Thyroid Disease can be Hereditary!

[HyperT77]

I know most people know that, but I didn't......

My mother has Grave's Disease, currently Hypothyroid.  On my Dad's side.... My grandfather died of Thyroid Cancer at the age of 59 (back when it wasn't easily detected - 33 years ago), Aunt had nodules removed and Hyper T, sister has had Hypo T since she was 10, cousin diagnosed with Hyper T her junior year in college, then I was diagnosed last October with Grave's/Hyper T.

My Endo told me it was a matter of "when" and not "if" I was going to develop thyroid problems.  Since starting meds for Hyper T, and the symtoms go up and down, and come and go, I've realized that this disease has been with me for years.

[Grammy7]

Thank you.  I guess that means yes, the labwork can be normal.  I would be absolutely shocked if I don't have Graves, especially after reading postings on this website.  My normal TSH levels have been causing doctors to avoid looking at the issue instead of looking at my symptoms.  I was on a small dose of Levoxyl for a slightly low T3.  I had to beg my doctor for it.  It was 0.25 mg.  When I saw another endo he took me off it because it thought for sure it could not be helping me and my TSH and T3 were normal (of course, drawn while on Levoxyl).  Since that day in December, I have gained 40 pounds and I'm desperate for some answers.  I'm waiting for lab results today. I do have a thyroid nodule so they sent me to a specialist.  I'm praying that this is the answer but I'm also ready for another disappointment.  These doctors and their "normal lab results" in spite of your condition is making me crazy.  Thanks for your response!

[HyperT77]

I'm not sure about the test results.  My mother was diagnosed with Grave's a few years ago.  Only recently did blood work show that she is Hypo T.

[HyperT77]

That's what I'm praying for:)

My Endo really believes that this will straighten itself out.  He keeps telling me it takes time (1-2 years).  Just get so tired and fatigued.  I've not gone in the extreme Hyper range again.  Mainly dipping to Hypo then maybe back to slightly Hyper.  It wears you out.......

Love this website.  Lots of great support and feedback.  Thanks for your!!

[Grammy7]

Does anyone know if the bloodwork for Graves can be normal if you are not actually experiencing hyperthyroid symptoms at the time.  TSH is always normal but symptoms are concurrent with Graves to a "T".   I have been tested while on Prednisone and I think Prednisone masks true results in osme blood studies  I am afraid if I get negative test results I will again be devastated as I've been on a quest for a diagnosis for 18 months and out of work too.  Thanks for any info you can offer.

[mags59]

Yeah, I yo-yo'd too for about 2 years.  I go way hyper for a month or so, and then I'd be pretty normal for several months.  It seems that each time I went hyper, tho, my levels would get worse and worse until this time when I ended up in the ER.  I'm glad you're able to tolerate the tapazole, because sometimes the thyroid can straighten itself out.

[HyperT77]

My levels since being diagnosed last October....  The first month, dangerously Hyper.  Started medication and in 4 weeks dropped to Hypo.  The 3rd month went back to Hyper.  The 4th month slightly elevated as Hyper.  The 5th month first time in a normal range (upper end of normal).  Last month dropped to Hypo again.  I just hope this gets a little more stabilized as I feel awful alot of the time.  Certainly have my good days, but the yo-yo effect is wearing on me.

My T3 & T4 finally came down to a normal number.  Hy TSH which was <0.13 in the beginning, and which the Endo thought would take a couple of years to come up, came up this past month.  He "tweaked" the Tapazole, again.  He thinks that my thyroid is finally trying to straighten itself out.  I wonder....................

[mags59]

My endo is doing the RAI because I have adverse reactions to the antithyroid meds and my TSH keeps getting lower and T4 pretty elevated.  Personally I'll do anything to make how I'm feeling go away. I just want my life back.

[HyperT77]

I've had a complete hysterectomy.  Haven't had RAI but my Endo hasn't ruled that out.  He says "for right now" he doesn't see that happening.

[mags59]

I was adopted and found my birthmother last year (48 years later!).  She told me that all the women on her maternal side of the family had hyperthyroidism.  She and her other daughter (my half sister) have had their thyroids destroyed with RAI.  However, my birthmother is still on atenolol for tachycardia (I'm not sure if this turned out to be something separate from the thyroid disease).  The thing that concerns me, though, is that I was reading that hyperthyroidism increases your chance significantly of developing ovarian cancer, which I also found out runs on my maternal side of the family. I had a hysterectomy in 2005, but still have my ovaries because I didn't know at the time that it ran in the family.

[Smilerdeb]

My sister has Graves and Hyperthyroidism and is 6 years older than me.
She had RAI first then Thyroidectomy and ended up with a tracheotomy after finding Thyroid Cancer too late.

[stella5349]

Unfortunately my family never really went to a doctor for their issues. Knowing my thyroid woes now - I believe my dad had thyroid issues - but never went to find out.

He passed away a bit ago - so I will never know for sure. Recently his brothers have been Dx hypo and my grandmother on my dad side also was hypo.

My grandmother on my mother's side is being treated for hypothyroidism now too.

My sister has been tested and was told she follows the same path I was at first - her TSH is near hyperthyroidism and her doctor wants to go farther. She has so far declined treatment.

[blksapphire]

Recently I went on a quest to find out if anyone else in my family had issues with the thyroid.  I didn't find anyone on my mother's side of the family, but I have two aunts on my dad side.  One has been on meds for awhile, whereas the other aunt's nodules are being watched.

I'm still asking, but so far  we are the only three.