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hashimotos thyroiditis and insomnia

i have hashimoto's thyroiditis hypothyroidism and my antibodies is 25000(the unit i forgot).but i experience severe insomnia which i cant sleep sometimes evn 2-3hrs.if i sleep also it is fluctuating day by day and i cant come to any conclusion why it happens.Often i experience this problem and most of the endocrinologist's have no answer for my question and they say i have physocological problem which i know i dont have any problems and i have a very good fmly life and even i go for periodical checkups as to find any hidden medical conditions for insomnia.but i dont have any.no sugar,no BP and my cholestrol,ecg even normal.plss advise ....iam so tired.........my t3 and t4 are normal.my tsh is 7.5.kindly help.........
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1602710 tn?1297694539
I've had Hashi's for quite some time now and If you asked me or made these statements 7 years ago, I wouldn't have any answers for you..

FIRST .... I'm not a Dr , I only have the research I've done , my life experience and my truth by trial and painstaking misery as credit to the reasons for this and that , that I'm about to talk about.

1. TSH of 7.5 or 7.6 IS NOT a good TSH..  TSH is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone .. Think of it as the Customer.. The customer puts in an order at the sandwich shop and says I want 7 and 1/2 sandwich's .. The Thyroid is SUPPOSED to answer the order .. When it doesn't answer , you know there's an issue be it a dietary issue or endocrine system issue ..

To quickly answer you question , with Hashimoto's each time you have an attack your thyroid looses a piece of itself .. it gets eaten so to speak and when it gets destroyed it releases TONS of Hormone ..  When this happens your swing from either Hypo or Normal to HYPER thyroid ..

With being Hyperthyroid sleeplessness , broken sleep , etc are par for the course !!

Ever sit there at night and wonder why you can FEEL and HEAR your heart beating LOUDLY ? ? ?

I'm not saying beating rapidly , I'm not saying POUNDING , I'm saying beating loudly to the point where it annoys you and makes it even more difficult to relax and fall asleep .. I can't sleep on my left side because of this sometimes because I can hear and feel my heart beat .. I am FORCED to sleep on my right side .. So Hashi's is a major pain in the backside because when you are having a flare up , you can exhibit symptoms of being both Hypo and Hyper Thyroid... So this disease gets you coming and going ..

WORST TREATMENT in my opinion ... Some donkey Dr's will sit there and tell you just take this one pill and you'll be fine.....

BULLSH*&^ !!

For me , Because I tried this for 4 years .. Synthroid and Levothyroxin , etc I almost lost my job ... Wife would have to BEAT ME in the morning to try and get me up when before , The sun in the A.M. was my alarm clock.. Not anymore and today things are much better , but still not like what it was ..

I'm not going to tell you buy this , buy that , etc etc.. But do your research and ignore 90 percent of what most Dr's tell you unless they are a THYROID SPECIALIST .. NOT an Endocrinologist ...... A THYROID SPECIALIST ..... Most Endo's are great with Diabetes disorders but know almost NOTHING when it comes to Thyroid disorders ..

If you are told T4 only medications are going to be fine for you , give it a go .. Try Synthroid , try levothyroxin .... Chances are you'll be cold all the time , dry cracking hair , loosing all your hair especially your eyebrows gaining POUND AFTER POUND with Dr's telling you... " you're getting older , get over it " ... I gained over 100 lbs in less than 1 year.. Happy to say I lost it all and am back to my normal weight ..

Using something that is apparently SO TABOO 90 percent of Dr's won't even talk about it ..... The medication they FIRST started using in the late 1800's early 1900's .. It has T1, T2  T3 , T4 and Calcetonin in it .. Which GUESS WHAT ....... That's exactly what a NORMAL healthy thyroid produces ..... So why are most PCP's and Dr's saying T4 will be fine ? ?

God only knows..... I take ground up Thyroid and I'm 98 percent back to normal , not taking naps at lunchtime at work and another hour nap when I get home from work anymore.. I have my life back from headaches , body-aches , etc etc etc .. IT CAN and does get better ....

If Synthroid works for you..... Cool ..... for those it doesn't work for people like me that don't convert T4 into all of it's counterparts well..... T4 only meds are a life ender and NO ONE will understand because THEY convert T4 into T3, T2, and T1 .. on the or in the Tissues ..

It happens in the Tissues with Iodine , Iodide , Iron , and a bunch of other minerals and vitamins in a huge process you can look up for yourself ..

For me.... I converted for about 4 months.... Then I used up all my Iron stores in my body and well.... My body crashed , Low Iron , Then My adrenals gave out so I got Adrenal Fatigue ..... I could go on for days..

If you're still having issues ..... Try a Naturopath or NP or ANY place that considers themselves an Apothecary .... My Insurance covers it .... So it was no major change....

I wish you all health..... Good luck in your journies !!

M.J.C ( Mike )  
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Avatar universal
We don't shock very easily.  Please tell us about your symptoms and the doctor's treatment.  Very interested.
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Avatar universal
Have you looked up Dr. David Brownstein?
I had severe Hypothyroidism and I went on his treatment and it has brought me back from the dead. If I went into detail about my symptoms you would be shocked.

RB
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Avatar universal
Hi,
thks and i really wonder how you went thru those difficult times and it boosts me more  and as you said i also taking camomile tea but not the supplements  you mentioned above.iam taking thryoid medications 125mcg.here its difficult to find doctors prescribing Armour thyroid.So we need to live with it.As i read everyone's view onething i understood is i need to keep my tsh in exact range in which i feel better and to take some herbal teas, following some relaxation techniques to keep us stress free.thks again.
Helpful - 0
1299122 tn?1281040416
I am certain I've had Hashimotos for several years. I was finally diagnosed in May 2010 after seeking help from 4 different physicians trying to find out why I felt so NOT myself. I thought - if THIS is age setting in (I am 55) then this STINKS!!!  I'd begun having ear  infections, sinus infections, dry skin, fatigue, painful joints & muscle aches, weight gain, insomnia....I was given antibiotics, meds for gurd (which I didn't have) and was recommended antidepressants - which after years of being on & off them I finally said "no". I was recommended to go to a psychologist. I didn't.
During those years I suffered periods of insomnia and anxiety attacks but I thought it was because I'd gone through a very painful divorce and was still recovering emotionally.
I had NO idea that I was suffering from the "hyper" phases of Hashimotos. I recall being at work and having episodes of trembling - and feeling like my heart was going to pop out of my chest. It was frightening! I went to the doctor and had an EKG - it was fine. So I said to the doctor - WHAT is wrong with me??
Next 3 doctors...WHAT is wrong with me? FINALLY some blood work and a  TSH of 7.6 followed by an antibody test revealed the hashis.
Okay...this doesn't answer the question about insomnia does it? Sorry!
Sleep is important as we all know!
This may sound silly, but a cup of camomile tea (or any herb tea) and reading a good book helps me. I make bedtime sort of a ritual. Warm bath, etc (the mental part)
I take calcium, magnesium & selenium at bedtime.There are times I will still take 1/2 Xanax if I feel restless.
I've taken Armour thyroid for 6 months now. It has made a world of difference for me. (I crush it and take it with a small bit of honey in the morning) I do believe thyroid hormone would help - it takes weeks, months for the body to adjust to thyroid hormone.
Hemasubra, with a TSH of 7.5 your pituitary gland is trying to send messages to a ravaged thyroid gland and I suspect your adrenal glands are stressed out too. The endocrine (hormone) system is very delicate.
Have no thyroid replacement meds been suggested?
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Avatar universal
thks a lot .Since valerian is a herbal let me try local tea stores and herbal stores.
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215461 tn?1331862765
You can buy the tea at krogers, or any local grocery store by you.  The inositol powder and calm powder I buy and local health stores, but you could get them online too.  If you go to a health store, they might have better quality valerian tea, but I try to stick with the mild amount.  Your insomina is severe however, and valerian works wondefully for sleeping, so I wouldn't hesitate to ask the health store about a the teas they have.  They really have worked tremendously for me.
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Avatar universal
Hi,
Thks very much for your great concern and  for your quick response.i think the above mentioned items can be purchased in any herbal medical shop?trust you  will also feel good one day.we are all with you.
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215461 tn?1331862765
meera, I am just learning that this is all not in my head either.  I started having insomnia AND panic attacks when my hashimoto's started acting up.  MY endo literally acted like I was a nut case.  I actually went to see a therapist just to make sure, and she was just astounded by the lack of attention to my medical problems.  Doctor's do not want to think for the most part.  They just hand out meds instead of fixing the real problem.  I personally am going to study everything I can find out about thyroids now!  We are not crazy!  My doc asked me what kind of stress I was under that was causing my panic attacks.. I was like um .... THIS.  It's pretty stressful having panic attacks and not being able to sleep!   What does help for me is valerian tea (you can buy sleepytime extra from any store) just make sure you aren't mixing it with alcohol or other sedating meds.  The sleepytime extra though is pretty mild.  I also drink something called  peter gillhams natural calm powder.  It's magnesium and helps relieve nerves, and helps you sleep.  It has helped me a lot.  I drink inositol powder too, but that is more for a calming effect.  I have heard though that it helps people sleep.  These are just things to help until you can get your thyroid back on track (which can take a long time).  I'm hoping one day mine will be normal too.  Until then, I just try to deal with the symptoms as well as I can.  I hope you find something that works for you.
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Avatar universal
Hi friends
thks .Now understood iam not alone after joining  this community.1 wk before i had my test results in which my tsh is 1.73,but my insomnia still continuing.i think it will be okay when it is around 3.so i need to wait atleast a mnth or 2 mnths without sleeep.omg!sleeping pills never work for me if i continue to take more than 2 or 3 days.can anyone pls suggest what food we need to take and need to avoid for hashimoto's as lots of doctors have difference of opinions in food also.since here in kualalumpur no good endocrinnologists i have tonnes of doubts to ask you all.pls be patience and try to answer me since it would help me a lot.thks again to all.
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Avatar universal
Hi,
After seeing your msg,iam little more convinced that iam not a mad which my doctor made me to think like that.We know our body and if we have some problems definitely we are  going to say that and  ready to get a good soln for insomnia.i think endocrinologists need to do more  studies and research work in hashimoto's as there are lot of underlying symptoms in different individuals. when they say i have stress until then i was not stressed but definitely i go mad only when they conclude my insomnia like that.ok friend.pls update me whenever u find good soln.thks a lot.
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Avatar universal
My insomnia has resolved for the moment after I was put on a thyroid support compound that has dessicated thyroid in it. (Thyroid Plus by Priority One). It took about a week, and suddenly I was sleeping through the night and waking up rested. Prior to that I was taking melatonin (1 mg) and 500 mg Tylenol (body pain), and turning my electric mattress pad on low (I couldn't get warm at night) which helped a little, but not as good as the thyroid meds...(I'm also a Hashi's.) I've only been on it a month, but most of my hypo symptoms are diminishing or gone. Whoever says the insomnia is "just stress" is full of it and doesn't know what they are talking about.  ~MM
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215461 tn?1331862765
I too have elevated antibodies (250 at the moment) and severe insomnia.  I was also told it is just stress.  I felt my best when my tsh was around 3.  I have never had it lower than that without going hyper.  I understand about not being able to maintain that level!  I'm sorry I can't offer solutions, but you are definitely not alone.  I hope you can get some rest soon.
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Avatar universal
thks a lot!i couldnt make out which is my correct tsh .eventhough they say normal.but i feel symptoms of  insomnia in both slightly hypo and slightly hyper.so i feel better in betn( 3-2).i cant maintain that tsh as i need to do repeated tests which doctor himself dont suggest as he is a general physician.Also i have a doubt can we take two different dosages in every alternate days?to maintain the tsh?kindly help.thks in advance
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Avatar universal
Hi,
I also had hashimoto an now just hypo according to my Endo. But I had horrible insomnia for years with hashimoto, and my endo told me it was just stress, maybe I should take sleeping pills..which I wouldn't..went to another endo for second opinion and he wanted to put me on an antidepressent...So they were no help with insomnia at all. Insomnia has gotten to be much better at being hypothroid..
Just figured I would let you know you were not alone in what you are feeling.
Tracey
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Avatar universal
Please post those "normal" T3 and T4 test results, along with their reference ranges shown on the lab report.   Just because those test results are within the so-called normal range does not mean they are adequate for you.  What other symptoms do you have?
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Avatar universal
Have they tested to see if you have the fibromayalgia ''sore spots''( this is the testing method)? Usually those with fibro have bad insomnia too. The symptoms also mimic each other. There is treatment for fibo that may help. If not, you may have to start taking RX sleeping pills every other night. Sleep is precious, get some!
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