supressed TSH

[raerae426]

I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 2003.  I was previously maintained on PTU and was able to quit taking it for several months before relapsing.  My TSH has been undetectable for over a year now and my endo is pushing me to have RAI.  He said that I will never go into remission.  He said the PTU is not good to be on long term, and that it's not controlling my graves anymore.  My T3 and T4 were in normal range until last week and my T3 is now slightly High.   I do not want to expose myself to radiation, I do not feel that they know enough about the effects on the patient or those around the patient.  Any advice would be very welcomed!!  

[raerae426]

thank you for your advice.  I too would rather have a TT than RAI.  I hate to do either unless it's absolutely necessary and that's the answer I am seeking.  I don't know if and when it is ever really necessary.   My TSH has been suppressed for over a year now.  My Free T's were in normal range until about 2 weeks ago.  My Free T3 is High now.  I was on 50 mg twice a day and he just increased it to 100mg twice a day.  He said my thryoid is not responding to the medication anymore and my Graves is more severe than it's ever been.  I'm just so confused as to what to do.

[armywife92]

Since you said your tsh was in normal range, UNTIL last week - it sounds like he is treating you according to your TSH which is a big no no!! Your antibodies are suppressing the TSH, but as long as your free's are normal, meds aren't necessary. I have heard/read sooooo many testimonials of ppl who were rushed into RAI by their Endo, b/c their endo became impatient, or wanted to take credit for curing them. Now many of them are dealing with the permanent eye bulge, and other side effects that may acompany it. That's not to say there are no success stories with RAI, I'm sure there is, but I'd get a TT before I got RAI. Why hasn't he tried you out on some of the other brands of ATD's such as methimazole/tapazole? Methimazole is proven to work faster! It worked for me. Please seek a second opinion/endo!