Living with Graves' Disease

My Letter To Doc

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:28:54 +0000

I sent a letter to doc, hoping she'd either order increase of Unithroid or discuss T3 with me since my T3 is lower, however, instead I was read her reply that my TSH is very low, and she does not see a need for increase, therefore, the matter of my concern is beyond her scope and would refer me to Endo.

So now what? Will I get an Endo who knows anything? Will I continue to decrease in active T3, and increase in fatigue and bowel issues??

I don't understand why they can't see the obvious. Graves = TSI (antibodies) mimics TSH, RAI is not a true CURE. A radiated thyroid means no natural function.
T4 is not active. T3 confers "active" functional hormonal. What do I do folks???

Graves' Disease..treatment Suggestions?

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:32:40 +0000

Just diagnosed in July & went to my 2nd Endo appointment this morning. I wanted to share my results & see if everyone agrees with her approach?

Results with Regular Doctor
7/27/10:
TSH 3rd Generation 0.011 (L) Range: 0.550 - 4.780
T3 Uptake 43.32 (H) Range 22.50 - 37.00
Free Thyroxine Index 7.1 (H) Range: 1.4-3.1
T4 16.4 (H) Range: 4.5 - 10.9

Results with Endo
08/23/10:
Thyroid Peroxidase 87 (H) Range: 0-34
Thyroid Stim Immunoglobulin 333 (H) Range: 0-139
Thyrotropin Receptor Ab, Serum 1.79 (H) Range: 0.00 - 1.75
Thyroxine (T4) Free, Direct, S 2.86 (H) Range: 0.82 - 1.77
Triiodothyronine, Free, Serum 7.9 (H) Range: 2.0 - 4.4
TSH <0.006 (L) Range: 0.450 - 4.500

We're doing a liver baseline prior to me beginning my medication & she'll check my bloodwork 6 weeks after I begin.

My doctor is recommending that I take Methimazole 10mg tablet (2x a day,so 20mg total) & she'll see me again in 8 weeks. She will slowly begin reducing my dose.

So, what are everyone's thoughts on her approach? She said she really doesn't like PTU because she's seen more liver failure with this one.

Eye Irritation

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:42:47 +0000

When I first knew I had graves I developed severe itching, grittiness, redness in August 03. It apparently subsided without much more effort after RAI 9/03 (I don't recall any treatment for it). Then when I was super HypO in October 06 from ZERO meds, post RAI as my new Endo was reading the low TSH only, I developed puffy eyes and they really showed the signs and effects of TED (not serious/but mild), that seemed to improve over the next months with drops, gel, fish oil, and meds.

I have not documented other times it has been an issue for me except for maybe last year, when I know I was low after Mylan (but I don't recall).
And now again in August 2010, it has been very bad for several weeks now. I even made a optometrist visit soon after the onset but she didn't seem to notice any issues, as if it's all about dryness and discomfort. In fact, after talking with her I was concerned about her true knowledge on treating Graves patients, cause although I did get 2 additional tests that it appears cost me $60 more than copay should have, but she talked about TED propulsion in the abstract, when I don't have that, and that not being able to close eyes can lead to the dryness, and that I need to calm the itching with "artificial tears" and if it's "severe" she can Rx allergy drops.

Well anyhoo, I also found out November 2007 that I am positive ANA for SSA RO? which is Sjogrens, which is the issue of drying out of tear ducts, salivary glands, etc. And I'm wondering now what is it that is exacerbated right now: is it the TED, Allergies (which I do have post nasal drip issues, but no others I'm aware of), OR is it Sjogrens acting up. I wake up with a very dry mouth lately too.

2 Months And No Improvements. Help

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:25:30 +0000

I have Graves disease, diagnosed two months ago. I dont remember having any symptoms before , it started on the 1st day of my dream vacation all of the sudden . My first GD symptoms were nausea, excessive hunger, lost of appetite and anxiety . Nervousness starts in the morning and last usually till afternoon everyday. My late afternoons are always perfect.
I was on betablocker before methimazole , once I felt better ( after 2 weeks ) I stopped betablocker and for 2 weeks I was fine, but my graves was still very active. As a result I was hit with anxiety, high pulse tremors ten times stronger. Please do not discontinue betablocker without doctor advise!!! I paid my price for it. Once I started Methimazole I took beta blocker again but I felt like it didn�t help me with nervousness any more.

I was on Methimazole 30 mg for 7 weeks and now, 2 weeks ago reduced to 10mg when my T3, T4 and felt into normal range ( August 16). I was also supposed to stop beta blocker . However I decided to wean off it taking half dose for two weeks every second day.
My august 16 results:

TSH <0.05 ( 0.35-5) still low
Free T3 5.1 ( 3.5-6.5) middle
Free T4 16( 9-23) middle

I felt very hyper after the dose change so I had another test done which shows that number went even more down a week after

TSH 0.59 (0.35-5) normal range
free T3 4.2 ( 2.6- 5.7) still in the middle
free T4 9 ( 9 - 20 ) low of normal range

Hunger , luck of appetite, nausea and nervousness took over my life for 2 months ( I am still not able to go back to work) , I was hoping it gets better once my levels are normal, I had endoscopy done last week and my stomach is fine. I had my blood sugar checked few times which is more on the top , but still within normal range. I know it all can be symptoms of GD, but should they get less intense by the time ?? I still feel very nervous everyday and still very hyper and I am not able to gain weight that I lost at the beginning ( more then 20 pounds )
Please let me know if you experience such a anxiety and nervousness after your hormone stabilized? How long do I have to wait? How about hunger attacks? Have you experience it? It is a life-force that makes me to eat even when I don�t have appetite. Is there anything to stop it? Nutrition , hormones? Is it possible that anxiety is the reason of weaning off or lack of betablocker ? please help

Hyperthyroid...pregnancy Hopes Vanished?

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:26:47 +0000

Hello everyone,

I'm so happy to have found this site! I read through the Thyroid 101 section & am trying to absorb all of this information. So this is my story:

My name is Laura & I'm 28 years old. This year I decided to finally lose weight & get healthy. My husband and I have been married 4 yrs & we wanted to start trying to get pregnant at the end of this year.

So I started an online food diary in April 2010 (www.myfooddiary.com) and was feeling great! I have lost 36 pounds so far and am only 14 away from my goal. I exercise & stick to a certain # of calories a day. Anyway, I had started feeling my heart rate accelerate out of nowhere & even mentioned it to my husband. I just figured it was my metabolism speeding up because I was healthier.

I went for my yearly checkup at my doctor on Aug 12, 2010 & the nurse called me a few days later. They wanted me to go back because my thyroid was a little off & they wanted to do blood work on my again. So I went the following week & they confirmed that I was Hyperthyroid.

Visited Endo this Monday, Aug 23rd. She discussed my options (surgery, RAI, or meds)... I just can't believe how things turned upside down for me.

The only side effect that I have felt is my heart rate...nothing else.

So I would like everyone's advice. My doctor did more blood work & is going to get the following #'s again: Free T3, Free T4, TSH, TSI, Receptor Antibodies(sp?), and Thyroid Paro (I didn't catch the last one).

So she wants me to get a Thyroid uptake & scan. Is that the logical next step? And do I need to control my thyroid before trying to get pregnant?

Thanks in advance for your help! I'll post my results as soon as I get them from my doc

Armour Lab Results

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:35:25 +0000

Hi Everyone,

Okay, for anyone following this medication change over I've had to do, my test results after much dose tinkering since March of this year, here we go...

Test results are

August 2010-
Ft4 1.73 (0.82-1.77)
Ft3 4.4 (2.0-4.4)
Tsh 0.01 (0.45-4.5)

So, hmmm. It's a little high for me 'on paper'. I am a bit surprised by the results though. I was feeling like I needed the ft4 for be a teensy bit higher, but things are different on armour. I can't judge my symptoms as accurately as I used when I was on synthetic replacement. Very glad I got a lab done and didn't change the dose based solely on symptoms. It's possible I need to wear this dose a bit longer to feel right in it, maybe? Or maybe I need to drop the synthetic t4 I have been adding which is 25mcg to pick up the slack in the low t4 armour supplies. I need to think on it a while and see what I come up with.

Normally, I prefer mid-range ft's but darn if I know how to achieve this on armour. Quandry indeed. Maybe if I drop the 25mcg of t4 both ft's will slip right into mid-range. Argh.

I've been taking 1 3/4 grains armour and 25mcg t4. Kind of a low dose from what I am reading out there on the internet, but oh well...that's me I guess.

Susie

New To This And Need Help!

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:22:10 +0000

Hallo everyone. Firstly let me say what a great site - so much info in one place, I need to spen a couple of days reading!

Anyway, I need help please; I have been diagnosed with Graves and my thyroid was overactive. It took about 9 months of carbimizole but it then became under control. I was so ill before being diagnosed - my bones hurt, my muscles ached, I had NO energy and put weight ON and was hot all the time.

I was suprised I was overactive because of the weight gain and the fact I had no energy - reading up on thyroid disorders I thought you lost weight etc? Anyway, it seems to be under control BUT: I have lately been getting hot flushes, an intense heat coming from inside that lasts a few minutes, I have not lost any weight even though I am excersising and eating less.

I know many of you on here have bigger problems than me (sorry x) but I don't know if my weight will ever go back to normal???

I jhave just had a blood test again to see if my thyroid is playing up.

Is it possible that my inability to lose weight is due to my metabolism playing up? ie going from under to over active and back?

PLEASE HELP!

Btw I am about 2 stones (28lbs) overweight.

Resons Why Ft-4 And Ft-3 Are Important

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:32:37 +0000

I ran across this information while researching a test I refused for my dog.

My search was simply for antech canine.

If the vet world "gets it" I wonder why people doctors can't figure it out?

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/AntechThyroid.htm

Graves/ Restless Legs

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:30:51 +0000

I was wondering if others with Graves disease have restless leg syndrome. Often my legs go crazy at night and I don't know if this is a coincidence.

New Member--Jill

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 03:37:22 +0000

Hi everyone - I'm new to the forum but would like to share my experience and see how everyone else is managing with this disease.

I walked around with the disease for a couple of years before being diagnosed. I thought I was having anxiety attacks and used that to explain my rapid heart rate. The kicker was losing 60 pounds in two months and shaking like a tree. I thought I better get checked out then. That was two years ago.

I take Methimazole 10mg [/font]3 times a day and Metroprolol 25mg once a day. I haven't had much success with this. My blood pressure is still a roller coaster ride and my heart ranges from 90 - 125 with no rhyme or reason for why it speeds up. My physician has suggested the treatment that arrests the thyroid but I'm afraid of swapping one set of problems (Graves Disease) for another (Hypothyroidism). Did anyone forget everything except their name with this disease...my memory is terrible now and that hasn't improved at all. I also have alot of trouble with the heat and sunlight, things that never bothered me before. Also, I never know how I'm going to feel from one day to the next. Sometimes I have a really great day but most times there is alot of fatigue.

I'm curious to see how other people are coping with this. Has anyone tried any alternative types of treatment that were successful? They say to eliminate stress but clearly this was spoken by people who don't live normal lives. Can you eliminate stress....how the heck do you do that?

Again, I'm hoping to share some stories with people who experience this every day...its difficult for someone who doesn't have it to understand what is really happening...[/font]

Thanks for your time and hope to hear from someone!

Jill