hyperthyroid

[sahiti]

I am female 27 yrs old,recently with blood test my physian told that iam having hyperthyroidism and my blood levels are   free t4 - 2.47 and free t3 - 6.6 and t3,total -218.80 and TSH is 0.01  .Also my 4-24 hrs uptake scan report shows for  6.3 hrs -uptake is 37.9% and for 24.1 hrs it is 75.8% what does it mean.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

You have hyperthyroidism -- an overproduction of thyroid hormone which may cause rapid heart rate, tremor, nervousness, insomnia, weight loss and other symptoms.  This can put a lot of stress on the heart and needs to be treated.

The elevated uptake means the HYPER is from either an overfunctioning nodule(s) or Graves Disease.  Graves disease is most likely as it is the more common entity especially at this age.  This is an immune system over-stimulation of the thyroid, tricking it into making excessive thyroid hormone that your body does not need.  Medications like tapazole  (and PTU) are often used to decrease the thyroid hormone levels.  Radioactive iodine can knock out the thyroid and could be a back-up plan if the tapazole does not work.

[Mari62]

You say "Knock out the thyroid" so easily. Can't that have lasting effects on the body? I'm seeing my Endocrinologist as soon as the referrel is approved, and my Doctor is talking about radiation pills to kill the thyroid. HELP...I'm not sure I want that, what are my options?

[me2080]

Hi, I am female 27 yrs old. Last year, I was diagnosed as Hyper thyroid. I am on Trapazol, 2.5mg once daily. Recently, I have my TSH level checked and it is 0.67. My doc told me to stop the medication and repeat TSH after 2 months. I am not sure, if it will affect in my day to day life? What are the chances of getting hyperthyroid again after stopping the medication?

[sahiti]

Hi doctor,
After 1 month on methimazole 10mg 3 perday all my levels came normal except tsh=0.01.Now my doctor suggested for permanent treatment  options for hyperthyroid as 1) radioactive iodine 2) surgery 3) try to pills (methimazole) to choose by me.Now iam confused what to opt .My endocrynologist suggested to take permanent treatment because i am planning to become pregnant soon.My question is which option would be better beacuse after taking any treatment i will become hypo and as to be on supplement.And also my endocrynologist told me there is always 25% chance for many cases of hyperthyoid to come to normal but some cases will be more of 35% chance on taking pill(methimazole),and mine is more than 35% of chance to become normal on pill itseems.Now iam on methimazole 10mg 1 perday. please give me your valuable suggestion on these options and long term disadvantages to take an decision.

thank you,
sahiti

[GravesGirl]

To all of you..try the pills first, you aren't "cured " after one month! I've been on Tapazole one year and am finally tapering off it.I'm on a maintenence dose of 3 times a week, then check levels in 3 months, then if I remain with normal levels, check again in 3 more months, a total of about 18 months. Sometimes you stay on a very low dose everyday also. If you don't stay on it long enough, you'll never go into remission. If your doctor thinks a month of meds will do the trick, he's crazy. I've even read 4 years of meds causes a even higher remission rate. You just can't be over-dosed on it, like some docs do to force you into RAI cause it's cheap and they don't have to worry about your heart anymore. Just give you a Synthroid everyday, except it can take years to regulate you with your thyroid BURNED out. It's not THAT simple.Once your thyroid is gone, it's GONE!!!