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GRAVES DISEASE HELP !
Cna someone how things will change after I have My Graves treated ? I read that most that have it treated end up with HYPOTHYOID... also seems the word is most dr's have no idea how to prescribe T3,T4....and amrour might be the way to go ?? any info sugestions would be great
ok if im on tapazole,but my T3 is low now..which you dont want,now what ? do you take T3 while on Tapazole ? or do you have to wait to come off Tapzole ??
My apologies Benny but when you mentioned you were on stimulants and an athlete, my first thought was body building stimulants.
Ask your Doc about the ATD as it should be stopped to allow your Free T's to come up and hopefully keep the TSH at a level comfortable for you.
Ask your Doc about the ATD as it should be stopped to allow your Free T's to come up and hopefully keep the TSH at a level comfortable for you.
well my endo is screwy..lol He leaves me message...does not say to keep taking Tapazole or not...says im normal...my T4 & T3 are low..I do not want low..to many people let dr's put them in the 'NORMAL' range..as 1 doctor told me..there is normal..and there is 'OPTIMAL' my T3 is far to low I think...seeing I always had every known symtom of HYPO,tired..cold...easy,easy weight gain..I feel like that now...I know in my heart my HYPERTHYROID was caused from the combo of takeing CYTOMEL
(the liquid kind,cherry flavor!!) and 15 yrs straight of EHPEDRA use..I stopped all stimulints...was put on only 10mg A day of TAPAZOLE,the 1st day my hands stop shaking,with in 1-2 weeks heart went from 120 BPM down to 70 ..and I think the longer Im on TAPAZOLE,the more slower I will become...as always,thank you for your replys..
(the liquid kind,cherry flavor!!) and 15 yrs straight of EHPEDRA use..I stopped all stimulints...was put on only 10mg A day of TAPAZOLE,the 1st day my hands stop shaking,with in 1-2 weeks heart went from 120 BPM down to 70 ..and I think the longer Im on TAPAZOLE,the more slower I will become...as always,thank you for your replys..
Good Morning Benny -
I have been on Methimazole for 18 months. I went every month for the first 12 months, and now every 2 months for lab work. My Endo keeps very close tabs on what is going on with the chemistry changes throughout this process. I have Hyperthyroidism. My heart rate initially was 120 at rest. Blood pressure shot up very high. I had always had low/low normal blood pressure. For the past 4-5 months, levels have been in a normal range. He has started weaning me off of the Meth and told me there is a 50% chance that symptoms will come back. I'm believing for the 50% chance that they won't come back.
The main thing I have noticed is that you have to keep your stress levels under control. You do lose muscle with Hyper T. Mine has slowly come back. Am now off of the blood pressure medication and actually now have lower blood pressure again. Thankful for that.
Hang in there and don't give up. It does take time. Working with a good Endocrinologist makes a huge difference.
I have been on Methimazole for 18 months. I went every month for the first 12 months, and now every 2 months for lab work. My Endo keeps very close tabs on what is going on with the chemistry changes throughout this process. I have Hyperthyroidism. My heart rate initially was 120 at rest. Blood pressure shot up very high. I had always had low/low normal blood pressure. For the past 4-5 months, levels have been in a normal range. He has started weaning me off of the Meth and told me there is a 50% chance that symptoms will come back. I'm believing for the 50% chance that they won't come back.
The main thing I have noticed is that you have to keep your stress levels under control. You do lose muscle with Hyper T. Mine has slowly come back. Am now off of the blood pressure medication and actually now have lower blood pressure again. Thankful for that.
Hang in there and don't give up. It does take time. Working with a good Endocrinologist makes a huge difference.
No - you don't need additional medication like Synthroid or Cytomel. At least I don't believe so.
I think you need to tweek down the Tapazole.
Graves or ( Hashi) - it doesn't matter which. These are antibodies and they are "on a mission" to do a job to a thyroid.
It's anybody's guess on when they choose to rear up. You may be having a quite period with Graves right now and the meds are slowing normal conversion and function levels
I think you need to tweek down the Tapazole.
Graves or ( Hashi) - it doesn't matter which. These are antibodies and they are "on a mission" to do a job to a thyroid.
It's anybody's guess on when they choose to rear up. You may be having a quite period with Graves right now and the meds are slowing normal conversion and function levels
did I say somewhere im on body building injections ? and my endo called me said yup,your throid is normal..so whats that mean..? Im staying on Tapazole ? this dr. loves to call and leave me a message..no office visit
how do you bring T4 & T3 both up...I know cytomel is for T3....let me guess synthroid ?
the most over used RX going,and junk at most times...thank you for your reply..
STELLA ! where are you...hope all is well
how do you bring T4 & T3 both up...I know cytomel is for T3....let me guess synthroid ?
the most over used RX going,and junk at most times...thank you for your reply..
STELLA ! where are you...hope all is well
Your Free T3 and Free T4 are low and shouldnt be.
They should be mid to high range and your TSH around the 1.0 - 2.0 mark.
You now know you have an autoimmune disease that will be with you for life.
Graves Disease.
It isnt the end of the world but it is time to now decide which way you want to go.
Your antibodies levels were...???
If you didnt have them done, get them done.
The higher the antibodies, the least chance of remission in Hyperthyroidism and Graves.
Give away the body building injections as your body needs to heal and wont be able too if you are taking any form of steroid shots.
They should be mid to high range and your TSH around the 1.0 - 2.0 mark.
You now know you have an autoimmune disease that will be with you for life.
Graves Disease.
It isnt the end of the world but it is time to now decide which way you want to go.
Your antibodies levels were...???
If you didnt have them done, get them done.
The higher the antibodies, the least chance of remission in Hyperthyroidism and Graves.
Give away the body building injections as your body needs to heal and wont be able too if you are taking any form of steroid shots.
Just found out a few months back I had GRAVES DISEASE
(hyperthyroid)
lab was before.
FREE T4 2.0 0.8-1.9 h
TSH <0.004 0.400-4000 L
did not take T3
was put on TAPAZOLE 10MG A DAY
AFTER 2 MONTHS LABS ARE
FREE T4- 0.8 0.8-1.8 normal (barly no ?)
TSH 3RD GEN- 1.98 0.40-4.50 normal
FREE T3 - 216 230-420 LOW
hows this look ? any info..ideas..about graves..as we know treatment for graves makes most people HYPOTHYROID...WHICH I DO NOT WANT !
if this is the wrong place to post this..let me know.
(hyperthyroid)
lab was before.
FREE T4 2.0 0.8-1.9 h
TSH <0.004 0.400-4000 L
did not take T3
was put on TAPAZOLE 10MG A DAY
AFTER 2 MONTHS LABS ARE
FREE T4- 0.8 0.8-1.8 normal (barly no ?)
TSH 3RD GEN- 1.98 0.40-4.50 normal
FREE T3 - 216 230-420 LOW
hows this look ? any info..ideas..about graves..as we know treatment for graves makes most people HYPOTHYROID...WHICH I DO NOT WANT !
if this is the wrong place to post this..let me know.
hey guys...what about exercise ?? being a pro athlete I have to train very hard..I feel ok doig it...this am ,5am I ran 5 miles...is it dangerouse to exercise hard with graves ?
Im on 10mg a day Tapazole...thanks folks
Im on 10mg a day Tapazole...thanks folks
Just because you go hypo after a TT or RAI does not mean you will necessarily mean you will gain weight. I never became over weight. Yes it took a while to get my dosage correct, but after that I was fine. Unfortunately I started having level issues AFTER 10 yrs of my TSH being stable. I am either being over or under medicated. (currently had another dosage change). Even when my TSH was up I did not gain weight.
I had the RAI first for graves/goiter/hyper, but doctors waited to long to figure out my problem that the only solution was surgery. I don't regret it. I am currently under weight, so hypo does not always mean weight gain.
I had the RAI first for graves/goiter/hyper, but doctors waited to long to figure out my problem that the only solution was surgery. I don't regret it. I am currently under weight, so hypo does not always mean weight gain.
Taking 10mg of anti-thyroid meds shows that you are not in the dangerous zone so to speak and that it is most probably 'thyroiditis' or T3 Toxycosis you are experiencing at present.
Further tests will determine that.
Stick to the 10mg and see how you go but if it has only been a few days and yr heart rate is down to 70bpm then have bloods done 3-4 weekly or you may go hypo on the anti-thyroid meds.
Either your levels arent too bad or you are super drug sensitive (like I am ) where the meds work fast.
Because of my drug sensitivity, I had to have bloods weekly then fortnightly instead of the usual 6 weekly labs.
Ask your Doctor about this.
Good Luck :)
Further tests will determine that.
Stick to the 10mg and see how you go but if it has only been a few days and yr heart rate is down to 70bpm then have bloods done 3-4 weekly or you may go hypo on the anti-thyroid meds.
Either your levels arent too bad or you are super drug sensitive (like I am ) where the meds work fast.
Because of my drug sensitivity, I had to have bloods weekly then fortnightly instead of the usual 6 weekly labs.
Ask your Doctor about this.
Good Luck :)
It sounds good. Start there - it seems like it is slowing things down for you and that is a good sign. -
real answers will come on your next labs.
real answers will come on your next labs.
ok,no one answerd me...does it look good for me that im on 10mg a day..and its working fine ? and I am a fighter alright..lol pro 1 well as of right now...If I had it my way..meds for 1 yr or so..then do what I must...its only been 4 days..but my heart rate is down to 70 at rest...was 100...hand tremors stopped fully..so maybe good signs ?
as always thanks for your replys ! any info,idea's or thoughts it great ! I should talk to him today
as always thanks for your replys ! any info,idea's or thoughts it great ! I should talk to him today
Maybe I should mention Benny that I too have Graves, had Atrial Fibrillation 3 times in 2 weeks prior to RAI last June 2008...had to have my heart 'shocked' back into rythm on the 3rd episode and funny enough...one more thing.
I had 8 mcl RAI and was HYPO after FIVE WEEKS!
As for the antithyroid meds, I was on 40mg Carbimazole a day (same as MMI) and after 12 months on it , Hyperthyroidism and Graves was still was uncontrollable.
It all depends on the antibodies levels in regards to remission.
Some find it....most never do.
By the way,......I am doing great now on a T4 med 8 months post RAI. :)
I had 8 mcl RAI and was HYPO after FIVE WEEKS!
As for the antithyroid meds, I was on 40mg Carbimazole a day (same as MMI) and after 12 months on it , Hyperthyroidism and Graves was still was uncontrollable.
It all depends on the antibodies levels in regards to remission.
Some find it....most never do.
By the way,......I am doing great now on a T4 med 8 months post RAI. :)
Hi Benny,
I posted before that I have been treated twice for my Graves disease, Both times with PTU and then I went into remission for the first time it was for 12 years. I am in my middle fifties considered very active and feisty. When my thyroid is balanced I can walk/jog 5 miles, play 18 holes of golf and clean house ALL IN ONE DAY. When it is off my heart will pound out of my chest just walking to the mail box. Plus I am always on edge then.
Treatment with meds will make you feel better and balance your whole body. Then you will feel better and actually be able to perform better as an athlete. Without the meds and a balanced thyroid everything will get worse.
It will get better.
Take care,
I posted before that I have been treated twice for my Graves disease, Both times with PTU and then I went into remission for the first time it was for 12 years. I am in my middle fifties considered very active and feisty. When my thyroid is balanced I can walk/jog 5 miles, play 18 holes of golf and clean house ALL IN ONE DAY. When it is off my heart will pound out of my chest just walking to the mail box. Plus I am always on edge then.
Treatment with meds will make you feel better and balance your whole body. Then you will feel better and actually be able to perform better as an athlete. Without the meds and a balanced thyroid everything will get worse.
It will get better.
Take care,
I think the protacol your doctor is following is traditional and common for a beginning Dx of Graves disease. He ( your doctor) wants to see if you (he) can control the Graves on meds first before moving into permanent ablation. How impatient you are or in denial is your ( mine) fate.
I did that too - I was inpatient with not feeling well after starting it and the endo caring for me was not patient either. Kind of an a$$. Short - non disscussive and had the bed side manner of a judge :) So he chose to ablate my gland only after 6 weeks of anti thyroid meds because of my constant questions on why?? Yet I was suffering very high BP's and heart rates. Can I contribute it all to Graves. ??Looking back I don't think so.
Truthfully - I think I wanted resolution immediately and worked my self up into a high stress that probably contributed more to my anxiety then the actual graves did at times.
No one - I mean - no one - sat me down and explained to me how I needed to let "time" be on my side and to reflect back to being more patient with things, to change things within my health and life - that would "maybe" give me a chance to be better.
I was an "army within myself" and "on a mission" to get this solved "yesterday" so I could go back to my life and ways.
No sense for me to look back and see if I made the right choice anymore. Could I have been dead if I wouldn't of been ablated...?? maybe....... I can't go back and hash that - this is what I am dealth with - I just want people who are new - to know you really need to take a step back when thyroid disease hits and see what maybe went wrong.
Reality check in a sense.
Its nasty Bennie - especially when you are a fighter like me and can't accept at the beginning that you are human and your mind can't wrap around the fact this happened. It's like it isn't real. I was too "big" to have this happen is how I look back and think I thought. It's like a death within the person - ( at least for me it was ) - that reality now has set in and "change " has to be done to continue on. No more invisible - no more unreal expectations of myself and no more conplusiveness and especially no more forgiveness when I was conplusive.
Do you get how I mean that?
I did that too - I was inpatient with not feeling well after starting it and the endo caring for me was not patient either. Kind of an a$$. Short - non disscussive and had the bed side manner of a judge :) So he chose to ablate my gland only after 6 weeks of anti thyroid meds because of my constant questions on why?? Yet I was suffering very high BP's and heart rates. Can I contribute it all to Graves. ??Looking back I don't think so.
Truthfully - I think I wanted resolution immediately and worked my self up into a high stress that probably contributed more to my anxiety then the actual graves did at times.
No one - I mean - no one - sat me down and explained to me how I needed to let "time" be on my side and to reflect back to being more patient with things, to change things within my health and life - that would "maybe" give me a chance to be better.
I was an "army within myself" and "on a mission" to get this solved "yesterday" so I could go back to my life and ways.
No sense for me to look back and see if I made the right choice anymore. Could I have been dead if I wouldn't of been ablated...?? maybe....... I can't go back and hash that - this is what I am dealth with - I just want people who are new - to know you really need to take a step back when thyroid disease hits and see what maybe went wrong.
Reality check in a sense.
Its nasty Bennie - especially when you are a fighter like me and can't accept at the beginning that you are human and your mind can't wrap around the fact this happened. It's like it isn't real. I was too "big" to have this happen is how I look back and think I thought. It's like a death within the person - ( at least for me it was ) - that reality now has set in and "change " has to be done to continue on. No more invisible - no more unreal expectations of myself and no more conplusiveness and especially no more forgiveness when I was conplusive.
Do you get how I mean that?
1st of of course im not mad..and I respect your post..your 100% right,my athletic stuff comes 1st..it has to,im my living.,. did you see the post above yours from me ?? could you give me your opion on that post..seems maybe its not as bad as once thought ? since im on TAPAZOLE 1 pill a day (10mg) and he gave me 10 months of refills..today is my 2nd day taking it..my hand tremors stopped 3 hrs after taking my 1st dose yesterday..and i felt kinda sick most of the day...so do you think ,that the fact im on 10mg once a day..is good..or bad...im hoping it means the DR. thinks we can control it this way..I have not seen him yet to ask..he prescribed over the phone..so I do not know how much of my thyroid was affected..I should know Monday..
once again thank you for your post....
once again thank you for your post....
Oh my...............
Bennie -
Look.......... you are looking at this all wrong in my opinion. It seems ( and I respect you) that you are more worried about your althetic ability then your health and have been doing that for years. I would imagine you are paid for your preformance as an athlete - so your survival mode will be upsetted too. I can totally understand your thoughts - I had them too - but I was obessed about gaining weight for vein reasons in regards to antithyroid meds and ablation with RAI - when my Graves was uncontrollable.
Your looking a your body "looking" healthy - but your body "isn't" healthy right now.
Truthfully - I almost deleted your posts about taking Cytomel for weight loss. Then I thought about it and feel it should stick as permanent record. Do you know why??
I think it is about time people realize that these drug are NOT intended for what some use them for and IF you CHOSE to take them - your health WILL suffer in more ways than one. Sure they are promoted "underground" for achieving success with weight - do they say it will alter you permanetly - Nope -
Yes - for some you may lose a few pounds and stagger around like you accomplished something but in the end you are destroying your life years and health.
I must run into a dozens of these posts at any given time and remove them - but why?? - there are so many people in this false sense that a "pill" will help them get what they WANT - but forget to consider the consequences, which can and WILL eventually kill them or permantely disable them to live on the cutting edge of death.
Scientifically and I suppose medically - Graves antibodies are not caused by drugs - all human beings have some form of antibodies "lurking" in their system - so you were "one of the lucky ones" ( as I was) that had Graves particular antibodies.
Common sense -after going through he// with this disease (and being an idiot myself in my younger years thinking I was invincable to damage and death) - eventually you come to the realization that abusing your body with drugs - smoking - stress (whatever) will play an effect on you. I can't say for sure that Cytomel was your cause - yet if you went to such drastic measures to run your body into the ground with T3 to lose a few pounds for preformance- well those antibodies will rear up and multiply because of the shape the body is in and definately will start effecting your health and living.
How far do you want to go with this attack?? Are you willing to continue looking at not dealing with what is happening right now and still push forward - or are you willing to step back and realize this may be your wake up call with your body screaming to you that it no longer can continue the same path or it will stop working?
Your swaying back and forth on RAI and "can't afford" to go hypo- but you can't afford to die from hyper either can you? These two are your choices in most Grave's situations. There are miracles out there (member CarMan) that got a second chance into natural remission - but I have never read anyone else here or ?? that had that happen and I have been on this crazy road for 6 years of thryoid he// -
There is NO measurement of RAI available to guarantee that the ablation will return you to normal health. It's either to go through endless he// with tiny dosages and damage your body more - or pump you full of RAI to end this organs function and begin a new chapter without the gland. PTU's also have side effects - and surgery too.
Seriously - I am not trying to scold anyone here - I want you to get in check with yourself and realize you can't continue this mind frame anylonger and change must happen.
Medically your BP has risen - so you are stressing your heart to a degree. Depending on how strong your "living" muscle is - will tell if you can continue this same path or need to look at permanent options to stop this hormone and antibodies from plaguing your body. Truth of the matter is - if your heart can't tolerate the pressure - your body will no longer work - We all know what happens next........ and your life will end taking your altheticness with it.
Please start looking at yourself 20 years from now and not in the moment. I believe you want to be around and want to have your life - more than your outward athletic ability. Look at this chapter of life - of finally correcting yourself health wise and returning your body to work for you. It can happen with losing the gland whether ablated or remission. Just know you are about to make choices to change your life.
Bennie -
Look.......... you are looking at this all wrong in my opinion. It seems ( and I respect you) that you are more worried about your althetic ability then your health and have been doing that for years. I would imagine you are paid for your preformance as an athlete - so your survival mode will be upsetted too. I can totally understand your thoughts - I had them too - but I was obessed about gaining weight for vein reasons in regards to antithyroid meds and ablation with RAI - when my Graves was uncontrollable.
Your looking a your body "looking" healthy - but your body "isn't" healthy right now.
Truthfully - I almost deleted your posts about taking Cytomel for weight loss. Then I thought about it and feel it should stick as permanent record. Do you know why??
I think it is about time people realize that these drug are NOT intended for what some use them for and IF you CHOSE to take them - your health WILL suffer in more ways than one. Sure they are promoted "underground" for achieving success with weight - do they say it will alter you permanetly - Nope -
Yes - for some you may lose a few pounds and stagger around like you accomplished something but in the end you are destroying your life years and health.
I must run into a dozens of these posts at any given time and remove them - but why?? - there are so many people in this false sense that a "pill" will help them get what they WANT - but forget to consider the consequences, which can and WILL eventually kill them or permantely disable them to live on the cutting edge of death.
Scientifically and I suppose medically - Graves antibodies are not caused by drugs - all human beings have some form of antibodies "lurking" in their system - so you were "one of the lucky ones" ( as I was) that had Graves particular antibodies.
Common sense -after going through he// with this disease (and being an idiot myself in my younger years thinking I was invincable to damage and death) - eventually you come to the realization that abusing your body with drugs - smoking - stress (whatever) will play an effect on you. I can't say for sure that Cytomel was your cause - yet if you went to such drastic measures to run your body into the ground with T3 to lose a few pounds for preformance- well those antibodies will rear up and multiply because of the shape the body is in and definately will start effecting your health and living.
How far do you want to go with this attack?? Are you willing to continue looking at not dealing with what is happening right now and still push forward - or are you willing to step back and realize this may be your wake up call with your body screaming to you that it no longer can continue the same path or it will stop working?
Your swaying back and forth on RAI and "can't afford" to go hypo- but you can't afford to die from hyper either can you? These two are your choices in most Grave's situations. There are miracles out there (member CarMan) that got a second chance into natural remission - but I have never read anyone else here or ?? that had that happen and I have been on this crazy road for 6 years of thryoid he// -
There is NO measurement of RAI available to guarantee that the ablation will return you to normal health. It's either to go through endless he// with tiny dosages and damage your body more - or pump you full of RAI to end this organs function and begin a new chapter without the gland. PTU's also have side effects - and surgery too.
Seriously - I am not trying to scold anyone here - I want you to get in check with yourself and realize you can't continue this mind frame anylonger and change must happen.
Medically your BP has risen - so you are stressing your heart to a degree. Depending on how strong your "living" muscle is - will tell if you can continue this same path or need to look at permanent options to stop this hormone and antibodies from plaguing your body. Truth of the matter is - if your heart can't tolerate the pressure - your body will no longer work - We all know what happens next........ and your life will end taking your altheticness with it.
Please start looking at yourself 20 years from now and not in the moment. I believe you want to be around and want to have your life - more than your outward athletic ability. Look at this chapter of life - of finally correcting yourself health wise and returning your body to work for you. It can happen with losing the gland whether ablated or remission. Just know you are about to make choices to change your life.
thank you for the reply..so the fact im on 10mg ,once a day..might suggest its not to bad ?
also..I feel fine..a lil tired here n there..and faster heart beat ,but I could go like this..no probs..its 1 pilla day (10mg) and 10 month supply...and you said shots ?? what type..I am an athlete and train 4 hrs a day...how will the pill affect that ?
again,thank you very much
also..I feel fine..a lil tired here n there..and faster heart beat ,but I could go like this..no probs..its 1 pilla day (10mg) and 10 month supply...and you said shots ?? what type..I am an athlete and train 4 hrs a day...how will the pill affect that ?
again,thank you very much
Benny-
I have been on methimazole for two years and close to rolling off..which happens if your graves goes into 'remission' I would give it a try in the short term. It's hard to make decisions when you are hyper...you just want desperately to feel better. Methim is a long road, but all options are as has been stated. I would work with your doctor in the short term to try Methim and also talk to him about your other shots/meds/vitamins.
Good luck- it does get better.
I have been on methimazole for two years and close to rolling off..which happens if your graves goes into 'remission' I would give it a try in the short term. It's hard to make decisions when you are hyper...you just want desperately to feel better. Methim is a long road, but all options are as has been stated. I would work with your doctor in the short term to try Methim and also talk to him about your other shots/meds/vitamins.
Good luck- it does get better.
my doc just prescribed me Methimazole after having the uptake scan...any info on this would be great ? isnt this the med if your going to have the RAI done ? I do not want it done yet..any help would be grerat
Ive been doing some reading..could any of my injections have anything to do with it ?
medrol is used at times with thyroid..I ve been getting injections of depo medrol for over 1 yr..every 3 weeks..also lidocaine ,bupviocaine..,which do mess with adrenal..cortisol..which all kinda goes together wit thyroid..
medrol is used at times with thyroid..I ve been getting injections of depo medrol for over 1 yr..every 3 weeks..also lidocaine ,bupviocaine..,which do mess with adrenal..cortisol..which all kinda goes together wit thyroid..
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