General Medicine

» 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

» Elaine Moore - wanting update on Vitamin D, LDN

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

Hi Avi,
Yes, if you have TSI that are more reactive (tend to bind well with epitopes on the TSH receptor geared for stimulation) and don't have any blocking antibodies, your TSI can be causing hyper symptoms.

The Christmas season is considered a time of great stress for many reasons (pressure to get too much done, spend too much, entertain and be entertained more than you have time for) etc. I've written articles in the past on this and how important it is to prepare for holiday stress. And as you know, exposure to allergens brings on flares. Same with fluctuations in sex steroids.

Vitamin D levels are typically low in GD. The article I wrote on the study that came out this year advising against supplementation recommended that vitamin D be increased naturally. The authors of the study suggest that 10-15 min of sun exposure daily is preferable to taking supplements. Because I've written several articles on studies showing a need for vitamin D supplements, I wanted to present all the facts---both the pros and the cons. Rather than take vitamin D3 daily I take it 2-3 times a month and try to get out in the sun when I can. It's snowing here today so it's not always easy here. But we've also had some warm sunny days and I've managed to get outside.

I think with all things moderation is key and natural sources are superior. I hope this helps. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - wanting update on Vitamin D, LDN

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

Hi Avi,
You probably don't need a dose of vitamin D that high. Both parathyroid hormone and vitamin D work to regulate calcium levels. If calcium rises too high it can cause your parathyroid hormone to fall. There's always a risk of causing imbalances when using high doses of supplements.

I think the researchers in the study make a good point here. And even when you go to extremes with sunlight absorption (which I'm not recommending although I love being out in the sun) you don't absorb excess vitamin D. Whereas with supplements, you can ingest too much. Best, Elaine

» javatlkrs - Thank you

Elaine,
Thank you for your response. I'm going to try to cut my 5mg down to 1.25, and see if it helps. Thank you again.
-Anne

-- posted by javatlkrs

» aviano - wanting update on Vitamin D, LDN

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

Elaine:
How can I help heal the underlying Graves flares to allergy provoking situations OR stress. Is LDN the way to go? Allergy testing and treatment? Both?
Angie

-- posted by aviano

» Elaine Moore - wanting update on Vitamin D, LDN

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

Hi Angie,
You want to keep your allergies in control by avoiding known allergens. For seasonal allergies, using stinging nettles, bromelain and quercetin really helps. This is a protocol first mentioned by Dr. Weil several years ago. Stinging Nettle herb (I get capsules from the Vitamin Shoppe) also helps reduce inflammation. Medicines like Zyrtec and Claritin are also helpful and so are nasal steroids. You want to have your allergies in control to keep your immune system from being constantly stimulated.

Some people know what they're allergic to. I was having anaphylactic reactions and was uncertain of the cause so I had allergy tests. I'm glad I did because I found I was allergic to many foods I never suspected.

LDN helps your body heal itself. But it's not a miracle cure. If there are environmental triggers stimulating your immune system you'd still want to address them. Best, Elaine