Treatment in the Future

[MsSparkOfLight]

I was wondering if I'm going to need any treatment in the future for Graves Disease. I've been on anti-thyroid pills for 1 1/2 now. How long is the average time to be on anti-thyroid pills and if I'm going to need RAI or thyroidectomy (which scare me) later in life? Thanks in advance

[MsSparkOfLight]

yes it is methimazole

[goolarra]

And that's methimazole?  

[MsSparkOfLight]

Currently, I have no one who would advocate and help me with this at the moment. Sometimes, I think that why me, why did it have to happen.

I had my meds lowered from 7.5mg to 5mg a day in January or in April of this year. I felt the same way that I'm now when they decreased my meds.

[goolarra]

I notice you are only 17.  Is there someone who can help you with this and advocate for you (relative, friend, social worker)?  If you have Graves', you will have it for the rest of your life.  So, it's very important to get the results of all tests and keep your own records for yourself.  You should be monitoring your FT3, FT4, TSH and TSI very closely.  Sometimes doctors have to be coerced into ordering the right tests, and that's often hard for adults, never mind teenagers.

Were your meds recently lowered?  From what to what?  How did you feel before the decrease?  How long ago was it?  How are you feeling now?    

[des900]

try some natural remedies like eating more alkaline foods and reducing acidic ones. ex: barley is alkaline one. caffeine is acidic. also in emotions too like anger, stress is acidic, relaxed is alkaline.

acidic ones tend to increase stimulating hormones and also weak immune system and many more.

you might be having a very stressful life style and heavy workload. relaxing more might help.

[MsSparkOfLight]

To be honest, I don't think that my TSI was measured when they first lowered my meds.

[goolarra]

I agree with the people who responded to you on your other threads.  You really have to start monitoring TSI.  If TSI starts to drop, you will know you are going into remission and can start tapering your dose off.  Otherwise, you have to keep taking the meds.

Also, as someone pointed out to you, early stages of Hashi's, which is ultimately hypo, can be hyper or swing back and forth.  So, the two markers for Hashi's should be tested, too.  They are TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies).  

You should be sure they include those on your next lab order.    

[MsSparkOfLight]

I don't think so. What I saw on my blood test requisition form last is Free T3, Free T4 and TSH. My endo and I don't even know if that was even tested when I was first diagnosed

[goolarra]

As I read the other threads referenced above, I'm wondering if you understand that ATMs do not "cure" Graves'.  ATMs inhibit the production of thyroid hormone.  If you go off them, and your antibodies are not in remission, you will be hyperthyroid again.  You have to continue to take your meds unless you go into remission.  Is your TSI being monitored yet?

[MsSparkOfLight]

Sorry I forgot to mention how long. It's 1 1/2 years.

[Barb135]

Here are 3 other threads started by MsSparkOfLight that might be helpful:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Methimazole-and-minor-feet-swelling/show/2743389#post_13326652

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Wondered-about-Recovering/show/2759608#post_13338354

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Life-After-Medicine-for-Graves-Disease/show/2757781#post_13329714

[goolarra]

Unfortunately, there's no way to predict.  You've been on ATMs for how long (1.5 years or months)?  Graves' can go into remission, and then can return or not.  ATMs can eventually cause liver problems, so that would be a factor, too.  Only time will tell...