a few years ago I was treated for Hyperthyroidism and now I am Hypo thyroid, but have some of the same symptoms as Sleep Apnea I see on this site. I am at a new job so I can't look into a sleep test just yet, but will be able to next month. My sleeping issues didn't really get noticeable till I was treated for Hyperthyroidism and now it's a major chore to sleep at night. Can my thyroid be part of the reason for the severity of my sleeping issues?

smilee38 wrote:

a few years ago I was treated for Hyperthyroidism and now I am Hypo thyroid, but have some of the same symptoms as Sleep Apnea I see on this site. I am at a new job so I can't look into a sleep test just yet, but will be able to next month. My sleeping issues didn't really get noticeable till I was treated for Hyperthyroidism and now it's a major chore to sleep at night. Can my thyroid be part of the reason for the severity of my sleeping issues?

Interesting question to something I know nothing about.  You had me so curious so I started searching the internet.  I had head there was a connection, but have not seen any detailed descriptions as of yet.  So you had me curious too.  I do know that I had a thyroid problem before diagnosis for sleep apnea, seems I'd developed both high blood pressure and thyroid problems about a year before diagnosis, during the worst of my sleep apnea.  I haven't searched much yet for this, but this was the first article I ran across on the internet.  I don't know how reliable it is, but you might find it interesting:

Click here for link to article

If I find more, I'll be sure to add it.


Linda

Yes Similee,

Hypothyroidism has many of the same symtoms as OSA, such as extreme fatigue, etc.  Any good sleep doc. will do blood work to rule out metabolic disorders at the beginning.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Linda,

I clicked on the link and read the article and will probably do more research since reading it. I do have periodic check ups for my hypothyroidism and keep on top of my medication, but I curious about the effect it has on my sleeping issues. Thanks again for the information.

Smilee,

Do you have hypo or hyper thyroidism?  Your subject says hypo but your post says hyper?

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Vicki,

I was first diagnosed with "hyper"thyroidism, and once the thyroid gland burns itself out you are then "hypo" thyroid. So, I am now hypothyroid and take a thyroid supplement to balance out the thyroid hormones.

The linked article indicates only 1.4% of those with sleep apnea are also hypothyroid, but I must be in that 1.4%!  I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about two years after my sleep apnea diagnosis.  I wonder how many of us are in that 1.4%; my guess is quite a few.  Might be a good question for a survey on this website.

The two conditions share some symptoms, but not others (eg skin and hair changes for hypothyroid).

Hmmm ... interesting ...

I was diagnosed hypothyroid 1 1/2 yrs ago and one of my main complaints was unrefreshed sleep.  And I was tired all the time and foggy headed.  Things got better once I got medicated but  in the last 3 to 6 months things have gone haywire again and I thought it was my thyroid, it turns out I  have just been diagnosed severe OSA.  
So here I am on this site looking for new answers to this new problem.  

Anyway, they have alot in common to me.

Leslie
(new poster)

Hi, I've had hypothyroidism for over 30 years.  I had a very,very difficult time of getting the right diagnois.  At that time they used the cholesterol count.  High meant hypothyroid and normal or low meant a problem.  They wouldn't do the actual blood work.  It was hell!  I was put on an antidepressant and when I took it the first time, I fell into a deep sleep.  I could not be aroused and I slept for 5 hours.  I was at work and had to sleep in the sick room.  I never took another antidepressant.  I stayed away from doctors as I was  very afraid of them.  Since then I do my homework and I have a wonderful doctor that listens to me, finally.  But the synthroid did nothing for me I could take 3 a day and did not feel any better.  I suggested a sleep study and my doctor OKed it.  I was diagnosed about a year ago with sleep apnea.  I've been on the nasal mask and after a few nights the next day is unbearable due to nasal decongestion, sneezing, and watery eyes.  I could not get any help from my pulmonolgist, went back to my regular doctor and we seem to have gotten a handle on things.  I have 2 masks, one nasal and a full face.  I can wear the full face without having all the problems.  I do feel better, look better, remember better and am a different person!
Don't give up, be persistent.  Most importantly, get a doctor that will listen to you!!!

smilee38 wrote:

a few years ago I was treated for Hyperthyroidism and now I am Hypo thyroid, but have some of the same symptoms as Sleep Apnea I see on this site. I am at a new job so I can't look into a sleep test just yet, but will be able to next month. My sleeping issues didn't really get noticeable till I was treated for Hyperthyroidism and now it's a major chore to sleep at night. Can my thyroid be part of the reason for the severity of my sleeping issues?

I just took my sleep study last night and I definitely have sleep apnea.  I am also hypothyroid due to having my thyroid removed 8 1/2 years ago due to thyroid cancer.  I don't believe the two have anything to do with each other, although both can cause sleep problems.  

Right now, my TSH levels are a little out of whack, but even when everything was dead on, I had problems sleeping.  (I ran out of meds and the Dr. would refill with out seeing me.  Of course it was 2 weeks before I could see the Dr. and I had to do blood work that was worthless because I hadn't been on my meds.)  It's just gotten progressively worse.  

I had more problems with insomnia than anything when I had to go without the synthroid for 3 months while I was going through my ablation and tests following the thyroid removal and ablation.  I was always tired, but had an extremely hard time going to sleep.  I think the fatigue was worse without the thyroid medication than it is now.  Now, I can fall asleep almost instantly, but I also quit breathing almost instantly.  This can be laying down, or even sitting in my chair watching TV.  The older I've gotten, the worse the sleep has been.  I can't wait to get my machine and get back to sleeping (and breathing) normally again.

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 22 years ago.  I have had to change doses a number of times, but now I'm synthroid (T4) and armour thyroid (T3 + T4).  What I'm wondering is this - do I have hypothyroidism and severe sleep apnea or has one caused the other? Hypothyroidism can make one be sleepy and snore.