Thyroid issues???

I'm sorry I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm doing this alone have no one that understands or to really reach out too. And I starting to think alsorts of things and freaking out.

 

Just got blood test results back. Haven't spoken to Dr yet results for Tsh Receptor Antibodies say check email but haven't received one.

 

 

I wanted to ask is there any general consensus to wether WD cause Thyroid issues?

 

 

Sure does, affects the entire endocrine system!

It affects every component in the body!

There was a write up about it by a buddie named Parker.

Hopefully, someone can link you to it.

 

Essentially, for most it seems to make the hypothyroid.

 

But I’m no expert!

Hi Kiwi22

 

I can't answer your question - but here a link to an article that I think WinnieDog was referring to, it was written by Perseverance not Parker  I'm not sure if it's the one Winnie meant.

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=232034.0

 

 

I was diagnosed with Graves' disease at the end of January this year, after completing my taper in August last year and symptoms not resolving and getting worse.

 

I hope that you can see your dr soon to get your results, it is very overwhelming when we are dealing with an additional health issues as well as withdrawal.

 

Try to be calm as stress aggravates both conditions 

I am actually having a biopsy on my thyroid this pm as a scan showed nodules, blood test were showing low thyroid levels, I think its probably the benzos

Yes, I had some blood tests done when I was in mild WD and had an underactive thyroid. Strangely enough though, when I had the follow up tests it had resolved. Doctor didn't understand at the time, but it was obviously WD in hindsight, which passed as all symptoms do

 

 

Thank you all

 

All the reading I've done seem alot have had similar issues first picked up while tappering that resolved themselves.

 

Sorry for panicked post I'm in a bad way mentally intrusive thoughts etc etc

 

Aloha Kiwi22 -

 

Mahalo for asking this because I was wondering the same thing. It's so tough. I hope you had an ok day today:)

Being on the benzo's and Z-drugs didn't affect my thyroid functioning at all.  I've been borderline hypothyroid for decades.  In fact, when I got off the benzo's my TSH was even lower and I felt even better.  It's not true that benzo's affect our thyroid functioning.  If it's true, then I'd like to see a citation or research article stating that. 

Being on the benzo's and Z-drugs didn't affect my thyroid functioning at all.  I've been borderline hypothyroid for decades.  In fact, when I got off the benzo's my TSH was even lower and I felt even better.  It's not true that benzo's affect our thyroid functioning.  If it's true, then I'd like to see a citation or research article stating that.

 

 

Just google Benzos and thyroid. There's a lot

 

 

 

"The thyroid gland is affected by pharmacological agents such as benzodiazepines. In previous studies, the effects of diazepam on thyroid parameters have been studied. [10],[11]

 

Our results on Tg protein showed significant increase in the drug-treated groups in comparison to the control group. The main cause of this is not clear."

 

https://www.mjdrdypu.org/article.asp?issn=0975-2870;year=2014;volume=7;issue=4;spage=447;epage=449;aulast=Khadem-Ansari;type=3#:~:text=The%20thyroid%20gland%20is%20affected%20by%20pharmacological%20agents%20such%20as,thyroid%20parameters%20have%20been%20studied.&text=Our%20results%20on%20Tg%20protein,of%20this%20is%20not%20clear.

 

 

 

Clonazepam associated hypothyroidism: Aforethought on a concealed dilemma

 

"The fact that an increase in the dose of clonazepam led to the worsening of the TSH levels, suggest that clonazepam, in all probability could be the inciting factor for subclinical hypothyroidism in our patients"

 

https://www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/2037_pdf.pdf

 

 

 

Effects of alprazolam and haloperidol on thyroglobulin, antithyroglobulin, anti thyroid peroxidase and TSH in Rat

 

"Conclusion

We found that these two drugs may interfere with the thyroid physiology and metabolism."

 

https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/tjb-2017-0003/html?lang=en

 

 

I'm sorry I'm sure this has been asked before but I'm doing this alone have no one that understands or to really reach out too. And I starting to think alsorts of things and freaking out.

 

Just got blood test results back. Haven't spoken to Dr yet results for Tsh Receptor Antibodies say check email but haven't received one.

 

 

I wanted to ask is there any general consensus to wether WD cause Thyroid issues?

 

Hi Kiwi22.  Thyroid disease can also be the cause of anxiety and depression.  I have Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism that definitely contributed to my anxiety.  My thyroid disease predates my benzo use by many years.  Once my thyroid was properly diagnosed and treated it helped lesson my anxiety attacks.    Grave's disease is the autoimmune thyroid disease that causes hyperthyroidism, and is definitely known to cause anxiety.

 

I believe many people are unnecessarily prescribed benzos due to undiagnosed thyroid conditions. 

 

Yes. 20  plus years ago I found out I had Hashimotos. I was having trouble sleeping instead  of waiting to see if the synthroid would help the dr put me on Dalmane, which was an old time benzo (no longer made). I was on 30! Mg for 6 years and then I cold Turkied. off bc I didn’t know any better. Been struggling in and off with benzos for that long. I think it definitely affects the thyroid!!!! 

Git, I had the same problem.  Once I started taking thyroid replacement pills, I didn't have so much anxiety and depression.  The reason I mentioned that my thyroid was not affected by benzo's at all was so that anyone reading this thread won't automatically think that they have thyroid problems from being on benzo's.   

Yes this is true Becks. People are affected so differently by these drugs.

But also the same person can not experience them while on for a short time, but as they stay on them or taper, then issues arise. I’ve seen this so many times, not necessarily with people on here, but in real life. It’s an easy thing to check and to continue to check etc. like all symptoms everyone is different, but these drugs do impact the entire endocrine system. The new Benzo book and research has shown that they have the ability to impact every organ of the entire body. It’s just interesting that not everyone is affected the same etc.

 

Before the benzos I was verging on hyperthyroidism, and now I’m quite hypothyroid. I also have nodules all over my thyroid, but not from these drugs, happened after COVID in 2020, the nodules grew a bit after my vaccines, but have shrunk again, they do an ultrasound every 6 months.

At the low end of my taper I was diagnosed with Graves disease.  Has something to do with the HPA & HPT Axis.  My understanding is it may be a combination of a predisposition to auto immune disease + the severe stress of withdrawal on the body that can bring it on.  FWIW, with antithyroid treatment and finishing my taper, after a couple years I went into remission and have stayed there since. So if by any chance you end up with Graves, before proceeding with any kind of permanent treatment, make sure they give you a good year or two to see if you go into remission.  I know it's very possible.  And if it turns out not to be your thyroid, so much the better

Hi WWWI,

 

I am currently in almost exactly this situation! except that my diagnosis was 6 months after the end of my taper (me thinking symptoms were mostly withdrawal  )

 

before proceeding with any kind of permanent treatment, make sure they give you a good year or two to see if you go into remission.  I know it's very possible.  And if it turns out not to be your thyroid, so much the better

 

This is the path I am taking for the moment, one day at a time, one blood test at a time 

 

 

 

 

Casper -

 

Really sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but sounds like you are doing everything right.  Hoping for you a full remission 

 

WWWI

Casper -

 

Really sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but sounds like you are doing everything right.  Hoping for you a full remission 

 

WWWI

 

Thanks WWWI 

 

At the low end of my taper I was diagnosed with Graves disease.  Has something to do with the HPA & HPT Axis.  My understanding is it may be a combination of a predisposition to auto immune disease + the severe stress of withdrawal on the body that can bring it on.  FWIW, with antithyroid treatment and finishing my taper, after a couple years I went into remission and have stayed there since. So if by any chance you end up with Graves, before proceeding with any kind of permanent treatment, make sure they give you a good year or two to see if you go into remission.  I know it's very possible.  And if it turns out not to be your thyroid, so much the better

 

Hey, I’m in this predicament. Headed towards hyperthyroid in tolerance. The symptoms of wd and hyper are so similar . Did you go on meds until you finished your taper? Did the meds help with wd? I have through the roof anxiety that appeared over night, weight loss, too hot all the time, heart rate and bp were up but calmed a bit when I divided my dose in preparation for taper. I honestly don’t think I’ll make it through this, my goodness.

 

Hey, I’m in this predicament. Headed towards hyperthyroid in tolerance. The symptoms of wd and hyper are so similar . Did you go on meds until you finished your taper? Did the meds help with wd? I have through the roof anxiety that appeared over night, weight loss, too hot all the time, heart rate and bp were up but calmed a bit when I divided my dose in preparation for taper. I honestly don’t think I’ll make it through this, my goodness.

 

Hi JoJo,

It's really important to get your thyroid labs tested to see if it is definitely that. An uncontrolled hyperthyroid state is dangerous and could lead to a thyroid storm if not treated.

At the very least, a beta blocker would normally be prescribed to protect your heart and then an Anti-Thyroid medication (Methimazole/Carbimazole or Propylthiouracil (PTU)) med on top of this to slow the thyroid down. Some Endocrinologists will also prescribe Thyroid Hormone (Thyroxine) at a later date to help level things out.

 

It sounds like you have been tested but if you haven't, please make sure you do - ask your doctor to specifically test for thyroid issues TSH, FT3, FT4 and TSI (to show your thyroid antibodies if you have them) - not just TSH.

 

I can't answer your question on whether the thyroid meds impact your taper as my taper had ended well before I was finally diagnosed.

 

Another thing, all the symptoms also mimic menopause too, just to make diagnosis even more trickier   

 

 

 

Hey, I’m in this predicament. Headed towards hyperthyroid in tolerance. The symptoms of wd and hyper are so similar . Did you go on meds until you finished your taper? Did the meds help with wd? I have through the roof anxiety that appeared over night, weight loss, too hot all the time, heart rate and bp were up but calmed a bit when I divided my dose in preparation for taper. I honestly don’t think I’ll make it through this, my goodness.

 

Hi JoJ

It's really important to get your thyroid labs tested to see if it is definitely that. An uncontrolled hyperthyroid state is dangerous and could lead to a thyroid storm if not treated.

At the very least, a beta blocker would normally be prescribed to protect your heart and then an Anti-Thyroid medication (Methimazole/Carbimazole or Propylthiouracil (PTU)) med on top of this to slow the thyroid down. Some Endocrinologists will also prescribe Thyroid Hormone (Thyroxine) at a later date to help level things out.

 

It sounds like you have been tested but if you haven't, please make sure you do - ask your doctor to specifically test for thyroid issues TSH, FT3, FT4 and TSI (to show your thyroid antibodies if you have them) - not just TSH.

 

I can't answer your question on whether the thyroid meds impact your taper as my taper had ended well before I was finally diagnosed.

 

Another thing, all the symptoms also mimic menopause too, just to make diagnosis even more trickier   

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes I believe I’m dealing with all 3 right now. Low TSH, low estrogen aand progesterone and tolerance wd 😩

Hi Kiwi22

 

I can't answer your question - but here a link to an article that I think WinnieDog was referring to, it was written by Perseverance not Parker  I'm not sure if it's the one Winnie meant.

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=232034.0

 

 

I was diagnosed with Graves' disease at the end of January this year, after completing my taper in August last year and symptoms not resolving and getting worse.

 

I hope that you can see your dr soon to get your results, it is very overwhelming when we are dealing with an additional health issues as well as withdrawal.

 

Try to be calm as stress aggravates both conditions 

 

cooper what is graves, can you elaborate what it might cause ?

 

I have something, and I'm poorly educated in what it might be and how it might be affecting me, it showed in a pet scan, it says this

 

"Thyroid gland of heterogeneous density and increased dimensions, at the expense of its right lobe, highlighting a hypodense nodular lesion, occupying almost the entire lobe, measuring approximately 40 x 35 mm (SUVmax 5.4), in addition to another similar nodular lesion , located at the lower pole of the left lobe, measuring approximately 18 x 15 mm (SUVmax 3.9). These alterations, although not very specific, may represent primary malignant processes of this gland, in more than 30% of cases*. At clinical discretion, correlate with FNAB data."

 

I'm going next month to see a endocrinologist/ head and neck specialist to see what to do to investigate, I had high tireoglobuline marker 495,98 mg/ml this was measured in 2022 when I was still undergoing severe symptoms

 

Hey, I’m in this predicament. Headed towards hyperthyroid in tolerance. The symptoms of wd and hyper are so similar . Did you go on meds until you finished your taper? Did the meds help with wd? I have through the roof anxiety that appeared over night, weight loss, too hot all the time, heart rate and bp were up but calmed a bit when I divided my dose in preparation for taper. I honestly don’t think I’ll make it through this, my goodness.

 

Hi JoJ

It's really important to get your thyroid labs tested to see if it is definitely that. An uncontrolled hyperthyroid state is dangerous and could lead to a thyroid storm if not treated.

At the very least, a beta blocker would normally be prescribed to protect your heart and then an Anti-Thyroid medication (Methimazole/Carbimazole or Propylthiouracil (PTU)) med on top of this to slow the thyroid down. Some Endocrinologists will also prescribe Thyroid Hormone (Thyroxine) at a later date to help level things out.

 

It sounds like you have been tested but if you haven't, please make sure you do - ask your doctor to specifically test for thyroid issues TSH, FT3, FT4 and TSI (to show your thyroid antibodies if you have them) - not just TSH.

 

I can't answer your question on whether the thyroid meds impact your taper as my taper had ended well before I was finally diagnosed.

 

Another thing, all the symptoms also mimic menopause too, just to make diagnosis even more trickier   

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes I believe I’m dealing with all 3 right now. Low TSH, low estrogen aand progesterone and tolerance wd 😩

 

Well that's a shitty spot to be in, I understand  I am currently waiting for a specialist appointment to investigate the menopause side myself as although I had the Graves' diagnosis, I am still only seeing some improvements (despite being told my Thyroid levels are "good") and want to rule things out where possible.

 

 

 

 

cooper what is graves, can you elaborate what it might cause ?

 

I have something, and I'm poorly educated in what it might be and how it might be affecting me, it showed in a pet scan, it says this

 

"Thyroid gland of heterogeneous density and increased dimensions, at the expense of its right lobe, highlighting a hypodense nodular lesion, occupying almost the entire lobe, measuring approximately 40 x 35 mm (SUVmax 5.4), in addition to another similar nodular lesion , located at the lower pole of the left lobe, measuring approximately 18 x 15 mm (SUVmax 3.9). These alterations, although not very specific, may represent primary malignant processes of this gland, in more than 30% of cases*. At clinical discretion, correlate with FNAB data."

 

I'm going next month to see a endocrinologist/ head and neck specialist to see what to do to investigate, I had high tireoglobuline marker 495,98 mg/ml this was measured in 2022 when I was still undergoing severe symptoms

 

Hi Deniz,

 

Graves' disease is an auto immune response in the body that produces thyroid antibodies that essentially attack the thyroid. They can also attack the eyes, skin on the lower legs and other areas in the body.

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356240

 

in some cases, the antibodies can change from being "stimulating" to  "blocking" so instead of being Hyperthyroid, you can become Hypothyroid.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284

 

another cause for Hyperthyroid is nodules:

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-nodules/symptoms-causes/syc-20355262           

 

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/thyroglobulin/

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/thyroid-antibodies/

 

^^^  this site is good, you can look up the specific test you had and it will tell you what they are testing for.

 

I hope I have not overwhelmed you with information Deniz, I have tried to keep the information simple.

I would read all of the information in the links and if any of the symptoms seem relevant to your experience, make sure you tell your Endocrinologist 

 

 

cooper what is graves, can you elaborate what it might cause ?

 

I have something, and I'm poorly educated in what it might be and how it might be affecting me, it showed in a pet scan, it says this

 

"Thyroid gland of heterogeneous density and increased dimensions, at the expense of its right lobe, highlighting a hypodense nodular lesion, occupying almost the entire lobe, measuring approximately 40 x 35 mm (SUVmax 5.4), in addition to another similar nodular lesion , located at the lower pole of the left lobe, measuring approximately 18 x 15 mm (SUVmax 3.9). These alterations, although not very specific, may represent primary malignant processes of this gland, in more than 30% of cases*. At clinical discretion, correlate with FNAB data."

 

I'm going next month to see a endocrinologist/ head and neck specialist to see what to do to investigate, I had high tireoglobuline marker 495,98 mg/ml this was measured in 2022 when I was still undergoing severe symptoms

 

Hi Deniz,

 

Graves' disease is an auto immune response in the body that produces thyroid antibodies that essentially attack the thyroid. They can also attack the eyes, skin on the lower legs and other areas in the body.

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/graves-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20356240

 

in some cases, the antibodies can change from being "stimulating" to  "blocking" so instead of being Hyperthyroid, you can become Hypothyroid.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothyroidism/symptoms-causes/syc-20350284

 

another cause for Hyperthyroid is nodules:

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thyroid-nodules/symptoms-causes/syc-20355262           

 

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/thyroglobulin/

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/thyroid-antibodies/

 

^^^  this site is good, you can look up the specific test you had and it will tell you what they are testing for.

 

I hope I have not overwhelmed you with information Deniz, I have tried to keep the information simple.

I would read all of the information in the links and if any of the symptoms seem relevant to your experience, make sure you tell your Endocrinologist 

 

 

no you didn't, I'm kinda worried by this, thanks for explaining, i will give a look on the site.

 

about my high thyroglobulin a year ago, https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/thyroglobulin/

 

damn scared..

Try not to worry. Most things can be treated these days