Can a thyroidectomy get rid of graves disease?

[gapeach30518]

Once you have a total thyroidectomy, do you still have graves disease?
I was diagnosed in June 2007 with hyperthyroidism and graves disease.  I was on Toporol and Tapazole for 6 months prior to having surgery.  I had a total thyroidectomy in November 2007 and my recovery was great. I'm on Levoxyl now and still trying to find the right dose but so far so good.... it just needs a little tweaking here and there. I don't miss the graves symptoms at all. I've researched everything I can get my hands on and I still haven't found a clear-cut answer.... a client of mine also has graves and he said he's seeing one of the top endocrinologists in the country who told him that even with the surgery, you still have graves disease.   Someone else told me this: Graves' is the autoimmune disease that can cause hyperthyroidism. so if it makes any sense then think of it as having 2 diseases, one which is caused by the other.  So when you have your thyroid removed then you don't have the hyperthyroid disease anymore but you still have the autoimmune disease (there is no cure, so unless someone comes up with one you'll always have it)



What confuses me is that graves is the most common FORM of hyperthyroidism. I had a total thyroidectomy, therefore, I have no thyroid and am now technically hypothyroid so how could I still have graves disease?



Can you please help me on this one?  

[Pecamtx]

I would love to have a copy of the article! Please desperately seeking understanding!

[gimel]

Medrequest has not been active on this Forum for a number of years, so it is unlikely that you will get a response from there.  Is this the link you were looking for?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12970276

[jgalea71]

Hello
I just read your post although it is Nov 2014.  Could you tell me if you were tested for anti-tpo and anti-thyroglobulin at this time and if you did , did you have higher than normal levels for someone who had thyrodectomy and RAI>
Also the link to the texts you mentioned would be great....
Thank you
Joanna

[deehall420]

HI my name is Deirdre and I just had a consult with an eye specialist who wants me to go to Tufts University asap to have decompression surgery (well consult first) and says although I had my thyroid removed in 2007, I have severe case of Graves' Disease. I am scared and dealing with inept doctors-my story is so long that I was wondering if there was a way to talk to you more-I am now disabled due to severe fatigue and major eye problems-I wont even go outside b/c I am so embarrassed!
      I worked as a paralegal for ten years til 2009-then home-then applied for SSI-got denied b/c some specialist said I did not have Graves anymore b/c I had my thyroid out! Well today I got the letter saying that was incorrect-I am at my wits end. Since my dx in 2002 I have never been euythyroid. I'm exhausted-my kids think I'm lazy-depression is deep.
I would love to tell my story as I think the information could help a lot but too tired right now.
Will try to check back tomorrow.
I hope u check back in.
Thanks, Deirdre H

[GinaQ66]

Hi, thank you for your effort in sharing all of that information.  It was very helpful as I am thinking of opting for a thyroidectomy soon and need a good idea, past what the doctors say, of what to expect.

Thanks

Gina

[obiefamily95]

I had graves Disease for many years unknown and untreated. I wanted to take care of it naturally but I was too sick. I had surgery finally and thankful to better than I have in years. The muscle wasting vanished, the tremors stopped and my strength returned right away. The joint pains also subsided thankfully. I never had any eye problems. I am 11 months post-surgery and I am on generic levothyroxine 75 mcg.

I have found the best advise I was given to date for me is this: NO GLUTEN!!, minimize stress!!, and REST, REST, REST!! when I am tired! I eat NO SUGAR, NO CAFFEINE, NO PROCESSED FOODS, NO PRESERVATIVES... I eat REAL food - I can't afford organic but I can eat raw fruits, raw vegetables, eggs, meats, gluten free carbs, and use a little raw honey, pure maple syrup or agave for a treat once in a while. It was NOT easy but it is worth it because I feel so much better eating REAL food. I also take a good vitamin. I switch off of two different brands for no real reason. I use Peter Gillham's liquid vitamins because my chiropractor carries them and vitamins from womentowomen.com which I really like they but are more expensive. I had thinned, breaking hair and these have made the difference in that.

I also QUIT using shampoo after reading an article that shampoo is actually hard on your hair and I found that to be true for me even trying the shampoos that promised deep conditioning, to fix breakage, etc. It seemed that while my scalp got greasier quicker the ends just became drier. I scoured the internet and came up with my own recipe that used a blended mixture of avocado, honey, yogurt, egg and olive oil and it helped some until I washed my hair again. I tried the "no 'pooers" movement and after the "not sure I liked it" 2-3 week transition period I am so thankful I tried it and I intend to stay with it! My hair looks so much better! I usually wash in the shower and I pour over my head  2 TB baking soda in 1 cup warm water and work it into my hair like you would shampoo for about 3-4 minutes. I rinse it very, very well for several minutes. After that I pour a rinse of 1 cup warm water with 2 TB apple cider vinegar in it. It immediately softens your hair like conditioner but without the weight of conditioner. I have been doing this for 2-3 months now and am very satisfied. I have used shampoo 3-4 times after I worked out in the yard becaue I was not sure the other would get my hair "clean" enough for me but am not as happy with how my hair looks after I use shampoo as when I use baking soda wash and vinegar rinse. I don't notice any vinegar smell and my hair smells very, very clean - don't know how but it does!

So, all in all - I am thankful I had surgery - I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and though it was not without mishap (I had an emergency surgery due to a complication only hours later - they cut a small artery going in and left it slowly bleeding which in a few hours time became a serious problem!) I am doing fine. I will never be what I was before I got Graves Disease BUT I am also years older than I was before I became sick. With watching my diet, going to bed early, napping when I am tired, watching my attitude towards others which really alleviates a lot of stress, doing a little exercise like stretching (Graves Disease seemed to make my muscles tight and they still are but getting better, too!) and simple bike rides and walking ( I taught fitness classes and personal trained for 20 years at a YMCA and our University here) I am improving and have a better quality of life than I thought I ever would again. DO WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF! It is empowering and positive!