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...
Hello All...
I'm familiar with DS because of the infertility support group. I suffered for years with infertility- after rounds of IVF and miscarriages, I am beyond blessed to have my son. I'm profoundly thrilled to be a parent. I went into my reproductive endocrinologist to get ready to try for baby #2 when it was discovered that my TSH was very low. Further tests, I got the Graves' diagnosis. With women that have dealt with infertility, you know how hard it is to have baby on the mind and then told there won't be baby for a while. I'm saddened by this but determined to get healthy so I can get pregnant again.
My symptoms were masked by being a new mother. The only symptoms I had were hair loss, exhaustion, and heart racing from time to time. I have been on methimazole for 6 weeks now, getting checked again a week from now with blood work to see how things are going.
I'm also open to hearing about diet or lifestyle changes that hopeful aid in me going into remission. My endocrinologist will be telling me at my next appointment if he thinks that the medications are working well enough to see if he even thinks that I can go into remission. I have recently been feeling good- hair stopped falling out and my heart racing has stopped. I have experienced some pressure behind my eyes and also gained 5 pounds in two weeks, which gets me a bit nervous. I have been reducing gluten in my diet and eating brazil nuts for selenium for my eyes. Increasing greens in hopes of antioxidants to aid in going into remission. Been reading how omega 3s may help...
I NEED to go into remission so I can try to get pregnant. I'm scared to death that the Graves will come back when pregnant, even though they say that is unlikely. Also, may sound silly to some, but I would be completely devastated if I couldn't nurse my baby. Scared that if the Graves goes into remission that it will return after birth and I would refuse to take meds while nursing. Hopefully some of you can ease my fears with this...
Finally, is there anything I should bring up to my doctor? He's not really one for natural remedies, which I would like to try with traditional medicine as well, but I'm not really getting information with him on that. Can you guys help me out? I need to get this under control so I can be a healthy mom to my son and to become a mother again... THANKS!!!!
I'm familiar with DS because of the infertility support group. I suffered for years with infertility- after rounds of IVF and miscarriages, I am beyond blessed to have my son. I'm profoundly thrilled to be a parent. I went into my reproductive endocrinologist to get ready to try for baby #2 when it was discovered that my TSH was very low. Further tests, I got the Graves' diagnosis. With women that have dealt with infertility, you know how hard it is to have baby on the mind and then told there won't be baby for a while. I'm saddened by this but determined to get healthy so I can get pregnant again.
My symptoms were masked by being a new mother. The only symptoms I had were hair loss, exhaustion, and heart racing from time to time. I have been on methimazole for 6 weeks now, getting checked again a week from now with blood work to see how things are going.
I'm also open to hearing about diet or lifestyle changes that hopeful aid in me going into remission. My endocrinologist will be telling me at my next appointment if he thinks that the medications are working well enough to see if he even thinks that I can go into remission. I have recently been feeling good- hair stopped falling out and my heart racing has stopped. I have experienced some pressure behind my eyes and also gained 5 pounds in two weeks, which gets me a bit nervous. I have been reducing gluten in my diet and eating brazil nuts for selenium for my eyes. Increasing greens in hopes of antioxidants to aid in going into remission. Been reading how omega 3s may help...
I NEED to go into remission so I can try to get pregnant. I'm scared to death that the Graves will come back when pregnant, even though they say that is unlikely. Also, may sound silly to some, but I would be completely devastated if I couldn't nurse my baby. Scared that if the Graves goes into remission that it will return after birth and I would refuse to take meds while nursing. Hopefully some of you can ease my fears with this...
Finally, is there anything I should bring up to my doctor? He's not really one for natural remedies, which I would like to try with traditional medicine as well, but I'm not really getting information with him on that. Can you guys help me out? I need to get this under control so I can be a healthy mom to my son and to become a mother again... THANKS!!!!
Sorry you are here under the circumstances you've mentioned.
There's no one treatment plan which works best for everyone. We all have different issues with GD compared to other people.
For a pregnancy down the road, getting your thyroid levels called the Free T3 and the Free T4 (not the TSH) in the 'right' places such as from mid ranges and upper 1/3 (within the normal reference ranges) will help to be successful.
Making sure to get GD thyroid antibodies tests such as the TSI and the TRAb to keep levels as low as possible are important and healthier for the baby.
Women have successfully taken PTU while pregnant and many finding themselves going off of it during second trimester and on. Usually the fluctuating hormones after a baby is born is when many find themselves needing to go back on the PTU. Keeping it lower doses would probably be the way to go and not feel stressed from having to take meds of some sort with the baby.
I have read that it may be safe to take the MMI (Methimazole) may be alright to take while pregnant and after the baby is born. I would think as long as smaller doses are taken to be safe than large doses.
Some women opt for getting a total thyroidectomy and go on taking replacement med. Is this a good choice? I do not know. Depends on whether a woman feel comfortable taking the ATD (antithyroid drug) vs. replacement med with a baby.
I don't suggest getting an RAI. The mother's body is more toxic and she may have to wait quite awhile before getting pregnant.
As for diet, check the Free T3 level to make sure it is not very high to be able to continue taking Selenium. Selenium is fine to take while the FT3 is low and/or in the normal ranges.
While I have taken natural remedies in the past (some of them were correct to take and others were not) my thought is that often times when a person's thyroid levels are out-of-control, it is best to take meds first to get back under control. Then when levels are in the 'right' places one might consider trying something like Thyrosoothe to stay stabled. I have read from here that Thyrosoothe will have a positive effect on keeping thyroid antibodies down.
Here are a couple of links to research at for diet and other concerns/suggestions to give you an idea on what to do:
http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/forum/2-thyroid-101/
and
http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/graves-disease-general-info
{{{hugs}}}
I have an appointment with my ENDO this week, if you don't mind, I'll post my latest blood work- hopefully it will tell me something and you may have some information on that :)
I'm totally against RAI. I know it works for some, but I will not be doing it, ever.
I think that my struggles in even getting pregnant has made me even more sensitive to my baby. I would consider having a thyroidectomy before taking meds. I just feel like I couldn't take those meds while being pregnant, again, may work for some but I don't think I have the heart to do it. I'm hopeful I could possibly go into remission and possibly deal with the Graves after birth, as this, I've heard, is statistically more likely to occur. I also have read an article about post-pregnancy and Graves, I'm going to search around the internet again and post it. Maybe get some insight on that with the other ladies on this site.
I feel better hearing your stories and information- hopefully I'll be as informed as you soon. Question- I am recently diagnosed- I believe the uptake scan was the scan that I drank the radioactive isotopes? My doctor ordered this to diagnose me with either Graves or postpartum thyroiditis. I'm a bit worried that I already messed things up :(
Instead, getting the thyroid antibodies tests done via the lab work will determine which type of a thyroid disease one has, would be better and more accurate.
I am not a fan of any type of radiation. I try to minimize it as much as I can including such as in the case with dental cleanings. I often come home not feeling well from such exposure at the dentist office. When I am able to see my holistic dentist, the use of XRays are greatly minimized with less exposure. Unfortunately the holistic dentist uses the more expensive dental insurance or pay out-of-the pocket for visits.
You will likely find out quickly enough that most Endos do not know how to treat thyroid disease properly and often suggest RAI as the first treatment. 80% of the Endos treat diabetes rather than thyroid disease.
When the ATD (antithyroid drug) is taken, the doctors also do not know how to dose properly and 9 times out of 10, will over medicate their patients and then say their lab work is fine (when it's been driven down too low) or will say that the meds are not working when the ATD is abruptly stopped (withdrawn).
Many of the people here are on their fourth, fifth or more doctors until they find the 'right' one to medicate them properly as well as labbing correctly with using the Free T3, and the Free T4 along with the TSH as a guide only.
{{{hugs}}}