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...
Hi guys, It's been a long time since I've visited. Just got busy I guess, but I probably should have been getting some input all along. I first of all want to thank all of you for getting me through what was one of the most frantic and darkest periods of my life, especially when I was first diagnosed and panic stricken. Since then I've learned a lot from all of you, and because I haven't sought your input I'm afraid I may be making some big mistakes, or maybe not, I don't know. Here's the latest in a nutshell...my Nurse prac. is hoping I'm in remission, I'm not so sure. I've been off MMI for 3 months now after going very hypo on 7.5mg we decided to do a trial off of MMI and see what happens. A short taper, then cold turkey. Here's what happened. Labs off MMI in May were:
TPO =15.9 normal is 0.0-0.9
TRab =108.8 Normal is 0.0 - 4.0 so obviously antibodies are still high
TSH = 1.48 RR is 0.30 - 3.00
T T4= 7.0 RR is 6.1 - 12.2
T T3 = 0.98 RR is 0.60 - 1.81
F T3 = 3.5 RR is 2.3 - 4.2
F T4 = 0.84 RR is 0.61 - 1.12
Labs now after 3 months off of MMI are
TSH = 0.39 RR is 0.30-3.00
T T4 = 7.3 RR is 6.1- 12.2
T T3 = 1.25 RR is 0.60 - 1.81
F T3 = 3.6 RR is 2.3 - 4.2
F T4 = 1.04 RR is 0.61 - 1.12
We decided that I should stay off MMI and recheck labs in 3 months or sooner if I'm symptomatic. I do feel racy and tremmory from time to time but feel better than I have in a long time and less foggy, although I have had trouble sleeping. What do you guys think? is this a bad plan or hopes of remission? Please advise, Thank you again, Chris.
TPO =15.9 normal is 0.0-0.9
TRab =108.8 Normal is 0.0 - 4.0 so obviously antibodies are still high
TSH = 1.48 RR is 0.30 - 3.00
T T4= 7.0 RR is 6.1 - 12.2
T T3 = 0.98 RR is 0.60 - 1.81
F T3 = 3.5 RR is 2.3 - 4.2
F T4 = 0.84 RR is 0.61 - 1.12
Labs now after 3 months off of MMI are
TSH = 0.39 RR is 0.30-3.00
T T4 = 7.3 RR is 6.1- 12.2
T T3 = 1.25 RR is 0.60 - 1.81
F T3 = 3.6 RR is 2.3 - 4.2
F T4 = 1.04 RR is 0.61 - 1.12
We decided that I should stay off MMI and recheck labs in 3 months or sooner if I'm symptomatic. I do feel racy and tremmory from time to time but feel better than I have in a long time and less foggy, although I have had trouble sleeping. What do you guys think? is this a bad plan or hopes of remission? Please advise, Thank you again, Chris.
We both haven't been on here in awhile (I've been busy on the hypo forum) but, it's great to see how well you are doing.
Quite frankly, your most recent labs are absolutely perfect - your FT4 and FT3 levels are very similar to the types of levels healthy people will have and your TSH is quite appropriate for a Graves' patient in remission.
Your TSH was higher before because your FT4 level was too low. I'm glad you're off meds now.
I suspect you're very familiar with Elaine Moore and she says it's not uncommon to have occasional hyper symptoms after going off meds.
I'm sure you have heard our mantra: symptoms can be confusing, labs don't lie.
Your body just needs to feel as perfect as your labs are :)
In the meantime, I suggest that you continue with a healthy lifestyle and do your best to avoid thyroid disease triggers:
http://elaine-moore.com/Articles/GravesDisease/ThyroidDiseaseTriggers/tabid/183/Default.aspx
I'm glad you'll still be getting labs so you can stay on top of things.
I look forward to celebrating your continued remission.