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 sorry for the difficulties with your eyes. Problems can occur with either high and low Free Ts levels and according to how the Graves' Disease antibodies are doing.
If you so feel inclined to post your labs along with the reference ranges and how much meds of the MMI taken at each labs and also any latest GD antibodies results; we can better comment.
{{{hugs}}}
8/26/13 (GP) TSH
I was told that it's the auto antibodies, not the thyroid hormones that affect the eyes. I have double vision as well, but never had the protrusions of the eyeballs so typical of Graves' Ophthalmopathy.
8/29/13 (Endo) Thyroxine, Free 3.2 (0.8-1.8) Triiodothyronine, Free 13.2 (2.3-4.2) TSH Receptor Antibody 3.01 (less than or equal to 1.75) Started on methimazole 20mg/day.
10/16/13 FT4 0.8 (0.8-1.8) FT3 2.8 (2.3-4.2) TSH less than 0.03 (0.20-4.5) Decreased to 15 mg/day, continue with atenolol 25mg/day. After 1 week on 15mg, decreased to 10mg (had to do it)
11/14/13 FT4 0.4 (0.8-1.8) FT3 1.7 (2.3-4.2) TSH 5.74 (0.20-4.5)Endo wanted to decrease to 5mg/every other day (we compromised on 2.5mg daily).tapering off atenolol.
12/12/13 FT4 1.1 (0.8-1.8) FT3 2.9 (2.3-4.2) TSH 0.05 (0.20-4.5) Same dose MMI,but TRab pending
So, while still a smidge low, definitely trending up, with double vision (and insomnia) getting worse. But it sounds as if what's happening with the antibodies is most likely what drives these eye symptoms? Still waiting on those results.
What did you mean by "had to do it"? Didn't you want to decrease the MMI?
In my experience, it was the hypo symptoms that are worse than any hyper symptoms I had.
I had double vision problems long before I was dx'd with GD, I even had surgery on one eye when I was about 17.
Then when I was 30 I got worse, and was "positioning my head" so I could see a single image, which the doctor pointed out was a telltale sign of the double vision.
I did well with the prisms for another 25-30 years, but as I was needing bifocals the prisms were disturbing my near vision, whereas I would just take off my glasses for close work before that. At age 60, even close work was double and it was a neuro-ophthalmologist that diagnosed me with Graves'.
I had a repeat surgery 4 years ago, but because of the previous surgery which was a full adjustment on one eye, there wasn't enough they could do with the other eye to correct it all.
This is an ideal place for your levels to be within your ranges.
FT4 1.6
FT3 3.5
TSH 1.
Like you...I suffered terribly with both...the eye part was the worst emotionally...its debilitating and crippling emotionally. People...including myself...treated me so differently...aarrgg.
Please get the book of TED by Elaine Moore...thats what I did...it is a wealth of info...I used her advise am my TED went into remission ( cold stage ) quickly. I have pics of my TED on my profile page...Big Hugs...Kathy
I commented to my endo at my last appointment that the goal was the upper third or so of the reference range for the FT4, right? and her comment was no, midrange. So I've been trying to find a medical reference for this (upper third of range), and so far I've found one line at the "family practice notebook" website. Where else can I look? Everything else medical I've found just states to get to "euthryoid", nothing more specific than that. (I respect Elaine Moore's work, but I'm not sure it would fly with the endo.) It would be nice (easier) for the endo to have the same lab goal as I do.
http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/graves-disease-general-info/discussions
You will find the info you are looking for there...we have many documented studies. Please read through them...very helpful info and many thanks to our dedicated members for keeping that info current...Big Hugs...Kathy