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Hypothyroidism or something else?
Approximately 2 years ago I woke from a sound sleep with my heart racing. My vision was blurry, and I had difficulty walking. I was in the hospital for 2 days and had a complete cardiac workup and nothing abnormal was found. During this time my feet began to tingle. I was referred to a cardiologist. I wore a monitor for 4 weeks. Again, no abnormalities. I started having "spells" when my BP would be elevated. I would get nauseous and have a dry mouth and heart palpitations. Many times, this occurred at night after I had been asleep for around an hour. Occasionally it happened during the day. Went back to my GP. He said my thyroid had been getting sluggish and started me on Synthroid. 50 Mg at first and then increased to 75. This did seem to help. However, I continue to have these "spells" I have a watch that measure ECG. During one episode I took a reading and sent to my GP. He said I was experiencing Afib. Sent me back to cardiologist. I wore a monitor again for 4 weeks. Cardiologist said it was not an Afib reading. No abnormalities found from the monitor. Last night I had another "spell", Heart rate not as fast as before, but very nauseas. I managed to get through the day at work but feel wiped out and have gritty feeling in eyes. Still having foot swelling. Are these symptoms thyroid related?
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@arkano welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I know a bit about Thyroid troubles. My husband had thyroid cancer. My daughter has hypothyroidism. My mother had. Hyperthyroidism that switched to hypothyroidism. I had hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease and am being monitored in the event it switches to hypothyroidism. The symptoms you describe sound similar to what I experienced with hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease. You mentioned having cardiac work ups and being referred to a cardiologist. Was that done by your “GP” (general practitioner)? If so, do you know why? It is unclear if your GP is pointing you towards endocrinology or cardiology. The symptoms don’t seem to fall under a particular specialty.
@arkano
@cehunt57
Several years ago, I experienced hyperthyroidism. As a diabetic and Stage 3 CKD patient, my PCP monitors my blood work regularly.. I took a lab test called TSH and found I went from a normal level of 3 to over 3000 with no symptoms that I was aware other than being tired frequently which is a sign of thyroidism. I later went to my endocrinologist where another test was performed,. Whatever happened, thyroidism was confirmed. I now take Levothyroxine daily, and my TSH value is normal again.
I have something going on that is somewhat similar. I have been to every doctor under the planet except neurologist (appt in July). My unofficial diagnosis so far is POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). It sounds like you may also have a form of dysautonomia. Google the term "hpa axis disregulation" and you should be able to find more info and sort through the symptoms that are like yours. Did your doctor check your blood sugar? I tested mine with a finger stick blood sugar testing kit when it happened. Mine was always normal, but the endocrinologist said that should help rule out problems with the pancreas.
Here's a link to get you started. Also check your vitamin b12 levels. And also google Sjogren's Syndrome.
https://thedysautonomiaproject.org/identifying-dysautonomia/
@collegeprof your post started by saying you experienced hyperthyroidism. Then you ended by saying thyroidism was confirmed But you didn’t say hyper (high) or hypo (low). I’m guessing hypothyroidism since you were put on levothyroxin. Is that correct? I had Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism - high). My endocrinologist told me it is not uncommon to reverse from hyper (high) to hypo (low). She is now monitoring me for this. Is this anything like what has been going on with you?
@cehunt57
Thank you for catching that. When doing routine labs, my PCP found that my thyroid values went from about a normal of 3 to over 3000 which I believe is hyper. The lab test to confirm was called "TSH". I later saw my endocrinologist, who said that my thyroid was not working after she did, I believe, an ultrasound. I was placed on Levothyroxine and continue to this day to have normal thyroid values, solely because of the medication. Sorry for any confusion.
arkano @arkano
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease in my teens, it is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid.
Been on different dosages of Levothyroxine for 50 years. By TSH can be normal for years and then fluctuate.
My hypothyroidism has never caused the problems you described.
I would ask doctor if there are other possibility that may be causing your symptoms.
If he truly thinks it is thyroid related, maybe a referral to an endourologist would help. Beside blood test for TSH, there are also blood test for T3 and T4 thyroid levels. The TSH, T3 and T4 are all related.
Laurie