Hyperthyroidism
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Baba,
From what I gather from aquaintances with same problem the treatment using carbimazole takes time. On the average it took them 4 to 6 months before they were declared euthyroid after which the go on a reduced dosage and then on a maintenance dose for about a year. One lucky guy's thyroid's problem burnt itself out; the other two's symptoms returned and they were again put on a treatment regime which prepare them eventually to undergo the radio iodine therapy. Hope this help you prepare yourself for frustration as your treatment gets prolonged.
From what I gather from aquaintances with same problem the treatment using carbimazole takes time. On the average it took them 4 to 6 months before they were declared euthyroid after which the go on a reduced dosage and then on a maintenance dose for about a year. One lucky guy's thyroid's problem burnt itself out; the other two's symptoms returned and they were again put on a treatment regime which prepare them eventually to undergo the radio iodine therapy. Hope this help you prepare yourself for frustration as your treatment gets prolonged.
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Hi Raj & SpaceNeedle,
Thanks for your helpful posts. Have you any info on the side effects of PTU ( propylthiouracil )? My endocrinologist would not switch me over to PTU unless I stop carbimazole treatment for at least a month; he said that there may be contra indication if the two drugs are mixed.
Thanks for your helpful posts. Have you any info on the side effects of PTU ( propylthiouracil )? My endocrinologist would not switch me over to PTU unless I stop carbimazole treatment for at least a month; he said that there may be contra indication if the two drugs are mixed.
Avoid imitations
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Babablackship,
Sorry to have caused consternation by removing my post. On reflection it contained personal information that I was not happy to leave on a public website. Also, I thought that others might be tempted to follow my example, which went against medical advice and might be dangerous to another person.
Sorry to have caused consternation by removing my post. On reflection it contained personal information that I was not happy to leave on a public website. Also, I thought that others might be tempted to follow my example, which went against medical advice and might be dangerous to another person.
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Hi guys,
Light at the end of the tunnel. After 3 over months of treatment with carbimazole, my T4 & T3 hormone levels dropped below the upper limits of the respective normal ranges. My endocrinologist is happy to declare me euthyroid and subject to a full physical by the AME, I am good to go as far as my flight status is concerned. The AME indicated that as my bp, ECG, blood tests, vision tests etc are all OK, my class 1 medical status certificate is restored. My thyroid medication and low dose beta blockers are OK for flying. Now comes the other hard part, requalification on the simulator, and line checks! Thanks guys for all your input and advice. To those who do have similar condition, patience is the key word as the treatment and recovery period is indeed protracted. Best wishes to all. Cheers!
Light at the end of the tunnel. After 3 over months of treatment with carbimazole, my T4 & T3 hormone levels dropped below the upper limits of the respective normal ranges. My endocrinologist is happy to declare me euthyroid and subject to a full physical by the AME, I am good to go as far as my flight status is concerned. The AME indicated that as my bp, ECG, blood tests, vision tests etc are all OK, my class 1 medical status certificate is restored. My thyroid medication and low dose beta blockers are OK for flying. Now comes the other hard part, requalification on the simulator, and line checks! Thanks guys for all your input and advice. To those who do have similar condition, patience is the key word as the treatment and recovery period is indeed protracted. Best wishes to all. Cheers!
Last edited by Babablackship; 11th Aug 2007 at 09:49.
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BBBS - good luck with it, and continue monitoring. It might be useful if I just mention what happened to me perhaps (I hold a Class 1 with no problem at the moment):
If you feel irritable, and you argue with your partner - it needs sorting.
If it is not being controlled correctly and you don't feel 100% every day, suggest a TSH blood test.
I have just noticed you said that T4 and TSH were both high - clearly different from my case where they go different directions. I don't think there is much understanding of what actually causes these unfortunately - perhaps random viruses?!
- Hugely hyperthyroid, occurred within a week (but on reflection was using a tank of air quicker than others while diving up to 6 months prior).
- Controlled with Carbimazole & Beta Blockers for three months.
- Encrinologist recommended I-131 (though no idea why it arose, his experience considered it better to eliminate and control at my age).
- Replacement thyroxine daily, but tricky to control, as I have massive thyroxine antibodies in my system for no apparent reason - endocrinologist therefore recommends controlling the TSH (stimulant hormone) rather than the T4 itself.
- Fine now (3 years later), but very sensitive to incorrect dosage.
If you feel irritable, and you argue with your partner - it needs sorting.
If it is not being controlled correctly and you don't feel 100% every day, suggest a TSH blood test.
I have just noticed you said that T4 and TSH were both high - clearly different from my case where they go different directions. I don't think there is much understanding of what actually causes these unfortunately - perhaps random viruses?!
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Crvena55
Have only recently joined this forum so I hope you see this post!
Hypothyroidism can have a number of causes, often either the gland is not producing enough hormone despite adequate stimulus from the Hypothalamus (another gland that controls the function of many other glands) or there is not enough stimulation from above.
What has probably happened in your case is that with the abnormal gland producing lots of Thyroxine, the normal production of the stimulating hormones (TRH and TSH) have been suppressed (called negative feedback). Now the abnormal gland has been removed, it will take a while for the TRH and TSH levels to come up, after which time the remaining thyroid tissue will hopefully produce enough hormone to mean that you do not need to take thyroid replacement any more. You may find that your dose just gets smaller. If you are getting any of the symptoms that people have described for hypERthyroidism (essentially everything working too quickly, especially heart, breathing and bowels!) then your dose may need reducing. See your doctor again
Hope that helps
Bob
Have only recently joined this forum so I hope you see this post!
Hypothyroidism can have a number of causes, often either the gland is not producing enough hormone despite adequate stimulus from the Hypothalamus (another gland that controls the function of many other glands) or there is not enough stimulation from above.
What has probably happened in your case is that with the abnormal gland producing lots of Thyroxine, the normal production of the stimulating hormones (TRH and TSH) have been suppressed (called negative feedback). Now the abnormal gland has been removed, it will take a while for the TRH and TSH levels to come up, after which time the remaining thyroid tissue will hopefully produce enough hormone to mean that you do not need to take thyroid replacement any more. You may find that your dose just gets smaller. If you are getting any of the symptoms that people have described for hypERthyroidism (essentially everything working too quickly, especially heart, breathing and bowels!) then your dose may need reducing. See your doctor again
Hope that helps
Bob
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Bob the Doc ,
Thanks on your reply. Well after my operation my Thyroid gland was working just fine for some 1,5 years, and then when I went to have one check-up, my hormon level was low. So, I started taking medications with seeing my doctor every 2 months, and now my hormon level is ok (but I do take half of one medication every morning). I guess that my situation changed (from my thyroid working ok with one half, to the state when I need to take medication) when I had one really stresfull period in my life, and when I had so much bad things happening to me. And I know that stress is real big enemy of Thyroid gland. I am ok last few months (mening without much stress), and I hope that my hormons will be ok soon, and I still visit my doctor every 2 months.
But if I continue on taking my medication in orded to have my hormones on right lever, is that ok for Cabin Crew? Can I pass medicals with taking medication or any kind of mdication is no-no for Cabin Crew?
Thanks on your reply. Well after my operation my Thyroid gland was working just fine for some 1,5 years, and then when I went to have one check-up, my hormon level was low. So, I started taking medications with seeing my doctor every 2 months, and now my hormon level is ok (but I do take half of one medication every morning). I guess that my situation changed (from my thyroid working ok with one half, to the state when I need to take medication) when I had one really stresfull period in my life, and when I had so much bad things happening to me. And I know that stress is real big enemy of Thyroid gland. I am ok last few months (mening without much stress), and I hope that my hormons will be ok soon, and I still visit my doctor every 2 months.
But if I continue on taking my medication in orded to have my hormones on right lever, is that ok for Cabin Crew? Can I pass medicals with taking medication or any kind of mdication is no-no for Cabin Crew?
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Hyperthyroidism
Bob the Doc,
Thanks for your reply.
What happened to me is next: I had operation of Thyroid gland in March 2005, and then after operation for some 1,5 year the rest of my gland (2nd half) was doing just fine, without any medications. But then (I guess as a result of really stressfull situations that i had some 8-9 months ago), my thyroid didn't work so fine anymore, so my lever of hormones was less then normal, and I started taking medications. Now my hormon level is ok, but I still take half of medication every morning, and I don't have any side effects (and I see my doctor on regula basis, very 2 months)
So, is it alowed for Cabin Crew to take medication (to keep the lever of hormones normall) or is any kind of medication a big no-no for Emirates?
Thanks
Thanks for your reply.
What happened to me is next: I had operation of Thyroid gland in March 2005, and then after operation for some 1,5 year the rest of my gland (2nd half) was doing just fine, without any medications. But then (I guess as a result of really stressfull situations that i had some 8-9 months ago), my thyroid didn't work so fine anymore, so my lever of hormones was less then normal, and I started taking medications. Now my hormon level is ok, but I still take half of medication every morning, and I don't have any side effects (and I see my doctor on regula basis, very 2 months)
So, is it alowed for Cabin Crew to take medication (to keep the lever of hormones normall) or is any kind of medication a big no-no for Emirates?
Thanks
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crvena55, your condition would probably be a minor case of hypothyroidism brought about by removal of the most active part of your thyroid gland. Well this condition is generally less problematic than hyperthyroidism. As long as it is manageable by medication, you should have no problem as a cabin crew member. The only thing about long haul flying is that you tend to forget to take your medication on time due to time zone differences and fatigue! So you need to work out a reliable medication management routine. All the best.
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Reheat, looks like your post comes only after seeing BBBS got better! He would have surely appreciated it had it been earlier.
BBBS, once you had it under control I guess you should look for alternatives as against surgery or radioiodine therapy as Caboclo had suggested.
BBBS, once you had it under control I guess you should look for alternatives as against surgery or radioiodine therapy as Caboclo had suggested.
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Great thread. I have just been diagnosed with HYPER!. Am off for scans and x-rays soon, before starting the Carbimazole.
Looks like a few months gardening leave whilst hoping for a recovery. I'm a long haul CoJo and am missing it already.
Will keep posting updates.
nurj
Looks like a few months gardening leave whilst hoping for a recovery. I'm a long haul CoJo and am missing it already.
Will keep posting updates.
nurj
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Hi nurj, best of luck with your treatment. The scan will indicate whether it is Graves Disease or other thyroid problems. Be prepared for a protracted period of treatment with carbimazole. The posts by Caboclo, Re-Heat, Raj Merlion, SpaceNeedle are especially helpful. Watch out for the side effects of carbimazole which I believe yout endocrinologist will brief you at length.
I am completely euthyroid now and my endocrinologist is slowly weaning me off carbimazole. My thyroid hormone levels are still monitored every month.
I am completely euthyroid now and my endocrinologist is slowly weaning me off carbimazole. My thyroid hormone levels are still monitored every month.
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Cheers guys, the fact that you flyers are out there, having experienced this 'peculiar' condition, gives me hope. 
However, if the truth be known, I am feeling particularly miffed as, after 10 years in Big Airways, on the 747-400, my number has come up for an Airbus command, timed for early next year. My thyroid clearly does not fancy all those early starts! problem is, BA requires 6 months of un-interrupted flying prior to a command course.
B*llocks All this could not have come at a worse time.
Cheers for now, nurj
..edited to add, off for the scans tomorrow, and x-rays. Am on 50mg of Atenolol to slow my heart rate - AWESOME. No longer do I shake over those 3footers on the greens.
..oh, and as for the weight loss, (stone and a half) my wife longs to be hyper!!
However, if the truth be known, I am feeling particularly miffed as, after 10 years in Big Airways, on the 747-400, my number has come up for an Airbus command, timed for early next year. My thyroid clearly does not fancy all those early starts! problem is, BA requires 6 months of un-interrupted flying prior to a command course.
B*llocks
All this could not have come at a worse time.Cheers for now, nurj
..edited to add, off for the scans tomorrow, and x-rays. Am on 50mg of Atenolol to slow my heart rate - AWESOME. No longer do I shake over those 3footers on the greens.
..oh, and as for the weight loss, (stone and a half) my wife longs to be hyper!!
Last edited by nurjio; 12th Sep 2007 at 09:49.
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ENT man suggests a multi-nodular thyroid. On 40mg Carbimazole for 4 weeks to establish a 'modicum' of euthyroidism, then either surgery or radio-iodine treatment. Endocronologist next. Consensus so far that long term Carbimazole not for me given multi-nodular thyroid. Nothing sinister suspected - no need for fine needle aspiration biopsy.
What do you think folks? especially Bob the Doc.
nurj
Just had a thought, you guys with hyper had/have Graves, right? Am I the only one with nodules? It seems that thyroid nodules in blokes are much rarer. Am of for an isotope scan this week to track thyroid activity.
What do you think folks? especially Bob the Doc.
nurj
Just had a thought, you guys with hyper had/have Graves, right? Am I the only one with nodules? It seems that thyroid nodules in blokes are much rarer. Am of for an isotope scan this week to track thyroid activity.
Last edited by nurjio; 23rd Sep 2007 at 14:11.
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Radio-isotope scan showed uniform uptake of iodine. Nowt sinister etc.
Carbimazole to euthyroid, then, hopefully, class 1 back.
Going to consider thyroid removal in 12 months time.
nurj
Carbimazole to euthyroid, then, hopefully, class 1 back.
Going to consider thyroid removal in 12 months time.
nurj