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?  

[Brucergoldberg]

google "graves eye disease"   also look at images of the late actor marty feldman.

[annajonas63]

Hi =)  I normally do not comment on threads...but wamted to share my experiences with you.  I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and Graves' in October 2011.  In April, 2012 I had a total thyroidectomy.  Just 9 days ago, I had decompression surgery.  That is where they remove bones in your face to make room for your bulging eyes.  You will need to speak with an oculoplastic surgeon.  I have a great one here in Phoenix, AZ.  Also, after the decompression, they still need to fix my eye muscles since they were weakened by being pushed out.  Once that is handled, they can actually fix your eyelids as well.  My eyes used to not close and I felt the exact same way you did!!  But there is hope!! You just need to keep asking and keep looking.  It's expensive to see multiple doctors, but it helps.  After the oculoplastic surgeon, look for an opthamologist for the muscle and eye lid problems. GOOD LUCK!!

[Luvmybabies143]

Hi,
I realize that this is an old comment, but I was curious, what do you mean your eyes went back to normal?  I was diagnosed with Grave's disease in 2010 and had a total thyroidectomy.  My biggest complaint are my eyes, I feel like a freak. I've seen three different eye doctors and all three say that mine aren't that bad.  No one will talk about surgery, and scare the crap out of me saying that if I did radiation I could eventually go blind, and if they put me on steroids I'll get fat, along with tons of other awful side effects.  They don't fully close when I sleep, I have to where sunglasses all the time due to the sensitivity, and people stare at me all the time.  I cry often because personally I feel like a freak!  I just wanted to know how your eyes returned to normal? Did you do anything in particulare? If anyone has any imput I would love to hear... Thanks!

[Brucergoldberg]

candy ,

you should start your own thread.    YOu could get better results this way.  Please post your labs and what tests they are doing on you.  It almost sounds like whatever is wrong with you is not keeping up with the medicine you are taking (maybe your graves or TSI is getting worse) but your medication needs to be increased.  

Also do you have nodules?  have you had a sonogram?  what did it show?

[candyhoe1984]

hi everyone could use some help and advice........i was diagnosed with graves disease in may of this year after suffering extreme weight loss, hair loss leg pains shakes and jaundice, i was put onto to 40mg a day of carbomazine which was 6 weeks later droped to 20mg a day, whilst on this medication i suffered terrible joint pain and swelling and soe days could not walk and struggled to pick my baby up, i saw my specvialist and he told me this was not related i knew it was as prior to the graves medication i had been perfectly heathly but he would not listen,ive not taken any medication now for 3 months the joint pain copmpletly went and im waiting to see the specialist again my weight has returned to normal and so have my bloods but im feeling really ill agin now hair gloss very irritable and tired im so fed upnow please if anyone canhelp????? many thanks

[sjb140]

I was doing a search to find out if Graves goes away and found this forum.  Thanks for the answer. It seems that most on here have had surgery to remove the thyroid. I did the RAI treatment which was just a little over a month ago so I guess I have some time to go before I know if this worked. Have any of the other had the RAI treatment and how effective is it.