I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in March '08. I lost approximately 80 pounds in three months. I was experiencing hot flashes, tremors, fatigue, protruding eye sockets, and swollen neck glands. My doctor told me that I had Grave's disease, and after I had a thyroid scan, I was told that it was 92.7% overactive and that I had to have radioactive treatment to shrink the thyroid gland. I had to stay away from everyone for three days including my children. I am better now.
I experienced tremors and a pulse of 130. I was jumpy, I felt like my body was electric, and I had aching arms and legs. I was on the Weight Watchers diet, so I assumed the weight loss was due to the diet. Also, I would wake up in the middle of the night, not being able to go back to sleep, and I had night sweats. (I never sweat!)
I have excessive sweating, even after I've showered. I don't like to get out much because as soon as I'm getting ready I start sweating; I'm really self-conscious of this. I have a rapid heart rate and have shortness of breath. I feel very fatigued and can't find the energy to do much of anything.
Published: June 30
5 years ago the classic symptoms began. Within months I went from 128 lbs. to 92 lbs. Insomnia, depression, irritability, increased heart rate (130 bpm). My normal was 62 bpm. increased sweating, shaky, clammy hands, leg pain, severe dry eyes, terrible anxiety,1yr. after initial symptoms. I developed acne on every inch of my body. Strange lesions would clear up after 1 wk. every month the lesions returned. It took over 1 yr. of tests, until graves disease was confirmed. After 2 yrs. of methimazole proved ineffective.I-131 ablation (RAI) was administered. My endocrinologist had me wait 1 yr. before any further tests. to allow the RAI to do its work. 1 yr. later my TSH was 5.3? I began Synthroid, months later I began feeling hyperthyroid symptoms. Recently changed Dr., lesions poss. pretibial myxedema? TSH levels drastically change. Losing hope, I feel crazy. These hyper episodes are destructive. I fear losing my fiancee, friends, and job. It affects everything. Currently going through hyper episode, skin lesions, severe insomnia, erratic behavior. Avoiding everything and alone & scared. How does one live this way. I am not the same person. I hope my Dr. or anyone can help.
I was always overly active. I had so much of energy and my palms use to sweat a lot. At first it started with a swelling in one eye. Then after I stated taking the medications I had a rash on my leg which up to today no one is able to figure out why or how. My heart rate was fast and I'm always nervous. Increased bowel movements and I could never rest.
I felt like I was going crazy! Tremors, severe muscle cramps of legs then also arms, fatigue and exhaustion with insomnia, eye pressure (goldfish eyes), body aches, palpitations, loose bowel movements, some weight loss, I was told I was extremely irritable, impatient and rude although I myself did not recognize this as it was happening, periods of fragmented thought with difficulty putting thoughts and words together, difficulty concentrating, cotton mouth-thirst and frequent urination.
My symptoms came on quickly. I felt horrible. It started with really BAD gas, and I had to go to the bathroom all the time. If I would eat 10 minutes later I would be in the john. I lost 50 in two months, but I was eating everything and anything. I also had a very rapid heart rate, and I could not catch my breath. My resting heart rate was 130 beats per minute. I had very bad headaches, I was losing my hair, and I seemed like I always had "extra" saliva in my throat. My voice got rattly. I was really sick.
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Suggested Reading on Hyperthyroidism by Our Doctors
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the
rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain at the pituitary.
Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are
often subtle.
Dizziness is a symptom that is often applies to a variety of sensations including lightheadedness and vertigo. Causes of dizziness include low blood pressure, heart problems, anemia, dehydration, and more. Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause.
There are four major types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Tumors on the thyroid are referred to as thyroid nodules. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include swollen lymph nodes, pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and a lump near the Adam's apple. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy, surgery, radioactive iodine, hormone treatment or external radiation and depends upon the type of thyroid cancer, the patient's age, the tumor size, and whether the cancer has metastasized.
Thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine problem in the United States. The term "thyroid nodule" refers to any abnormal growth that forms a lump in the thyroid gland. The vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign.
Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin turns white due to the loss of pigment from the melanocytes, cells that produce the pigment melanin that gives the skin color.
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are premature heartbeats originating from the ventricles of the heart. PVCs are premature because they occur before the regular heartbeat. There are many causes of premature ventricular contractions to include: heart attack, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mitral valve prolapse, hypokalemia, hypoxia, medications, excess caffeine, drug abuse, and myocarditis.
There are many types of thyroid disease. Some occur due to the function of the thyroid itself such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc. Some causes of thyroid disease occur due to problems with the structure of the thyroid gland such as goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Treatment of thyroid disease depends on the cause of the disease.
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night with difficulty returning to sleep; waking up too early in the morning; or unrefreshing sleep. Secondary insomnia is the most common type of insomnia. Treatment for insomnia include lifestyle changes, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.
Gynecomastia, an enlargement of the gland tissue in the male breast is the caused by an imbalance of hormones. Certain medical conditions may also lead to gynecomastia such as cirrhosis, malnutrition, disorders of the male sex organs, kidney failure, thyroid disorders, and medications. Gynecomastia is generally treated with medication, and if necessary surgery.
Dry skin (xeroderma) may be caused by external factors, like cold temperatures, low humidity, harsh soaps, and certain medications, or internal factors, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, psoriasis, or Sjogren's syndrome. Symptoms and signs of dry skin include itching and red, cracked or flaky skin. The main treatment for dry skin is frequent, daily lubrication of the skin.
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which calcium levels in the blood are elevated. Hypercalcemia is associated with other conditions such as hyperparathyroidism, lung cancer, breast cancer, kidney failure, and elevated levels of vitamin D. Symptoms of hypercalcemia include constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, kidney stones, to name a few. Treatment depends on the cause of hypercalcemia.
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. Some of the symptoms of Graves' disease include hand tremors, rapid heartbeat, trouble sleeping, enlarged thyroid, thinning of the skin or fine brittle hair. Causes of Graves' disease are thought to be multifactorial such as genes, gender, stress, and infection. Treatment for Graves' disease is generally medication.
Thyroiditis is the inflammation of the thyroid gland. The inflamed thyroid gland can release an excess of thyroid hormones into the blood stream, resulting in a temporary hyperthyroid state. Some forms of thyroiditis can be diagnosed based on tenderness and enlargement of the thyroid gland. A thyroid scan sometimes is used in making the diagnosis. Thyroiditis can also be diagnosed with a biopsy of the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland is found in the neck just below the "Adam's apple." This gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormone, which is an important hormone that stimulates the metabolism of the body. Between 4% and 7% of people in the United States have lumps (or nodules) in their thyroid gland that can be felt on examination. Like many things, the thyroid gland gets "lumpier" as we get older and the frequency of these nodules increases with age. In fact, many are found incidentally during routine examinations or radiology testing. Thyroid nodules are also more common in women than in men. In fact, ultrasound studies have found that up to one in every three women has at least one thyroid nodule that may be too small to notice. (Usually, a nodule needs to be greater than one centimeter in diameter for it to be felt.). Interestingly, because women have so many more nodules than men, the incidence of detected cancer is higher in women then in men by...
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I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in March '08. I lost approximately 80 pounds in three months. I was experiencing hot flashes, tremors, fatigue, protruding eye sockets, and swollen neck glands. My doctor told me that I had Grave's disease, and after I had a thyroid scan, I was told that it was 92.7% overactive and that I had to have radioactive treatment to shrink the thyroid gland. I had to stay away from everyone for three days including my children. I am better now.
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