Hyperthyroidism Treatment
Image from Google Images search of thyroid gland
It has been almost 2 months
since I first started taking Neo-Mercazole (carbimazole), then PTU.
I have read in many different
forums that it took months and different unnecessary tests before they find out
that it is due to Grave’s disease. My GP(s) was quick to diagnose the Grave’s
disease condition. It took just 2 blood tests (although a lot of blood was
taken) and in just 2 days and I’ve started carbimazole treatment
(neo-mercazole). When I was referred to the Specialist, he increased my dosage
level and switched me onto PTU (1. Because there was going to be a shortage of neo-mercazole,
and 2. Pregnancy plans).
29th August: S TSH <0.01 L (normal is 0.5-5), S Free T3 31.3 pmol/L
(normal is 3.1-6), S Free T4 83.1 pmol/L (normal is 11-21). Heart rate
>110bpm (normal is ~50-80)
30th August: The GP
confirmed that my symptoms are related to hyperthyroidism and has prescribed Neo-mercazole
1x5mg in morning, 1x5mg in night. Metoprolol tartrate 0.5x50mg in morning,
0.5x50mg at night
How I felt? Worried and scared of course! I had no idea what it means but anything affecting the heart is not good!
I did not agree with taking
Metoprolol tartrate, as it is meant to lower blood pressure in hope to lower
the heart rate. I do not like taking medication which affects my heart and find
it difficult to accept the benefit of this drug (and so I did skip from time to
time). My blood pressure is perfectly normal and it is the thyroid disorder
which is causing issue to my heart rate.
30th August: 1817 IU/ml
Antithyroglobulin antibodies (in which normal is <115) and >600 IU/ml
(normal is <35)
3rd September: The GP
confirmed that it is Grave’s disease and increased my dosage to 3x5mg of
Neo-mercazole, and I complained that I had difficulty breathing (when up at
Falls Creek), he reduced the Metoprolol tartrate to 0.25x50mg twice a day. I
was very diligent with the anti-thyroid medication but not the other.
How I felt? Worse of course! I don’t
feel any better with the medication; in fact I thought I felt worse (out of
breath, tired to easily, hot like shit up in the snow mountain even though
everyone else was freezing) and the fact that the disease has such a horrible
name!
I was later then referred to a
Specialist and I think it was a good move despite being bloody unreasonably
expensive. The Endocrinologist seems to know exactly what he was talking about
though a little unfriendly and not open minded to this alternative treatment of
the disease.
13th September: The
Endocrinologist thought I was having too few of a pill to control my condition,
and if I remember correctly he recommended 6 a day of neo-mercazole. And due to
the reasons mentioned above, he then suggested PTU (propylthiouracil) instead.
4x50mg in the morning and 4x50mg at night for 10 days, then 3x50mg + 3x50mg. He
also suggested radioactive iodine treatment.
How I felt? Confused and lost. The
almost AU$400 20 minutes session did nothing to help me mentally and
emotionally. I went home and did more reading on the internet.
13th September: Heart
rate was better but still high ~100bpm. Still having shaky hands, wobbly legs but
thank goodness no grave’s eyes. I can still hide my condition from most people.
S TSH <0.01 L (normal is 0.5-5), S
Free T3 1.5 pmol/L considered incorrect reading (normal is 3.1-6), S Free T4 40.5
pmol/L (normal is 11-21). Liver function test results were not good either, but
not critical. (50% above range for S AST, and twice the max for S ALT)
3rd October: S TSH <0.01 L (normal is 0.5-5), S Free T3 7.2 pmol/L (normal is 3.1-6), S Free T4 21.7 pmol/L (normal
is 11-21). Liver function test results were 2x worse than previous results.
How I felt? Much better. In the
early weeks I was contemplating radioactive iodine and then decided against it
for now. Then life goes on as usual and I forget about this condition at times,
never forget my anti-thyroid pills of course but decided to stop Metoprolol
tartrate entirely. My heart rate was ~85 bpm, I can deal with that.
9th October: Most
recent visit to the Specialist. He seems a little more caring this time, no
talks about radioactive iodine. He was happy with my test results, moving
towards positive direction. 4x50mg per day for a week, then 4x50mg per day for
a week and now I’m 3x50mg per day which is meant to be maintenance level.
How I felt? Initially, I felt
pretty normal. No more noticeable shaky hands, heart rate is 70+ bpm. But
lately I feel that it may be coming back. Perhaps the maintenance medication is
not sufficient for me, or perhaps it’s all in my mind. My period is a little
early and a little spread out and less heavy again, my arms feel a little weak
at times (but just a little), feel like vomiting, my mood has been absolutely horrible (depressed,
angry, dreaming a lot during heavy body sleeps). What has changed? Besides
lower dose of PTU, I started taking Acid Folic (I stopped all other vitamins,
evening primrose when I first got onto anti thyroid drugs). Haven’t had much lifestyle
changes in the last 2 weeks although in the last 1.5 months I did increase
fruit intake, cook more often, treat myself to herbal soups more regularly,
manage work load/stress in a better manner. I won’t know if my condition is
still on the right recovery track but will find out soon in my next blood test and doctor visit.
Recovery is probably the wrong
word. Controlled condition is probably the more accurate word. We all know that
there is no known cure, just regression at best. Medication is not good for the
liver, and already my liver is not in perfect condition. I’m thinking of
alternatives, more natural alternatives… acupuncture perhaps?
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