see if DR. will allow me to try adding 12.5 mcg to the 25 mcg= 37.5 mcg.
As you can all see...I was on the course of anxiety and HYPOthyroid being related and now I am not so sure.
I will push my Doctor for a test of my Adrenals, however, as this has been a concern of mine since the panic attacks started back in March.
-
goddess sparkle
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:22 pm
Paul, hope you get it figured out. I definitely think your anxiety was brought on from so much stress. Everytime I'm feeling that way there always is a lot going on in my life. And it sucks, on top of that we have thyroid problems which affect us completely.
Through my research on my own past tests I was never told that I had Hashimoto's until I got my surgical pathology report so that was interesting. My sister just got diagnosed with Grave's Disease. Why do we have to go through this? I do know that when my medication is too high I feel antsy. My meds are too high right now. My blood results are a little different because I don't have a thyroid.
It's hard to be tough. I'm glad you found the program so soon. I suffered for many months and didn't know what was happening to me or what was wrong. This program is a life saver. Sorry to hear about your dad. My mom had stomach cancer and my body is telling me "You have to deal now." We are in the middle of buying a house and I am waiting for my labs to see if my thyroid cancer is back (had a scare a few months ago) so the stress is kicking up my anxiety again. Hang in there, I hope everything works out for you. We are all here if you need to talk. Take care!
Through my research on my own past tests I was never told that I had Hashimoto's until I got my surgical pathology report so that was interesting. My sister just got diagnosed with Grave's Disease. Why do we have to go through this? I do know that when my medication is too high I feel antsy. My meds are too high right now. My blood results are a little different because I don't have a thyroid.
It's hard to be tough. I'm glad you found the program so soon. I suffered for many months and didn't know what was happening to me or what was wrong. This program is a life saver. Sorry to hear about your dad. My mom had stomach cancer and my body is telling me "You have to deal now." We are in the middle of buying a house and I am waiting for my labs to see if my thyroid cancer is back (had a scare a few months ago) so the stress is kicking up my anxiety again. Hang in there, I hope everything works out for you. We are all here if you need to talk. Take care!
"It's not over yet."
Sparkle,
Thanks for the kind words and support.
I have been on 50 mcg for 2 years now since being diagnosed, and am still interested (based on next weeks blood work) to see how going down to 25 mcg has affected me.
I certainly feel less tense, but one thing I understand about Hashimoto's is that your thyroid may fluctuate while it eventually burns itself out. Now, my blood work does not seem to confirm any increase in activity, and I have gone through alot, so I am not sure if my panic attacks from march were from all of the above situations happening at once (most likely) or an increase in my thyroid activity.
I hear you about the levels being too high and feeling antsy. That was why I had mine lowered, and next week I will try to go up slightly to 37.5 mcg (not 50 yet) to see if that has me where I need to be.
I am sorry to hear about your thyroid condition, but can I ask you, what were your symptoms with before you were diagnosed with thyroid cancer? I am slightly concerned (and will bring this up at my next appointment) that since lowering my dosage, my throat in the area of my thyroid occasionally now gets sore and sometimes a jolt of pain will come from the right side of my thyroid above my collarbone in my neck, and prior to that while on 50 in June and July it felt like my lymph nodes in my neck (I can only assume that was what they are) next to my Adam's apple were swollen. My last doctor palpated the area, and did not notice anything- but I still did not feel great about it.
I know that so many things can affect your lymph nodes- stress and anxiety being one of the many- and don't want to scare myself, but did you experience these things? or were your symptoms different?
Thanks for the kind words and support.
I have been on 50 mcg for 2 years now since being diagnosed, and am still interested (based on next weeks blood work) to see how going down to 25 mcg has affected me.
I certainly feel less tense, but one thing I understand about Hashimoto's is that your thyroid may fluctuate while it eventually burns itself out. Now, my blood work does not seem to confirm any increase in activity, and I have gone through alot, so I am not sure if my panic attacks from march were from all of the above situations happening at once (most likely) or an increase in my thyroid activity.
I hear you about the levels being too high and feeling antsy. That was why I had mine lowered, and next week I will try to go up slightly to 37.5 mcg (not 50 yet) to see if that has me where I need to be.
I am sorry to hear about your thyroid condition, but can I ask you, what were your symptoms with before you were diagnosed with thyroid cancer? I am slightly concerned (and will bring this up at my next appointment) that since lowering my dosage, my throat in the area of my thyroid occasionally now gets sore and sometimes a jolt of pain will come from the right side of my thyroid above my collarbone in my neck, and prior to that while on 50 in June and July it felt like my lymph nodes in my neck (I can only assume that was what they are) next to my Adam's apple were swollen. My last doctor palpated the area, and did not notice anything- but I still did not feel great about it.
I know that so many things can affect your lymph nodes- stress and anxiety being one of the many- and don't want to scare myself, but did you experience these things? or were your symptoms different?
-
goddess sparkle
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:22 pm
This happened about a year out of high school. One day I turned from the front seat of the car to talk to someone in the back seat and I felt something kind of snap and from that moment had a lump. Actually a doctor at a woman's clinic (not even my primary dr) said I should bring it up to my doc. I had a very noticeable lump in my neck. Then I did testing with a specialist. I do not recall feeling unusual in any way. I have felt tired for as long as I can remember though. And I was sick A LOT in high school (colds). But then again in high school we're all delerious in our own little worlds. My situation is rare though.
Have you had any ultrasounds or any kind of scans? What kinds of tests have you had? Just bloodwork? Who is treating you? Make sure it's a specialist not your primary care doc.
Swollen lymph nodes means there might be an infection in your body whether it be a cold, flu, or something else.
If you are concerned have the doc order you an ultrasound. If you have insurance or not, it's not that expensive. And most likely won't need an authorization from insurance.
Your doc probably feels the area for any lumps (it's natural with thyroid problems because there can be benign growths or suspicious ones and they need to check) And with Hashimoto's your thyroid is enlarged anyway.
I wouldn't worry yet, just check with your doc. Thyroid problems are becoming more common and fortunately (even though it scares me too, don't get me wrong) treatment is very effective and they are experienced in it.
Right now I feel very jittery and nervous but I'm sure it's because of the high dose. I already got the new Rx I'll start tomorrow. In 2 months I repeat labs with new meds to see if my thyroid levels are still low to signify "no cancer markers." In my case they do not wany ANY or as low as possible levels of natural thyroid. If that level fluctuates or goes up it's a red flag so my docs and I have to be careful. If they're good I'll repeat again in Dec. I'm crossing my fingers.
I'm sure in your case it's a mixture of the meds, your everyday stresses and the thinking about your thyroid that's making you feel odd. Sometimes you can mix them up and not know which is which. Distract yourself for a while and you'll probably feel better. Then you'll know it's not your thyroid meds. Good luck to you with all that. I know it's a pain. We're all here if you need us.
Have you had any ultrasounds or any kind of scans? What kinds of tests have you had? Just bloodwork? Who is treating you? Make sure it's a specialist not your primary care doc.
Swollen lymph nodes means there might be an infection in your body whether it be a cold, flu, or something else.
If you are concerned have the doc order you an ultrasound. If you have insurance or not, it's not that expensive. And most likely won't need an authorization from insurance.
Your doc probably feels the area for any lumps (it's natural with thyroid problems because there can be benign growths or suspicious ones and they need to check) And with Hashimoto's your thyroid is enlarged anyway.
I wouldn't worry yet, just check with your doc. Thyroid problems are becoming more common and fortunately (even though it scares me too, don't get me wrong) treatment is very effective and they are experienced in it.
Right now I feel very jittery and nervous but I'm sure it's because of the high dose. I already got the new Rx I'll start tomorrow. In 2 months I repeat labs with new meds to see if my thyroid levels are still low to signify "no cancer markers." In my case they do not wany ANY or as low as possible levels of natural thyroid. If that level fluctuates or goes up it's a red flag so my docs and I have to be careful. If they're good I'll repeat again in Dec. I'm crossing my fingers.
I'm sure in your case it's a mixture of the meds, your everyday stresses and the thinking about your thyroid that's making you feel odd. Sometimes you can mix them up and not know which is which. Distract yourself for a while and you'll probably feel better. Then you'll know it's not your thyroid meds. Good luck to you with all that. I know it's a pain. We're all here if you need us.
"It's not over yet."
sparkle,
thanks for your feedback.
the only tests that i have had are blood work, and my last doctor felt the area in my neck and did not notice anything abnormal.
my next appointment is scheduled for wednesday, and i will bring my concerns up.
strange thing: my last doctor and i agreed to lower my dose of synthroid from 50 mcg to 25 mcg. i have had a bizarre past 4 weeks as i have experienced on the 'bad side': a slight return of the fatigue feeling, sore muscles after exercise (more than usual), slight constipation, dryer skin on my forearms and ankles, and more bloated after eating dinner which to me, would indicate my metabolism slowing down. On the good side I am less tense, less anxious, and less reactive. I have fewer heart palpatations and am not being woken up 1-2x/night with a pounding heart (80bpm). Though it has taken longer to recover from exercise, when I do exercise I feel better doing it. The only real concern with all of this was the tightness/soreness/occasional pain (rare) that I would feel in my neck.
Now, these past 3 days I have felt much better. The neck 'thing' seems to have subsided, my digestion seems to have improved as I am now not bloating, and I feel just about like me again. This is the 4th week on the lower meds, and wonder if only now I am experiencing the lower dose?
You are absolutely right in my case of not thinking about it so much, because believe me...I do! I have found that when I distract myself, then most (if not all) of the feelings do subside.
I have not had any scans or biopsies or anything like that. I will ask about ultrasound, though.
And I will also ask about seeing a endocrinologist. Right now, I have been only seeing Primary's. But don't get me wrong, they have been great up until this past March/April when things started to fall apart on me.
And thank you for the affirmation of it being all of the factors in my life taking effect. Like you said, the symptoms of too much thyroid hormone and anxiety can be so similar, it is often too hard to tell the difference and I get caught up in the whirlwind of which came first, the thyroid or the anxiety? (sOunds like another familiar question- egg, anyone?)
I pray to God that your numbers remain 0- low and that there is no fluctuation, and that you remain a beacon for someone like myself who is new to all of this.
Thank you
thanks for your feedback.
the only tests that i have had are blood work, and my last doctor felt the area in my neck and did not notice anything abnormal.
my next appointment is scheduled for wednesday, and i will bring my concerns up.
strange thing: my last doctor and i agreed to lower my dose of synthroid from 50 mcg to 25 mcg. i have had a bizarre past 4 weeks as i have experienced on the 'bad side': a slight return of the fatigue feeling, sore muscles after exercise (more than usual), slight constipation, dryer skin on my forearms and ankles, and more bloated after eating dinner which to me, would indicate my metabolism slowing down. On the good side I am less tense, less anxious, and less reactive. I have fewer heart palpatations and am not being woken up 1-2x/night with a pounding heart (80bpm). Though it has taken longer to recover from exercise, when I do exercise I feel better doing it. The only real concern with all of this was the tightness/soreness/occasional pain (rare) that I would feel in my neck.
Now, these past 3 days I have felt much better. The neck 'thing' seems to have subsided, my digestion seems to have improved as I am now not bloating, and I feel just about like me again. This is the 4th week on the lower meds, and wonder if only now I am experiencing the lower dose?
You are absolutely right in my case of not thinking about it so much, because believe me...I do! I have found that when I distract myself, then most (if not all) of the feelings do subside.
I have not had any scans or biopsies or anything like that. I will ask about ultrasound, though.
And I will also ask about seeing a endocrinologist. Right now, I have been only seeing Primary's. But don't get me wrong, they have been great up until this past March/April when things started to fall apart on me.
And thank you for the affirmation of it being all of the factors in my life taking effect. Like you said, the symptoms of too much thyroid hormone and anxiety can be so similar, it is often too hard to tell the difference and I get caught up in the whirlwind of which came first, the thyroid or the anxiety? (sOunds like another familiar question- egg, anyone?)
I pray to God that your numbers remain 0- low and that there is no fluctuation, and that you remain a beacon for someone like myself who is new to all of this.
Thank you
-
goddess sparkle
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:22 pm
No problem. I hope you get it taken care of. Glad to hear that you are feeling better. They say it takes over a month to feel the effect, so you're about right. And yes, no energy to exercise but so necessary! I need to practice what I preach. I'm all too familiar with that and the soreness. Even when I don't exercise I'm achy. It's fortunate and unfortunate that I had to go through this so early in life. It's made me a bit stronger but I think about having to deal with this for the rest of my life. Oh well, what're we gonna do? I had a moment of clarity earlier...I was moping and anxious and something inside me said "F*** you I'm gonna be happy!" And I feel great right now. All the best to you!
"It's not over yet."
sparkle,
HAHAHAHA!!
I like that!
I lifted again yesterday, and am not sore today. As a matter of fact, my muskles feel like my 'old' (pre-hypo) self.
I have a little bit of that lingering fatigue feeling in my head going on, but otherwise I feel fine.
Have you ever had chest discomfort from thyroid meds? I only ask because since my dosage was reduced, I am feeling better, but still the occasional pain or discomfort in the chest.
I can't tell what is anxiety and what is too much thyroid hormone!
Help!
HAHAHAHA!!
I like that!
I lifted again yesterday, and am not sore today. As a matter of fact, my muskles feel like my 'old' (pre-hypo) self.
I have a little bit of that lingering fatigue feeling in my head going on, but otherwise I feel fine.
Have you ever had chest discomfort from thyroid meds? I only ask because since my dosage was reduced, I am feeling better, but still the occasional pain or discomfort in the chest.
I can't tell what is anxiety and what is too much thyroid hormone!
Help!
-
goddess sparkle
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Aug 31, 2006 10:22 pm
paul,
The only symptoms I get when my meds are too high is either palpitations or a tickling feeling in my heart. I don't think I get chest pains. If I do it's either acid reflux or air trapped. When I have anxiety my heart just pounds. Not sure what your pains can mean. Is it really bad? I know if I tell you not to worry about you will anyway 'cause I do the same thing LOL but I wouldn't worry. Just keep an eye on it. Heart palpitations are not good so lower the meds if you feel that.
The only symptoms I get when my meds are too high is either palpitations or a tickling feeling in my heart. I don't think I get chest pains. If I do it's either acid reflux or air trapped. When I have anxiety my heart just pounds. Not sure what your pains can mean. Is it really bad? I know if I tell you not to worry about you will anyway 'cause I do the same thing LOL but I wouldn't worry. Just keep an eye on it. Heart palpitations are not good so lower the meds if you feel that.
"It's not over yet."
sparkle,
well, i used to get a terrible chest tightness that would stay with me for a long time.
i used to go for long walks to take the edge off of anxiety, but when I did that i would do fine walking away from my home or car, but as soon as i turned around to come back the tightness would come back and would stay with me out of fear of "what if i have a heart attack and don't make it home/ back?"
i went to an urgent care center, and they did an EKG, tested my heart enzymes, and ran an x-ray. all came back negative and they told me that it was anxiety and my heart was perfect.
they told me that the only thing slightly abnormal was that my blood showed slightly higher levels of white blood cells- but that would make sense based on the autoimmune response to my thyroid.
i have lowered my medication 5 weeks ago, and my energy/ fatigue seems to come and go. it seems like 25 mcg is just a little bit on the insufficient side, as anything additional (like exercise) has me faigued for a day.
my mornings and evenings also seem to be my "clear" times- or times where do i not experience any symptoms and can sleep clearly and feel like myself.
that is why i truly wonder if the medication has anything to do with this, or if my body just got so use to the horrors of working at the toxic job i had (as my working hours were 8-4:30 m-f), that maybe now on a biochemical level my body still is performing as if it was still in that environment (albeit at a much lower stress level and symptom level- panic has stopped)??
Its funny, because i wake up feeling great, about 1-2 hours after taking my synthroid feel slightly loopy (which is usually around 8-10am), and by about 5-6pm feel good again. Since thyroid hormones stay in your blood and are built over time, i don't know that it would be the pill. and its such a low dose...
how does one truly know if they have a reaction to a medication like this? how do i differentiate anxiety from outside sources to a medication reaction?
i had been on levothyroxine (generic) for 2 years prior to switching to synthroid, but never had any of these feelings prior to getting panic attacks.
well, i used to get a terrible chest tightness that would stay with me for a long time.
i used to go for long walks to take the edge off of anxiety, but when I did that i would do fine walking away from my home or car, but as soon as i turned around to come back the tightness would come back and would stay with me out of fear of "what if i have a heart attack and don't make it home/ back?"
i went to an urgent care center, and they did an EKG, tested my heart enzymes, and ran an x-ray. all came back negative and they told me that it was anxiety and my heart was perfect.
they told me that the only thing slightly abnormal was that my blood showed slightly higher levels of white blood cells- but that would make sense based on the autoimmune response to my thyroid.
i have lowered my medication 5 weeks ago, and my energy/ fatigue seems to come and go. it seems like 25 mcg is just a little bit on the insufficient side, as anything additional (like exercise) has me faigued for a day.
my mornings and evenings also seem to be my "clear" times- or times where do i not experience any symptoms and can sleep clearly and feel like myself.
that is why i truly wonder if the medication has anything to do with this, or if my body just got so use to the horrors of working at the toxic job i had (as my working hours were 8-4:30 m-f), that maybe now on a biochemical level my body still is performing as if it was still in that environment (albeit at a much lower stress level and symptom level- panic has stopped)??
Its funny, because i wake up feeling great, about 1-2 hours after taking my synthroid feel slightly loopy (which is usually around 8-10am), and by about 5-6pm feel good again. Since thyroid hormones stay in your blood and are built over time, i don't know that it would be the pill. and its such a low dose...
how does one truly know if they have a reaction to a medication like this? how do i differentiate anxiety from outside sources to a medication reaction?
i had been on levothyroxine (generic) for 2 years prior to switching to synthroid, but never had any of these feelings prior to getting panic attacks.