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...

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brooksteen 10/11/2011

I've had graves disease since March 2010. I am on 15 mg daily methimazole went from 10-30 then going back down), will not get RAI, I taking vitamin suppliments and don't eat fish.

I have gained 30 lbs in the last year. I have tried a week or 2 of 1200 diet and exercise and did not budge a lb. I tried no carb for a week and didn't budge either. so frustrating...

I posted all my numbers numbers and vitamins in my profile.

levels were finally good last test 8/15/11 and asked to go down to 15 mg (from 20).
TSH 1.28
T4 Free 0.58
T3 Free 3.1

mmztcass 10/11/2011

Post your lab ranges please.

{{{hugs}}}

brooksteen 10/11/2011

TSH 1.28 (0.3-3)
T4 Free 0.58 (0.58-1.64)
T3 Free 3.1 (2.3-3.9)

TSH T$ Free T3 Free
3/22/10 0.01 2.19 5
4/20/10 0.04 2.18 24.2 10
7/27/10 0.01 1.37 20
11/2/10 0.01 1.26 30
2/14/11 13.8 0.6 2.1 20
5/16/11 0.68 0.66 3.9 20
8/15/11 1.28 0.58 3.1 15

mmztcass 10/11/2011

Your Free T4 is at the bottom of the range indicating hypO. It looks like you did the right thing to lower the MMI down to 15 mg from 20 mg.

Good luck and {{{hugs}}}

P.S. HypO symptoms will likely explain your weight gain because your labs are not in the 'right' places yet for you to feel your best at...

brooksteen 10/11/2011

thanks. I just got selenium to help with my zinc:selenium proportions, hoping that will raise the T4. it got worse as my TSH got better. get my numbers again in 3 weeks so hopefully will see how the 15 is doing. will love to go down to 10 but my Endo wanted me to stay at 20, I said I was going to 15.

mmztcass 10/11/2011

I stopped taking extra Selenium once my Free T3 was in range. The Selenium helped to convert T4 into T3. I just recently had my labs done so I will see how the FT3 is, if low, I will go back adding extra Selenium.

My Zinc is always low. I'm one of the few hypERs who cannot tolerate Copper (increased Copper makes me hypER) and I have to have a multivitamin without any Copper in it.

{{{hugs}}}

bransnana 10/12/2011

Yes, I agree with MM. Your FT4 is at the bottom of the range. Your FT3 isn't as bad but still a little low maybe.

brooksteen 10/12/2011

thank you all for you support so nice to find a group that understands and I don't feel like I'm crazy. what is everyone's vitamin list and dosage? I bunch I am taking based on my readings. Are there foods that will help bring up the Free T4?
{{{hugs}}} all

mmztcass 10/12/2011

Everbody's requirements for vitamins and other supplements are different from one another. What ever reasons made us go hypER will not be the same as others.

I take a multi without any Copper, Iodine, and Iron. Though the Iron I have to add back. I can take Salmon oil at smaller doses than what it calls for as I am unable to take the flaxseed oil recommended for hypERs. It does something to my Estrogen levels.

To help raise your Free Ts levels consider eating some raw goitrogenic foods. Here's a list to get an idea:

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=2&nav=messages&webtag=ab-thyroid&tid=32370

{{{hugs}}}

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