Anyone Here Ever Deal With Hyperthyroidism?

[TheLoveableLoner]

So I went to my doctor today convinced that I might have Colon Cancer, due to sharp, sudden change in bathroom habits and metabolism. (Not a gradual change over time like aging creates, but an extreme change that literally happened overnight. I went from taking absolutely massive poops after every meal to just barely being able to go).

Today, my doctor (thankfully) assured me that it's extremely doubtful that I have colon cancer, but wondered if it could be a thyroid issue and took tests.

I get those results back next week, but I decided to have some fun and do some internet research. Here are the symptoms:

Feeling cold
Tiring easily
Dry skin and brittle nails
Constipation
Depression
Trouble concentrating
Sore muscles
Weight gain
Swelling of the thyroid gland, called a goiter

For REAL. I hope this is what's going on! The weight gain makes no sense. In October, I completely stopped drinking for the month, ate healthier, used fiber supplements, and still gained a few pounds! That has never happened before.

I'm always tired.

And even when things are going good for me and I appreciate them and having legitimately happy moments with loved ones, there's always that looming sadness for no reason. (More so lately). An actual medical reason for my depression more than makes sense.

I'm already working on these problems individually, but I'd seriously be happy to be diagnosed positive here.

Anyone got any experience here?

Obligatory Disclaimer for the Mods:

While I understand the urge to move this to "Health & Wellbeing," I request that it's not moved as I am posing this question to all JUBbers. There may be some here with experience with thyroidism who aren't specifically interested in the Health & Wellbeing forum. I understand that this isn't a "no-flame" zone and I anticipate flaming and off-topic banter, as I do whenever I post anything on JUB or the Internet as a whole.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

[NotHardUp1]

I've contacted a member who knows something about it first-hand, and asked him to PM you.

 

[NotHardUp1]

Oh, I forgot about the banter.

Are you cut or uncut, and do you think it caused your thyroid dysfunction?

 

[sixthson]

I developed an enlarged thyroid a few years ago, but it was rather unusually shaped, so they got me immediately into radiology for a scan and an iodine uptake scan, both inconclusive. Then I had a needle biopsy. No cancer, but the diagnosis was Hashimoto's thyroiditis. I was put on levothyroxine, which is a hormone replacement. I did not do well with the generic and my lab work kept coming back all over the place. When they put me on Synthroid (non generic), I have done well ever since. I have never had depression, sore muscles, weight gain. But cold feet is common for me as well as a greater intolerance for cold weather. I can usually tell something is out of balance when I start to feel tired or constipated. I tend to have low blood pressure and heart rate, but the hormone replacement did not change that...it must just be my normal. I'm 6'3" and weight 178 pounds and my weight never seems to fluctuate. Obviously, also my normal.
Everyone's symptoms are unique to them. If it turns out to be your thyroid, once they rule out cancer, you will most likely do well with medication.
Can you feel your thyroid? It's like a bow tie at the base of your neck. My enlarged thyroid is not visible and they thought it would likely shrink over time, but it has not. I get yearly lab work, unless I sense something is not right and a scan every 5 years unless that changes.
It has not been a life changing event for me. Good luck to you. It would be great if this were the cause of your depression. This is another reason people who suffer from depression should have a complete physical with full labs to rule out a physical issue rather than just assuming it's psychological.

 

[MrRochesterNY]

I suffered from hyperthyroidism many years ago. I don't remember the symptoms being those you mention. In fact I seemed to lose weight, felt weak, had the shakes, and a general feeling of malaise, including (I think tachycardia). At any rate it was all easily brought under control by being treated with radioactive iodine pills, which moved to my thyroid and killed a part of it. The whole treatment was pain-free and simple. But I was warned that too much of my thyroid gland might end up being killed, which would mean taking thyroid supplement for the rest of my life

That turned out to be the case, After things settled down and my blood work showed the amount of supplement I needed, I was prescribed inexpensive Levothyroxine pills. I take one a day and that brought my system into perfect balance.

So if you do have hyperthyroidism, go for the radiation treatment. You won't be sorry.

 

[gsdx]

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease after I had my hip replacement 2 years ago. The diabetic clinic wanted me to see an endocrinologist to deal with issues related to diabetes. Graves Disease can cause an overactive thyroid. I'm on medication (I forget which), but the dosage has been halved twice and I'm down to 1 small pill in the morning.

Still, Dr. P. wants me to consider the radiation treatment.

 

[eddielee]

My cousin had hyperthyroidism with tiredness and sensitive to cold. His mother had it, so I wonder if it's hereditary? They both take medication that had enable them to live a normal life. I hope your diagnosis confirms a condition that is easily treatable.

 

[eddielee]

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease after I had my hip replacement 2 years ago. The diabetic clinic wanted me to see an endocrinologist to deal with issues related to diabetes. Graves Disease can cause an overactive thyroid. I'm on medication (I forget which), but the dosage has been halved twice and I'm down to 1 small pill in the morning.

Still, Dr. P. wants me to consider the radiation treatment.

If I were doing fine on the medication, I would try to stay away from radiation treatment unless it's necessary. My Dad, Aunt, and Cousin all took it for cancer and I recall how sick and awful they felt.

 

[gsdx]

If I were doing fine on the medication, I would try to stay away from radiation treatment unless it's necessary. My Dad, Aunt, and Cousin all took it for cancer and I recall how sick and awful they felt.

Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[MrRochesterNY]

If I were doing fine on the medication, I would try to stay away from radiation treatment unless it's necessary. My Dad, Aunt, and Cousin all took it for cancer and I recall how sick and awful they felt.

My cure didn't involve radiation as such. It was just a single dose of radioactive iodine and had no noticeable effect on my wellbeing at all. No pain, no nausea, no anything. I was just told to stay at least ten feet away from small children for a week. (And no, I am not a pedophile!)

 

[Harke the Boeotarch]

I hope this is what's going on!

No, you don't.

It's likely that the ailment you are suffering from is this one:

But wait for the doctor's results to come back.

 

[T-Rexx]

Today, my doctor (thankfully) assured me that it's extremely doubtful that I have colon cancer, but wondered if it could be a thyroid issue and took tests.

I get those results back next week, but I decided to have some fun and do some internet research. Here are the symptoms:

Feeling cold
Tiring easily
Dry skin and brittle nails
Constipation
Depression
Trouble concentrating
Sore muscles
Weight gain
Swelling of the thyroid gland, called a goiter

The symptoms you list are of hypothyroidsim (too little thyroid hormone).

The thread title describes hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone).

 

[TheLoveableLoner]

No, you don't.

It's likely that the ailment you are suffering from is this one:

But wait for the doctor's results to come back.

I'm definitely suffering from something real. My bowels are completely fucked.

- - - Updated - - -

The symptoms you list are of hypothyroidsim (too little thyroid hormone).

The thread title describes hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone).

Nice catch. That's why I'm not a doctor. Hahaha.

 

[MrRochesterNY]

The symptoms you list are of hypothyroidsim (too little thyroid hormone).

The thread title describes hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone).

That thought crossed my mind too when I compared the list of symptoms with what I experienced with my hyperthyroidism. But I thought, No, it couldn't be that the OP misheard or misunderstood the doctor. So I didn't check further. But I should have because the symptoms listed did not match mine at all!

Now my question is: Which kind of thyroid malfunction does the OP suffer from???? Will we find out?

If it is merely hypothyroidism, he will need something like daily levothyroxine , not radioactive iodine treatment.

 

[TheLoveableLoner]

Hypo would definitely be what I'm talking about.

Tests aren't back yet, but I'm hoping. It would explain a LOT of issues with me of late.

I also have some do it yourself stool sample I have to leave with them.

I guess for now I should be happy it doesn't look like Colon Cancer.

 

[TheLoveableLoner]

Tests came back negative. I'm opting for a second opinion, though. In the meantime, I have to do more tests in a few weeks to see exactly where my digestive system went awol.

 

[GreyUnderscore]

Have you eaten/drank anything different?

A second opinion would be a good idea.