Medication Induced Hyperthyroid Symptoms to watch out for
As a health professional, I don't use Facebook often, but occasionally, I visit thyroid groups to see what's being shared, offer advice, and leave. Recently, I stumbled upon a post from a woman who was experiencing hyperthyroid symptoms due to an increase in her medication dosage. She was feeling terrible and was unsure of what to do next.
This post caught my attention, and I want to talk to you about it today because, sooner or later, you may experience this medication-induced hyperthyroid state. Therefore, it's essential to know how to properly address it.
I have encountered this situation a few times when my medication was being changed, and believe me, it's not a pleasant experience. It can be scary, painful, and downright uncomfortable, especially when it affects your heart.
Firstly, it's essential to understand that thyroid replacement hormones are stimulants. Therefore, it's challenging to stop using them once your body becomes dependent on them. When people start using these hormones, they often feel better, and their energy levels increase. However, when you take too much, you'll experience the direct effects of your body speeding up. This stimulation directly affects your heart, causing heart flutters, palpitations, and sharp heart pains.
Furthermore, this medically induced metabolism speed-up can make you feel like you're crawling out of your skin, or you'll feel like bugs are crawling under your skin. It can also cause massive amounts of anxiety, which can result in a full-blown panic attack with hyperventilating, sweating, feeling like you can't breathe, and many other symptoms.
If you suspect that your medication dosage is too high, and you're experiencing these symptoms, here are a few things you can do:
Call or email your doctor immediately and let them or the nurse know that you think your medication dosage is too high. Share all your symptoms to back up your concerns.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best way to temporarily reduce your dosage.
Repeat "This too shall pass" to help counter any anxiety or panic attacks.
Avoid caffeine in all forms.
Use deep breathing and go outside to calm down.
Take a small dose of CBD to help you stay calm and relaxed.
When you speak to your doctor, make sure that they immediately send a lower dosage medication to the pharmacy so you can begin taking the new dosage as soon as possible.
Within one to two weeks of taking your new medication dosage, these hyper-induced feelings will begin to subside.
If you're wondering whether your doctor moved or started your thyroid medication way too high, here are some signs to look out for:
Racing heart
Perspiration
Nervousness
Irritability
Tremors
Insomnia
Anxiety
Brittle hair
Thinning skin
Muscle weakness
Frequent bowel movements (usually not diarrhea)
Medication changes can take weeks to months to stabilize. Therefore, it's essential to be patient and utilize deep breathing, self-love, rest, friends and family support with your kids, meals, and cleaning to help with the process.
In conclusion, if you're experiencing hyperthyroid symptoms due to a medication dosage increase, it's essential to act and speak to your doctor immediately. Remember, you're not alone, and this too shall pass.
XO,
Coach Sarah Joy