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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skyskyrz 03/16/2017

Hi everyone, I was just recently diagnosed with Graves Disease. I am 22. They started me on 10mg of methimazole and atenlol. I would really like to hear other people's experiences with this disease as it has me very depressed. I guess, I'm mostly worried about the weight gain after recieving treatment. I have struggled with an eating disorder all my life and I don't want to be thrown back into that. I know that sounds a little shallow but I'm really nervous about it. I know the medicine will make me feel alot better because i have been feeling pretty awful lately. Fatigued, heart palpitations, and throat pain. Has anyone not gained a ton weight on the ATDs or been able to maintain their weight and live a healthy lifestyle?

lillyblossom 03/19/2017

Hello! I never gained any weight when I was taking methimazole (which I did for about a year). Then I had a total thyroidectomy about 3 months ago, and that was a main concern of mine. Since I read a lot of people gain weight after that. I personally have only gained 5 pounds, but I do eat fairly healthy and try to exercise 3 - 4 times a week. But I've been told that it looks good on me, since I had lost so much weight when my struggle with Graves started and I never gained it back.
I wish you the best!!

mmztcass 03/19/2017

Hi:

I am sorry you are not feeling well. It will take the MMI (Methimazole) 6 to 8 weeks to reduce your thyroid levels. Then med dose reductions will be needed according to the labs of the Free T3 and the Free T4 so one doesn't get over medicated and go hypO.

Weight gain aren't from the meds, it's having the wrong levels of the Free T3 and the Free T4 that happens.

Maintenance doses are under 5 mg per day for the MMI to keep the Free T3 at mid range and the Free T4 at the mid to the upper third range.

{{{hugs}}}

Wilton 04/01/2017

I was diagnosed with graves disease 2 years ago, the first year I lost 50lb, then after being on methimazola I've gained 30lb back,. The first year was crazy, because endocrinologist don't treat the whole body and mine., the only treat the thyroid symptoms not your autoimmune disease. Few things that I've learned, dairy has iodine in it, once I stopped all dairy my t4,t3 dropped, do not take biotin for hair loss, it made my T4,t3 go crazy, try a small amount of selenium it stopped my hair from falling out. Read about nightshade vegetables and your immune system. Try to find out why you have graves disease, check for heavy metals, if you have silver fillings in your teeth have them replaced. I had a reaction to a shot of iodine dye for a cat scan, this is how my graves disease started. Look for a naturopathic doctor. Today, my T4,T3 are normal, not my TSH 00.01 but my tsi is 156, so hoping for remission this year,

KarenMW 04/02/2017

Thank you! I took note of your suggestions. I took a shot of iodine for a cat scan before my graves started as well. I had understood our bodies were lacking iodine so I didn't connect the dots. Before the cat scan (they call it with contrast) I was boarder line hypothyroid (later diagnosed as graves). Thank you for your insight. Another break through in information.

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