Aa
Completely Lame Question
OK. I go to the Endo for the first time this Wednesday. What I know.....I have a very uncomfortable nodule on my left side and I have all the classic signs of Hyper. I never related anything to my Thyroid (nor has 15 Doctors)......just thought I lived in a horribly uncomfortable type A body that could eat anything it wanted to, yet feel shaky, jittery and sleepless. Not worth the price for thin!!!!!
I see all these medicines talked about on here but are certain ones for Hypo and certain ones for Hyper? Is this Armour a Hyper medication? or should I be seeing something else doled out to me? I just want to be as SMART as I can be going into the appointment so I command the visit and also gauge the knowledge of this new Doctor. I know I need additional imaging, blood work, etc.
I see all these medicines talked about on here but are certain ones for Hypo and certain ones for Hyper? Is this Armour a Hyper medication? or should I be seeing something else doled out to me? I just want to be as SMART as I can be going into the appointment so I command the visit and also gauge the knowledge of this new Doctor. I know I need additional imaging, blood work, etc.
HI there.
I am also a Graves patient (Hyper) and was treated with radioactive iodine in addition to taking Methimazole and I was also on a bet blocker for my heart during that same time. In the height of myGraves disease I lost a lot of weight (about 30 lbs), was hungry all the timr, irratable, I had tremors, rapid heart rate and VERY emotional. On top of that, I was in a pretty high level position at work and had to give a presentation to the CEO from New York during that time!!!! BUT--I made it through somehow. I was diagnosed with it in late 2005 and treated with RAI just prior to New Years 2006. It worked for me. My thyroid is now half the size and not functioning. I have taken thyroid replacement meds since Jan/Feb of 2006.
There is a lot of information on the internet regarding Graves Disease (hyper thyroid) and treatment options. I would suggest doing thorough research on all of it, and even taking that information in with you to the doctor. That's what I did and I felt very informed for helping to make a good decision along with the doctor.
I am also a Graves patient (Hyper) and was treated with radioactive iodine in addition to taking Methimazole and I was also on a bet blocker for my heart during that same time. In the height of myGraves disease I lost a lot of weight (about 30 lbs), was hungry all the timr, irratable, I had tremors, rapid heart rate and VERY emotional. On top of that, I was in a pretty high level position at work and had to give a presentation to the CEO from New York during that time!!!! BUT--I made it through somehow. I was diagnosed with it in late 2005 and treated with RAI just prior to New Years 2006. It worked for me. My thyroid is now half the size and not functioning. I have taken thyroid replacement meds since Jan/Feb of 2006.
There is a lot of information on the internet regarding Graves Disease (hyper thyroid) and treatment options. I would suggest doing thorough research on all of it, and even taking that information in with you to the doctor. That's what I did and I felt very informed for helping to make a good decision along with the doctor.
Here's a good web site to start with:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/
Armour, Synthroid, Levothyroxine are all meds for hypothyroidism - they replace the naturally produced thyroid hormone. They are not for hyper.
Ask the endo for an ultrasound or CT scan for the nodule then discuss an uptake scan to see if the nodule is "hot" (producing too much thyroid hormone - causing the hyper symptoms) and ask for a *complete* thyroid panel including antibodies.
Here's some info on medication for hyperthyroidism (anti thyroid medications):
(stolen from Quest diagnostic's web site)
*************************************************************************************
Antithyroid medications for hyperthyroidism
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name
methimazole Tapazole
propylthiouracil Propyl-Thyracil or PTU
How It Works
Antithyroid medications cause your thyroid gland to make less thyroid hormone.
Why It Is Used
Antithyroid medication works more quickly than radioactive iodine therapy. It also does not permanently damage your thyroid gland.
You may take antithyroid medication before you have radioactive iodine treatment or surgery in order to bring your metabolism to normal, to make you feel better, or to reduce the chances of more serious problems.
You may also take antithyroid medications if you have Graves' ophthalmopathy and are going to be treated with radioactive iodine therapy. If you take antithyroid medication before you have radioactive iodine treatment, it may prevent your Graves' ophthalmopathy from getting worse.
How Well It Works
Antithyroid medications do not always start working right away. Usually, symptoms get better or go away 1 to 8 weeks after you start taking the medicine. It may take as long as 6 months for your thyroid hormone levels to become normal.
Antithyroid medications work best if you have mild hyperthyroidism, if this is the first time you are being treated for Graves' disease, if you are younger than 50, or if your thyroid gland is only swollen a little bit (small goiter).
Antithyroid medication may or may not make your hyperthyroidism permanently go away. Hyperthyroidism goes away in about 30% to 50% of people after they take antithyroid medication for 1 or 2 years.1
If your hyperthyroidism comes back after you have stopped taking the medication, you can try taking antithyroid medication again. However, your doctor may recommend radioactive iodine treatment, because radioactive iodine is more likely to permanently cure your hyperthyroidism.
In some cases, one type of antithyroid medication works better than the other.
Methimazole is chosen most often because it can be given once a day, has fewer side effects, and is less expensive.
If you are pregnant, propylthiouracil may be safer than methimazole.
Side Effects
Side effects of antithyroid medications include:
Rash and itching.
Joint aches.
Liver problems (hepatitis). Signs of liver problems are yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, severe tiredness, or pain in your belly.
Low white blood cell count, which can make it hard for your body to fight infection. If you have a low white blood cell count, you may become sick easily and experience symptoms such as fever, chills, and a sore throat.
Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of side effects. Side effects can be serious, but they usually go away after you stop taking the medication.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
If you take antithyroid medication for a long time, you may develop hypothyroidism, which means your body is making too little thyroid hormone.
It is very important to take antithyroid medications at the same time every day.
Your doctor will have to check your thyroid hormone levels frequently to make sure you are taking the right amount of medication. If your thyroid hormone levels are too low, your doctor may prescribe a small amount of thyroid medication to take along with your antithyroid medication.
Your hyperthyroidism is most likely to come back (relapse) within 6 months after you start medication, but it can also come back years later.2 This makes it very important to have regular check-ups with your doctor.
If you are pregnant, your doctor will recommend that you take the smallest effective dose of antithyroid medication. After your baby is born, you can safely breast-feed while taking antithyroid medications.
Children may be hard to treat with antithyroid medication, because they grow so fast and it is hard to know how much medication to give them.
**************************************************************************************
http://www.endocrineweb.com/
Armour, Synthroid, Levothyroxine are all meds for hypothyroidism - they replace the naturally produced thyroid hormone. They are not for hyper.
Ask the endo for an ultrasound or CT scan for the nodule then discuss an uptake scan to see if the nodule is "hot" (producing too much thyroid hormone - causing the hyper symptoms) and ask for a *complete* thyroid panel including antibodies.
Here's some info on medication for hyperthyroidism (anti thyroid medications):
(stolen from Quest diagnostic's web site)
*************************************************************************************
Antithyroid medications for hyperthyroidism
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name
methimazole Tapazole
propylthiouracil Propyl-Thyracil or PTU
How It Works
Antithyroid medications cause your thyroid gland to make less thyroid hormone.
Why It Is Used
Antithyroid medication works more quickly than radioactive iodine therapy. It also does not permanently damage your thyroid gland.
You may take antithyroid medication before you have radioactive iodine treatment or surgery in order to bring your metabolism to normal, to make you feel better, or to reduce the chances of more serious problems.
You may also take antithyroid medications if you have Graves' ophthalmopathy and are going to be treated with radioactive iodine therapy. If you take antithyroid medication before you have radioactive iodine treatment, it may prevent your Graves' ophthalmopathy from getting worse.
How Well It Works
Antithyroid medications do not always start working right away. Usually, symptoms get better or go away 1 to 8 weeks after you start taking the medicine. It may take as long as 6 months for your thyroid hormone levels to become normal.
Antithyroid medications work best if you have mild hyperthyroidism, if this is the first time you are being treated for Graves' disease, if you are younger than 50, or if your thyroid gland is only swollen a little bit (small goiter).
Antithyroid medication may or may not make your hyperthyroidism permanently go away. Hyperthyroidism goes away in about 30% to 50% of people after they take antithyroid medication for 1 or 2 years.1
If your hyperthyroidism comes back after you have stopped taking the medication, you can try taking antithyroid medication again. However, your doctor may recommend radioactive iodine treatment, because radioactive iodine is more likely to permanently cure your hyperthyroidism.
In some cases, one type of antithyroid medication works better than the other.
Methimazole is chosen most often because it can be given once a day, has fewer side effects, and is less expensive.
If you are pregnant, propylthiouracil may be safer than methimazole.
Side Effects
Side effects of antithyroid medications include:
Rash and itching.
Joint aches.
Liver problems (hepatitis). Signs of liver problems are yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, severe tiredness, or pain in your belly.
Low white blood cell count, which can make it hard for your body to fight infection. If you have a low white blood cell count, you may become sick easily and experience symptoms such as fever, chills, and a sore throat.
Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of side effects. Side effects can be serious, but they usually go away after you stop taking the medication.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
If you take antithyroid medication for a long time, you may develop hypothyroidism, which means your body is making too little thyroid hormone.
It is very important to take antithyroid medications at the same time every day.
Your doctor will have to check your thyroid hormone levels frequently to make sure you are taking the right amount of medication. If your thyroid hormone levels are too low, your doctor may prescribe a small amount of thyroid medication to take along with your antithyroid medication.
Your hyperthyroidism is most likely to come back (relapse) within 6 months after you start medication, but it can also come back years later.2 This makes it very important to have regular check-ups with your doctor.
If you are pregnant, your doctor will recommend that you take the smallest effective dose of antithyroid medication. After your baby is born, you can safely breast-feed while taking antithyroid medications.
Children may be hard to treat with antithyroid medication, because they grow so fast and it is hard to know how much medication to give them.
**************************************************************************************
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