Cure for Low TSH?

[netguy73]

Hello!

I have what is probably Graves disease.  my TSH level is .03, despite 2 months of Tapizol medication,
30-40MG per day. my T3/T4 levels are still high, although dicreased by 30%.  i'm still about 2.5 the norm
on T3/T4.

Does low TSH effect high T3/T4, or does high T3/T4 make my TSH low? what affects what? also i haven't
discovered much on how i can increase my TSH levels through diet, behavioral changes, and any other means.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

[AR-10]

Were you tested for three or four thyroid antibodies? TSI is a thyroid antibody that confirms Grave's Disease, although other thyroid antibodies may also be present.

Right now you should be avoiding all iodine as best you can. No kelp, seafood, soy products. You can't cut ALL iodine out of your diet, but you can avoid the obvious foods.

TSH, Free T4, and Free T3 work in a "feedback loop" fashion. Your body sends chemical signals to your hypothalimus telling it if you have enough thyroid hormones available. The hypothalimus sends a signal to the pituitary telling it how much TSH to release to stimulate your thyroid sufficiently to produce the proper amount of T4/T3.

If your thyroid produces too much hormones, the pituitary produces less TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid less, or slow it down.

If your thyroid does not produce enough hormones, your TSH rises as the pituitary delivers orders to the thyroid to produce more hormones.

With Grave's Disease, TSI antibodies trick your thyroid into producing too much hormones and so your TSH falls. The anti-thyroid drug you are taking is supposed to slow your thyroid down.

What you can do as far as behavior is to not over-extend yourself until your levels look better. Pushing yourself hard will make you sick. Slow down a little until your hormone levels are close to normal. Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration is common.

There's a lot more I could say, but it takes time to learn about "good" tests and "bad" tests, and a hundred other minor(?) details that are too much to take in all at once.

Welcome to the forum.

[netguy73]

Hello,

I've been taking Tapazole 20mg daily for several months now. my Free T3/Free T4 are nearing the hypothyroid opposite of Graves, but my TSH is not rising (still at .03).  I was indeed tested for and discovered antibodies, confirming the Graves disease.  

I'm hopeful that after a few months I can get off Tapazole and Graves doesn't come back.  Anything I can do to improve these chances?

I heard tapazole can have lethal side effects, especially after a long use.  any thoughts on that?

James

[Smilerdeb]

Keep getting your liver function tests as anti-thyroid meds can affect the liver enzymes.

As for Graves....did no-one ever tell you that you have that disease for life?

I think you should start researching on your condition...getting labs done every 6 weeks whilst on ATDS and go see your Doctor as you sound like you are drug- induced Hypo.
There is a well fact that when you have GRAVES, still HAVE a Thyroid.....your TSH will ALWAYS be LOW.
The Graves antibodies attack only one organ in your body....your THYROID.

Very few go into remission with graves and if they do, it tends to resurface later ...sometimes 6 months, sometimes a year...sometimes even years.

BUT once you have Graves, you have it for life ...with or without a thyroid.

Chances are now that if your ATDS (antithyroid drugs) are stopped, you will go back to HYPER within 2-4 weeks at most.

Go back to your Doctor and discuss this more with him.
All the best.

(AR-10 was my lifesaver after I had RAI with Graves Disease, so listen to his advice)

[kidsnchicks]

I had the TSI test performed and it returned positive for Graves.  What other antibody tests should I have ran and why?  I've been on Methimazole for about 4 weeks and my T3 is still rising.  Also, forgive the ignorance but why avoid the iodine?  I have to admit that when I have a meal with high salt intake, I am more "speedy" the next day.  How does the iodine rev the thyroid?  Is it working harder (putting out more harmone) to counter the iodine?  Just trying to understand.

Thanks!

[goolarra]

If you've been diagnosed with Grave's, no other antibody tests are needed at this time.

The thyroid is the only organ in the body that uses iodine.  It must have iodine to produce T3 and T4.  The "3" and "4" in T3 and T4 indicate how much iodine is in each.  T4 is connverted to T3 in your body by removing some of the iodine.  

Salt does not naturally have iodine in it.  It's added so that we don't become iodine deficient.  You can buy salt without iodine.

Hope this makes sense.

[Smilerdeb]

The best things to avoid while Hyper is....anthing with iodine in it.
Iodised salt (use rock salt)
Kelp
Fish
Seafood
Soy or soya products.

The biggest and most largest foods containing salt are....Pre-packaged foods.

Even vegetables have salt in them from the soil so dont salt your vegies.
Stick to a salt free diet if possible as you are getting salt from food sources without realising it.


It nearly killed me giving up Cheese and Onion Chips lol (crisps) and popcorn at the movies.
Although near the end before RAI, I wasnt even able to manage the movies.

[kidsnchicks]

Ok, but why do we need to avoid the iodine?  Is it making us be more hyper, overworking the thyroid?  Not meaning to be ignorant but just aint clear on the why.  Maybe I'm just too tired for it to make sense.  Thanks!