Finally know......

**danni** · 06-10-2009, 07:32 PM

For the past year I have been exhausted most of the time, my eyes have been swelling and dry(so always itchy), bruising really easily, hair loss, fingernails are so thin I can't grow them longer than a couple millimeters before they rip, weight gain, not being able to handle the heat(all winter my family would say it was cold while I was sweating), breathlessness, light periods(2 days a month, not that I'm complaining) and nervousness/anxiety. I finally went to the dr and told him I wanted a bunch of things checked. He checked them all and it turns out I have a thyroid problem. Considering I'm over 200lbs I figured hypothyroidism, but it turns out its hyperthyroidism.

So I've been getting blood work done to monitor it so they could see what was going on. It turns out it is unstable and steadily going up. So on the 19th I go into the hospital and they will give me a shot of radioactive iodine to destroy part of the thyroid. Hopefully they will give me the exact dosage so the thyroid becomes stable, but that only happens in like 5-10% of the procedures. The rest of the time they kill too much and then I go on meds to stabilize it. Either way I now know what is going on and should start feeling better.

The dr thinks that once the thyroid is stabilized I should be able to lose weight. I really hope so because for the past 2 years I have slowly been gaining weight and no matter what I do I can't lose it. I have followed dieticians advice about calorie intake and exercise and still nothing. It is very frustrating when I am eating healthy and exercising a minimum of 5 hours a week and nothing is happening. Especially when I would see smaller people who eat unhealthy and do almost no exercise and don't gain a bit. I have a friend like that, I'm in better cardio shape than her but am 3x her size.

Anyways I will stop rambling now and go cook dinner.

**LeeCee** · 06-10-2009, 07:46 PM

I hope you will start feeling better soon. I know it's a big relief just to finally find out whats wrong. please let us know how you are doing.saying a prayer for you and sending you a hug .good luck

**Sassyclass** · 06-10-2009, 09:23 PM

I'm sure just knowing what is wrong will help you, less stress. I'm glad your Dr. listened to you and found what the problem is.

Cat

**Debbie-cat** · 06-10-2009, 11:43 PM

I hope all works out well and you start feeling better soon. Sending hugs.

**strezzed** · 06-11-2009, 12:12 AM

It must feel like such a relief to have a diagnosis. Thinking good thoughts for you!

**frugalfranny** · 06-11-2009, 02:30 AM

Good luck danni........I have hypo....so do some research so when the Dr. starts throwing numbers your way you will know what is going on....it can take some time to stablize.....be patient.
Pay attention to your body and if you don't feel good on one drug.....do not hesitate to try another one....even at the same strength some work better than others.

**rsbs** · 06-11-2009, 08:59 AM

Wow. That is a strange diagnosis...
I have hypothydroism & had almost the exact same symptoms you describe... might be worth getting a second opinion before you have the radioactive treatment.
But I remember feeling that relief when I recieved my diagnosis too. Prior to it, & medication, I'd been diagnosed with all sorts of individual issues & still felt like cr@p. I would wake up in the morning feeling like I'd been run over by a truck - no matter how little I did the day before, or how much sleep I'd gotten.
It's amazing what your thyroid can do to you.
*hugs*

**YankeeMom** · 06-11-2009, 09:19 AM

My dh is going through the same thing right now. His symptoms are very similar to yours. He also gained weight, is extremely tired, etc. Contrary to popular belief, not all hyperthyroid sufferers are reed thin and "hyperactive". His heart races (atrial fibrilation) so much that it tires him out. He hasn't been himself in months.

He had radioactive iodine treatment last month. It's not an immediate fix. It can take up to a year for your body to get back to "normal". For him, the worst part was the pain in his neck/throat (where the thyroid is). It's still sore 3 weeks later, but not as bad as it was 2-3 days after the procedure.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have about our experience.

**danni** · 06-11-2009, 11:05 AM

I have done alot of research on it and some of the symptoms are the same for hypo and hyper. I discussed all the info with the specialist and he was great and very informative.
Because I was nervous and anxious all the time I thought the racing heart was a reaction to that. But once I knew it was a symptom too and started paying attention, I realized I was getting that racing heart even when I wasn't nervous. Like last night I lay down in bed, and even though I was exhausted it took me almost 2 hours to fall asleep. My heart was pounding so fast and even lying perfectly still, using deep breathing, relaxation techniques I couldn't get it to slow down. It actually races so fast that it hurts. Because mine keeps going up they are worried about heart attacks.
Because mine is unstable and keeps rising they can't treat it with meds. They have to have it stabilized or the meds will become ineffective when the thyroid changes. So far the blood tests are showing a change every 3-4 weeks. To go on meds they would have to monitor it, the dr said we could do that, but it means blood tests every 2 weeks and whenever there is a change I go back into the dr for a med adjustment. The dr is good looking and all but I really don't want to see him that often.