Can Graves just go away

My niece was diagnosed with Graves Disease and put on some medication but not synthroid.  After 2 years her doctor says the Graves Disease is gone and she was taken off of medication.  I do not understand this for I had the testing and then an ablation and now I wonder if I needed it.  I had the uptake test and they said it revealed Graves.  I am told I have Graves controlled and will always be hypothyroid.  I am confused.

[utahmomma]

Synthroid is used for hypothyroidism - the opposite of Graves which is hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone is produced).

Graves does not go away - it is an autoimmune condition.  The levels may stabilize but the antibodies never go away.

You, on the other hand, had your thyroid ablated so that pretty much killed off the thyroid (not the antibodies) - making you hypothyroid.  That's why you need the thyroid replacement meds (Synthroid).

Here's a site that may help explain all the conditions: http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroid.html

[Katatak]

I believe they are putting her on oral meds instead of having RAI (ablation) and it does take about 2 years for the medication to stop the thyroid.  Once that is done, she will more than likely be put on Synthroid, when her body finally decides to go hypothyroid.

The antibodies that are produced by Graves Disease should lower, but can return under stress.  For those with autoimmune disease...stress is a huge factor on how we feel.

As for your bout with Graves.  Yes, you are now clinically hypothyroid....even if you are medicated and leveled out...which just means that you need hormone replacements.  Graves never just goes away completely, but more often that not, once you have been ablated or have had medication that kills the thyroid...you will not have/suffer from the problems Graves originally threw at you.

Hope this helps.
Kat

[anjalisharma090]

Hi,
I am thinking about getting thyroid ablation (RAI). I want to know that is there someone is who living a normal life after RAI with hormone replacement for hypo?

[stella5349]

How old is your niece? Was she on birth control pills and now off or did she start them?

Graves will never go away as said - but can fall into a remission. As alos the opposite Hashimoto.

We all have antibodies whether healthy or not - Depending on many circumstances in our lives does this determine if the antibodies will kick up enough to require us to do certain treaments to put us in a better position of health.

Age - "stress' as said - family history are just a few things that can fire these antibodies into attack mode.

I had RAI a while back - No I was not normal for quite a few years. I felt horrible - but learning about me and following some very simple things after I figured it out with my recent doctors I feel I am as normal as I can be at the moment until I heal more.

I sway back and forth if RAI was a good decision at the time for me.

Today..... looking back - I feel I would or could have been worse off without it..... maybe not even here

[coonlady]

I am 54 and was diagnosed with graves about 3 years ago.  I have been on meds on and off the whole time.  It never goes away, but it does go into remission.  I write down my tsh, t4 and t3 levels each time I take my blood test (every 6 weeks).  Then I note how I feel.  So I am able to know how much medication I should be on.  I have learned my own body and what is hapening inside with graves.  I always confirm with my Dr.  but I am alway right on knowing if I should increase or decrease my meds.  This is essential to someone with this disease.  I once had to see a Dr. I was not familiar with and she put me on 3 pills a day,  I knew that was way to much and refussed, when I saw my specialist, shortly after that, he confirmed 1 a day is all that was needed.  Graves is a special disease and needs a Dr. who specializes in the field.  I am living a normal life with graves, ( I occasionally have a bad spell but nothing I cant live with).  I refuse to kill my thyroid as long as I can control the disease, I dont rely on my Dr. I work with him.  Graves can be controlled.  I believe there are allot more worse diseases out there.  So learn about graves, learn your body and learn how the meds effect you, everyone is different.  good luck.  

[caragulley103]

I was diagnosed with Graves' in 2005. I have not been on any thyroid meds since 2006. I began having blood tests agian last year in May, I was hyper at the time so that doc but me on Propanolol. I was then given an up take scan in June which also showed hyper. I was then given a regular TH test and it showed low levels which are a sign of hyper. I have a new doc now they did a full thyroid work up and he is telling me that my thyroid is now normal. I do not understand this. Just last summer they were talking about doing the radiation treatment to kill off my thyroid and now it is normal. I am so sure something is amiss, should I feel this way, or just be grateful?

[LazyMoose]

Welcome, it appears that you are new here. It is best to start your own posting, rather than post at the end on another thread started in 2008.

Did you ever have Graves antibody testing called TSI? Almost all people that are hypErthyroid have the  antibodies that are associated with Graves disease. But not all, in that case it is not Graves causing the hyperthyroid, possibly leaky nodules or other issues.

If you have the antibodies, these do not go away, but may change and seem like it temporarily goes away.

Your question was basic, any detailed questions please make a new posting and you will get more responses.