Aa
A few questions about thyroid disorders
I am pretty sure I have something with my thyroid, most likely hypothyroidism or maybe hyperthyroidism. I will be going to the doc within the next week.
1. How long can hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism occur until you start exhibiting severe symptoms?
2. Is it normal to get a weird sensation on the thyroid? Like uncomfortable pressure on the lower neck where it is located along with feeling malaise and off balance a bit
3. Are there stages for hypo/hyper thyroidism? What are they?
4. Is there any natural remedies one can do to balance their thyroid whether hyper or hypo?
5. Can a virus or something like mononucleosis trigger hypo/hyperthyroidism
6. Are high glucose levels associated more with hypo or hyperthyroidism?
7. What about low potassium levels?
8. With thyroid disorders are symptoms gradual that become worse or are they sudden?
9. Can thyroid get better then worse and fluctuate like that?
10. Can numbness/tingling be associated with thyroid disorders?
11. Are there medicines that stimulate the thyroid in hypothyroidism instead of releasing the actual thyroid hormone?
12. Is it true once your on thyroid medication you'll be on it for life?
13. How long does thyroid treatment last?
14. Are the adrenal glands associated with the thyroid?
If you can answer any one or all it will be extremely helpful. Please and thank you!!
1. How long can hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism occur until you start exhibiting severe symptoms?
2. Is it normal to get a weird sensation on the thyroid? Like uncomfortable pressure on the lower neck where it is located along with feeling malaise and off balance a bit
3. Are there stages for hypo/hyper thyroidism? What are they?
4. Is there any natural remedies one can do to balance their thyroid whether hyper or hypo?
5. Can a virus or something like mononucleosis trigger hypo/hyperthyroidism
6. Are high glucose levels associated more with hypo or hyperthyroidism?
7. What about low potassium levels?
8. With thyroid disorders are symptoms gradual that become worse or are they sudden?
9. Can thyroid get better then worse and fluctuate like that?
10. Can numbness/tingling be associated with thyroid disorders?
11. Are there medicines that stimulate the thyroid in hypothyroidism instead of releasing the actual thyroid hormone?
12. Is it true once your on thyroid medication you'll be on it for life?
13. How long does thyroid treatment last?
14. Are the adrenal glands associated with the thyroid?
If you can answer any one or all it will be extremely helpful. Please and thank you!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
There are specific tests that have to be done to determine whether or not one has an autoimmune thyroid disease. Those tests would depend on whether one has hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism... Sometimes, all of the antibody tests are suggested, but if one only has symptoms of hypothyroidism, there's no point in testing for Graves Disease, because it's never associated with hypothyroidism...
Unfortunately, hypothyroidism doesn't pick its victims by age groups; we've had people with newborn babies who have hypothyroidism and even they have to take medication for life... If you had a heart condition or diabetes that you had to take medicine for or if your doctor told you to take a daily vitamin pill, you'd do it without even thinking about it . Taking a daily thyroid medication is no different from any of those things... Once realize how much better is makes you feel, you wouldn't dream of "not" taking it. It simply becomes a fact of life, like getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, combing your hair.
Most people are started out on a T4 only medication, which is taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, then you wait 30-60 minutes before you eat/drink anything else. I used to use that time to get my shower and dry my hair and by the I was finished, the time was up, my coffee was brewed and I could go about my day. You simply put it into your schedule and it becomes a habit.
Unfortunately, hypothyroidism doesn't pick its victims by age groups; we've had people with newborn babies who have hypothyroidism and even they have to take medication for life... If you had a heart condition or diabetes that you had to take medicine for or if your doctor told you to take a daily vitamin pill, you'd do it without even thinking about it . Taking a daily thyroid medication is no different from any of those things... Once realize how much better is makes you feel, you wouldn't dream of "not" taking it. It simply becomes a fact of life, like getting out of bed, brushing your teeth, taking a shower, combing your hair.
Most people are started out on a T4 only medication, which is taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, then you wait 30-60 minutes before you eat/drink anything else. I used to use that time to get my shower and dry my hair and by the I was finished, the time was up, my coffee was brewed and I could go about my day. You simply put it into your schedule and it becomes a habit.
Thank you SO much for taking the time and answering all of my questions! It means so much and you've been external helpful!! Thank you a million times!
Based on your answers, would a doctor be able to tell if the thyroid disorder was autoimmune?
I think what I fear most is having to take pills for life, I only turned 20 and I didn't think id have to worry about such things yet :/ if only there were different alternatives for hypo that doesn't force one to go on pills for life.
Based on your answers, would a doctor be able to tell if the thyroid disorder was autoimmune?
I think what I fear most is having to take pills for life, I only turned 20 and I didn't think id have to worry about such things yet :/ if only there were different alternatives for hypo that doesn't force one to go on pills for life.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You have quite a list of questions and they're all quite generic...
1) Thyroid diseases can start at any time and we don't always know it... Typically, symptoms can show up long before blood work shows that we have a thyroid problems. While some symptoms "cross over" and can apply to both hyper and hypothyroidism, each one has some distinct symptoms, so you'd be able to tell the difference relatively easily.
2) Some people get pressure in the thyroid area, if the thyroid is swollen/inflamed.
3) There aren't necessarily "stages" for hyper or hypothyroidism, though there can be stages for autoimmune thyroid diseases.
4) It depends on what you mean by "natural"... some people consider desiccated thyroid hormones as "natural", others consider taking vitamins/minerals as being the natural way to balance the body.
5) There have been some viruses linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.
6) Both the pancreas and thyroid are part of the endocrine system, so all the hormones have to work in sync with each other. Type I diabetes, Hashimoto's and Graves Disease are all autoimmune diseases.
7) I'm not sure what you're asking about low potassium levels... it's not, typically, linked to thyroid conditions.
8) Thyroid symptoms depend on the person and/or whether they get treatment in a timely fashion. It all depends on the individual and their thyroid, how/when it stops working or starts working overtime (in the case of hyperthyroidism).
9) Yes, thyroid levels can fluctuate, as can symptoms.
10) Yes, numbness/tingling can be associated with hypothyroidism, as well as other things.
11) Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid replacement hormones, whether they be synthetic hormones, such as Synthroid or some other brand, or a desiccated hormone, such as Armour or other brand.
12/13) Thyroid hormone treatment depends on what causes the hypo/hyperthyroidsm and lasts as long as necessary... Treatment for hypothyroidism is most often for life.
14) As with the pancreas, the adrenals are part of the endocrine system, so everything must work in sync. Typically, when the thyroid begins to fail, the adrenals kick in to take up the slack and when one is given thyroid replacement hormones, the adrenals will balance out... it doesn't always work this way - depending on if there's really an adrenal issue.
1) Thyroid diseases can start at any time and we don't always know it... Typically, symptoms can show up long before blood work shows that we have a thyroid problems. While some symptoms "cross over" and can apply to both hyper and hypothyroidism, each one has some distinct symptoms, so you'd be able to tell the difference relatively easily.
2) Some people get pressure in the thyroid area, if the thyroid is swollen/inflamed.
3) There aren't necessarily "stages" for hyper or hypothyroidism, though there can be stages for autoimmune thyroid diseases.
4) It depends on what you mean by "natural"... some people consider desiccated thyroid hormones as "natural", others consider taking vitamins/minerals as being the natural way to balance the body.
5) There have been some viruses linked to autoimmune thyroid disease.
6) Both the pancreas and thyroid are part of the endocrine system, so all the hormones have to work in sync with each other. Type I diabetes, Hashimoto's and Graves Disease are all autoimmune diseases.
7) I'm not sure what you're asking about low potassium levels... it's not, typically, linked to thyroid conditions.
8) Thyroid symptoms depend on the person and/or whether they get treatment in a timely fashion. It all depends on the individual and their thyroid, how/when it stops working or starts working overtime (in the case of hyperthyroidism).
9) Yes, thyroid levels can fluctuate, as can symptoms.
10) Yes, numbness/tingling can be associated with hypothyroidism, as well as other things.
11) Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid replacement hormones, whether they be synthetic hormones, such as Synthroid or some other brand, or a desiccated hormone, such as Armour or other brand.
12/13) Thyroid hormone treatment depends on what causes the hypo/hyperthyroidsm and lasts as long as necessary... Treatment for hypothyroidism is most often for life.
14) As with the pancreas, the adrenals are part of the endocrine system, so everything must work in sync. Typically, when the thyroid begins to fail, the adrenals kick in to take up the slack and when one is given thyroid replacement hormones, the adrenals will balance out... it doesn't always work this way - depending on if there's really an adrenal issue.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
