Anyone with Hypothyroid problems here?

[fidelfs]

Hi,

I am a long time suffer of Hypothyroid problems and new to CPAP therapy, I have sometimes problem identified symptoms caused for either illness. I also have hypogonadism but I can deal with that.

I had postpone the cpap test for so many years because I thought I couldn't handle the mask. I am from Houston, TX and got a job in Denver, work keeps me here for long periods of time and as you know the altitude difference between cities. I had to deal with altitude adjustment but I was getting worse and not better, at the point that I was falling asleep driving (No accident). I decided to get tested, as I already knew it I got the diagnostic "Sleep Apnea".

The problem in Denver was not caused by sleep apnea, it was a problem with Armour having a nationwide shortage, and the compound formula that suppose to replace the armour was not handle good by my body.

I really like to have started the cpap therapy because has helped me a lot, but it just a part of my well being not a whole.

I was able to get a new compound formula and I started feeling better plus my CPAP therapy made a difference. It was just one week when I felt like superman, like I was 20 years old again. I was happy, but then no more armour in the market and the compound formula is expensive and the insurance does not cover it. My doctor suggested to switch to Syntroid (synthetic formula), I made the change and now I feel the same when I decided to go for my sleep test.

I am fully compliant with my CPAP therapy, AHI is always lower than 1 (0.2 - 0.8 ), don't remove the mask, no major leaks, etc. but I am so sleepy that I fall asleep at work, light train, etc. Last night went to bed at 8:00 PM and woke up 5:00 AM. I didn't feel the need to keep sleeping, I went to work out, but later it was like I had no rest at all. I know is the thyroid creating havoc in my system.

After this long explanation, I wonder if there are more CPAP brothers/sisters with thyroid problems? How are you dealing it right now? How differentiate symptoms between thyroid and sleep apnea? , etc.

[dtsm]

One here. Was hyper but then isotope treatment killed my thyroid so became hypo - I've been on synthroid for about 10 yrs now and monitor twice a year with blood test. I was diagnosed after complaining of feeling sleepy in afternoon and the medication fixed it.

I also just started cpap therapy for 6 wks, feel better but still sleepy in late afternoon and still take my daily 30 minute nap on the train ride home each night. That I attribute to apnea. My AHI hasn't hit the < 5 target yet so I'm assuming the sleepiness is from apnea.

Hope this helps.

[sleeplessinaz]

Hello fidelfs --I have had Hypo Thyroidism for about 20 years --it is awful I know. I am taking and have been taking the Levothroid--it is the man made thyroid homone. I don't take the Synthroid or the generic--it doesn't do the same as the Levothroid--

Now in the last year I was told I was borderline Type 2 Diabetes--Oh Joy! Taking Metformine twice a day to ward off the diabetes. The Thyroid is a powerful little thing that regulates sooooo much of your body's activity levels, diagestion, metabolism etc. I had a Parathyroid gland removed due to over producing and causing high calcium levels.

Yes--the CPAP machine has really helped me gain back my energy levels and made me feel human again!! Keep trying different masks until you find one that really works for you and that you will feel comfortable with, I love mine that I am using right now. I have tried 6 or 7 though over the past 2 years or so. I wonder if the thyroid thing has caused my sleep apnea too ---I think they do kind of go hand in hand from what I heard.

Let me know if you still have some questions,
Carrie

[fidelfs]

I was diagnosed pre-diabetic. The problem with specialist is they are sooooo specialist and they don't see anything else.

She put me on metformine generic too. I felt awful and she made me switch to brand name metformine, helped a little. As always decided to take my health on my own hands, so I change the awful diet they gave me supported by ADA for a low carb and stop taking metformine.

The doctor was surprised that I lost weight, morning glucose was 85~95 and after eating spiked it to 110~120.

I talked with family doctor and discussed the problem, made me take a full blood test. Low testosterone problem. Taking Androgel and guess what, low testosterone cause sugar unbalance in my body so the specialist should had me take a blood test and find out, but no, she knew just looking at me. I would never go back to her.

My problems are hypothyroid, low testosterone, sleep apnea, Vitamin D deficiency, if you see those illnesses overlap symptoms or one symptom is the other illness. I am in a loop of symptoms

See, Hypothyroid symptom is sleep apnea, hypo causes sleepiness, sleep apnea causes sleepiness, Androgel side effect worsens sleep apnea, Vitamin D deficiency causes hormones not work as suppose to be, I am obese caused mostly by hypo and obesity caused problems with vitamin D deficiency.

It is really hard for me to identify when I feel bad which one is the culprit.

sleeplessinaz, my suggestion check your hormones, really well. Type II is not an illness is a symptom. It is caused for many things and it is reversible not curable. That means it is not an illness, you fix the other problem and then the symptom goes away (Diabetes type II).

[rosiefrosie]

I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism about 12 years ago. I was treated at the Mayo clinic with radioactive iodine which 'killed' off my thyroid. 2 months later my TSH level was 64. I could barely function. I was started on Synthroid and after a few adjustments with the dose I am doing fine. What is interesting is when my primary MD thought my thyroid was not functioning properly he sent me to a specialist. This doctor told me there was nothing wrong with my thyroid, I had a sleep disorder and should be taking Klonopin. Being the nurse that I am, I said "Klonopin! No way" and left not very happy with this doctor. That's when my primary MD sent me to the Mayo Clinic where retesting was done and that yes indeed I did have a hyperactive thyroid. This also runs in my family. 9 years later I was told I have sleep apnea, was this the sleep disorder the 1st specialist was talking about? I'm sure I had sleep apnea at least that long. Was there really anything wrong with my thyroid or was it the sleep apnea making my thyroid levels wacky? Don't know if I will ever know the answers to these questions.

To answer your question Synthroid works well for me.

rosie

[SnoresLikeWalrus]

Hypothyroid runs in my family (in the women). I have been on synthroid for years, which keeps my TSH at an appropriate level.

My sleep issues/apnea/snoring run in the family, and the doctor said it is my anatomy (large tongue, small air passage). Nothing to do with the thyroid issue. My BMI is normal.

I always remember my father and brothers snore(d) like freight trains, but they don't (didn't) have thyroid issues.

Often thyroid and other autoimmune issues occur together, and that is true for me, but I don't think apnea is considered an autoimmune disease (to my knowledge).

Hang in there!

[Muse-Inc]

Over the last 3 yrs my TSH has kept rising so now it's at 5.91, I'm on levothyroxine...gotta fail it before doc will let me try natural form . Symptoms overlap apnea: slowed cognition, tiredness, depression, lethargy, cold...OMG I just stay cold, triple layers of socks and leg warmers INSIDE the house with the thermostat set on 69-71 & 7 layers of blankets/throws to try to stay warm, reduced ability to regulate body temp so my temp will shoot up to fever levels with me frantically throwing off layers and then plunge back into feeling cold...this is exhausting, periods of unpredictable hyper-irritability -- this is such a struggle. 52 balloons (symptoms) which are due to what and what can be tweaked to improve which one(s) seems like guesswork. Doc has doubled my thyroid since the start, might have to double it again after next labs. My thyroid system periodically goes wonky and then returns to normal..no idea why it does this, must admit this is nearly the worst. In 2001, was taking Cytomel as I had huge amts of reverse T3 (biological blank) and high cortisol levels...then lost insurance and job due to 9-11, 7-8 months later without supplemental hormone everything normalized...bizarre.

Mom's been on thyroid for at least 20 yrs; took her her 2 yrs to get to the right dose and it's slowly increased over the yrs.

[fidelfs]

Just food for thought. Take a look here http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/

and you will see what others have been experience (like me) and found answer to many questions (only about hypo) not sleep apnea.

Believe me there are some people, including me, that don't react well to synthetic thyroid, only to natural. TSH test is not complete to have a good view of the hypo, in that website you will find what test you need to really see the whole picture.

My general doctor gave me syntroid, but after talking with him even TSH results were good, I told him the levels are ok, but my simptoms tell me something different. Symptoms are more important that levels, believe me. This doctor is a regular MD but he listened, that it is very important skill in a doctor and also he is open minded.

[Spirit]

Have normal thyroid labs, but an enlarged thyroid with thyroid symptoms.

[TSSleepy]

Oh crap! I have Fidelfs Syndrome!

But seriously, I'm trying to untangle some of the same issues. And it's been driving me nuts wondering, which came first...the chicken or the egg.

My TSH is on the high side (4.39 when last checked). Fasting glucose around 100. Serum vitamin D was "undetectable" at <4. Testosterone is 258 (seems pretty low for 42 years old). I also have "fatty liver" with triglycerides at ~150 and an elevated ALT(SGPT). Hypertension. Acid reflux. And of course...obstructive sleep apnea!

All of this can affect all the rest of it, so what the heck is the root cause?

APAP has treated my sleep apnea. A very low carb diet has lowered my triglycerides, cholesterol, ALT, fasting glucose, and weight. The combination of the APAP and low carb have treated my hypertension. Vitamin D supplements have treated that deficiency.

I'm down to only one drug: prilosec for acid reflux.

I think my thyroid is coming back under control as I lose weight, but I'm not sure and need to get it checked again. I think I'll be left with "low testosterone" as my last hurdle when I finish losing weight. It's such a tangle!

[garyland]

I am a 60 year old man with hypothyroidism and somewhat low testosterone. I was on Armour and doing well until the supply was cut off. I refused to use synthroid as I had done so well on Armour. My doc suggested that I seek my meds from Canada. SO I contacted the http://www.universaldrugstore.com/ They are great people. I was able to get natural thyroid. They don't call it Armour in Canada, they just call it THYROID, but it was actually better than the Armour I was taking. Please contact them right away. You just have to fax your script from an American doc saying you need "thyroid" and you will have it in about 2 weeks. Good luck.

Gary

[bedeer]

Bedeer here, well here we go . Felt tired and noticed strange swelling for a few months. Seen my Doc. Blood test ..nothing.... this went on for months. Until finally Hypothroid was diagnoesed. Synthroid ,all was well, until I was falling into a depression that lasted for 2 1/2 years... horrible time.... too dark. then it was high cholesterol... Lipitor... highest dosage allowed for more than 2 years now. Started to have swollen joints & soreness that travels at will..... one day elbow, another bottom of foot, sometimes outer knee etc. Been given antiflammatory pills, oral steroids a few times, steroid injection once, then pacquinil. Still sore and swelling... although not as bad... finally will be seeing a specialist in June. Then came the fatique of menopause... or was it fatique of being the caregiver to my Mother & Aunt who both had Altz. I was being tested for sleep apena with a home machine while my Mom lay dying in the hosp. Even though I was extremely stressed I felt the difference of a nights sleep. You may pick what you want as the contributor of my fatigue I just try to deal with things as they arise, I do not try to figure out what came first. As the symptoms arise I deal with them. I have been adjusting with the mask and gas due to the apena. All I can do is keep trying. Thank God he gave me a tenacious spirit. Feels great to have a place to discuss such topics with other souls. Keep well.

[BlackSpinner]

My daughter is on synthroid. Even though she tested ok this fall she was still falling asleep and get "stupid" as she calls it. The dr upped her dosage and she back to her inteligent self. "Normal" Test levels seem to mean nothing.

I suggest you get the meds increased until they help and forget the tests.

[fidelfs]

My daughter is on synthroid. Even though she tested ok this fall she was still falling asleep and get "stupid" as she calls it. The dr upped her dosage and she back to her inteligent self. "Normal" Test levels seem to mean nothing.

I suggest you get the meds increased until they help and forget the tests.

I am glad you bring this out. Make the Dr. understand the symptoms are more important than test is half the battle.
I agree with you. See if your daughter can have a benefit from having the natural thyroid instead the synthetic. The natural provides t3 and t4 and synthetic only t4 hoping to convert excess t4 into t3.

Check the website I posted before for a better explanation.

[torontoCPAPguy]

Yes.
Hypothyroid solidly for about ten years. You should know that very minute changes in the amount of thyroxin your ingest daily can make huge differences in your level of energy. As well there are other levels that need to be monitored regularly by your GP or preferably by your endocronologist, who also looks after my 'mild' diabetes. When I was in the hospital they used insulin to control my diabetes on a sliding scale as I was not ingesting sufficient calories, minerals, etc. Worked well. Now that I am out of hospital I am back on Metformin... one pill in the AM one pill in the PM before mealtime and I adjust based on what I am going to eat.

Before being diagnosed my thyroid was 'intermittent' and I had a heck of a time. Every time they tested my blood it was fine. The thing is, once you begin taking thyroxin your thyroid is going to shut down in deference to the stuff you are putting into your bloodstream artificially. I would love to know, asides from the common causes, what predisposes one to the affliction.

Notwithstanding the thyroid issue, the diabetic issue, the blood pressure and So2 issue since life support/H1N1, I am solid as a rock and rapidly regaining my muscle tone (and weight). My main issue right now is SO2 at night..... as I fall deeper asleep I breathe shallower and my muscle tone tops this off along with my weight with OSA. The result? Blood pressure shoots through the ceiling and the autonomic guy inside me says "wake up guy... you are going to pop an Aorta". This, of course, applies to everyone who has OSA and I am surprised that blood pressure and SO2 is not more closely monitored (at least O2 is monitored when you do a sleep study).

My next present to myself is going to be an SO2 monitor, preferably one that I can hitch up with ResScan to get a better picture. If ResScan would take blood pressure results as well, we happen to have bought an Accutor blood pressure machine online last year just for giggles and now we have a real use for it. It would help complete the picture of OSA. It is automatic and recording but I don't think we can feed it into ResScan. We can, however, put on the BP cup and set it to run every half hour for argument's sake and then line it up with the graphic picture from ResScan.

This all gets very complicated the more issues that you have. The one thing that you need to know is that OSA is a whole lot more dangerous than your GP would lead you to believe and feeling tired is not the full picture but only one symptom. The thyroid issue confuses the picture further and I personally believe that what clarifies the picture..crystal clear.. is O2 saturation through the night as well as corelated blood pressure. These are what will kill you. The other stuff is just a matter of energy level and needs to be dealt with as a seperate but related issue of course.

Sorry to babble on.