Please help having trouble with my thyroid

Question

I've had an overactive thyroid for about 8 months, im still waiting for the carbimazole to kick in properly and i've started to lose my hair and get really short of breath, i spoke to the nurse who said that its just all part of 'the disease' and didnt really help. Does anyone know how i can ease the symptoms myself as well as taking the carbimazole? thanks

Answer 1

The nurse obviously did not hear you right.  Go back and speak to your doctor;  you may need to reduce your dose.

Answer 2

"Medicines can reduce the amount of thyroxine made by the overactive thyroid gland. The most common medicine used in the UK is carbimazole. Carbimazole does not affect the thyroxine which is already made and stored, but reduces further production. Therefore, it may take 4 to 8 weeks of treatment for your thyroxine level to come down to normal".

Therefore the medicine should started to  work at least 6 months ago.

" Carbimazole can, rarely, affect the white blood cells which fight infection. If you develop a fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers, or other symptoms of infection whilst taking carbimazole, stop taking the tablets immediately and see a doctor urgently for a blood test."

Therefore it is the best idea to check the T4 level and white blood cell count.

No sources however mentioned hair loss as a side effect.

Shortness of breath can be sign of thyroid swelling [compression effect], or low TSH [usually accompanied with heart palpitations.

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