Anyone else hyperthyroid - transient kind?

[GumbyGirl]

Hi All

I've been doing a bit of a thread search regarding thyroid issues and noticed there are a bunch of people with hyperthyroid (Graves Disease) or with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Hypothyroid) on TE.

I have just recently found out I am a bit of a rarety in that I have what appears to be a case of subacute silent thyroiditis. Essentially this usually only presents in postpartum women (I've never had a child) or in Asian cultures with a high iodine intake (seaweed etc).

At first they thought it was Grave's - presented with non-existent TSH and very high T4 and T3 in my bloods tests, very high heart rate (scared myself on the bike), heat intolerance, fatigue, nausea etc etc. Luckily I insisted in a scan which showed non-existent uptake of the tracer which means it's thryoiditis.

So anyway I am just wondering if anyone else has had it/has it. Essentially I can take no medication as the condition will "self-correct" itself - my immune system attacked my thyroid, forced it to release all its thyroid hormones at once, so it just has to burn through it all.

I am soooo frustrated as I cannot exercise at all, with the high heart rate and no-treatment option I am at risk for heart attack if I do cardio work (even though I am very fit). I was offered beta blockers to slow the heart rate, but understand it is still not ideal to exercise with them, with everything else going on (high body temp etc). I elected not to go down that path as there are other side effects of these meds.

If I am lucky, once the thyroid hormones are burned through, my thyroid will start working effectively again (may take 3-6 months of hyperthyroid phase), or I may have a transient hypothyroid stage for another 3-6 months whilst the body readjusts. Sometimes it leads to permanent hypothyroidism, so I just have my fingers crossed that my body will get back with the program!

For those who have Hashimoto's did you start hyperthyroid? Can mine go that way too - I understand they are both auto-immune....

I guess I'm just stressing out as I am just in limbo land and just have to wait to get my bloods tested again in a few months. Ohhhh the wait.... and ohhh the missed riding. I have been an athlete my whole life and am an exercise physiologist. I know I am being lame and there are far worse diseases out there but I just need to vent and ask any like-effected people out there......

Thanks for listening

[crazycanuck]

GG,

I am unsure exactly how to help you find all the info you need. Have you seen the Thyroid Australia site? http://www.thyroid.org.au/

I don't know exactly how I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's. It was before I took up cycling though! I was slack on taking the Eutroxig and eventually found out that I have no functioning thyroid at all.

I hope you find all the info you need & are well soon!

Take care
C