I am new to the board and I was told that you were the one to ask, concerning hyperthyroid. I am a 22year old woman and for the last three months now I have felt like my heart is racing. It is a jittery feeling (like I drank a bunch of coffee) that often persists throughout the day and keeps me up at night. I also get pretty bad headaches, but I am not sure if that's related. After the third visit to the doctor, I had a blood test done. He told me my TSH was within normal range (I am still waiting for my results by mail) and put me on Nortriptyline to help me sleep. I have a family history of thyroid problems (grndma+great grndma hyper and mother hypo). I was wondering if the TSH test was pretty difinitive in diagnosing hyper, or should I get further tests like the free t3 and t4 done. I have been reading a lot lately, and would like to be more prepared before my next doctor visit. I am currently seeing a GP and have the opportunity to get my blood tested again at the end of October, if I feel it is necesary. I would really appreciate any advise you could give. Thanks Dizzy
Hi,
The heart racing and headaches can be symptoms of a thyroid problem.
A TSH test is not enough to thoroughly check out your thyroid function. If it were me, I would request the "Free T4" and "Free T3" test too. Good for you for getting copies of the actual lab reports. It will benefit you to keep copies of all of your lab tests. I would write down symptoms I was feeling on the lab results sheet to help me remember what I was feeling at different levels. It proved to be very helpful to me.
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Dx Graves 4/99, tx w/Tapazole & Atenolol - Remission 7/03; Relapse 1/06, back on Tapazole, remission & off meds again 11/06.
Hi Dizzychild,
I am not trying to be bossy. Is there anyway you could get your labs done sooner than the end of October? I am definitely trying to scare you but when I was hyper my bloodpressure went up.
I really appreciate the help Betty and K-9mom. I am going to call the doctor's office again on monday, to see about my blood results. I still haven't gotten them in the mail yet. I will see if I can get in sooner, but my doctor wanted me to wait and see if the meds helped any. I have been taking Nortriptyline for two weeks and other than helping me to sleep at night, there is not a difference during the day. I am looking into getting an endochrinologist, but I have to check if my insurance requires a doctor referel. I had my blood pressure checked a couple weeks ago and it was low, like usual. Oh, and don't worry, any info you give is helpful, I don't scare too easily Dizzy
For K9mom. 
Dizzy
