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 am exhausted with this disease. I found out that I have Graves last year. I didn’t start treatment (Methimazole 5mg) until 5 weeks ago. A week ago I had labs done and I was excited because I was feeling much better, anxiety levels had decreased a lot, and I was looking forward to having levels go normal, only to receive disappointing news that TSH was even lower at 0.006. I started at <0.01. I was even more disappointed when I saw that she didn’t test my t3 and t4 levels. When I asked her (pcp) she stated that those weren’t important because tsh is low then those would be low as well. I’ve read nearly everywhere that TSH Can still be suppressed and t3 and t4 can be norm. I’m so confused. She told me to stop reading stuff and trust her, and she upped my dose to 15 mg. She said If i don’t trust her that she will discharge me from her care. I’m at wits end and don’t know what to do. I don’t feel comfortable taking it (15 mg) without even knowing what my t3 and t4 are, and I can’t get labs for another 6 weeks she said. I’m so miserable. The thing is, i was feeling a lot better and to be told that it’s not working is so devastating. She also put me on atenolol, and Im prescribed selenium as well. My vitamin D levels are low. All other levels labs good. I read in another forum that taking regular-L carnitine or acetyl-L-carnitine can bring TSH levels up in a short period of time but you have to decrease your Methimazole dose. Can someone please help me with advice please, I don’t want to have RAI. I just want to take the meds and get well. This is ripping me apart day by day to the point that I can’t care for my 10 year old disabled daughter. Here’s all lab results taken:
4/13/17 (before Methimazole)
TSH: <0.006
T4: 2.15
6/16/17 (before Methimazole)
TSH: <0.01
T4: 2.0
10/25/17 (before Methimazole)
TSH: <0.006
T3: 293
T4: 2.54
1/13/18 (before Methimazole)
TSH: <0.01
2/26/18 (4 weeks of Methimazole 5 mg)
TSH: <0.006
Hope this helps, if something is missing it’s because she didn’t order labs for it
I am sorry you are having difficulties.
First thing first, find another doctor. I feel this one is dosing to get the TSH to come up and we need to dose meds by the Free T3 and the Free T4 levels. The TSH cannot be used when there are positive thyroid antibodies involved.
Please find out what the current Free T3 and Free T4 are doing before any dose changes with the meds or adding another med. The beta blocker works with the FT3 and the MMI (Methimazole) works on the FT4.
Now for the Selenium, please find out what the Free T3 level is like before adding it. If the FT3 is too high, taking Selenium will not be wise to take as it can increase the hypER feelings.
When posting labs, please include the lab reference ranges as different lab companies have different ranges for many of the tests.
{{{hugs}}}
t4: 0.82-1.77
t3: 71-180
TSH: 0.450-4.500 uIu/mL
No worries or apologies. I know everything is new to you. :-)
I am not sure if you are living in the USA or elsewhere. If in the USA, labs can be ordered as a self pay if doctors won't order for their patients.
I noticed that the T3 up there is a Total T3. If the Free T3 can be ordered or asked for (much better test and is not bounded to the diet and hormones), the ranges for these are something like: 220-440 or 2.2-4.4.
Most doctors out there are clueless to how to treat thyroid disease and for which thyroid labs should be ordered and how to do meds properly.
Have you had the TSI and TRAb thyroid antibodies ordered to determine Graves' Disease?
{{{hugs}}}
If you can get the TSI and TRAb antibodies tests to find out if Graves' Disease or if Hashimoto's Thyroiditis get the TPOab and the TGAb done to find out which of the antibodies are acting up.
We can use the TSH to dose the meds by (if and when meds are prescribed) as if any of the thyroid antibodies are acting up, the TSH will remain low.
So additional tests to ask for: TSI, TRAb, TPOab, TgAb, Free T3 and the Free T4.
{{{hugs}}}