Aa
Low TSH - no symptoms
My tsh level has been .01 for three months now, with an elevated free T4 and T3, plus my antibodies are 299. I have no symptoms other than a slightly sore and swollen throat. My endocrinologists recommended RAI treatment, telling me it is Graves Disease. No ultrasound or uptake tests have been done (or suggested). I am not wanting to treat something that I have no symptoms for, so radically . Any suggestions?
Great thoughts are posted here - but these sorts of debates should be moderated on the community side.
The expert forum is provided by MH to have Dr Lupo give solid advice to questions that are posted - not for thyroid patients to get into debates on treatments.
Please visit the community side of this forum to continue.
Trish58 - It may be wise to repost another question to Dr Lupo. Maybe start over. this thread is one of the longest I have seen on the expert side so Dr Lupo may - or may not see you additional concerns.
The expert forum is provided by MH to have Dr Lupo give solid advice to questions that are posted - not for thyroid patients to get into debates on treatments.
Please visit the community side of this forum to continue.
Trish58 - It may be wise to repost another question to Dr Lupo. Maybe start over. this thread is one of the longest I have seen on the expert side so Dr Lupo may - or may not see you additional concerns.
I saw another endo today to get a second opinion. She agrees it is probably Graves, but wants to do a RAI uptake scan. First endo doesn't think this scan is necessary. What is your opinion on these scans? Is blood work enough to diagnose disease or should I get a scan?
I have read where the "thyroid will burn out on its own", is no longer considered true. ;
Hello were heave you read this article ,did a Dr tell you this ,a freind sgoing through this and her Dr told here the Same thing ,tks
Hello were heave you read this article ,did a Dr tell you this ,a freind sgoing through this and her Dr told here the Same thing ,tks
Well for the two gals with Graves - my point was not to disgard a physician, but to try natural resources and listen to your own body PRIOR to trying meds. She has NO SYMPTOMS. I am sure we would all agree that you want to allievate all possiblities of correction before killing part of a vital organ, especially since she obviously is not suffering like the two of you. I wont be involved in your "graves" battle of the whits, but I do choose natural first. Sorry, its just the smartest thing to do.
Alittle history Graveslady - Selenium controls TPO's and has BEEN PROVEN TO BE BENEFICIAL in clinical studies. look it up. I found it tried it, and it reduced my TPO's from 850 down to 500. That is still high, but it only took 3 months of a supplement that we need anyways. ITS NOT A CURE, ITS AN ASSIST. geez, calm down.
While your at it, why dont you look up on some of the medical research sites (ps I am a med student) about the benefits of coconut oil.... hmm... weird.
My experience has shown that sometimes, when its not too severe, these things CAN correct them selves. NOTE THE WORD SOMETIMES.
Trish58 - do what you feel is best, I prefer not to leave it in a doctors hands, but to use my own resources, and when (and IF ) I cant take anymore, I go to the doctor. Last resort. Good luck.
Alittle history Graveslady - Selenium controls TPO's and has BEEN PROVEN TO BE BENEFICIAL in clinical studies. look it up. I found it tried it, and it reduced my TPO's from 850 down to 500. That is still high, but it only took 3 months of a supplement that we need anyways. ITS NOT A CURE, ITS AN ASSIST. geez, calm down.
While your at it, why dont you look up on some of the medical research sites (ps I am a med student) about the benefits of coconut oil.... hmm... weird.
My experience has shown that sometimes, when its not too severe, these things CAN correct them selves. NOTE THE WORD SOMETIMES.
Trish58 - do what you feel is best, I prefer not to leave it in a doctors hands, but to use my own resources, and when (and IF ) I cant take anymore, I go to the doctor. Last resort. Good luck.
Sorry to be so blunt, but.
Why do you feel the need to contradict the physican's response? It's confusing & not fair to the person asking questions.
That's why there is a patient to patient forum & a Doctor's Forum for the DOCTOR'S(EXPERT)information. Why do you feel every poster needs your input?
Just because you've had graves does not make you an expert.
Why do you feel the need to contradict the physican's response? It's confusing & not fair to the person asking questions.
That's why there is a patient to patient forum & a Doctor's Forum for the DOCTOR'S(EXPERT)information. Why do you feel every poster needs your input?
Just because you've had graves does not make you an expert.
I agree with kitty.
Come to the patient to patient forum.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/73?camp=msc
Dr. Lupo has given you very good advice.
You can talk to people on the patient to patient forum that have been through the decision making process you are in, and can offer their experiences with various treatments.
You won't hear any mention of coconut oil, though.
And I'm sorry to butt in, but drugs used to control hyperthyroidism do not destroy the gland. They are hard on the Liver, but they are safe to take for a period of time.
Come to the patient to patient forum.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/73?camp=msc
Dr. Lupo has given you very good advice.
You can talk to people on the patient to patient forum that have been through the decision making process you are in, and can offer their experiences with various treatments.
You won't hear any mention of coconut oil, though.
And I'm sorry to butt in, but drugs used to control hyperthyroidism do not destroy the gland. They are hard on the Liver, but they are safe to take for a period of time.
Come on over to the Thyroid Patient Community for more answers and support.
There are a lot of great members who can give you some advice.
There are a lot of great members who can give you some advice.
Wow. I didn't mean to stir up so many harsh feelings, I am just scared and trying to get as much info as possible. You have to agree there is so many "differing" opinions out there that it makes decisions very difficult. And as mentioned, some of these options are permanent and shouldn't be rushed into. If I had alot of symptoms, such as weight loss, rapid heartbeat, etc., I'm sure I would be making a decision more quickly. But even the endo said I could afford a month or two (since I have no symptoms) and then decide. I am just trying to gather information.
I am not presently losing weight or having other symptoms. It is just that I would like to function "with" my thyroid, not "without". How much and how do you take the coconut oil? I am willing to trying anything other than RAI first.
Although weightloss would be awesome for many people, your body will get worse and get to an undesirable point. I would HIGHLY consider doing natural cures before taking anti-thyriod meds.
Coconut oil - raw - is great for balancing the thyriod. I would also take selinium since your TPO's are elevated because that means you have blood cells attacking the gland, which can later lead to other issues, such as hypothyriodism, which really is bad.
Their are lots of natural cures for over active thyriod, and if your body starts complaining, thats when you should listen, if natural solutions wont work, then go on their thyriod destroying pills. But remember, the thyriod is your CPU for all your body functions (metobolism/body temp, etc) so be careful.
Coconut oil - raw - is great for balancing the thyriod. I would also take selinium since your TPO's are elevated because that means you have blood cells attacking the gland, which can later lead to other issues, such as hypothyriodism, which really is bad.
Their are lots of natural cures for over active thyriod, and if your body starts complaining, thats when you should listen, if natural solutions wont work, then go on their thyriod destroying pills. But remember, the thyriod is your CPU for all your body functions (metobolism/body temp, etc) so be careful.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
That's possible, hard to give a percentage. But while hyperthyroid, ATD treatment should be considered -- then the medication tapered off -- if not tolerated or ineffective, that's when we discuss RAI or surgery.
What are the chances that my thyroid will burn out on its own and I would then become hypothyroid?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Based on posted info, the most likely diagnosis is Graves w/ overt hyperthyroidism. Would ask doctor about methimazole (anti-thyroid meds), particularly in light of having no symptoms.
RAI is very effective but is indeed associated with an increased risk of further elevating the TSH-Receptor antibodies (which attack the thyroid AND the eyes) -- which in some cases can cause or worsen thyroid eye disease. I've seen it enough times first-hand. If there is any sign of active thyroid eye disease, prednisone is given before/after the RAI to prevent exacerbation.
RAI is very effective but is indeed associated with an increased risk of further elevating the TSH-Receptor antibodies (which attack the thyroid AND the eyes) -- which in some cases can cause or worsen thyroid eye disease. I've seen it enough times first-hand. If there is any sign of active thyroid eye disease, prednisone is given before/after the RAI to prevent exacerbation.
RAI does not cause thyroid eye disease! Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune eye conditions with separate antibodies and anyone who has the antibodies can get thyroid eye diesase; Hashi's, other autoimmune conditions, people with no thyroid issues, people taking Armour. Whether surgery or ATDs will not save a person from thyroid eye disease. The thyroid eye antibodies attack the eyes, not the thyroid!
RAI will cause a temporary worsening of thyroid eye symptoms when you carry the antibodies and usually more so in smokers! Thyroid eye disease is going to do what it wants to do, to anyone it wants, anytime it wants and as often as it wants, as long as a person has the antibodies and that is, thyroid eye antibodies.
Taking prednisone might help temporarily alleviate the symptoms, but unfortunately does not derail the eye disease. There is no way to prevent the eye disease from occurring in those of us who are predisposed to getting it. According to today's medical knowledge.
RAI will cause a temporary worsening of thyroid eye symptoms when you carry the antibodies and usually more so in smokers! Thyroid eye disease is going to do what it wants to do, to anyone it wants, anytime it wants and as often as it wants, as long as a person has the antibodies and that is, thyroid eye antibodies.
Taking prednisone might help temporarily alleviate the symptoms, but unfortunately does not derail the eye disease. There is no way to prevent the eye disease from occurring in those of us who are predisposed to getting it. According to today's medical knowledge.
My Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies are 299. TSH is .01, Free T4 is 2.1 and T3 is 223. I do have trouble with dry eyes. I do not know if I have nodules, as no one has checked this. I was just concerned that he immediately said RAI was the only thing he would suggest. He said the drugs are too hard on your body and surgery had too many risks. I have many allergies to different drugs and am afraid I might have a bad reaction to RAI. He mentioned that 40% of Graves patients go into remission, and since I have no symptoms yet, I'm hoping I'll be one the lucky ones.
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Cancer / Nodules & Hyperthyroidism Forum
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
