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...

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Endocrine System
/ Graves' Disease Support Group

just diagnosed hyperthyroid. confused..........

fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
ive been sick for eight years and everyone assumed I was bipolar. I was always moody, mean, a ton of anxiety, hair falling out and sleeping problems. finally last month my friend who is a nurse suggested I have my thyroid checked. well my level was 8.8. im not sure what that means but I stayed in the hospital three days. they started me on 15 mgs of methimazole a day. now im only supposed to take 5 mgs a day. I still feel bad and haven't seen much improvement though its only been a month. im seeing an endo next week though. can someone please tell me how long it takes this medication to work? im just trying to figure this out so I can get healthy and back to work. any input is greatly appreciated. thank you
mmztcass
mmztcass
It is good that everything is fine for you.

I was undiagnosed hypO for many years prior to finally switching over to GD. So having GD was a new experience for me.

Depending on the thyroid antibodies, one can easily switch over to either side of the thyroid disease.

{{{hugs}}}
fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
yeah I know what you mean by switching, its already happened. its a pain in the @#$. I hav a lot of goals and plans in line so I hope I can get better and stay healthy so I can work. so do you think its common for people with a thyroid problem to be mean and irritable? I mean if they are untreated
mmztcass
mmztcass
When we have our thyroid levels in the 'right' places within the Free Ts reference ranges, many symptoms goes away including being mean and such.

Don't worry, it gets better and I have been dealing with thyroid issues since my early teens.

Just stay on top of things and be proactive with your health is important.

{{{hugs}}}
Aronia
Aronia
I d like to offer you my sympathy as i also was biefly dx with bipolar when i was really experiencing thyrotoxicosis!
I am so glad you are finally diagnosed properly and on the way yo recovery!!!
I ve been on Methimazole since May and slowly titrating down.
Hope you go into remission and all will be well!
fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
well I went to the endo today and had my blood taken. don't have the results yet. and ive been feeling off all day and having shooting pains in my chest. but my bp and pulse were excellent so hopefully its just anxiety. otherwords he said I have a large thyroid. I decided to just try the methimazole for awhile but he said the success rate is only 40 percent. we ll see what happens
mmztcass
mmztcass
Hi:

The reason for such a low success rate (40%) is that patients are taken off of the ATD before trying for a remission (when thyroid antibodies should be low or non existent).

This article explains more:

http://www.elaine-moore.com/Articles/Graves%E2%80%99Disease/Anti-thyroidDrugs/tabid/137/Default.aspx

{{{hugs}}}
fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
im just trying to figure out why I still have symptoms even while im taking methimazole? I woke up this morning and feel like someone ran me over. im anxious to get my labs back
mmztcass
mmztcass
You may want to check the adrenals for adrenal fatigue as this is also a problem for some people along side with the thyroid issues.

{{{HUgs}}}
fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
how do I check it?
fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
I wouldn't be surprised , I crave sugar a lot especially after working out
mmztcass
mmztcass
I have had on and off AF symptoms for many years. Try Dr. Wilson.com. Seems like hair analysis is a better test than doing the cortisol test.

{{{HUgs}}}
fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
oh my lord I feel so horrible. like im gonna just drop dead :(
mmztcass
mmztcass
So how are your latest labs doing?

{{{hugs}}}
fritzkatythecat
fritzkatythecat
the nurse called me and said my thyroid levels were normal. that's all she said. im still having trouble sleeping. and kind of tired during the day. and I feel weak. but what can I do?
mmztcass
mmztcass
Get hard copies of your lab results and post them here so we can be of a better help for you. Post also the lab reference ranges (found on the right side of paper) along with the latest meds you are taking and how much (yes, it's a repeat and I am making sure) you are taking per day.

The ATD needs to be taken in divided doses through out the day such as every 12 hours or every 8 hours as not to cause the roller coaster effect you are likely having...

{{{hugs}}}