Graves' Disease Support Group

Hi there:

I went back and looked at your old thread/posts.

Did you ever get the updated tests, of the Free T3, Free T4, and the TSH to see where you are at now?

Based on your symptoms you mentioned, I suspect that you are hypO, but cannot give you suggestions or ideas until more is known...sorry! :-(

Thanks...{{{hugs}}}

Hi GA...the symptoms you describe are the same as when I am hypo. For me..it dosnt take much for that to happen. If I go 2 points below mid level on my FT4 I start to get those same symptoms even though I am considered within range. Everyone is different and its important to note on your records that this is how you feel at these levels and med doses When you keep a log you will begin to see a pattern which is very helpful in learning how your body responds. Being hypo can be worse for some than being hyper...it is for me.

Its really hard to remember everyones labs ranges, so if you could provide them with each thread that would be very helpful for those of us that would like to help but cant remember....getting older is a cruel joke..isnt it...lol.. Big Hugs...Kathy

Hello again,

No, I haven't gotten any new testing done yet. I go back in two weeks. Prayerfully I will be able to convince them to run the free-4 tests.

These are my most recent labs:
October 2:
TSH 2.930 (0.450 - 4.500)
Thyroxine (T4) 6.4 (4.5 - 12.0)
T3 Uptake 26 (24 - 39)
Free Thyyroxine Index 1.7 (1.2 - 4.9)

I'm not freezing anything like I was before. I do still get slightly chilled at times though. My hair is falling out like there is no tomorrow. I'm not as sleepy as before. My bowels have gotten better. I am on a roller coaster with aggitation though. Increased appetite is back.

Is it possible for me to go hypo on only 2.5mg of Methimazole per day? On the labs posted above, I had been taking 15mg/day. I would have thought that I would be going more towards the hyper side. Could added stress be causing the tightness in the back of my thighs?

Thanks for the comments.

I get muscle spasms or tightness when hypo not hyper or when the levels are changing. If you were on 15 and stopped then went to 2.5 that's a big adjustment I think. It might be why you feel like this. You are low in the t-3 but need a FREE t-3 test.

Hi There,
I am so sorry that you are not feeling well. I had extreme muscle weakness when I was hyper. I don't remember it being painful, it was just worrying because I got so weak and ended up having tremors. I thought I had parkinson's or MS before I got diagnosed with Graves' disease.
I went on Methimazole, and ended up getting hypo on it and when I went hypo, I got cramping, charley horses and pain. I also felt like I had carpel tunnel syndrome, and arthritis when i was hypo and had trouble opening cans.
I hope you feel better, soon!
Hannah

GA

I think it's time for a level check - you have had significant changes in your meds dose and 4 wks after dose changes is quite appropriate. You might not go back to the doctor for 2 more weeks but you could call him/her and let him/her know you want to have your levels checked (you certainly have good reason based upon your experiences thus far)

Since you've been on a roller coaster ride no thanks to your doc, it's hard to speculate just what is going on with you.

Sometimes fluctuating hormone levels (you've had more than your fair share) can bring on symptoms and, most definitely, certain levels will bring on symptoms.

It's very important for you to record symptoms as they relate to meds doses/blood levels....this will help you "hone in" on the best place for you.

You really need to get the Free T's done - I think I explained this to you.

I could never get my endos to run a Free T3. Since Free T4 is the most accurate indicator of thyroid function, how about pushing for that?

Ya know, my endos used to comment about not "using up resources" (insurance coverage).....why the heck they order 4 or more different thyroid blood tests like GA's doc rather than the smaller number of the ones that really count, I'll never know.

I gave up trying to figure out endos - I focus more on getting the proper care - that's hard enough as GA is experiencing :(

I see my holistic Doc often who is friends with the Endo I see once per year. I can get labs right away and try for going for labs every eight weeks, at least.

Just a thought here, with the colder weather upon us can make me feel very uncomfortable. It seems like I can tighten up more when it's cold more so than the hot weather. Sometimes I've had to adjust the ATD I take just slightly in the cold weather to feel my best at. Even then my labs will tell me I'm off, just very "slightly'. But then, just 'slightly' is all it takes for me.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

Thank you for all of the replies. I think I must be the acception to the rule. Except for getting a chill now and then, I believe I am having hyper symptoms.

I will be going through my previous posts to look up the links everybody has provided regarding the inportance of Free T3 & Free T4 testing so that I can print the information for my doctor. I got my apt changed from the Physician Assistant to the actual doctor. I pray that will give me some better results.

Thanks again for all of your help. I may be contacting you directly (if possible) for the information if I have a hard time finding it at the links you have given.

I am as hyper as one can be and I can;t walk very well due to pain in my legs. Everything hurts especially my joints and muscles. Maybe I have other autoimmune diseases that I do not know about yet, but my endo was shocked with my walking problems, so I guess it is not normal.

I have been hyper for 7 years and never experienced muscle cramps and tight muscles UNTIL most recently when my doc pulled me off all my meds in order to have the uptake scan done. Since being off my meds for 6 weeks I have been having muscle cramps and tightening in the back of my thighs as well and especially on the back of my leg behind my knee. I'm certainly hyper with no chance of being hypo at this moment. Before my uptake I had labs and I will still showing hyper and had been taking PTU. I'm certain my hyper is more significant now that I have been on no medications for 6 weeks. I sure wish I had an answer for my muscle cramps/leg pains as well. The other morning they were so severe when I stood up that it took me to my knees.