Diagnosed with Hashimoto's AND Graves disease!

[JDzWife]

I found this support group while googling about thyroid disorders.  I hope to find answers and peace of mind.  I am 47 and have always been fairly healthy.  Within the past few months, I noticed extreme fatigue, especially late afternoon.  I need a 2 to 3 hour nap daily, which is so out of character for me.  Also, since December 2008, I have gained 25 pounds and my hair is falling out at an alarming rate.  I have never had a problem with my weight, in fact, I have been slightly underweight.. until recently.  I went to my family doctor this past February, who sent me for labwork.  My TSH level came back 0.004, vitamin B12 high at 919, cholesterol 224, triglycerides 303, HDL 39, LDL 124; everything else was normal.  She then sent me for a thyroid ultrasound which came back positive for Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  Two weeks ago I had a nuclear medicine thyroid uptake scan which came back positive for Grave's disease.  Last week was my first appointment with an endocrinologist who informs me that I have both Hashimoto's AND Graves disease, which according to her, is very difficult to treat and is not that common.  Her first suggestion was the RAI (radioactive iodine), second choice was tapazole/PTU for a year to 18 months, and thirdly was surgical correction.  She tells me that the tapazole treatment will only put the hyperthyroidism in "remission" so that we can treat the hypothyroid.  

My first inclination was to proceed with the thyroidectomy.  Then I started thinking about RAI therapy.  I am really confused on what truly is the best course of treatment is for me.  I know it's a personal choice, but how do you come to a decision?  I would like to know what course of treatment(s) anyone has had that has been diagnosed with both hyper and hypothyroidism.  

I apologize for the long post.  I am just at a loss here.  Thanks in advance!

[annajaden2000]

so is was diagnosed with it like 5 or so months ago and they are making it seem like I've had all my life and I'm barely 13

[lynielyn]

where is this info from? can i have the source of the not eating the certain foods b/c it nullifies any thyroid hormone therapy?
thx so much
***@****

[goolarra]

This is a very old thread.  Please go to the top of the page and click on the orange "Post a Question" button.  You can start your own new thread by doing that, and we can address your individual concerns.

Please post recent labs with refeence ranges when you do.

[apfeiffer]

I see my endo tomorrow. As I have hashimotos but am sure I have graves as well. I have been in a week long swing of panic no sleep hyper ness followed by extreme exhaustion. Heart racing. Shortness of breath and general feeling of impending doom. Also suffering adrenal fatigue and waiting on tests for celiacs lupus anemia insulin resistance and tons of other things.  Is there Anythjng I can do for this panic feeling. To calm my system.  I am not taking my armor today. I'm on a high dose of 150 was on 180 and prior to that tried 240
Which I swore would kill me

[JBurr92]

I'm 21 with hashimoto and graves disease, I was actually diagnosed when I was about 14, I bounced between hypo and hyper thyroidism for about 6 years until I turned 18 right after I graduated high school and had to get two radioactive iodine treatments. It was scary because I was, well am so young. I still don't understand most of the stuff that goes on with my thyroid. But I went threw three big thyroid storms when I was 15-17 and they felt more like strokes. I had night tremors, paranoia, there would be times when I couldn't breathe right. It's been the scariest thing to happen to me, I found out my mom has it to but it's not as bad, they did a biopsy thing on her where he poked her in the neck with his finger and jabbed a needle in her neck. I could hear her crying in the next room, scary. And going threw high school? Oh my, I was big and bloated and now I'm thinner now than I ever was but I still have some issues keeping my weight down because I gain weight so fast. The last time I went to my specialist he did an ultrasound and found numerous nodules or goiters? He showed me but didn't say it was bad/good. Should I be worried? Where can i get more info on my disease?

[aanok]

I was diagnosed with graves in March of last year. Endo suggested RAI immediately due to high heart rate and other symptoms that were out of control. I reluctantly agreed and it has been hell ever since. Now I have tested positive for both graves and hashi's. I swing back and forth from week to week and month to month. I was taking Armour for hypo for about 3 months and went back to hyper. Dr stopped meds in January. Just had to go to the emergency room 3 days ago. Heart rate was 188, my head went completely numb and the muscle spasms were so bad that my whole body was twitching. My TSH was 29, so they put me back on synthroid, a steroid, and propranalol. I am so tired off fighting this disease! All of my other hormones are also involved. Adrenals are high, progesterone and estrogen are low. I am to the point I just don't know where to turn for help. I feel like everyone looks at me like I'm crazy. My eyes look horrible and no eye drops seem to help. I have been really sick and have had pneumonia 5 times within the past year. Not one Dr seems to see a connection. I just want to give up. RAI did not work and TT is out because of my heart rate. They say with my size, heart rate and other infections that I could not have surgery. Anyone here have good results with alternative treatment?