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...
of treatment for hypo versus hyper Graves disease.
I have been reading a lot here and in other places for thyroid since I have joined the ranks of many...and notice when someone is diagnosed as hypo, they are given meds right off to control (as my girlfriend and nephew). It seems one blood test and meds are given based off that one test.
With the hyper, Graves disease I am seeing many different ideas and treatments. Some are given meds right off, others are tested further, checking with radiation, etc.
My endo says to "monitor blood work", no check for antibodies, etc since I am 'early stage", but if I am having flucuations, it could be possible they did the blood work when my thyroid decided to 'behave' so they send me on my merry way.
Now I have begun to notice with me, mood swings (unless my hubby is just really bugging me lol), some palputations of the heart tho not many, just every so often, eyes get out of focus sometimes but usually just for quick moments, then back to normal..Even when taking my blood pressure I have noticed a difference in the way it sounds with the beeping, as if my pulse is racing tho it still shows a good number.
So why would they treat hype different? Or is this just the way that doctor tends to be and may I should push back?
(ask about diabetes and i am right there, but this is completely new and foreign to me)
I have been reading a lot here and in other places for thyroid since I have joined the ranks of many...and notice when someone is diagnosed as hypo, they are given meds right off to control (as my girlfriend and nephew). It seems one blood test and meds are given based off that one test.
With the hyper, Graves disease I am seeing many different ideas and treatments. Some are given meds right off, others are tested further, checking with radiation, etc.
My endo says to "monitor blood work", no check for antibodies, etc since I am 'early stage", but if I am having flucuations, it could be possible they did the blood work when my thyroid decided to 'behave' so they send me on my merry way.
Now I have begun to notice with me, mood swings (unless my hubby is just really bugging me lol), some palputations of the heart tho not many, just every so often, eyes get out of focus sometimes but usually just for quick moments, then back to normal..Even when taking my blood pressure I have noticed a difference in the way it sounds with the beeping, as if my pulse is racing tho it still shows a good number.
So why would they treat hype different? Or is this just the way that doctor tends to be and may I should push back?
(ask about diabetes and i am right there, but this is completely new and foreign to me)
Sometimes the lab results show that the thyroid levels are moving toward HypER, but technically are still in the "normal range" (but on the higher end for T3 or free T4, and Lower end for TSH)
Because the body has the ability to readjust itself...they say you are "sub-clinical" and retest usually in like 2 weeks.
Then in 2 weeks if results have moved into clearly HypER zone they will treat you usually with anti thyroid drugs to start.
IF you ARE clearly symptomatic, you can ask for the meds right in the beginning, but most Endo's will NOT treat "sub-clinical" ranges.
At the moment symptoms are light and sporactic and don't hang around long so not too concerned at the moment, tho the few heart palpitations were a little unnerving at the time but they also went away.
Best to stay on top of it. You want to catch it early if the graves becomes active again! Every 3 months is a good idea. It will help for you to keep track of the labs and be an advocate for yourself...just as you need to be for your diabetes! Just my thoughts, do with them what you wish..