Hypothyroidism and OSA

[Patsyw]

Since finding out I had sleep apnea and going on CPAP therapy which made no difference to my condition, the Sleep Scientist at my hospital referred me back to my GP to check my thyroid. Turns out I have a hypothyroid and Hashimotos which is an auto-immune condition which attacks the thyroid. Since researching this I have found that one of the symptoms can be Sleep Apnea.

So this is really for anyone who doesn`t improve with CPAP, particularly if you`re female - get your thyroid checked - and just because the serum results come back `normal`, it does not necessarily mean it is ok as the NHS parameters are far too wide.

Patsy

[ElleCee]

Hi Patsy,
So if your results came back as normal how did you get the doctors to realise there was still a problem with your thyroid?
I have had same test nearly every 6 months for years but still I come back with the results as being inside the 'normal' band.
I was once given thryroxin while I waited for the results and it made me feel so much better but as the results were 'normal' I was taken off of them.

Regards
Lorraine

[Patsyw]

Hi Lorraine,

I was lucky in that my GP could see I was hypothyroid without even testing and put me on a trial dose of Levothyroxine - he did a blood test as well but it came back `normal`. I haven`t been back to discuss this with him yet and he could well say I`m ok but I will contest this as I felt an improvement, though still a way to go.

In the meantime I did loads of research and found 2 excellent websites and support groups - one is Thyroid Patient Advocacy and there`s another called Thyroid UK. Also another called Stop This Thyroid Madness - this is the one I went on to get to the Thyroid Patient Advocacy forum where you can get loads of excellent info and advice - they help you interpret all your test results. You have to register with Yahoo Groups. I did a private urine test, blood test and saliva test and it showed I have clapped out adrenals, low thyroid and an auto-immune condition which is attacking my thyroid. I have probably had it for most of my life along with the OSA and suffered extreme fatigue for years. The advisers on the forum give you loads of advice on how to deal with GPs who tell you your results are normal so consequently tell you you`re depressed/got ME/ getting old/got CFS etc. and you end up being on all sorts of drugs that just cover the symptoms and never get to the cause, but serves the drug companies well.

There are literally thousands of women and a some men who have been let down by their GPs and endocrinologists and suffered for years unnecessarily.

On Tuesday on ITVs This Morning Dr. Chris Steele is apparently going to bring this subject up.

Your best bet is to get a copy of your last test results (which your GP has to give you) and then go on the forum and they will give you help. But maybe your GP is open minded enough to discuss the possibility of hypothyroidism without just relying on lab numbers. That said, it must be borne in mind that your symptoms could be something other than hypothyroid.

Patsy

[ElleCee]

Thanks for that Patsey, I will at least look in to it.
The advice you give is excellent. Once I find out more I will let you know.
Cheers
Lorraine

[Patsyw]

Good luck Lorraine. I think its atrocious that you felt better on thyroxine yet your GP denied it to you - that is actually causing harm and they are supposed to have taken an oath not to cause harm.

Patsy

[jackieb]

I have been on levothyroxine for nearly ten years for under active thyroid my tablet levels go up and down depending on my blood test results but I don't think they made too much difference to energy levels. I was only diagnosed with OSA last year and starting to feel loads better now once awake in the morning I have to get up no more sleeping most of the weekends away now. Never had that before. Also another thing to note is if you have a under active thyroid you are entitled to NHS prescriptions free of charge but an over active thyroid you have to pay for.

[Patsyw]

Jackie - if the GP merely prescribes your levothyroxine on the NHS blood test results, this is not adequate. Hypothyroidism is so complicated and so many women remain ill because GPs are going on lab numbers rather than symptoms. The lab test parameters are far too wide and you need to be at the top of the range to be functioning at optimal level. If you can, take a look at the Stop This Thyroid Madness website and it will direct you to the UK forum. OSA can be a symptom of hypothyroid.

Patsy