General Medicine

» Elaine Moore - Hashitoxicosis

In response to Hashitoxicosis posted by tuesdaykopp:
Hi Tuesday,
Of course you can have both antibodies (stimulating and blocking TSH receptor antibodies or thyroglobulin/TPO and stimulating TSH receptor antibodies) at the same time, and this happens in the interim phase when you're moving between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. In Hashitoxicosis patients are primarily hypothyroid and the transient spikes of increased thyroid hormone cause their levels to stay within the normal range while they endure symptoms of both hyper and hypothyroidism.

There's logic to keeping the ATD dose low if it's used because you want to avoid having FT4 fall too low. But to really slow your gland down in an effort to reduce thyroid antibody production, Block and Replace can work well since it essentially puts your gland to sleep and makes it easier for you to maintain stable thyroid hormone levels.

The current theory is that all autoimmune thyroid disorders are similar with the predominant symptoms dependent on the type of thyroid antibodies currently present. Any chance of finding a more enlightened doctor? Best, Elaine

» priyav2k - Confused??

Hi Elaine,

I am recently diagnosed with hyperthyroid, My TSH is .02 , T4 T3 are in range and FT4 is also in range, however antibodies is 88 which should be 40 by lab report.
My doctor has suggested to do RAI scan to find out if its thyrotis or graves. I am not comfortable with this after reading about it.
My question is , it this test necessary. I want to treat it natural way if possible, I want to go on remission. I read your article in detail yesterday and am planning to change my diet ASAP.
But how do I know how much time I have before it goes worst. Doc is not even confirming anything without that test.
I am so confuse, please help.

Thanks and Regards,
priyav2k

-- posted by priyav2k

» Elaine Moore - Confused??

In response to Confused?? posted by priyav2k:
Hi,
With your thyroid hormone levels being normal and TSH low, you have subclinical hyperthyroidism. Your positive test for thyroid antibodies shows that the cause is autoimmune so you would be said to have subclinical Graves' disease.
You don't need to have an uptake and if you had one the result would be normal since you aren't truly hyperthyroid. TSH is a pituitary hormone that falls when your thyroid hormone levels rise. TSH will be low, usually less than .01, long before thyroid hormone levels become abnormally high. The pituitary stops secreting TSH in an effort to prevent hyperthyroidism.

Subclinical hyperthyroidism isn't usually treated. If there are symptoms beta blockers are used to reduce them, but more aggressive treatment isn't used because this could cause hypothyroidism, and subclinical disorders often resolve on their own.

Hyperthyroidism doesn't progress overnight. Thyroid hormone moves slowly through blood and you would have plenty of warning signs if your levels were to start rising more over the next few weeks. The usual recommendation for subclinical GD is to repeat the labs in 6 weeks--3 months. Clinical Thyroidology posted a case about a year ago that was similar to years. More than 90 % of the doctors who responded said they wouldn't treat a patient with subclinical Graves' disease. Best, Elaine

» priyav2k - Confused??

In response to Confused?? posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine,
Thank You so much for replying. I agree to you but am scared with one thing. I had one blood work done on sep 11, and my TSH that time was .08 and this one was almost 1 month later and my TSH went down to .02 , with this rate I am pretty soon going to be Hyperthyroid. I have started controlling Iodine in my food and am going to start yoga starting this weekend.
I will greatly appreciate if you can also suggest me some diet,herbs,vitamins,minerals to correct my autoimmune system.
Thanks and Regards,
Priyav2k

-- posted by priyav2k

» Elaine Moore - Confused??

In response to Confused?? posted by priyav2k:
Hi,
Your TSH result of .08 mu/L isn't much different from your level of .02 mu/L. The test isn't very sensitive when levels fall that low.
Also, a low TSH in itself doesn't cause any symptoms. TSH reflects thyroid status but indirectly and just shows that the pituitary's help isn't needed to produce thyroid hormone. In Graves' disease thyroid antibodies act in place of TSH and stimulate thyroid cells to produce hormone.

Besides avoiding dietary iodine you can add goitrogens, which are foods like raw almonds, peanuts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and squash, that block iodine absorption. Besides avoiding iodine you should avoid saturated fats, sugars, aspartame in NutraSweet and processed foods. And it's important to incorporate stress reduction techniques because of stress's detrimental effects on the immune system. For more info on diet and lifestyle changes, you can read chapter 9 in my book on Graves' disease or my book Autoimmune Diseases and their Environmental Triggers. Both books are available at many public libraries and from Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.
I also have lots of articles in the archives of this website that you can find by going to archive in the left column, then health, autoimmune disease, and Graves' disease. and there's info in my online course on hyperthyroidism available at suite101. Best, Elaine

» princessqamar - just diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism

I had Hypo like 8 yrs ago and had my thyoid removed subtotally. They left the left side in. I never had to take Synthroid because it was working fine after but the weight gain was huge. Iwent from 135 to 185 in 3 yrs. Now, they say I am Hyper-. I have also gained 20 lbs in 3 months from this. If I have a high hormone production why am I fatter? And will it subside with treatment? I really want to loose this thyoid weight.

Ongela

-- posted by princessqamar

» Elaine Moore - just diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism

In response to just diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism posted by princessqamar:
Hi Princess,
First, ask for a copy of your thyroid function tests to make sure the right tests were ordered and that you're really hyperthyroid. If only a TSH was run, it can be low for reasons other than hyperthyroidism. Let's make sure you also had levels of the thyroid hormones FT4 and FT3.

People with autoimmune hypothyroidism often move into autoimmune hyperthyroidism over time, and hyperthyroidism is possible. However, it could be that you're producing blocking TSH receptor antibodies that contribute to hypoT but confuse matters since they suppress or lower TSH levels. Also, certain medications such as dexamethasone and corticosteroids also lower TSH levels. And tests for T4 and T3 can be falsely increased in women on estrogens.

Although most people with hyperthyroidism lose weight, about 20 % of patients gain weight. Weight gain is more common in younger people, especially teenagers. The reasons are unclear but are suspected of being related to fatigue, sedentary activity and food cravings that result in an increased appetite for junk/processed foods.

By law you have a right to your lab results. If you don't already have them, call the office and ask them for a copy. If you post your thyroid lab results here, I can help you interpret them. Best, Elaine

» priyav2k - Confused??

In response to Confused?? posted by daisyelaine:

Thanks So much Elaine.

Regards,
priyav2k

-- posted by priyav2k

» Elaine Moore - Confused??

In response to Confused?? posted by priyav2k:
Hi,
Lab results can be difficult and confusing to interpret at first. If you need any help with results just post them here. Best, Elaine

» kpato - lab results

Just received lab results
TSH 0.01, FreeT4 1.9,, TPO 189 (the normal range is 0-34), scan uptake showed high iodine uptake 35% in 4 hrs and 53% in 24 hours. 6x4 mm heterogenous solid nodule, positive ANA 1:640 homogeneous rim pattern. I am 42 years old, and have never been treated for any thyroid conditions other than I took Synthroid 14 yrs ago when I was expecting my first child. Symptoms are hair falling out and I am either full of energy or completely exhausted. Seems to be no middle ground when it comes to energy level. My next endo appt is not until December.
Thanks for the help

-- posted by kpato