graves / hashimotos newest labs

[jill73cats]

I have been treated with methimazole and atenolol since dx with Hashimotos and Graves last November.  I tested positive for all three antibodies.  My endo has gradually tapered the methimazole dose down to 2.5 mg daily along with 25 mg Atenolol.  I am wondering when this might level off.  Today my TSH is 1.3 (0.3-4.8) and Free t4 0.69 (0.5 - 1.5) ref.  The t3 and Vit D are pending.  I have to admit  I have not been taking methimazole every day over last month, probably 4 times a week.  But I did take it the last couple weeks every day.  I have been so fatigued lately, but still have palpitations.  I have noticed an increase in neck pressure and redness lately.  I'm not sure what I need now.  I feel I am a little hypothyroid, but yet have some hyper symptoms, like hot flashes at times and tachycardia.  Have any of you experienced this and how long did it take to regulate it?  Should I get a second opinion?  The last time labs were checked and similar, no changes per doctor.  She was pushing for thyroidectomy due to large goiter, but it had gotten a little smaller last ultrasound,  However, I'm afraid it is growing again.  The gagging throat pressure is so bothersome, but seems to come and go.

[jill73cats]

I'm glad your doing better. I noticed you had similar issues on previous posts. How long after sugery did neck pressure and choking get better?  I think the most frustrating thing is all my family and friends think thyroid trouble is easy to treat just take a pill or have surgery. I don't have rai as option due to no uptake on scan. Yet hyper labs and now slightly hypo.  I also have recently been dx with thyroid eye disease. Not surprising as I have noticed changes I last few years especially.  But is very scary. Did you have eye issues?  If so did sugery help yet.  This is indeed a long process.  I'm glad you are on your way to getting better.

[danie17075rm]

I understand what you are going through!  I spent a year with my tsh mainly hyper, normal every now and then and sometimes borderline hypo.  It just switched all around, but I always felt hypo and hyper so I never could tell what I was.  I had tachcardia all the time, and the hot flashes.  My goiter was choking me at the end.  I did everything I could to save my thyroid, but in the end, I couldn't deal with ALL of the symptoms all of the time.  I had no life.  I finally had my thyroid out 3 weeks ago.  It is a process in getting better.  I will be happy to find my correct dosage, but I know it takes a while.  I pray this will make me feel better, and I really hope you do too.  I had a lot of heart palps when that went on, but now that I have my thyroid out, I only notice them when I increase meds.  I'll probably have to go through a bit of that until everything is normal.