Depressed and Confused

[californiagirl777]

I am desperately in need of some answers. I was diagnosed as hypothyroid in 2008 and put on Levothyroxine, after 2 years I suffered a fibs and was taken off the med. 3 years later this march 2011  I was hospitalized with a fibs and a heart rate of 170 and after 4 days diagnosed as being hyperthyroid and since march 2011 have been on methimazole (anti-thyroid meds). My starting dose in in March 2011 was 10mg, one month later it was increased to 20mg, one month later my tsh level almost non existent and my FT4 0.7 indicating that I was hypo, I then decreased my dose to 15mg, three weeks later my FT4 at 0.6 and tsh at 0.063. I then decreased my methimazole to 10mg. Now, my most recent results came back at FT4 0.8 and TSH at 4.983 so I have decreased my methimazole to 5mg.  I am so confused as to why lowering the dosage is not bringing me out of the hypo state. I am so worried as my hair is falling out like crazy and i feel very bloated and sluggish, and very tempted to just stop the methimazole. Can anyone help? I am so depressed and feel like crying. Especially seeing my once extra thick hair falling out like crazy.

[californiagirl777]

My GP is saying she doesn't have enough knowledge to help and my endo says he can't see me because I no longer have insurance after losing my job.  So, I am slowly decreasing my anti thyroid med on my own, slowly and now down to .5mg as of three days ago. Do you know how much time I should give a dosage change before I get a blood test again?  I am most concerned with my hair loss and weight gain. Oh, this is terrible, I never thought I would have to deal with such a thing on my own especially.  Thank you so much for responding as I feel like no one has the slightest clue what I am going through.

[laura1967]

What is your doctor saying at all of this? With your most recent results of TSH of 4.98 and Free T4 of 0.8, you are hypothyroid. Were you ever tested for Hashimoto's? You can swing hyper and then to hypo at the beginning of this disease. Once the thyroid antibodies start destroying your thyroid, you will then start to become hypo. It can be a real rollercoaster ride at the beginning. If this doctor won't help you then find one that will. It is a horrible thing to feel so sick from our thyroids! Don't waste time thought with someone who doesn't absolutely understand thyroid disease. Life is too short!