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...
Long Story Short at my first Endo's apt. the doctor put me on Methazole 5mg once a day.(For what she believed to be Graves) I've been on this since the end of January. I had my 2nd Endo apt and my t3's and t4's are in range My TSI is high . She wants to keep me on the same dosage for 3 more months. At the next appointment (June)she said she might start decreasing the dosage in half. Here are all of my blood work results..
At my Primary Physician:
11-18-03 TSH 0.06 Low I think reference range 0.40-4.50
T4,Free 1.2 In Range
At my Primary Physician:
12-10-03 T4, Free 1.8 In Range
T3, Total 163 In Range
Thyroglobulin Antibodies 44 High
TSH 0.02 Low I think reference range 0.40-4.50
Before my 2nd Endo's apt. -- Being on Med for 6 weeks
3-11-14
T4, Free 0.9 In range Reference range 0.8 -1.8 ng/dL
T3, Free 3.1 In Range 2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL
TSI 224 High
TSH 0.50 In range
Shouldn't my TSI be in range when the doctor starts lowering my methazole? Also what daily vitamins do you take? It seems so controversial about the iodine in them.
Graves Disease is SO overwhelming and my world has been rocked. I have been researching a lot and trying be keep healthy. Thank you for any advice, It is SO much appreciated :(
At my Primary Physician:
11-18-03 TSH 0.06 Low I think reference range 0.40-4.50
T4,Free 1.2 In Range
At my Primary Physician:
12-10-03 T4, Free 1.8 In Range
T3, Total 163 In Range
Thyroglobulin Antibodies 44 High
TSH 0.02 Low I think reference range 0.40-4.50
Before my 2nd Endo's apt. -- Being on Med for 6 weeks
3-11-14
T4, Free 0.9 In range Reference range 0.8 -1.8 ng/dL
T3, Free 3.1 In Range 2.3 - 4.2 pg/mL
TSI 224 High
TSH 0.50 In range
Shouldn't my TSI be in range when the doctor starts lowering my methazole? Also what daily vitamins do you take? It seems so controversial about the iodine in them.
Graves Disease is SO overwhelming and my world has been rocked. I have been researching a lot and trying be keep healthy. Thank you for any advice, It is SO much appreciated :(
The goal is to achieve your FT4 levels in the upper half of your ranges...for you that would be at around 1.6 This applies whether your on meds or not. We adjust our meds to achieve optimum levels so our immune system can heal.
With your FT3 the goal is to achieve mid range or slightly higher/lower. For you that would be around 3.25 Usually our FT3 follows our FT4 unless you have an issue with conversion.
I am a bit confused with your levels upon diagnosis...could you clarify? Which labs were used to medicate? Those of us with Graves ignore the TSH levels because the antibodies interfere. Your FT4 is the thyroid hormone used to medicate ATD's and you were low on one lab and then high on the other. Did you read your labs and ranges correctly?
Your latest labs show your FT4 to have gone down due to the medication...you are now hypo and need a medication reduction to allow your FT4 to come back up to around 1.6 Big Hugs...Kathy
My first appointment with my Endo was the end of January. She put me on the methazole then and said she believed it was Graves. At my second appointment, she said that the TSI confirmed the Graves.
I thought maybe the Endo should have lowered the dosage too. But everything is in range. Do my March numbers mean I am Hypo even if I am in range?
I think I might make an appointment for a new Endo. ( The ones in Philadelphia are better)
I can't tell you enough, how much I appreciate your advice. Trying to make myself healthy without know anything is difficult. Thank you
Welcome!
You asked about vitamins and issues with iodine. There is some controversery about iodine. I would read some of Elaine Moore's and Dr. Eric Osansky's articles on iodine. Elaine Moore is more ant-iodine and Dr. Osansky takes a pesonaiized approach. You can also check out an iodine proponent, Dr. Brownstein.
My understanding is with our move to lower fat and lower carb diets, companies are adding more salt (iodized salt) to procesed foods. So a lot of the issues with iodine are related to diet and how and what you eat.
But I haven't had my iodine levels tested because I have TED and honestly, I am just terrified to possibly make my symptoms any worse. So I take the approach of avoiding iodized salt, processed foods and eating out :-(
I do use Celtic Sea Salt for the minerals in the salt without the added iodine.
I take a daily multivitamin - New Chapter Every Woman but I only take 1/2 dose. The full dose does have 50% of iodine DV. I take the multi-vitamin to just feel assured that I might be filling nutrient gaps in my diet.
Now I also take a daily probiotic. That might be something that you want to research and consider. Probiotics are becoming more popular - Dr. Oz talks about them a lot - and there are tons on the market.
To good health!
Kim
The whole thing about being in range is important. If you are in range, your antibodies will decrease, which heals your body. With that being said, "in range" can vary slightly from person to person. With being on this site, researching around and asking a ton of questions along the way I always have been told that the mid/upper mid of range is where you need to be with T3 and T4. Now, with that being strongly suggested along the way I also want to mention that there are exceptions to the rule. For me, I would measure a bit lower in ranges and still feel great. Having the information I had researched contradict my own physical feelings added a bit of anxiety for me- feeling confused about where my own optimum ranges are when dealing with Graves. I went into full emission with normal antibody levels while my labs showed I was at the "lower" ranges. When it comes down to it- take a good look at those labs as the fluctuate while on meds and be mindful of your body. Most people will certainly feel best at those mid/upper mid ranges- just wanted to share my own story with that.
Regarding your own labs- they are even a bit low for me and I would feel some hypo symptoms. I'd say you could take a shot at med reduction and see how things do in a month to six weeks. Also, about your doctor, if it were me I wouldn't kick them to the curb quite yet. I have yet to find a super good endo and one that would give me an ultrasound would definitely blow my mind at this point. If you have a good dialogue with this doc, tell them your concerns and see what they say. My first crappy endo would not had suggested a reduction at all if I had your labs. As sad as it is, these good endos are so hard to find, even a mediocre one. Go with your gut, though. It's your body! Best of luck to you!
It's nice to know I have friends that have been where I am standing and can direct me in the right direction. I now know that I am shooting for my T4's to be higher and to watch them because I don't want to be Hypo. I'm learning something everyday... Thank you ALL!!
{{{hugs}}}