I Had A Hyperthyroid Crisis At Christmas 2019. I Am

Posted on Wed, 11 Mar 2020

Question: I had a hyperthyroid crisis at Christmas 2019. I am usually hypo but lost weight due to stress. I took sudafed and nasal decongestant for two weeks before realising it wasn’t recommended ( a pharmacist recommended). Still having heart flutters although recent ecg and thyroid levels all within range. Is this anxiety or has sudafed caused damage here? Struggling with mental after effects of hyper crisis.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is not likely from Sudafed effects.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, welcome to Ask a doctor's service.
I read your query and here is my advice.

I think the symptoms you are having may be related to anxiety more than to usage of Sudafed . The effects of Sudafed are the narrowing of nasal vessels and it is supposed that it can narrow the heart blood vessels too.
And this is the opposite effect that is supposed to do the heart in hyperthyroidism when it should have wider blood vessels to support the high frequency contractions.
The effects of Sudafed are gone very quickly and now it is not likely that you are on Sudafed effects now.
You don't have to worry about it.
I believe it can be anxiety causing the symptoms since because even your thyroid levels are normal.
Hope I have answered the question .
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (15 hours later)

Thank you Dr. The answer is very comprehensive. My T4 levels came back yesterday after lowered dose of Levothyroxine they’ve gone from 20 to 18.1 daily dose of meds from 150 to 112.5.
Is this still too high for T4? My Specialist endo labs range is 19.0 top end but other labs suggest 12.5?
What is your opinion? T3 normal and TSH normal.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your T4 levels are a bit elevated.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
The T4 normal range is below 11.5mcg /dl. You are having a bit elevated T4 levels but they are getting low since you lowered the dosage of levothyroxine.
This can be the reason of your symptoms causing you elevated heart beats and anxiety.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (26 hours later)

My endo has recommended lowering dosage to 100mcgs daily. I take Levothyroxine only, is there a more effective treatment for my condition (dessicated ?) thank you.

Answered by Dr. Olgeta Xhufka (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You can try armour thyroid too .

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and thank you for asking again.
Lowering the dosage of levothyroxine is to 100mcg daily is the right way to improve your symptoms.
I too believe that you need to lower the dosage.
You can even use armour thyroid which is considered as a natural alternative of levothyroxine.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D