Aa
Newly diagnosed
HELP! I have not been "officially" diagnosed with Graves but all indications....blood work, left eye swelling/lid retracting and consults with MD and Opthamology MD indicate such. I have an RAI Uptake test next week and an MRI then appt with Endo MD on Nov 1st. I have had some palpitations over the past 6-8 months and feel a little "high" but other than that no other of the nasty symptoms....thank gawd! I also have Hep C and when talking with my MD about meds for Hyperthyroid we came to the same agreement that they can be pretty toxic to the liver. I have read so many conflicting posts about RAI as an option...any other input? Also, does the eye swelling correct itself? I am not to the bulging state but the upper lid is retracting and my eye is sore and sensitive to the light. I am sooo depressed about this and it came on so quickly...about 3 months time....thanks
I take antenolol 25 mg temporarily for my heart rate because it was too high. I will not take that after two months. At that point the thyriod medicine Methomazole 25mg should be doing the entire job. I did call my endocrinologist because late in the evening and when I wake up my heart still isn't under control. Not sure if that is normal so I'm waiting on the answer. I feel good so far with medication so I'm hopeful all the other symptoms will eventually become a thing of the past.
What medication and dosage are you taking?
With antithyroid meds it should not take as long to be effective as it does when adjusting meds to relieve symptoms of hypothyrodism. You just need to get to the right dose and stabilize so that your Free T4 and Free T3 are optimized.
As I am not as familiar with hyperthyroid as hypothyroid, I don't know for sure what to expect from there as far as how long a hyper patient can satisfactorily stay on a given dose, the possibility of remission, or the likelihood of needing further treatment. So hopefully other members with more hyperthyroidism experience/knowledge will be able to provide more info about that aspect.
With antithyroid meds it should not take as long to be effective as it does when adjusting meds to relieve symptoms of hypothyrodism. You just need to get to the right dose and stabilize so that your Free T4 and Free T3 are optimized.
As I am not as familiar with hyperthyroid as hypothyroid, I don't know for sure what to expect from there as far as how long a hyper patient can satisfactorily stay on a given dose, the possibility of remission, or the likelihood of needing further treatment. So hopefully other members with more hyperthyroidism experience/knowledge will be able to provide more info about that aspect.
I forgot to mention in the previous comment that I have seen and endocrinologist and have medication currently. sorry. I guess I'm asking will the meds over a period of time make me feel like my old normal self. I've noticed as long as I take them I'm less weepy and anxious. It's only been a week so I know its going to take time for things to make a full recovery
There is every reason to think that you can feel well again. The most important thing is to have a good thyroid doctor. That does not necessarily mean an Endo, just one that will prescribe the necessary treatment/medication that will relieve your hyper symptoms. Following that, dependent on which treatment or medication is used, you will want to avoid hypo symptoms, by keeping your Free T4 at about the middle of its range, at minimum, and your Free T3 in the upper third of its range, or as necessary to relieve symptoms.
Along with that we have found it very important to keep your Vitamin D about 55-60, your B12 in the upper end of its range, and your ferritin at about 70 minimum.
If you are interested I have the names of several doctors in your area that have been recommended by other thyroid patients.
Along with that we have found it very important to keep your Vitamin D about 55-60, your B12 in the upper end of its range, and your ferritin at about 70 minimum.
If you are interested I have the names of several doctors in your area that have been recommended by other thyroid patients.
I just found out I have Graves disease as well. I've known for years that something was amiss in my body but all blood tests I had done up until now were negative. I got to the point I was melting hot, crying or exploding most of the time at people, thirsty as hell, and had a really negative mental state and a super fast heart rate. Just asking...does the crying and mood swings and negativity go away? it helps alot to not have my heart racing all the time for starters. Not scared I have Graves disease i just want to be the person i used to be
Has your endo mentioned what a "hot nodule" may mean? Have they talked to you about the possibility of surgery, RAI, or dealing with malignant nodules?
Please talk to your endocrinologist and see what his/her take on the nodule may be.
Please talk to your endocrinologist and see what his/her take on the nodule may be.
Hypo and hyper/thyroidism share some of the same symptoms, as well as other health issues. Thyroid symptoms can mimic symptoms of other health condition.
Most nodules have no symptoms and thyroid levels are normal.
When a hot nodule (functioning) is small there are no symptoms and the TSH is normal.
If the nodule is quite large, it can causes compressive symptoms and clinical hyperthyroidism.
Cold nodules (Non-functioning), one who has symptoms suggestive of compression in the neck, such as pain, difficulty with swallowing or breathing, or change in voice, or swollen neck glands or lymph nodes should also be carefully investigated to rule out the presence of thyroid cancer.
Your physician might want to do other test such as ultrasound examination of the thyroid.
Most nodules have no symptoms and thyroid levels are normal.
When a hot nodule (functioning) is small there are no symptoms and the TSH is normal.
If the nodule is quite large, it can causes compressive symptoms and clinical hyperthyroidism.
Cold nodules (Non-functioning), one who has symptoms suggestive of compression in the neck, such as pain, difficulty with swallowing or breathing, or change in voice, or swollen neck glands or lymph nodes should also be carefully investigated to rule out the presence of thyroid cancer.
Your physician might want to do other test such as ultrasound examination of the thyroid.
I have had hypothyroid symptoms for the past 3 years. In that time I have gained 30 lbs despite a strict diet and exercise program. I have many other sympoms as well - hair loos, dry hair and skin etc. My T3 T4 are dead smack in the middle. My TSH is low and an I-123 uptake test shows a hot node and a cold node. Has anyone had this? Why am I showing hypothyroid symptoms with bloodwork that reads hyperactive and a confirmed hot nodule? Please help.
Thanks for your insight....will let you know the outcome after Nov 1 when I see and Endo...thanks again!
I had RAI going on 10 years, on adverse effects from it and I am still alive.
The principle advantage of Radioactive Iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism is that it tends to have a much higher success rate with less side effects than medications. Depending on the dose of radioactive iodine chosen and the disease under treatment (Graves' vs toxic goitre, vs hot nodule, etc), success rate in achieving definitive resolution of the hyperthyroidism may vary.
Radioactive iodine treatment results in destruction of thyroid tissue and many people are initially unhappy at the thought of having to take a thyroid hormone pill for the rest of their lives. Thyroid hormone is safe, inexpensive, and easy to take, and is identical to the thyroid hormone normally made by our own thyroid, this therapy is generally extremely safe and very well tolerated by the vast majority.
Most do not experience any difficulty after the radioactive iodine treatment. Occasionally, neck tenderness or a sore throat may become apparent after a few days, if moderate inflammation in the thyroid develops and produces discomfort in the neck or throat area. This is usually transient, and not associated with a fever etc.
The factors associated with a positive outcome after radioactive iodine is the amount of radioactive iodine administered, severity of existing hyperthyroidism, size of the thyroid, and gender influence success of treatment, and provide guidance for the suggested dose of radioactive iodine to be administered. In general the higher the dose prescribed the more successful the treatment.
Several studies have examined the long term follow-up of patients treated with radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism the long term safety seems excellent, with no excess cancer mortality after decades of follow-up .
Regular blood test monitoring after radioactive iodine administration, usually every 4-8 weeks initially, to avoid the development of transient hypothyroidism. If there has been significant weight loss in the course of the hyperthyroid, expect some degree of weight gain, with body weight approaching "prehyperthyroid values" in most. Getting on thyroid hormone replacement early in the course of treatment may help minimize the potential for excess weight gain.
More info below:
http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=3525&nbr=2751
Your eye issue could be temporary and correct itself in time, correct itself once on meds. or correct its self once treated - it really depends on what type of eye problem/TED you have. Treatment for thyroid does not cure Thyroid Eye Disease/TED and course of TED and Thyroid disorder does not go hand in hand. The eye signs can also be seen/associated with hypothyroidism and other autoimmune diseases as diabetes, arthritis and in rare cases myasthenia gravis.
TED has its own antibodies different that of Graves' disease and Hashi antibodies, although closely related. TED it is extremely unpredictable and, therefore, it is virtually impossible to predict at the onset of the disease what the eventual outcome will be. Its going to do what it wants to do, as many times as it wants, and as often as it wants. TED may even occur after the thyroid disease has been controlled. Some people develop TED when they take animal-based extracts such as Armour, because the immune system react to foreign proteins found in glandular extracts - Synthetic meds. doesn't cause this probelm. Late onset of ophtalmopathy/TED after thyroid surgery for Graves disease in euthyroid patient can happen because residual thyroid tissue drives the autoimmunity antibodies into producing ophthalmopathy/TED.
Stress and Smoking cause it / or enhance it and usually fright, grief, shock, depressive ailments aggravates TED.
More info. below:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1116221
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eyediseases.html
Good luck with you uptake and MRI test next week.
The principle advantage of Radioactive Iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism is that it tends to have a much higher success rate with less side effects than medications. Depending on the dose of radioactive iodine chosen and the disease under treatment (Graves' vs toxic goitre, vs hot nodule, etc), success rate in achieving definitive resolution of the hyperthyroidism may vary.
Radioactive iodine treatment results in destruction of thyroid tissue and many people are initially unhappy at the thought of having to take a thyroid hormone pill for the rest of their lives. Thyroid hormone is safe, inexpensive, and easy to take, and is identical to the thyroid hormone normally made by our own thyroid, this therapy is generally extremely safe and very well tolerated by the vast majority.
Most do not experience any difficulty after the radioactive iodine treatment. Occasionally, neck tenderness or a sore throat may become apparent after a few days, if moderate inflammation in the thyroid develops and produces discomfort in the neck or throat area. This is usually transient, and not associated with a fever etc.
The factors associated with a positive outcome after radioactive iodine is the amount of radioactive iodine administered, severity of existing hyperthyroidism, size of the thyroid, and gender influence success of treatment, and provide guidance for the suggested dose of radioactive iodine to be administered. In general the higher the dose prescribed the more successful the treatment.
Several studies have examined the long term follow-up of patients treated with radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism the long term safety seems excellent, with no excess cancer mortality after decades of follow-up .
Regular blood test monitoring after radioactive iodine administration, usually every 4-8 weeks initially, to avoid the development of transient hypothyroidism. If there has been significant weight loss in the course of the hyperthyroid, expect some degree of weight gain, with body weight approaching "prehyperthyroid values" in most. Getting on thyroid hormone replacement early in the course of treatment may help minimize the potential for excess weight gain.
More info below:
http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=3525&nbr=2751
Your eye issue could be temporary and correct itself in time, correct itself once on meds. or correct its self once treated - it really depends on what type of eye problem/TED you have. Treatment for thyroid does not cure Thyroid Eye Disease/TED and course of TED and Thyroid disorder does not go hand in hand. The eye signs can also be seen/associated with hypothyroidism and other autoimmune diseases as diabetes, arthritis and in rare cases myasthenia gravis.
TED has its own antibodies different that of Graves' disease and Hashi antibodies, although closely related. TED it is extremely unpredictable and, therefore, it is virtually impossible to predict at the onset of the disease what the eventual outcome will be. Its going to do what it wants to do, as many times as it wants, and as often as it wants. TED may even occur after the thyroid disease has been controlled. Some people develop TED when they take animal-based extracts such as Armour, because the immune system react to foreign proteins found in glandular extracts - Synthetic meds. doesn't cause this probelm. Late onset of ophtalmopathy/TED after thyroid surgery for Graves disease in euthyroid patient can happen because residual thyroid tissue drives the autoimmunity antibodies into producing ophthalmopathy/TED.
Stress and Smoking cause it / or enhance it and usually fright, grief, shock, depressive ailments aggravates TED.
More info. below:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1116221
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/eyediseases.html
Good luck with you uptake and MRI test next week.
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