Can air hunger kill you?

[Guest guest]

I have been having this for a few years but never knew what it was.

Everyone asks me if I am stressed out and why am I sighing.

Recently it's become so bad that I can't sleep b/c I am gasping for

air. I keep trying to find a position that will let me breath, but

sometimes if I start to fall asleep, I jerk awake struggling for air.

I have a " normal " TSH (2.3) so I can't get any thyroid help, and I am

just wondering how dangerous this is? I sometimes feel like I am

dying but I try to tough it out b/c I don't know what other option I

have.

Thanks,

Eve

[Guest guest]

Eve,

I think it's a hypo thing for me. I sigh a lot also and as my levels

are coming up it's getting better. Your TSH is not normal. I always

thought it was anything over 2. that you need to have antibodies

tested and should be on meds. Can you go to a different doc? I had

to beg my doc for a dose increase. I felt like I was dying a couple

of months ago. I knew I was in major crisis and my levels were

screwed. My TSH was 3.74 in the normal range. GGGRRRRR.... I find

out out my new labs tomorrow I hope they are where I want them since

the doc is a quack. Maybe Topper will tell you about Nesting and

sleeping (Hint! Hint!) Hope this helps. Below is some references also.

Sami

This is from www.thyroidmanager. org it is written by Endo's for Endo's

with regards to thyroid and is considered by many to be as close to the

thyroid bible as you can get..

4. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone/Thyrotropin ) Assays

Then to (b.) - TSH Reference Ranges

Excerpt:

The new TSH upper limit of 2.5 mIU/L is supported by the data from

the Whickham follow-up study that found an increased risk of

hypothyroidism in individuals with serum TSH > 2.0 mU/L, especially

if TPOAb was present 182. This report suggests that when longitudinal

study data are available, the TSH upper reference limit may fall

further.

http://www.thyroidmanager.org/FunctionTests/assay-text.htm

Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism remains

controversial, and recent arguments for and against treatment

have been proposed (19,21). We believe that treatment

is indicated in patients with TSH levels >10 µIU/mL

or in patients with TSH levels between 5 and 10 µIU/mL

in conjunction with goiter or positive anti-thyroid peroxidase

antibodies (or both). These patients have the highest

rates of progression to overt hypothyroidism. An initial

dosage of levothyroxine of 25 to 50 µg/day can be used,

the serum TSH level should be measured in 6 to 8 weeks,

and the levothyroxine dose should be adjusted as necessary.

The target TSH level should be between 0.3 and 3.0

µIU/mL. Once a stable TSH level is achieved, annual

examination is appropriate.

From:AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS

MEDICAL GUIDELINES FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

FOR THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF

HYPERTHYROIDISM AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Vol. 90, No. 9

5483-5488

Copyright © 2005 by The Endocrine Society

CONTROVERSY IN CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY

The Evidence for a Narrower Thyrotropin Reference Range Is Compelling

Leonard Wartofsky and A Dickey

Department of Medicine, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C.

20010; Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda,

land 20814; and town University School of Medicine,

Washington, D.C. 20006

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Leonard

Wartofsky, Department of Medicine, Washington Hospital Center, 110

Irving Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20010-2975. E-mail:

leonard.wartofsky@....

Debate and controversy currently surround the recommendations of a

recent consensus conference that considered issues related to the

management of early, mild, or so-called subclinical hypothyroidism and

hyperthyroidism. Intimately related to the controversy is the

definition of the normal reference range for TSH. It has become clear

that previously accepted reference ranges are no longer valid as a

result of both the development of more highly sensitive TSH assays and

the appreciation that reference populations previously considered

normal were contaminated with individuals with various degrees of

thyroid dysfunction that served to increase mean TSH levels for the

group. Recent laboratory guidelines from the National Academy of

Clinical Biochemistry indicate that more than 95% of normal

individuals have TSH levels below 2.5 mU/liter. The remainder with

higher values are outliers, most of whom are likely to have underlying

Hashimoto thyroiditis or other causes of elevated TSH. Importantly,

data indicating that African-Americans with very low incidence of

Hashimoto thyroiditis have a mean TSH level of 1.18 mU/liter strongly

suggest that this value is the true normal mean for a normal

population. Recognition and establishment of a more precise and true

normal range for TSH have important implications for both screening

and treatment of thyroid disease in general and subclinical thyroid

disease in particular.

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/90/9/5483

>

> I have been having this for a few years but never knew what it was.

> Everyone asks me if I am stressed out and why am I sighing.

> Recently it's become so bad that I can't sleep b/c I am gasping for

> air. I keep trying to find a position that will let me breath, but

> sometimes if I start to fall asleep, I jerk awake struggling for air.

> I have a " normal " TSH (2.3) so I can't get any thyroid help, and I am

> just wondering how dangerous this is? I sometimes feel like I am

> dying but I try to tough it out b/c I don't know what other option I

> have.

>

> Thanks,

> Eve

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sami, I actually did have the antibodies tested and was

negative. The whole panel was:

TSH 2.3

FT3 1.1 (0.8-1.8)

FT4 260 (230-420)

TPO anti: 20 (<35)

Thyroglobulin anti: <20

I have lower CO2 also [21 (21-33)] which I think I read may be b/c of

the air hunger.

I went to a holistic doc, supposedly a great office and spent almost

$5000 with no answers. I've given up for now...I guess I just have to

wait until I get bad enough to treat.

-Eve-

[Guest guest]

Hi Eve,

I remember my mother had this same exact problem, but it was a reaction to the drug Lopressor that she was taking for hypertension. She suffered with this for many months while several doctors attributed it to anxiety. They even went so far as to do respiratory tests and then concluded that it was anxiety. I knew it wasn't and soon after found a doctor that would take her off the Lopressor. The air hunger resolved within 2-3 days of going off the drug and she never had it again.

Definitely go to your doctor and insist that she investigate the cause.

Good luck,

-----Original Message-----From: The_Thyroid_Support_Group [mailto:The_Thyroid_Support_Group ] On Behalf Of GREEKEVESent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 12:16 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Can air hunger kill you?

I have been having this for a few years but never knew what it was. Everyone asks me if I am stressed out and why am I sighing. Recently it's become so bad that I can't sleep b/c I am gasping for air. I keep trying to find a position that will let me breath, but sometimes if I start to fall asleep, I jerk awake struggling for air. I have a "normal" TSH (2.3) so I can't get any thyroid help, and I am just wondering how dangerous this is? I sometimes feel like I am dying but I try to tough it out b/c I don't know what other option I have.Thanks,Eve

[Guest guest]

Do you have enlarged Palantine tonsils (side of throat)or Lingual

tonsils (base & behind tongue)and prone to snore?

>

> I have been having this for a few years but never knew what it was.

> Everyone asks me if I am stressed out and why am I sighing.

> Recently it's become so bad that I can't sleep b/c I am gasping for

> air. I keep trying to find a position that will let me breath, but

> sometimes if I start to fall asleep, I jerk awake struggling for

air.

> I have a " normal " TSH (2.3) so I can't get any thyroid help, and I

am

> just wondering how dangerous this is? I sometimes feel like I am

> dying but I try to tough it out b/c I don't know what other option I

> have.

>

> Thanks,

> Eve

>

[Guest guest]

What thyroid meds are you on?

Micki

Health Eating and Living Together

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/he2gether_/

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Re: Can air hunger kill you?

Thanks Sami, I actually did have the antibodies tested and was

negative. The whole panel was:

TSH 2.3

FT3 1.1 (0.8-1.8)

FT4 260 (230-420)

TPO anti: 20 (<35)

Thyroglobulin anti: <20

[Guest guest]

Once my holistic doctor told me that my sighing was due to low

magnesium and when I supplemented with magnesium, the sighing went away.

wrote:

Hi Eve,

I remember my mother had this same exact

problem, but it was a reaction to the drug Lopressor that she was

taking for hypertension. She suffered with this for many months while

several doctors attributed it to anxiety. They even went so far as to

do respiratory tests and then concluded that it was anxiety. I knew

it wasn't and soon after found a doctor that would take her off the

Lopressor. The air hunger resolved within 2-3 days of going off the

drug and she never had it again.

Definitely go to your doctor and insist that she

investigate the cause.

Good luck,

Can air hunger

kill you?

I have been having this for a few years but never knew what it

was.

Everyone asks me if I am stressed out and why am I sighing.

Recently it's become so bad that I can't sleep b/c I am gasping for

air. I keep trying to find a position that will let me breath, but

sometimes if I start to fall asleep, I jerk awake struggling for air.

I have a "normal" TSH (2.3) so I can't get any thyroid help, and I am

just wondering how dangerous this is? I sometimes feel like I am

dying but I try to tough it out b/c I don't know what other option I

have.

Thanks,

Eve

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This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

I'm not on anything. I'm told my thyroid is " just fine. "

>

> What thyroid meds are you on?

>

> Micki

>

> Health Eating and Living Together

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/he2gether_/

>

> www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

>

>

>

>

>

> Re: Can air hunger kill you?

>

> Thanks Sami, I actually did have the antibodies tested and was

> negative. The whole panel was:

> TSH 2.3

> FT3 1.1 (0.8-1.8)

> FT4 260 (230-420)

> TPO anti: 20 (<35)

> Thyroglobulin anti: <20

>

[Guest guest]

Yes I have massive tonsils!! But they have been huge my entire life.

The air hunger only started a couple years ago, around the same time

my hair started falling out and started gaining weight.

-Eve-

>

> Do you have enlarged Palantine tonsils (side of throat)or Lingual

> tonsils (base & behind tongue)and prone to snore?

>

[Guest guest]

I'm going to try this. It can't hurt!

-Eve

>

> Once my holistic doctor told me that my sighing was due to low

magnesium

> and when I supplemented with magnesium, the sighing went away.

>

[Guest guest]

They are in range and for a basic dtr they would say you are fine, but I

know on those labs I would feel like crap. Might be worth looking into one

of the guru dtrs. I finally did and glad I did. The only thing that sucks

is they don't normally take insurance. I know the one I go to if you have

out of network then some of it is covered, but my insurance does not have

that option. So it's all out of pocket for me.

I know I'm no help, but trust in how you feel.

hugs

Micki

Health Eating and Living Together

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/he2gether_/

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Re: Can air hunger kill you?

>

> Thanks Sami, I actually did have the antibodies tested and was

> negative. The whole panel was:

> TSH 2.3

> FT3 1.1 (0.8-1.8)

> FT4 260 (230-420)

> TPO anti: 20 (<35)

> Thyroglobulin anti: <20

>

[Guest guest]

Eve,

I had huge tonsils too and before they were taken out, my lingual

tonsils had swelled some too. This didn't resolve my issues, though I

no longer snore.

Prior to their removal, there were a few times that I had woke up

struggling for air. Felt like I was being held under water. It wasn't

due to nightmares.

Strangely and for whatever reason, shortly after surgery (tonsils)I

had air hunger. It was distressing and yes, it worried me. Fortunately

it stopped.

The only other thing that I can think of, do you have LPR (acid

reflux?) it's a " silent " form of reflux, actually.

This may not be the case at all, in fact...not suggesting it, other

than a possibility and one that can be tested yourself with OTC

Prilosec. Which is why I mention it.

~Kate

> >

> > Do you have enlarged Palantine tonsils (side of throat)or Lingual

> > tonsils (base & behind tongue)and prone to snore?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

First thing off, take your respirations for a full minute. What are they

per minute? This is very important, but even the MOST important thing is

that you have to find a doc who will do the proper tests. No doc is worth

dying for. When hypo, the respirations slow down quite a lot, to the point

that sometimes one breathes out, but gets startled awake or even WHILE

awake, doesn't breathe back in until they MAKE themselves breathe back in.

This is hypo at it's very finest. Do those respirations, then go find

another doc. I am self treating beCAUSE one is directly unavailable to me

in my area who knows what they are doing. Not to say that I feel good, but

I feel better than I used to in some ways. However, I still need a good

thyroid doc.

Can air hunger kill you?

>I have been having this for a few years but never knew what it was.

> Everyone asks me if I am stressed out and why am I sighing.

> Recently it's become so bad that I can't sleep b/c I am gasping for

> air. I keep trying to find a position that will let me breath, but

> sometimes if I start to fall asleep, I jerk awake struggling for air.

> I have a " normal " TSH (2.3) so I can't get any thyroid help, and I am

> just wondering how dangerous this is? I sometimes feel like I am

> dying but I try to tough it out b/c I don't know what other option I

> have.

>

> Thanks,

> Eve

[Guest guest]

Oh my god ! That's exactly how i feel!!! I sometimes " forget " to

breath while I am awake and sometimes it's a conscious thing to force

myself to take a breath. I breath very shallow too and every 5-10

breaths or so, I struggle for a deeper breath (like a yawn). I can

rarely get that satisfying deep breath I feel I need.

I wonder if, when I fall asleep, I'm unconscious so I can't " remember "

to breath?

I am about 11 breaths/minute by the way.

Kate I do have acid reflux too. But it comes and goes. I am not on

any medication for it. It started about the time all my other crazy

symptoms started, so I wonder if everything is related?

-Eve-

>

When hypo, the respirations slow down quite a lot, to the point

> that sometimes one breathes out, but gets startled awake or even

WHILE

> awake, doesn't breathe back in until they MAKE themselves breathe

back in.

[Guest guest]

> I am about 11 breaths/minute by the way.

> -Eve-

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Your breaths should be around about

18 or so per minute. You are definitely hypo. I don't even have any of my

little geriatric patients who are breathing this slowly, Eve, not even those

who are up in their 90s or close to 100 or so. Most of them breathe right

around the 18 to 20 breaths per minute, some way too fast, but none of them

at 11 to 12 breaths a minute. You are HYPO HYPO HYPO. Did you say what

your pulse was already? Some doctors try to claim that a slow HRate is

" athlete's heart " . That is hogwash! Some people MIGHT have a " normal " 68

BPM, but average healthy while having been resting for 15 to 20 minutes or

so is going to be around 70-80, no higher or lower, give or take a

palpitation or two in there. When I went without any thyroid meds for 2 to

3 months or so (very hypo), mine went down anywhere from 53-58 per minute.

I could feel the difference and in my breaths, too. I knew what was going

on there because I had experienced it before I was ever treated, yrs before

that, along with the air hunger. When I get air hunger now is during subtle

asthma attacks or with sinus problems, which I have plenty of, or even when

the thyroid does it's swelling act.

Re: Can air hunger kill you?

> Oh my god ! That's exactly how i feel!!! I sometimes " forget " to

> breath while I am awake and sometimes it's a conscious thing to force

> myself to take a breath. I breath very shallow too and every 5-10

> breaths or so, I struggle for a deeper breath (like a yawn). I can

> rarely get that satisfying deep breath I feel I need.

> I wonder if, when I fall asleep, I'm unconscious so I can't " remember "

> to breath?

> I am about 11 breaths/minute by the way.

>

> Kate I do have acid reflux too. But it comes and goes. I am not on

> any medication for it. It started about the time all my other crazy

> symptoms started, so I wonder if everything is related?

>

> -Eve-

[Guest guest]

I just counted my pulse at 68. And no I am not an athlete! I am

100+ lbs overweight.

I know I am hypo. I can feel it. So many " ah-ha " moments when I

started researching...it can't be a coincidence.

-Eve-

>

>

You are HYPO HYPO HYPO. Did you say what

> your pulse was already? Some doctors try to claim that a slow

HRate is

> " athlete's heart " . That is hogwash! Some people MIGHT have

a " normal " 68

> BPM, but average healthy while having been resting for 15 to 20

minutes or

> so is going to be around 70-80, no higher or lower, give or take a

> palpitation or two in there.