General Medicine

» erimay - Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease

In response to Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease posted by nurseheatherone:

I was also just diagnosed with GD. I felt lightheaded w/ the beta blocker (toprolol), but after I cut in half, it stopped. My endo told me to take PTU, and that in approximately 4 months I can start trying to conceive, but I can't stop taking PTU pregnant or nursing. Also, I have read that the RAI can harm the fetus no matter how long after you wait, and that it can pass problems on to children's children. I sympathize with the symptoms, I have ridiculous ones myself. Good Luck!

-- posted by erimay

» kiolli - Post RAI-now Hypo taking generic synthroid

Hi Elaine,
This a really neat site! I was finaaly diagnosed with Graves April of 06 and treated with RAI. I feel a lot better but still wonder if this was the right treatment. I suffered for about 3 years before anyone could tell me what was wrong so I am grateful that I am feeling better. My labs are all WNL, my TSH is a little less than 2.0 which I seem to like. I am on a generic synthroid. I tried to switch to regular synthroid but it hit me too hard and I felt hyper again. My problem now is my weight, in spite of exercising and dieting I can't seem to loose any weight. I am stuck and am very frustrated. What do you think is the best diet? Should I also avoid iodized salt and nutrasweet now that I am not hyperthyroid anymore? Would a T3 drug help me metabalize my food more efficiently so I can loose some unhealthy weight? Thanks Kim

-- posted by kiolli

» nurseheatherone - Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease

In response to Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease posted by daisyelaine:
Dear Elaine,
I am very thankful for you response, I will definetely take a look at the carnitine article. I am still a bit concerned about RAI, it seems as though alot a people claim to have alot of problems with regulating hypothyroid after RAI. Since I would like to have children in the next couple of years I am hoping to choose the option that is safest with pregnacy and my endo says that she has given babies goiters on small doses of ATD's during pregnancy. I am just nervous that by taking RAI and then 6 months later having problems concieving because of the fluctuating thyroid hormones.

The period of hypo makes alot of sense in my case because I started gaining weight and Bp and cholesterol increased all at once with no previous problems. Now my BP is actually low even though I take a small dose of lisinopril. As far as weight gain goes I am not gaining any weight at his time becuase around the time of my diagnosis I was told to stop excercising ( Because of dizziness and fast pulse) so I began South Beach diet and have since lost 13 pounds but have stalled now that I started tapazole and slowly adding back good carbs. Since I really did not lose any weight from GD is it possible that I will not have any weight gain when I become Euthyroid?

I beleive that I do have a genetic predisposition to GD. My Grandmother had addisons disease and my great grandmother had Chrons disease and I am almost positive that my great grandfather had GD all from one side of the family. Other than that I am the only one that seems to have any health problems in my immediate family. I did also do alot of different types of diets before I had symtoms of GD. The one thing that I do not here alot about is acne with hyperthyroid. That was one of the first things that triggered me to thing that something might be going on. I took accutane in highschool and had a beutiful complexion until about a year ago. Now I have weird cystic type of acne along my jaw line and my neck. Is there any relation here?

Finally, my husband has full blown cold and I am noticing slight fatigue, headache mouth sores and sore throat but no fever. Should I be worried that my WBC's are declining, I read that this is a severe reaction to Tapazole. I would assume that I would notice symptoms more drastic that this if there was a problem, I am just assuming that I am sharing germs with my husband.
I apologize again for the long posting, so many questions so little time

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» Elaine Moore - ADDEND:Elaine: Post Rai Hypo Lt4 and PREG

In response to ADDEND:Elaine: Post Rai Hypo Lt4 and PREG posted by u25000:
Hi,
FT3 is slightly low but the other labs look ok. You'd have to be on a stable dose for at least 3 weeks to tell if changes are needed. Since you're doing well in your pregnancy and have enough FT4 on board, I'd probably leave things alone for now. With your next set of labs if FT4 and FT3 are any lower you'd probably need to up your dose. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease

In response to Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease posted by erimay:
Hi,
PTU has been used successfully in pregnancy and nursing for more than 50 years. After the first 6 weeks your dose will be reduced. In pregnancy it's recommended that you be on a dose less than 200 mg daily. Most people get by on a maintenance dose between 25-150 mg daily. And during the second half of pregnancy, thyroid hormone levels usually fall. Most women are able to then reduce their dose or stop it entirely.
It's true that mutations caused by RAI are passed on to offspring. There haven't been any long-term studies to gauge these effects. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Post RAI-now Hypo taking generic synthroid

In response to Post RAI-now Hypo taking generic synthroid posted by kiolli:
Hi Kim,
Unfortunately weight gain is a side effect of treatment for hyperthyroidism that causes permanent hypothyroidism. Not everyone will gain weight but most people gain an average of 30 lbs.
It does help to avoid sugar, saturated fats, excess dietary iodine in fast and processed foods and you definitely want to avoid Nutrasweet.
Many of us quit converting T4 into T3 very well after RAI, and over time hypothyroidism worsens. So you want to have levels at least every 6 months and more often if you're adjusting your dose. Your FT3 level will indicate if you'd benefit from replacement T3. I felt much better after switching from levothyroxine (T4) alone to a glandular hormone (Armour) which contains all of the components of thyroid hormone. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease

In response to Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease posted by nurseheatherone:
Hi,
Most people with Graves' disease who achieve remission with meds (ATDs) do not gain weight when they become euthyroid unless they developed some bad habits when they were hyper or have lots of nutrient deficiencies that are causing food cravings. Your metabolism returns to normal when you achieve remission.
PTU only slightly crosses the placental barrier. It would be difficult to cause neonatal goiter unless someone was on an inappropriately high dose. The general rule is to only use enough PTU to keep FT4 within range regardless of TSH. However, many doctors are confused by this and prescribe high ATD doses in an effort to raise TSH. You're considered euthyroid with normal thyroid function when FT4 is within range, and it's well known that TSH can stay low or suppressed for up to two years after achieving remission.

It does sound like you have a genetic predisoposition to GD.

Hyperthyroidism can increase oil production, and iodine itself can cause cystic acne. If you're unusually sensitive to iodine, and many people with Graves' disease are, dietary iodine and excess thryoid hormone can contribute to cystic acne. Getting your levels within range, but not too low, and watching your diet carefully should help. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease

In response to Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease posted by tdove52:
Hi,
Strenuous exercise is a known trigger for GD. By strenuous I mean long distance running or heavy weight lifting. I haven't seen anything that points to this being a specific trigger for people with hypothryoidism.

It's thought that all autoimmune thyroid diseases are the same disease and the symptoms depend on what thyroid antibodies are predominant. Once you're diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease, it's not unusual to move from one disorder to another. For instance, about 20 percent of people with Graves' disease spontaneously develop autoimmune hypothryoidism. This condition, like the hyperthyroidism, can resolve on its own.

I haven't seen any studies focusing on determining why people move from hypo to hyper other than studies on the predominant antibodies.

As for strenuous exercise being a trigger for GD, this is well accepted. You can find references in the textbook Werner & Ingbar's The Thyroid by Braverman and you may be able to find info from journal articles if you search PubMed or look on the ThyroidManager online thyroid textbook. Best, Elaine

» jjjspr - Under-active thyroid gland

Hi
I've been on thyroxine all my life as I was diagnosed at birth with an under active thyroid. My current dosage is 125mcg daily. I'm 24.

My concern is I forget to take it. I know it sounds stupid as its only 2 little pills which have been part of my life for 24 yrs but I honestly can't remember.

I'm worried about dying. Am I being silly or is this a real possibility? Seen as I've had this since birth I know very little about it really.

-- posted by jjjspr

» nurseheatherone - Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease

In response to Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease posted by daisyelaine:
HI Elaine, I read the article on carnitine and started taking it yesterday! my pills come in 500mg dosages and I am wondering how many grams would be helpful to start out at, I took 1 gm yesterday( my pee turned bright yellow!). Also I was wonderingif a B-complex would be helpful as well? I am very interested in starting some other supplements as well. As far as diet goes I have already been doing a good carb low fat diet with lots of fruits and veggies although I once tried to cut out dairy and wheat and my stomach was not very happy. I do consume splenda products and stevia but try to avoid aspartame and have not been taking my multivitamins in fear of excess iodine( what is the ingrediant name I am looking for in these pills?). Any other advice of things to add or remove from my diet that would be helpful? Also I really appreciate all of your info, I am now going to get a 2nd opinion with another endo to see maybe if PTU is the way to go instead of RAI even during pregnancy. I guess my fear is miscarriage or Tyroid storm in pregnancy if my thyroid becomes difficult to control.
Thanks so much!
Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone