Fatigue from Hyperthyroid Disease
One of the most difficult symptoms of hyperthyroid disease is the fatigue and weakness that it causes. Many people are surprised to learn that fatigue is aggravated by this form of thyroid disease.
The association with an over active thyroid sounds like it would make you more energetic. The reverse is actually true. Your body is burning so quickly that it is stressed out and tired even when you aren’t being physically active.
During the early stages of treatment, fatigue caused by the disease and the introduction of many of the medications to treat hyperthyroid disease can make dealing with daily life difficult.
There are some things you can do to manage the effects of the disease while your treatment continues.
Get Plenty of Sleep
As easy as that sounds, it can be very difficult for a person suffering from hyperthyroid disease to get enough sleep. With a metabolism that is running overtime it is hard to calm down enough to sleep properly. That leads to even more fatigue than what is caused by the stress of the disease itself. Some ways to get better sleep while dealing with hyperthyroidism are:
- Drink herbal tea and avoid black tea or caffeinated drinks.
- Take up yoga. Yoga relaxes the body and the mind to help you sleep better and deal with the daily stress of the thyroid disease better.
- Keep the temperature cool in your home, especially the bedroom.
- Eat a small protein snack before bed. Having an overactive thyroid can make it difficult to sleep, because your metabolism is burning and has nothing to burn it on at night. A small amount of protein gives your already burning metabolism something to do and eases the stress on your body.
- Set your body clock. Irregular sleep schedules are difficult for healthy individuals to deal with. They are even more difficult to handle when going through treatment for the illness.
During treatment for hyperthyroid disease a sudden onslaught of fatigue may indicate a problem with medication doses. Always alert your physician when you experience unusual fatigue or weakness while under treatment.
Seek Help for Hyperthyroid Related Depression
Depression caused by the illness or dealing with the stress of the condition can aggravate fatigue. If you are dealing with depression as a result of your treatment or outside issues speak with your physician or a qualified therapist.
No management schemes can replace medical treatment for hyperthyroidism. It is important to see your physician immediately if you are experiencing the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Along with fatigue those symptoms include trembling, sweating, heart palpitations, changes in bowl function, sensitivity to heat, changes in menstrual cycle, dry eyes, bulging eyes, unexplained weight loss, red patches or swelling on the shins.
If you have questions or concerns about thyroid problems see your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a thyroid surgeon.
