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 got my first test results back after being diagnosed with Graves and put on 30mg of methimazole (10mg 3xday) and 60mg of propranolol (20mg 3xday). Dr. says my levels are normal and I can decrease methimazole to 10 mg (1xday) but keeping the same dosage of propranolol. Follow up appt in two months.
Im not totally sure what the test results mean. Most of my symptoms are under control and in fact, I have been having to deal with being cold all the time. My heart rate/palpitations are still around but very infrequently so I'm not sure why the propranolol dosage didn't go down any. I've also gained 15lbs in the last two months :( :( :( Doc says this is expected as my metabolism is slowing down. Levels are below.
Free T3
25.8 (2.0-4.4 range) -- Feb 2018
3.7 (2.0-4.4 range) -- Apr 2018
Free T4
5.68 (0.60-1.60 range) -- Feb 2018
1.04 (0.60-1.60 range -- Apr 2018
TSH
0.04 (0.34-5.60 range) -- Feb 2018
0.05 (0.34-5.60 range) -- Apr 2018
Feb - told I was positive for antibodies.
Apr - Dr. Said she would test for TSI but nothing on the records I received.
I do see that your Free T3 and Free T4 levels have dropped down a lot. If it were me and just to keep the thyroid levels steady I would take the 10 mg dose of the MMI (Methimazole) in divided doses of twice a day. Getting a good pill cutter, the kind with a thin metal razor blade in it would be ideal.
Perhaps the Propranolol doses haven't been dropped down as of yet is because with some of people with Graves' Disease can have rebounding hypER symtoms when their MMI is dropped for the Free T4.
Many of us with GD do our best with taking just enough meds for both FT3 and FT4 to keep the FT3 at mid range and FT4 at the upper third range.
{{{hugs}}}