Aha! I was right about Hypothyroid and Sleep Apnea

[CPAPcub]

You may have both.
Just get tested again when your TSH is above 2.

I have both of course, but I think the hypothyroid is causing the OSA. See this. My initial pressure was 16 and my AHI 0.4~1. I started reducing the pressure one by one, and every time my body adjusted back to AHI 04.~1.0. This week at pressure 11 I had my first AHI 0.0, HOW that is possible that my body is adjusting every time to different pressures?

I have found again my medicine for my hypothyroid recently (1 month ago) in Canada. There is currently a shortage in USA, so the previous months I was taking Levothyroxine or compound medicine, I felt terrible. Now with the right medication my OSA is going down.

Hi,

Thanks for posting that article, very interesting.

I feel silly asking this asking this as I might be missimg something obvious - but - with such incredibly low AHI numbers how can it be that you actually have OSA? Did a previous sleep study (without CPAP) come back with a high AHI? Reducing pressures without an increase in AHI is surely a sign that you don't have it?

It is also a possibility that your body is starting to heal itself in some way?

[fidelfs]

I have both of course, but I think the hypothyroid is causing the OSA

Is that your premise or is there actual science behind hypothyroidism being a cause and/or major factor behind OSA? Wouldn't your sleep doctor, or endocrinologist be the one(s) to consult, and as soon as possible....I recall discussing my other medical issues and there was never a linkage btw the two?

Good luck!

from American journal of Respiratory and critical care medicine.

Rationale for Thyroid Screening among Sleep Clinic Patients

Based on our case prevalence and the other reports cited previously, we can reasonably conclude that without thyroid screening of sleep clinic patients, approximately 2 to 3% of patients diagnosed with primary sleep apnea will be misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated because of undetected hypothyroidism. In addition, the same 2 to 3% of OSA patients will be "treatment failures" on CPAP or other standard sleep apnea therapy, and the correct diagnosis of hypothyroidism will be delayed.

I am not saying OSA is caused for Hypothyroid, what I am saying is for some Hypothyroid patients, OSA is a hypo symptom.

[fidelfs]

I was diagnosed with severe Osa. With an index close to 50 obstructions per hour. The first night at 16 I had my AHI around 12.0

I think is because my thyroid is under care this time my body is not having apneas.

[CPAPcub]

I was diagnosed with severe Osa. With an index close to 50 obstructions per hour. The first night at 16 I had my AHI around 12.0

I think is because my thyroid is under care this time my body is not having apneas.

Wow that's great.

So what were the tests that you had? Reading the article you linked to, it suggested that people could show a 'normal' thyroid when tested but could show as having hypothyroidism with another test. What is that test? Do you know if this condition is also called underactive thyroid gland?

Thanks and glad things are better for you.

[fidelfs]

I was diagnosed with severe Osa. With an index close to 50 obstructions per hour. The first night at 16 I had my AHI around 12.0

I think is because my thyroid is under care this time my body is not having apneas.

Wow that's great.

So what were the tests that you had? Reading the article you linked to, it suggested that people could show a 'normal' thyroid when tested but could show as having hypothyroidism with another test. What is that test? Do you know if this condition is also called underactive thyroid gland?

Thanks and glad things are better for you.

Yes, underactive thyroid gland is the same as Hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is when is over active.

The TSH is the most used test to diagnose thyroid problems. It was developed in 1973.

My doctor always recommends the Free T3 and Free T4 to better diagnose my doses.

[SleepingUgly]

BlackSpinner, how was your daughter diagnosed if her TSH was normal most of the time?

My daughter is hypothyroid but test "normal" most of the time. But now she on the correct dosage she is wide awake and intelligent. They must go by more then just the standard tests they need to go by the symptoms also. Luckily our doctor is also hypothyroid and keeps up with it.

[montana]

I am hypothyroid ( Hashimoto's disease ) and was diagnosed with apnea many many years after. But... before I was diagnosed with hypothyroid my throat would actually close up day OR night. Apnea can be caused by throat shape, deviated septum ect. ! I breathe so much better with the cpap machine I can't imagine going off of it.

[BlackSpinner]

BlackSpinner, how was your daughter diagnosed if her TSH was normal most of the time?

When she was first diagnosed as depressed the tests came back normal but she slowly slid into the "tired all the time can't think straight". The she test slightly off normal so the doctor decided to try a very low dosage and it helped. When the symptoms came back this fall she still test "normal" but her doctor increased her meds anyway and she rebounded and also her anxiety attacks disappeared. Earlier an increase in her depression medication was also recommended but she didn't want to increase her dosage for what was maybe a once in a while occurrence and always associated with school stress. Last month she went through her exams, end of term projects, stage managing a show and getting dumped by her boyfriend all at the same time and no anxiety attacks. It is like the mental/emotional symptoms showed up first and then the physical ones show up.

She doesn't have OSA, I listened and watched her sleep.

[tattooyu]

BlackSpinner, how was your daughter diagnosed if her TSH was normal most of the time?

When she was first diagnosed as depressed the tests came back normal but she slowly slid into the "tired all the time can't think straight". The she test slightly off normal so the doctor decided to try a very low dosage and it helped. When the symptoms came back this fall she still test "normal" but her doctor increased her meds anyway and she rebounded and also her anxiety attacks disappeared. Earlier an increase in her depression medication was also recommended but she didn't want to increase her dosage for what was maybe a once in a while occurrence and always associated with school stress. Last month she went through her exams, end of term projects, stage managing a show and getting dumped by her boyfriend all at the same time and no anxiety attacks. It is like the mental/emotional symptoms showed up first and then the physical ones show up.

She doesn't have OSA, I listened and watched her sleep.

You can have anxiety attacks from hypothyroidism? I thought that was just for hyperthyroidism! This is starting to shape up for me... I can't wait until I get tested on March 15th (my bday!).

[BlackSpinner]

You can have anxiety attacks from hypothyroidism? I thought that was just for hyperthyroidism! This is starting to shape up for me... I can't wait until I get tested on March 15th (my bday!).

Apparently anxiety attacks are a form of depression.

[nursedeborah]

So glad you had this here! I have the RX for this to all be done, but I am so tired I can't
even get there!
After seeing this I will make it a point to drag my butt in there.

I am still not doing so great as even my new mask leaks, and makes this awful billowing
nose. I went back to my old one, and didn't tighten the straps as much last night, and it
did the same.

I got mine on the 19 of Feb. and I remaind miserable, but not giving up.
It will be so very interesting about the thryoid pannel I am having done.

I just can't take living like this, and dealing with all the peeps, and other noises
they are keeping me awake.

I also have a horrible now healed sore on my nose!!

Debbie

[SleepingUgly]

I just can't take living like this, and dealing with all the peeps, and other noises
they are keeping me awake. Debbie

Debbie, what do you mean about the peeps?

[SleepingUgly]

I have Hashimoto's and I have lots of symptoms of hypothyroidism. But my TSH is normal (for now).

[DreamOn]

My initial pressure was 16 and my AHI 0.4~1. I started reducing the pressure one by one, and every time my body adjusted back to AHI 04.~1.0. This week at pressure 11 I had my first AHI 0.0, HOW that is possible that my body is adjusting every time to different pressures?

Just some thoughts....

Titration studies aren't always accurate. Isn't it possible that your initial pressure of 16 was incorrect and was higher than it needed to be to prevent apneas? Your body may not be adjusting to the pressure at all. It may be that your "optimal pressure" has been lower all along. In fact, your optimal pressure may be even lower than you have it set to now.

Remember that AHI can fluctuate from day to day too. And weight loss and other lifestyle changes can lower the pressure needed.

[fidelfs]

I take your advise and also I have thought about it. The thing is the firsts weeks I had a higher AHI and I always being compliant.

This is the graph from the first weeks. I had one night big leaks because the Ultra Mirage full face. I stopped using it that night. If I know correctly more pressure would eliminate OA and Hypos but it could increased the central apneas or CA but it didn't.

when I found armour locally, I switched from compound. My AHI improved, then I couldn't find it again and switched to syntroid generic the AHI started climbing. I am taking ERFA from Canada and it has improved to better.

That it is why I asked if anyone knew where to rent a machine to make a home sleep test. I want to be sure.