General Medicine

» princesssoft - Graves' Disease and Side Effects

In response to Graves' Disease and Side Effects posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine

Just to let you know my thyroid level was checked on Monday, I got the results and they said the figures are now perfect (TSH, T3, T4). I'm now gradually being taken off the Propanolol but I'm still on 10mg Carbimazole.

Only problem now, i'm starting to experience the joint pain again, would this be because 10mg is too much?

Also, (i'm not sure how noticable this is), my left eye isn't opening fully, it's like the top of the lid is thicker, I don't know if that makes sense. My vision is perfect, my eyes aren't sore or red, but something is going on with that eye. I only seem to notice it when I have the joint pain though. Could it be thyroid related?

Any info appreciated
Anna

-- posted by princesssoft

» Elaine Moore - Subclinical graves to hypo?

In response to Subclinical graves to hypo? posted by holly22:

Hi Holly,
If you begin producing more blocking TSH receptor antibodies than the stimulating variety (TSI) you'll move into hypothyroidism. Blocking TSH receptor antibodies block both TSH and TSI from reacting with the TSH receptor on thyroid cells. Thus, the signals for thyroid hormone production are blocked and thyroid hormone production declines. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Graves' Disease and Side Effects

In response to Graves' Disease and Side Effects posted by princesssoft:

Hi Anna,
Joint pain is a sign of hypothyroidism, and it's likely that your 10 mg dose is too high for you. Hypothyroidism also causes periorbital edema, that is a swelling around the eye and eyelids. This could be what you're experiencing. Why don't you ask your doctor if you can lower your ATD dose.
Take care, Elaine

» mariammc - thrush

Hi Elaine, hope you're doing well. Looks like i have oral thrush.
Would you happen to know what anti fungal tx i could take with graves disease? I'm going to the doctor next week. Thanks! Maria

-- posted by mariammc

» Elaine Moore - thrush

In response to thrush posted by mariammc:

Hi,
Your doctor will probably prescribe Nystatin or Nizoral, which are anti-fungal drugs. Either of these should be ok to take in Graves' disease. Best to you, Elaine

» javatlkrs - Tetnus shot/ reactions

Elaine, I'm being treated for Graves. On 5/6/08 my T4 was 1.2 and my TSH was 4.65. I've been taking 2.5mg of methimazole daily, and had no eye symptoms. On 5/3/08, I had a nasty fall that required a tetnus shot, (I hadn't had one since 1997). This was given to me on 5/6/08. Yesterday I noticed that my left eye was swollen and starting to hurt, symptoms of TED that I had before. My questions are, could this be due to the tetnus shot? If it is will it go away soon? Should I be concerned? I'm leaving on vacation next week, and would like to not have this as a concern. Is there anything that I should do? Thank you for your input. You were so helpful in the past. I've been feeling so much better than I was, and I attribute it in part to your expertise. Thanks again.-Anne

-- posted by javatlkrs

» mariammc - thrush

In response to thrush posted by daisyelaine:

Thanks so much again for the info. Take care, Maria

-- posted by mariammc

» aviano - wanting update on Vitamin D, LDN

Hey Elaine:
Haven't posted in a while, but have kept up with articles and postings. I have a couple of questions.
(1) I read your update on Graves and the discussion on TSI subtypes and epitopes explains why I can have severe symptoms with TSI in the 140's and 150's. I seem to have flares 3 times/year reliably: shortly after Christmas (spruce allergy or foods I wouldn't normally eat?), spring (heavy pollens in N.C. from early Mar on), and fall (ragweed season this past year caused a flare). In addition, estrogen and progesterone can cause flares. My question is this..could "subclinical" positive TSI over 50% but less than 140% still be associated with symptomology? I'm thinking yes, but wanted your opinion and also your opinion on whether allergy treatment OR LDN would help.
(2) My 2nd question has to do with Vit D. I'm confused..there is an article her by you that seems to advise against heavy supplementation with D. My levels tend to be low, BUT calcium levels are fine. When I take D, I have some symptoms from it that feel like toxicity (depression, vertigo, feeling like I'm going to black out). Any advice?
Thank you,
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» aviano - wanting update on Vitamin D, LDN

In response to wanting update on Vitamin D, LDN posted by aviano:

I should add that both ionized and serum Calciums while on D can be on the "high" side AND that the D I took was a relatively large dose (50,000 u's/week - 10 days) of ergocalciferol (D2).
Thank you,
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» Elaine Moore - Tetnus shot/ reactions

In response to Tetnus shot/ reactions posted by javatlkrs:

Hi,

Vaccinations stimulate the immune system and increase antibody production, including thyroid antibody production if your immune system has been producing thyroid antibodies. The vaccination could be contributing to your eye symptoms and stress can also be contributing. However, the new guidelines suggest that a TSH greater than 2.5 is indicative of hypothyroidism.
You methimazole dose is likely too high. The range for FT4 is 0.8-1.8 and a level of 1.2 is likely too low for your body's needs. Hypothyroidism causes venous congestion and eye puffiness. Hypothyroidism also causes your gland to speed up its activity trying to fix the problem. This causes increased thyroid antibody production. Why don't you call your doctor and see if you can lower your methimazole dose based on those results. Best to you, Elaine