They are ablating my thyroid. I had a bad reaction to the Methimazole and the other meds seems to have the same side effects including May cause liver problems. I been reading and ALL OF THIS IS SCARY...I am slowing getting my hyper symptoms back after just 3 days without the Methimazole.
Wow - they're moving this along quite quickly, aren't they?
I've never had RAI, because I don't have Graves Disease...
We need more information about the RAI... are they doing an uptake scan with Radioactive Iodine or are they ablating (killing) your thyroid on Mon?
You should call back, tomorrow and get more particulars about what they're going to do... make sure you understand exactly what it is, before you agree to it.
Hello there, it's been awhile. I hope you are well. I got my TSI AND I DO HAVE GRAVES. Seen a eye specialist that has ruled out TED on Friday...then came Sunday along with a rash out of this world. My face, neck back, arms and chest!!! I called the doctor Monday morning and was ordered to stop taking the Methimazole immediately and back on the medication for my heart...today the nurse calls to follow up with the news of me getting a RAI Monday morning. Can you tell me about your experience with RAI, PLEASE!!
I'm happy to hear that you got the lab order for the TSI test; that will tell you whether or not you have Graves Disease, so you'll be better prepared to deal with what comes.
I have to say that I might doubt your fatigue is from thyroid. Have you had vitamin B-12 tested? Or do you take a supplement? B-12 deficiency can cause the most horrible fatigue imaginable.
Yes, it's a good idea to see a specialist to rule out TED or get treated, whichever the case may be.
Be sure to let me know how the TSI comes out.
My Doctor was very happy!! My Methimazole dosage was reduce from 40mg to 30mg daily and my Atenolol was stopped completely. I have lab paperwork for TSI (thank you for your knowledge!) Also, I see a Eye specialist to rule out TED next Friday and after I receiving my TSI back I may be scheduled for a RAI. I feel good except for the Fatigue!!
While I did have times where I lost weight for no reason, had bouts of diarrhea for no reason, etc, I didn't have "full blown" hyper, that was obvious, since I was never even tested for it.
I'm not a medication person either; I rarely even ever take an aspirin or something for headache, but when you have a thyroid disorder, you really have not choice.
I don't know what med you're talking about that's going to damage major organs. Staying hyper can cause heart issues, as can being hypo. We have to do what we have to do to feel well and if that requires medication, so be it. I've never understood how some people are willing to take a handful of vitamins/minerals every day, but are reluctant to take thyroid medication.
Since I've never had an episode of full blown hyperthyroidism/thyroid storm, I'm not that familiar with it, but if I had my "druthers", I'd rather be hypo than hyper.
Your labs don't really indicate hypo, but neither do they indicate hyper. Your TSH is awesome, but we don't pay a lot of attention to that since it fluctuates as much as 75% over the course of a day.
Your FT4 is at only 20% of the range, rule of thumb is for FT4 to be about mid range, so that would be leaning toward hypo. Your FT3 is at 63%; rule of thumb is for FT3 to be in upper half to upper third of the range. At 63%, you're well into the upper half, so that's good.
I'm sure your doctor was happy with your results, wasn't he? Are you still on the methimazole? Did your doctor discuss dropping the dosage a bit to prevent you from going hypo?
Quite honestly, if I had labs like that, I'd be pretty happy. How are you feeling now?
I got them...
TSH 1.01 ( 0.40 - 4.50)
T4 free 1.0 (0.8 -1.8)
T3 free 3.5 ( 2.3. - 4.2) Ok your thoughts am I hypo???
I was really hoping I had my labs back to post to you before my Dr. Appt. Tomorrow but they are not in let. So, you were hyper for years...WOW, How did you manage?? Here's my thing I am not a medication person at all not even having any of my four children and I am now excepting that has changed forever but I refuse to take medicine that cause damage to any of my major organs... Some believe it's better to take tyroid replacement hormones... Your thoughts!!!
Yes, Hashimoto's is, typically, associated with hypothyroidism, but as I noted above, it's often characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism, in the early stages. I believe I had it for years before I was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism, as I had periods of what I now know were hyper, off and on, for about 20 yrs before I finally went completely hypo. My thyroid, currently, produces nothing and I am completely dependent on thyroid replacement hormones.
Yes I will, I need to research Hashimoto's some more because I am seeing that Hashimoto's causes Hypo...Which makes sense not to do any type of removal. Again, THANK YOU. I will post my labs from Friday as soon as I get them back.
Methimazole is the proper treatment for hyperthyroidism, whether it's caused by Graves Disease or Hashimoto's.
With Graves Disease, the thyroid is often removed or "killed" with RAI to stop the production of hormones; with Hashimoto's, it doesn't usually have to be removed, because the hyperthyroidism isn't permanent.
You'll have to keep close tabs on your FT3 and FT4 levels, to be sure that you don't start going hypo.
Wow, I will request a TSI on the 22nd. I am on methimazole, is this treatment right?? I am really thankful for you and all your help, you are a true blessing!!
Your TPOab indicates Hashimoto's, not Graves Disease. If you didn't have a TSI test, Graves can't be definitively diagnosed.
As I noted in a previous comment, Hashimoto's is often characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism, alternating with, both, hypo and normal.
Thyroid removal is, typically, not done for Hashimoto's.
You should see an opthamologist for your eye issues.
Hey there, hope all is well!! I finally have some more results...TPO 351 (35 is the range) The Thyroglobulin 20 (20 is the range) which is the only test I been in range. I have to admit I have been feeling a lot better. I am trying to learn my body and keep the stress limited. I see my doctor on the 22nd of this month and will have new blood work in by 21st. What's your thoughts on havIng my thyroid remove. I have major eye issues and don't want to endanger my sight any more than it is.
When you get the lab reports, I'll be interested to see what antibody tests were done. Sometimes doctors will only do TPOab and diagnose Graves, based on the hyperthyroidism, since low levels of TPOab can be present with Graves, when they should really be diagnosing a hyper phase of Hashimoto's.
Without a TSI test, Graves can't be definitively diagnosed.
I am not sure about what antibody test was done but some was def. done, I will try to get them in the next few days. I to hope the medication works and fast. Thanks
What antibody tests were done? Can you post the results and reference ranges?
I'm not sure what you mean about your labs being moderate or severe. You can't put a label on any thyroid condition, because someone whose labs are only slightly out of range can feel just as bad or worse, than someone whose labs are way out, as yours are, whether it be hyper or hypo.
Hopefully, the increase in methimazole will help.
Congratulations on your engagement...
My utrasound finding was No Nodules.
The Dr. reports that I have Graves Which does run in my family (all women)
I go back for more blood testing on the 21st of May and then the Dr.'s on the 25th of May...for the last two days i have been experiencing Diarrhea and didnt sleep for two days! Spoke with the dr. and she increase my dosage from 30 mg at same time once a day to 20mg twice a day. Looking at my labs then would you say "Severe" or "Moderate". I am trying to plan my wedding and really really need to get back to my old self. I thank you in advance Barb135
Those levels were before the methimazole? How long have you been on the methimazole?
Have you have a thyroid ultra sound to see if you have nodules? Sometimes, a nodule will start producing hormones independently of the thyroid.
Have you had antibody tests done to determine whether or not you have Graves Disease or Hashimoto's? Graves Disease is always associated with hyperthyroidism, which Hashimoto's is, typically, associated with hypothyroidism, but can be characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism in the beginning stages. You need to be tested for both.
The tests you need to determine if you have Hashimoto's are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab). You need them both because some of us have one or the other, some have both. Without them both you could be misdiagnosed.
The definitive test for Graves Disease is Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI).
You should see an opthamologist for the eye dryness; that could be the beginning of TED.
Hey there, the test is Free. I have a lot of symptoms, weight loss even tho I eat more, weakness and always tried, Swollen feet, and eye dryness to name a few. I am on 30mg of Methimazole once a day and 25mg Atenolol once a day. The ranges are TSH 0.35 - 5.60. Mines is 0.05. T4 Free 0.58 - 1.24 Mines is 3.52. T3 Free 2.50 - 3.90 Mines is 17.57
Hey there, the test is Free. I have a lot of symptoms, weight loss even tho I eat more, weakness and always tried, Swollen feet, and eye dryness to name a few. I am on 30mg of Methimazole once a day and 25mg Atenolol once a day. The ranges are TSH 0.35 - 5.60. Mines is 0.05. T4 Free 0.58 - 1.24 Mines is 3.52. T3 Free 2.50 - 3.90 Mines is 17.57
I noticed on another thread, you also posted a T3 result of 17.57 (or close to that). Again, what's the reference range for that, and was it Free T3 or Total T3? Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
If your lab report doesn't specify Free on each of them, they are assumed to be Total and are much less useful than those for Free T3 and Free T4.
I'm not sure what you're so afraid of.
Do you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism? If so, which ones? Has your doctor put you on any medication? If so, which one at what dosage?