Thyroid - Sleep deprivation - Exhaustion

[Spirit]

Hi friends, wow been a very long time, since I've been here. I was doing really, really well, for a very long time, sleeping well, energy was amazing !! Reason for my absence sorry. Approx a month ago, my energy went south again. Having an enlarged thyroid, and doctors that have no clue, I began to research why? I'm tired again. I found an interesting article, read section: Are you getting enough sleep? This person's statement caught my attention.

I keep wanting to blame my thyroid, but after a few nights when I actually get 8 or more hours and feel much much better and more energetic, I've realized that, to a large extent, my problem is sleep deprivation, compounded by a slightly increased general need for more sleep due to the thyroid problem, even if it is treated.

There's a link between thyroid and sleep apnea. All the way at the bottom of article.

So, I review all my cpap data, my data is impressive, so what's wrong? Notice I feel best when I sleep 9 or more hours, anything less fatigue kicks in, 6 hours and I'm like a zombie. Apnex index can be 0-2,.

The hours, that I sleep are not consistent. So, now I have my leaks, apnea index under control for months. How do I sleep consistently each night, 8 hours or more. That's the magical question.

If my apnea index is 0, and I sleep 5-6 hours, I feel horrible the next day. Will talk to my sleep doc on monday, and if he has any positive results, I'll post.

So this article applies to all, but those with thyroid disorder require more sleep, then those with no thyroid issues.

Sleep well friends.

[Lizistired]

Hi Spirit, Did you intend to post a link to the article?
I have the same problem. Great numbers, just don't feel great.
You might find this thread interesting.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=69331&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... ak#p642946

[67tony]

Look into your thyroid numbers...quick. Fatigue is one of the main symptoms of a malfunctioning thyroid, especially a hypothyroid. I had a severe hyperthyroid condition, which turned into a real nightmare called thyrotoxicosis.

Insist that your doctor run a "thyroid panel" of bloodwork. Look closely at your TSH score, then read up on it, especially if it is outside the new normal range. If your doctor does not know what you're talking about (scarily common!) insist on being referred to a good endocrinologist.

(First post...first night with CPAP. I'm sure I'll be posting more soon!)

[avi123]

Both hyper or hypo thyroid conditions are easy to diagnose and treat. Both affect sleep. Any internist or endocrinologist MD know how to go about it. There are three hormones in the blood to be checked plus X-ray (or iodine uptake rate) to nail down the problem. It's like fitting a key in a keyhole. It's that easy. Both conditions are treated with medicine or a slight surgery in the case of Hyperthyroid (= Graves disease=thyrotoxicosis) to reduce the size of the gland. Even a cancerous thyroid is not a problem if it has not spread. Just excizing it and taking the hormones separately. Hurry up to diagnose it.

[howkim]

I don't suggest that you ask specifically for a "thyroid panel," as there is no standard battery of tests that has that name. Instead, ask for a TSH, a Free T3 and a Free T4. Accept no substitutes. If your doc wants other tests, ask that they all be performed, not just a few of them.

I really don't care about the TSH (it's not a thyroid hormone - it's a pituitary hormone), but your doctor will. The Free Ts will give the actual amount of thyroid hormones in your body. They should be at least at the mid-point of the reference range.

[Muse-Inc]

I second what Howkim posted: the free T4 (storage form of thyroid hormone) and free T3 (active hormone) are critical to assess as these are the amts of throid hormone in circulation. The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) just 'tells' the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones which in some cases it's not able to do (then ya gotta take pills) -- the higher the TSH the louder the brain is demanding more thyroid. Many American docs just test TSH levels, then use the old scale to determine if it's in the "normal" range -- know how they came up with that reference scale? The original tests were developed by Broda Barnes and were of the comparative speeds of muscle contraction and relaxation. Then, someone cam eup with the ability to test levels of TSH. To find the reference range, they tested 5000 people some of them were hypothroid by muscle tests and patient symptoms. So, they compared who reported symptoms and what their TSH was and came up with the original lab ranges which now reign supreme over patient symptoms...a lousy 5000 people. Most all with low thyroid will have a range of lab test values within which they feel good and outside of which they feel lousy -- many can't find docs who help patients get into their ideal lab range with minimal if any symptoms.

PS as TSH goes up so does LDL cholesterol (and usually total cholesterol), drop TSH and LDL drops too. Most docs don't know this; a few cardiologists do. Read William Davis (cardiologist) blog for more about this.

[67tony]

I don't suggest that you ask specifically for a "thyroid panel," as there is no standard battery of tests that has that name.

Of course a competent GP or endocrinologist would order tests specific to the patient's needs.
A "thyroid panel" is, indeed, a generic name for any bloodwork having to do with the thyroid.

[reefdreamer]

I have a condition called thryoiditis....when I have flare ups my thyroid swells up....mainly when I get a sinus infection...you prob have what I have. I do take thyroid pills daily because the infection I had long ago killed part of my thyroid so it does not work right...might be your prob

[Bobby269]

One other thing that can make you feel terrible is low B-12. My Doctor diagnosed it from what he saw in my original sleep study. Until I started taking B12 shots I was exhausted all the time. Two hours after the first shot I started feeling better. Now I take 1 pill a day and feel great.
It was a shock to me starting Cpap and feeling worse then before.Thank goodness my Doctor pays attention to details.