Graves' Disease Support Group
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...
I everyone, sorry i haven"t been here in awhile just had alot of issues going on. Stress, stress and more stress. Most of my friends know that my husband lost his job last year and then again in November. So there has been no insurance. Dealing with things the best i can. After two months of no work again we are finally on the road again, we now have our own truck and hopefully will soon be able to get private insurance. The last time I went to the endo she raised my meds to 30mgs of methimazole but I didn't do it. I however raised it to 20. For awhile I had been taking my meds where I thought I felt good. Many here know many doses I have been on. I know it is alot to be on 20 but I have felt the best I have felt in a long time. I even handled the stress of no money coming in for two months really well. Next week I go back to the doctor and she told me at last visit that I have to decide on either surgery or RAI. I don't want either so I'm gonna try and put her off till our insurance goes into effect hopefully in April. My question is how long can I safely stay at such a high dose. It has been such a struggle for over two years now on so many different doses. I really feel good right now on the 20mgs of methimazole but is that a toxic dose after awhile. The problem in my area is not a whole lot of choices in doctors and I have exhausted two already.
It really is best to know what your current thyroid levels are before doing any type of dose adjustments. The problem would be from getting either too hypO or hypER.
Is there any way you can do the self labs such as privatemdlabs or healthcheckusa and pay out of the pocket to get the Free T3, Free T4, and TSH to know what your thyroid is doing?
Most generally the labs cost on average around $80 or so.
{{{hugs}}}
I have posted elsewhere my history of non-compliance--but now, I am officially trying out how I do without the ATDs. I feel hypo. 2 more weeks until my next lab will be allowed and then we will see.
I was wondering about you and how you were doing so glad you posted. I am sorry you are having such a tough time but equally glad you are feeling better. MMZ gave a good idea about the private labs if you can or need to. I know its out of pocket but it could buy you some time if your endo isn't cooperative about not having RAI or surgery.
You shouldn't have to do anything you don't feel is right for you. Hang in there and please keep
us posted.
Huge Hugs!
Cindeeh
So sorry to hear you're still having issues!
I just created a thread on here and maybe it will give you some "ammo" for your next doctor fight:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Graves_Disease/forum/15549134-resource-tsh-suppressionupper-range
I so wish I knew about these treatment guidelines when I was still taking ATD's.......
It can't be more black-and-white.
Best of luck to you!