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 in an in between stage, right now.
1 year in, off medications (MMI), numbers mildly HYPO.
In the last week I have been having the HYPER symptom of heart palpitations.
I have been using an herbal liquid supplement that helps me get past this.
I can take this up to 4x a day. I have only taken it once a day so far.
It is Herb Pharm’s Thyroid Calm. It has Lemon Balm, Motherwart and Bugleweed.
(Everytime I say that I think of a witch with a caldron mixing these together - it just sounds so weird.)
My endocrinologist recommended to take this, WHILE I was taking the MMI.
My numbers (and my symptoms) got better quite quickly and nicely. I believe it had something to do with this.
If anyone wants to test it out I believe they sell it in a 1 ounce bottle. It’s about $12.
I think iherb.com sells this.
If you look at the ingredients, like Lemon Balm, that helps with the symptoms of the HYPER side. Many people don’t take meds and go on this. (I think that’s a little scary but some people do it) I stopped taking the supplement when my symptoms subsided. But, in the beginning, I took it together because I was a real mess and the heart palpitations and other symptoms were too much. Also, I didn’t want to take any beta blockers (propanelol - spelling?) I recently started up because I was getting some of the heart palpitations again.
Studies show that people who are on ATD (MMI) for 12 - 18 months will go into a normal (or like me, mild HYPO) thyroid stage.
I have that tincture that you mentioned and used to drink lemon balm tea regularly. I heartily agree with taking the natural route over beta-blockers.
Tell me more about DGL Licorice. I take charcoal capsules when I am having a very bad digestive issue, at that time. Lately, I have been eating fresh papaya. That always helped me when I used to take Papaya enzyme chewable pills. This is just the fresh version. I think Bromelein is in the pill, too.
For you, it’s been 2 years and you are taking PTU. Were there times when you stopped taking the meds?
I am in for one year and stopped taking the meds.
I wonder if I will need them as these HYPO and HYPER symptoms are yo-yo ing.
My Endocrinologist recommended a supplement to give me more energy because I was feeling tired all the time. The next few days, I had the heart palpitations. Anyway, the supplement is supposed to help the immune system. I’ll let you know if it works.
Thanks for the info. Take Care.
DGL - deglycyrrhizinated licorice - is licorice that has much of the active ingredient removed from it, but enough left over that one still gets the benefit of stomach protecting. It acts like PPI drugs without the side effects. Licorice in its un-deglycyrrhizinated form can lower potassium levels and cause cardiac issues. The DGL version is safe. When my acid reflux acts up I watch what I'm eating (of course) and chew a tablet 30 minutes before eating. They work very well for me and you can get them in most health food stores or online.
I once, early on, at about month 3 of diagnosis thought I knew better than my endo and stopped for a week. Dumb. My T levels went shooting up and I almost went into full-on hyper, but quickly went back on a slightly higher dose of PTU and came back down again. I kept loads of data that I'd bring to my endo to prove that I was doing well on a lower dose, so she's always okayed by reduction of the medication. I responded to the PTU very well, so never had to take a very high dose. Problem is that I'm still a bit on the cusp. Might go shooting up if I go off this dose, especially if I accidentally ingest too much iodine and / or get too stressed. I'm quite okay with hanging around on a low low dose until things seem more stable. Better than yo-yo'ing. That puts the system through the ringer.
I hope that you find some relief for the heart palpitations - they are so tiring. Please do let me know if the supplement that your endo has suggested works. Best of luck!
I will check it out.
My Thyroid Calm seems to help the heart palpitations.
There are going to be triggers.
That is why this is all a balancing act.
Take Care.
I have Atenolol that I'm supposed to take when my resting heart rate goes over 80. Since I got on medication, my heart rate has not dropped below 72. It used to be in the low 60s. Is that normal for someone with Graves/hyperthyroidism or does your heart rate go back to normal after your T3 and T4 numbers are in the normal range again?
MMI means Methimazole. Not sure what PTU stands for but I know it is an anti-thyroid drug. Some people take it when they have reactions to MMI.
I avoided taking beta blockers for a fast heart beat by taking Thyroid Calm liquid supplement while taking my MMI. When my numbers started to go into normal range, I didn’t need the Thyroid Calm, as much (if at all) as well as, lessened the dosage of MMI.
I’d say (for me) the fast heart rate should normalize BUT I have been off everything and I still get occasional fast heart beats - this time I blame it on the food I am eating.
I suggest to drink some herbal tea that has Lemon Balm.
Look up the Thyroid Calm - it’s made by Herb Pharm.
It has Lemon Balm, Motherwort and Bugleweed in it.
Look up those ingredients. You will see that these herbs “calm” the thyroid.
Like I said before, after being confirmed with GD and getting my numbers into normal range - things are never the same. They are as normal as normal can be. We are all dealing with an auto-immune disease that can be triggered from anything. It is just about being more deligient in what you eat and clean with and come in contact with. I guess we are creatures from another planet trying to survive. :-)
Take Care.