Help please re racing heart/high BP

[Guest guest]

Hi, all!

I am in Australia and have been lurking for quite some time. I am

now at my wits end and need some help, please.

I was first diagnosed with GD in July, 1999 during the final months

of my husband's terminal illness (he died in September 1999). At

that time my lab results were:

TSH < 0.04 (0.5 - 4.5)

FT4 84 (10 - 20)

FT3 >30.0 (3.5 - 6.0)

TSH RECPT ABS 42 (0 - 5

Anti-TPO Abs 970 (0 - 35)

I was then put on a twelve month course of Carbimazole (and a

shorter course of Inderal - also B & R at one stage) which

stabilised my levels, and I came off all medication.

Alas, in August 2002, despite regular monitoring, the rotten thing

returned and at that time my results were:

TSH < 0.04 (0.5 - 4.5)

FT4 50 (10 - 20)

FT3 17 (3.5 - 6.0)

Again I was put on Carbimazole and Inderal but with the dire warning

that I was unlikely to achieve permanent remission and, after twelve

months, would have to consider RAI (no, thanks!)

Since then, after a bit of medication adjustment, my levels have

been steady and I was travelling along quite nicely (or, so I

thought!)

In May, 2003 my levels were:

TSH 3.4 (0.5 - 4.5)

FT4 16 (10 - 20_

FT3 4.5 (3.5 - 6.0)

At that time I was on 5mg Carbimazole once per day, and because I

was feeling a bit sluggish, I reduced it to 2.5mg once per day

(telling my Endo after the event). My levels changed to:

July August Sept Oct 27th 2003

TSH 2.7 2.9 2.5 2.2 (0.5 - 4.5)

FT4 19 20 20 19 (10 - 20)

FT3 4.6 4.5 4.7 5.2 (3.5 - 6.0)

About two months ago, my hair started to shed again, my skin rashes

flared up and my muscles (esp. backs of legs) started to ache. I

was sure that my thyroid was out of whack, hence the regular tests

above (I am very lucky that I can get them done any time). However,

everything still seems to be in the normal range. I decided to add

another 2.5mg Carbimazole per day anyway, and now take that dose

twice a day (total 5mg per day) which I have been doing for about a

week. Also, over the past week or so I have had several unpleasant

episodes of high BP (up to 185/116) and pulse rate up to 133. On a

couple of occasions I have taken 40mg Inderal which seems to have

slowed things down. I am prone to anxiety and panic attacks anyway,

and these episodes tend to trigger them, which trigger the fast

heart rate etc. and so it goes on. I seem to be caught in this

frightening circle and don't know what to do. I am very reluctant

to return to the Endo as I know he will try to push me into RAI or

surgery which I am not ready for. (Luckily I have enough

prescriptions for about twelve months worth of Carbimazole and want

to Keep trying that, but I'm not sure about the dosage). I have

tried the recommended dietary changes and supplements. Please could

someone advise me as to what might be going on (my levels are okay

but my symptoms seem to be hyper?), and what should I do about it

i.e. what dose of Carbimazole should I try and for how long, and

then what adjustment?

I am very sorry about the length of this post but thought that the

more info I could give the better. ANY advice would be gratefully

received. Please help if you can. Thank you.

Deb in Oz