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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scorpiogirl76 09/02/2010

Hello my wonderful support forum! I am terribly confused although my labs may show good signs that I am truly in remission... and I am a week and half away from a TT. Nerves setting in slowly but surely. :) So, I've been labbing weekly for the last 3 weeks and looks like my Free T4 keeps dropping.... I have not been on ANY medications since August 8 other than Ibuprofen 200mg at night for the swelling of my thyroid. I don't start my preparation for pre op until this coming Sunday and then I will be taking 25 mg of PTU and Lugol's three times daily. But I'm SO confused... my labs show i'm hypo... and heading further hypo. What is taking the PTU and Lugol's going to do to me next week? I have not been watching my diet the last two weeks or so.... just been eating things I've missed the last year (except caffeine and chocolate)... such as mexican, italian, and adding sea salt back into my diet (a pinch with each meal)... I had completely eliminated salt from my diet a year ago when I had the thyroid storm and avoided any processed foods or foods with preservatives and NEVER ate out. I still avoid foods with preservatives in it as I seem to get really sick if I eat anything with them... and I still avoid processed foods. I thought I was going hyper again as I keep feeling this tingle in my throat that I always felt when going hyper but looks like i'm hypo. I've had a few episodes of heart palpitations but no racing heartrate. My only noticeable complaint that would explain the hypo is that i've been getting really tired throughout the day again. I WISH this nodule would go away on its own and surgery could be avoided but that's wishful thinking :) Here are my last three labs:

Range for all labs is as follows:
Free T4: 0.82-1.77
TSH: 0.450-4.500

August 18:
Free T4: 1.08
TSH: 0.293

August 25:
Free T4: 0.91
TSH: 0.385

September 1:
Free T4: 0.80
TSH: 0.379

What do you think?

mmztcass 09/02/2010

It looks like you will go further hypO when you begin taking the PTU and Lugol's.

{{{hugs}}}

scorpiogirl76 09/02/2010

Thanks MMZ. :) I knew I'd go more hypo.... but is it going to be jeopardizing to my health? Or is one week of that going to be sufficient since I'll be going into surgery?

mmztcass 09/02/2010

I have no idea. I think your surgeon is likely to want you to get very hypO so you will less likely have a thyroid storm during and after the TT.

I originally had good experiences with the Lugol's when I took this through the ND I was seeing at the time. But I was on it a very long time and it stopped working after awhile. Then I went on the ATD.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

scorpiogirl76 09/02/2010

Yes, that is what she said to me... I was just worried that I may go too too hypo. How likely is a thyroid storm during and after surgery without a thyroid? That part is a little confusing to me still.

bransnana 09/02/2010

You might have a bad week but as soon as you're put on the replacement you should be fine. Your numbers will go up and then they can dose you accordingly. Don't worry about thyroid storm, you will just stay hypo for a little bit longer. Your FT4 isn't below range now. If you didn't have swelling and nodules etc..I would say just stay on the meds. What dose were you taking up till now? Are you off meds right now?

dairytech 09/02/2010

Maybe your thyroid is doing what mine is doing....dying on its own? Regardless...being on 25 mg of PTU...thats a tiny amount... one week before your surgery will bring you a bit more hypo but not much. You will feel it though. Big Hugs...Kathy

scorpiogirl76 09/02/2010

Thank you so much ladies. I think nerves are settling in about the surgery. Last night, I had a dream that felt so real that it was my first night home from surgery and was sleeping in the living room when I was woken out of my sleep to my arms and face tingling. I woke my husband up to go to the ER and took 2 tums in the kitchen and I remember being in a panic and being scared. I woke up from the dream before anything else happened. When I start my 25 mg of PTU the week before surgery, should I divide the dose like I did in the past or just take the 25 mg once daily?

Brans: I'm not on any meds. I've been off PTU and propranolol completely since August 8. And if I didn't have any nodules or the swelling, I would DEFINITELY without a doubt opt to stay on PTU as long as needed and pray for a lengthy remission.

I never question whether surgery is the right option for me... I question my fears but I know in my gut that this is right for me.

scorpiogirl76 09/04/2010

Does anyone know if I should separate the Lugols and PTU by any amount of time or can they be taken together? Or should I take the Lugols an hour after PTU or 2 hours? I googled and couldn't find anything.... I have a vague memory for some reason that when I had the thyroid storm, I was given PTU and 30 minutes given lugols but don't remember clearly as it was a bit foggy to my memory.

Thanks so much! I'm about a week away from surgery.... Please keep me in your prayers that the surgery goes well. I am a bit nervous but at the same time, relieved that I am finally having it.

deleted_user 09/05/2010

scorpiogirl - i have no advice, just wanted to wish you well in your surgery next week - best best best of luck!

deleted_user 09/06/2010

Hi sweetie, you have my prayers. I think you should ask your surgeon or endo why you need the PTU based on your lab numbers, as the Lugols solution will help in decreasing the amount of hyper symtoms (if you still have any) on it's own. I wish you didn't need the surgery either, but try to stay positive know you ARE going to be well again after the surgery. hugs and kisses!

scorpiogirl76 09/06/2010

Aww... thanks. I'm sure the surgery will go well, just nerves settling in now as the day gets closer. This is my path... I know it. And it's the right thing to do. I plan to post before, after, and during healing process pictures :)

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