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...
Hi,
I would like to ask anyones advice on my problem and symptoms. I was diagnosed with Graves in 2011 and was treated with tapazole for 10 months. I was slowly weaned off of the meds due to the fact that I was practically hypo at the border mostly. Last year at this time my TSI antibodies were 488 now they are 86 last tested. TPO holding around 200. I guess the reason I was able to get off the ATM is that I have the blocking antibodies. I have not been on meds since then however I am very symptomatic almost every day. I could not find a doc who would do block and replace last year when I most needed it. Now I would say that I straight up need replacement to feel better but this is what I need someones advice about. Maybe some of the ladies that had mild hypo and I'm not even sure I fall into that category. My numbers at the present time are FT4 is around 1.0, FT3 is around 2.3 and TSH is 2.35. I have been to numerous docs to try and get help and they all tell me I am within range. Finally I found a doc who is willing to give replacement a try although she was very reluctant. I feel very sick often and I am trying to figure out if this would benefit me or make me feel worse. Does or did anyone have similar issues? My symptoms are the following on and off sometimes severe sometimes mild. Stomach problems big time bloating, indigestion, sometimes constipation and other days going alot, temp changes, nervousness pretty bad, dizziness on and off, sleep disturbances, pain issues, fast pulse, slow pulse, palps on and off. Somedays it seems like I am having hyper symptoms and other days hypo symptoms. Any thoughts or advice or similar circumstances? Since I feel hyper some days its a little never racking to think of starting replacement but maybe that would help me out? I'm getting very discouraged because I have felt this way for so long but maybe some of you can understand. Thanks so much, Fran
I would like to ask anyones advice on my problem and symptoms. I was diagnosed with Graves in 2011 and was treated with tapazole for 10 months. I was slowly weaned off of the meds due to the fact that I was practically hypo at the border mostly. Last year at this time my TSI antibodies were 488 now they are 86 last tested. TPO holding around 200. I guess the reason I was able to get off the ATM is that I have the blocking antibodies. I have not been on meds since then however I am very symptomatic almost every day. I could not find a doc who would do block and replace last year when I most needed it. Now I would say that I straight up need replacement to feel better but this is what I need someones advice about. Maybe some of the ladies that had mild hypo and I'm not even sure I fall into that category. My numbers at the present time are FT4 is around 1.0, FT3 is around 2.3 and TSH is 2.35. I have been to numerous docs to try and get help and they all tell me I am within range. Finally I found a doc who is willing to give replacement a try although she was very reluctant. I feel very sick often and I am trying to figure out if this would benefit me or make me feel worse. Does or did anyone have similar issues? My symptoms are the following on and off sometimes severe sometimes mild. Stomach problems big time bloating, indigestion, sometimes constipation and other days going alot, temp changes, nervousness pretty bad, dizziness on and off, sleep disturbances, pain issues, fast pulse, slow pulse, palps on and off. Somedays it seems like I am having hyper symptoms and other days hypo symptoms. Any thoughts or advice or similar circumstances? Since I feel hyper some days its a little never racking to think of starting replacement but maybe that would help me out? I'm getting very discouraged because I have felt this way for so long but maybe some of you can understand. Thanks so much, Fran
It looks like your Free Ts are too low for your needs. Might you be able to find a holistic doctor who doesn't just look at the lab results, but also looks at the symptoms one is having? Then you would be able to get replacement meds?
It looks like you may be one of those 20% of people who goes on and move into hypO after the hypER phase of GD.
{{{hugs}}}
Thanks for your reply. I guess I am one of those people however I pretty much had this issue all through treatment with the low levels and after with levels being low. They were even lower for awhile and since have come up a little somewhat. I actually have the replacement med tirosint 0.25 that the last doc I went to gave me as I said she was reluctant though. I'm the one who needs to make the call at this point to take them. Do those symptoms sound consistent with low levels? Every doctor I have gone to tries to tell me that I don't need them. I would maybe feel worse on them cause they tell me that not all my symptoms are hypo some sound hyper. Definately making me nervous. I have received the same advice from Elaine regarding replacement med. Can I ask how the med will make me feel or should I feel nothing? And again are those symptoms consistent with low levels? Elaine states the issue should be temporary. Is this true for most? Thank you, Fran
There have been times on the wee doses of the MMI I am currently taking that I would get bits of hypER symptoms along with hypO and swear I was hypER. Then when I'd get my labs, I'd find I was hypO instead.
Do you have the complete lists for both hypO and hypER? If not I will just go ahead and provide the link in the next post.
Another clue in your case is to take a look at the current TSH along with the low Free Ts. If the TSH is over 2.0, then it is likely your Free Ts are too low for your needs. I always try to aim for mid ranges of my Free Ts to feel my best. Any higher I don't.
{{{hugs}}}