I had hypothyroidism for 25 years. I believe my sleep apnea began about 10 years ago...have been on CPAP for almost 5 years. So I'm not sure that the two are connected physically although the symptoms are much the same.
Quote:
Originally Posted by djchandler
Di,
I'm new to this forum, but I have just a note of caution for you. I was sleep tested 2.5 years ago, and have been on a CPAP respirator since then. Since I'm a bit overweight (5'10", 230 lbs), obstructive sleep apnea looked like a no-brainer. It's too bad nobody tried testing for hypothyroidism until now. I just got diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and have a goiter with 6 nodules. Make sure you are screened for obstructions as well, especially if you have difficulty swallowing or choke easily. I'm wondering now that I'm on Synthroid if I'll need that CPAP Respirator much longer.
If you don't get over your daytime slumps after some treatment like CPAP, make sure you push your primary care physician into actually looking down your throat. My doc gets a break because I already had an 18" neck size- I can't hold her to blame for everything. It's still hard for me to discern what should be there and what shouldn't. I was told by others (patients that I knew, all overweight) how great I would feel after using the CPAP for a while, but there was obviously something else going on, and it's taken until now to find it. Insurance companies like this particular treatment because the long term costs are cheap if it actually works, and the diagnostic procedure is relatively cheap and non-invasive. There wasn't even an RN on duty at the lab where I was sent (in Kansas.) That may vary state to state.
Good luck. I hope this works for you. But don't give up trying to pin this down if it doesn't. 
Regards,
DJ |