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!

[MaryPJP]

I also wanted to ask did you have any other issues that they tested to prove the result other that the blood tests?

Thanks

[MaryPJP]

I also wanted to ask did you have any other issues that they tested to prove the result other that the blood tests?

Thanks

[MaryPJP]

Hi Way 2 Silly

None of us with thyroid problems are silly, it is the people who try and treat us I question sometimes??

Was it on the TSI tes that gave them them "oh" you have both or was there some other tests that proved conclusive the result.

MaryP

[TayMS]

RAI is awful. I had mine done at the age of 12, and my symptoms, now better defined as re-activeness, or lack their of, to the Levoxyl in combination, with my bodies ability to fluctuate the conversion of synthetic T4 medications to T3, put me in the exact some boat as where I was before. I have been in the ER, I have been damn near comatose for years, I have had a heart attack, and prior to, as well as currently, flip flop around from TSH's of zero to a 66 TSH level without changing my dose. It takes a while for a shift that great but I assure you I have had those fluctuations and everything in between in periods shorter then 3 months. I can feel the slightest of variations in my thyroid levels & entire processes of my body throughout a course of a day, sometimes an hour.. Whether the autoimmune disease is using your organic god given thyroid glad to warp and distort the functioning of hormones, or the synthetic hormone they pump you full of for the rest of your life post RAI, it makes no difference. The only thing that helped me stabilize my thyroid functioning was an EXTREMELY healthy diet and cosmetics; all organic, non gmo, and non processed, in addition to no NO WHEAT< DAIRY< OR SOY. All vitamins are from whole food organic sources, never synthetic grocery or big chain vitamin store brands (ONLY FROM HEALTH FOOD STORES; Traders Joes DOES NOT count) . In addition, I drink only distilled water, take no medications other then levoxyl, and to get TONS of exercise, especially in building lean muscle.....Medical THC work wonders. I have NUMEROUS sources, individual case studies, confirming  this. It can also prohibit reverse t3 and the lack of t4 to t3 conversioning (which you will probably have) after RAI. Cures Wilson's syndrome ; ) Take care,
Current MD/PhD  student; origionally from from Santa Barbara, Ca

[gimel]

You've attached your post to a very old thread.  Most of the posters on the thread no longer participate on the Forum.  Your questions will get much more notice and response if you will click on the orange Post A Question button at top of page and re-post.  

[Buddhadivine]

Ok.... I was diagnosed with Graves 5 years ago. I opted for PTU treatment. Doing great for about 4 months, then diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism. I finally agreed to an exploratory neck surgery since after dozens of different tests I was told they could not locate the bad parathyroid which was basically killing me. I have Graves ophthalmology so  RAI was not suggested as it can aggravate this disease to the point of not  being able to close your eyes ever.. I had the 8 hr surgery( long story ). Total thyroidectomy and removal of one huge parathyroid. Started on synthroid and it almost killed me, bad reaction to the binders used. My endo dumped me not 3 months after surgery. I was told I was crazy since I could not take synthroid. Found a wonderful new endo who got be back to good health, well until a recent  family crisis and stress. I now have been told I have Graves & Hashimotos and I do not have  a thyroid!!!! Going for first ultrasound tomorrow. I have hyper graves symptoms and labs, but terrible weight gain and some labs presenting as hashimotos..... What to do next? All I know is I am staying positive, life is too short.. Thanks so much for listening, finding this site makes me feel better as I know I am not alone :)