General Medicine

» Elaine Moore - lab results.

In response to lab results. posted by cybee:

Hi Cybee,
You probably have both blocking and stimulating TSH receptor antibodies. The blocking variety contributes to hypothyroidism and the stimulating ones, which are also known as TSI, contribute to hyperthyroidism. If blocking antibodies predominate, you move into hypothyroidism.
Your rising TSH suggests that you're likely producing more of the blocking antibodies and moving into hypothyroidism. TSH has a lag of about 6 weeks behind thyroid hormone levels. TSH will change more than your thyroid hormone levels as the pituitary secretes TSH in an effort to keep levels stable or raise them when they're too low. What's important with your levels is the fact that your thyroid hormone levels are too low for your body's needs and your pituitary is secreting more TSH in an effort to raise them. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Graves & MSM?

In response to Graves & MSM? posted by juicymango:

Hi Helene,
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you've found my website helpful.
I think MSM offers benefits in Graves' disease because of its antioxidant properties. It also helps the skin and eyes, potentially offering protection against TED. I use eye drops with MSM for eye dryness. Increasing cell respiration aids detoxification. I haven't seen anything suggesting that it would release thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, raising your levels (and causing effects associated with excess thyroid hormone levels)

Don't worry about TSH staying low. I know many people whose TSH didn't rise until 2 years after they achieved remission. Dr. Utiger of the ATA has written that a low TSH in Graves' is an indicator that the immune system is still producing TSI. You want to stay on an ATD dose that keeps FT4 at least at mid-range and optimally nearer the high end of the range regardless of TSH. Keeping FT4 optimal and TSH low helps because it allows your gland to rest. When levels fall too low, the thyroid gland increases its activity trying to correct the problem. This results in increased thyroid antibody. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Graves

In response to Graves posted by cybee:

Hi Cybee,
I'm glad to hear you've adding the selenium and omega-3 oils and saw the post about vaccines. Diets based on reducing inflammation and avoiding any known or suspected allergens will also help you. Best, Elaine

» u25000 - Additional immune testing

I have never been tested for adrenal insuff; don't know cortisol levels. Have not been given SED or other for immuno checks. My GPs have known I have Graves-treated and infertility, and do nothing more to check into this autoimmune susceptibility. Who do I need an Allergist, Hematologist. I am seeing Rep Immunologist. I just found out Paternal side has polymyecitis, and that I have borderline Anti nuclear antibodies-this is new. So clearly the predisposition is there for whatever underlying AI problems will arise. We obviously deserve more aggressive docs. I don't understand why they don't refer. They just let you think your fine, and suffer w/new things like RA, LA.

-- posted by u25000

» juicymango - Graves & MSM?

In response to Graves & MSM? posted by daisyelaine:

Thanks Elaine, that's so useful; both the MSM info and about TSH levels. I'll take it along to my consultant (he'll be so pleased!) as he seems to think that low levels of T4 are more likely to result in a rise of TSH but I don't like it!
Thanks again,
Helena

-- posted by juicymango

» nurseheatherone - Graves

In response to Graves posted by daisyelaine:
Thanks Elaine, This morning I woke up so nauseated and my head had that same dull headache that radiates to my back. I decided to go back to my the PCP office and see a iferent Dr. ( since my end has yet to respond to my message). While in the office with her my BP was elevated and I turned completely red on my neck shoulders and chest. She told me she thinks that I may be Hyper again and ran my thyroid levels along with a bunch of other labs as well. I will definetely let you know what the dermatologist says about the bumps on my head ( I am jokingly calling them my horns:) ). The Dr. also said that if I think I am going in to a thyroid crisis to go to the ER. I guess my color change worried her a bit. SHe also mentioned Beta blockers, which when I took them for my BP a while back I gained a bunch of weight and my triglycerides went up so my endo did not put me on them again for my hyper symptoms, at the time I was on another BP med. Now I do have a bottle of Beta blockers, and I was wonderng it may help some of my symptoms. My PCP did want to put me back on the tapazole and beta blockers until she saw my labs. I think I may try to take half of a beta blocker tonight to see if it helps. I am just a little nervous that I could be hyper again after only about 3 weeks.
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» Elaine Moore - Additional immune testing

In response to Additional immune testing posted by u25000:

Hi,
Rheumatologists are usually consulted when anti-nuclear antibody tests are positive and other symptoms of autoimmune disease are present. In your case, your reproductive immunologist would likely order a cortisol level and a sed rate. Polymyositis on your father's side does give you a family history of autoimmune disease. Take care, elaine

» Elaine Moore - Graves & MSM?

In response to Graves & MSM? posted by juicymango:

Hi Helena,
Normally, a low T4/FT4 or T3/FT3 would cause TSH to rise but this isn't the case in Graves' disease. The TSH receptor antibodies that cause GD are recognized by the pituitary as if they were TSH. Thinking we have adequate TSH in our blood circulation when it's actually thyroid antibodies, the pituitary stops or reduce TSH production. Best, elaine

» Elaine Moore - Graves

In response to Graves posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
The beta blocker helps reduce blood pressure and heart rate. Beta blockers are also used as a preventive therapy for people with migraines. A low dose should help reduce some of your symptoms. Take care and let us know about the bumps, Elaine

» nurseheatherone - Graves

In response to Graves posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine, Yesterday my Dr. tested me for Antinuclear antibody test. I do have some of the signs of Lupus, but incase it comes up as positive can Graves disease cause me to have positive ANA results?
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone