Treatment protocol - Graves

[cmantz2006]

I was diagosed with GD in 1998.  I had a RAI-U scan that confirmed GD.  I was put on PTU (not sure of the dosage) and was monitored in the anticipation that when I was "normal", I would have RAI treatment.  During this time, I moved from the area and discontinued my PTU and my symptoms went away.  I did see another doctor regarding RAI and his opinion was that my condition was not severe and that it was up to me if I wanted to have RAI.  I chose no.  I was not on any ATD after this point (approx. year1999-2000) and had NO symptoms of GD.

During a recent physical I mentioned to my current doctor that I had an elev. heart rate (170-180 bpm) during exercise but that it recovered quickly.  He did a TSH, FT4, and TSI
My results:
TSH - .041 (.49-4.67)
FT4 - 3.41 (.7-1.85)
TSI - 1.1

I was put on 50 mg Toprol XL and 5 mg Tapazole 3xday.  After one week on Tapazole my doctor called and wanted me to discontinue meds and have another uptake scan so that he can confirm GD diagnoses and rule out thyroiditis.  I refused test.

I was retested 6 wks later.
My results:
TSH - .03 (.49-4.67)
FT4 - 2.28 (.7-1.85)
FT3 - 3.80 (2.0-3.5)

I was told me continue on the same dosage of Tapazole and retest in 8 weeks.

My question is this...does this follow the ATD treatment protocol? My doctor has indicated that he does not know alot about GD, but is willing to work with me on the ATDs.  He is pushing for RAI, as he said that it is easier for him to control hypo patients with Synthyroid.  I have no interest in RAI so I need to educate myself and him on ATDs.

Thank you.

[NURSELPN]

Graves Lady,

By the way, I am not mean or an Anti-RAIer. I'm just a  Graves sufferer who is trying to share my experiences. I post very little & I don't appreciate being verbally attacked whenever I post just because I have a difference of opinion from yours.

Thank you for your time & God Bless you, TJ

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

PTU is the med that is taken every 8hours -- tapazole is once daily for most cases (unless there is nausea or severe hyper needing more than 30mg/day).

Would recheck in 4-6 weeks at first to see how you are doing.

[cmantz2006]

Thank you for your input.  It is interesting that you say that I can take my Tap at one time.  Everything that I have read said to take in every 8 hour doses.  That is sometimes difficult.  I think I will try to take all 15mg at one time in the morning and see what my labs show next time.  Do you feel it is important to get labs sooner than 8 weeks based on my recent blood work, or should I just wait the 8 weeks like my doctor wants?  Thank you for your time.

[cmantz2006]

Thank you for all your opinions.  At this point I have chosen to take the ATD route for treatment.  That may change at some point down the road, but for right now RAI is not an option for me.  

My question was more directed at the dosage and testing schedule that my doctor is using and if it is appropriate based on my test results.

Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from Dr. Mark.  Thank you in advance.

Christine

[GravesLady]

No, I am one of many fortunate RAIers who are doing fine after RAI.  You don't hear from them because most when feeling well do not feel the need to post on forums. Don't get caught up on the Anti-RAI forums and Anti-RAIers, they can be down right mean when it comes to RAI treatment.

As far as the TED eye disease has no favorites in treatment including the use of Armour.  Plenty of ATDers have TED worse then most of us RAIers, you will find a few but they would have had the TED regardless. The site that has been mention by the former poster, you will find ATDers who have very bad cases of TED as well as perhaps one or two lonely RAIers. They all gather around this forum. So if you are an Anti-RAI these are the forums for you and you will fit right in.
TED has its own antibody separate from Thyroid Antibodies and is going to attack regardless if it so desires regardless of treatment, as many times as it want, and as often as it wants. Some say that RAI made their TED better. So don't let people fool you. I love the scare tact's on these Anit-RAI forums. There is a small percentage even of RAIers who ever get the real bad TED that these Anti-RAIers talk about.
I am not here to promote any treatment, this is your choice.  However I do get offensive when Anti-RAIers bring down my treatment choice for their own agenda. This happens way to often and way to many times.

Good Luck!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Your have recurrent Graves Hyperthyroidism.  Tapazole can be dose once a day (3x/day not necessary, but take all three tabs -- 15mg - at once in am).  Given your hesitation to RAI (reasonable) I would treat with Tapazole for 12-18 months under guidance of a thyroid specialist -- be sure to monitor liver function and white blood count