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What Causes Extreme Fatigue While Treating Graves' Disease?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Mar 2015
Question: Hello, I'm writing to give Dr XXXXXXX Endocrinologist, giving him an update regarding our discussions last night. I went back to my Primary Dr today for review of the nuclear med scan and the thyroid ultrasound. I told him that "I had spoken with an Endocrinologist and had sent my records to him for review and that he said I have Graves' Disease". He said that wasn't his area of expertise, and that he'd leave the final diagnosis up to the Endocrinologist. He did increase my Celexa from 20 mg to 40 mg and put me on Propranolol 20 mg before each meal. He said that any additional meds would have to come from the Endocrinologist. He did however, fax a referral to the Endocrinologist's office, and when I called to make my appointment, I was told I for some reason that I had to wait until Monday to set up my initial visit. I do have a question for you regarding the extreme fatigue. I work in a very busy restaurant in a busy huge hotel near XXXXXXX FL and as of last weekend, could not finish a dinner shift, do you know if it's common for patients to feel too tired to even go to work? I'm even thinking about taking FMLA leave until I can get on the any additional meds from the Endocrinologist and have time to adjust to them. In the meantime, I'm trying to take good care of myself and sleep as much as I can (which is sometimes only a few hours each night), and I hope the change in my one med, and the additional med might help with that. I spend the day exhausted and then have insomnia, it's just so much fun. Thank You, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX : )
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Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (40 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Good day.
My sincere apologies for the delay in reply.
I was travelling to XXXXXXX
I do respect the honest reply of your primary care doctor.
The two options you have is 1) Anti thyroid drugs 2) radio iodine ablation. Please let me know your endocrinology consultation report.

The fatigue which you experience could be from hyperthyroidism itself or due to lack of good sleep at night. It is extremely important to sleep at least 8 hours at night continously. Taking an anti anxiety pill like Anitryptylline may help to reduce anxiety as well as to get some good sleep. Till you meet an endo, please continue Propranolol.
Regards

Binu
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1438 Questions

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What Causes Extreme Fatigue While Treating Graves' Disease?

Brief Answer: Follow up Detailed Answer: Good day. My sincere apologies for the delay in reply. I was travelling to XXXXXXX I do respect the honest reply of your primary care doctor. The two options you have is 1) Anti thyroid drugs 2) radio iodine ablation. Please let me know your endocrinology consultation report. The fatigue which you experience could be from hyperthyroidism itself or due to lack of good sleep at night. It is extremely important to sleep at least 8 hours at night continously. Taking an anti anxiety pill like Anitryptylline may help to reduce anxiety as well as to get some good sleep. Till you meet an endo, please continue Propranolol. Regards Binu