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...
Hey all...
Got my new labs a few weeks back. Here they are:
TSH
Aug 27: Less than 0.01
Sep 26: 0.02
Nov 14: 9.2 (reduced to 10 mg from 20 mg MM)
Nov 30: 11.8 (reduced to 5 mg MM)
Dec 24: 2.9 (started dividing dose- 2.5 2x day)
Jan 15: 6.2 (2.5 mg of MM ( 1.25 2X day))
Feb 8: 2.1 (Stopped all MMI Feb 26th)
Apr 10: 0.7
Thyroxine,Free(S)
Reference Range: 0.8-1.8
Aug 27: 1.1
Sep 26: 1.1
Nov 14: 0.7
Nov 28: 0.7
Dec 24: 1.1
Jan 15: 1.0
Feb 8: 1.2
Apr10: 1.1
Triiodothyronine(S)
Normal range: 80 - 190
Sep 26: 111
Nov 14: 92
Dec 24: 113
Jan 15: 96
Feb 8: 116
Apr 10: 102
Thyrotropin Recep Ab
Normal range: 0.00 - 1.75
Sept 6: 5.46
Nov 14: 3.29
Apr 10: 1.98
Thyroid Stim Immglob
Normal Range: less than 1.3
Aug 27: 4.7
I know that my labs say that I'm slightly hypo. Here's the deal, though, I feel pretty darn good. Happy, less anxious, sleeping good. Skin and joints are good- the pesky pounds I put on when I was over-medicated are still there- hard to work those suckers off. I'm also thinking my system is trying to settle down a bit. I find it interesting- my T3 and T4 are so close to my ranges before I had any treatment. I'm not really wanting to take a bunch of supplements- just eating brazil nuts currently. I have noticed that goitragens may be effecting me slightly, so I'm mindful of that. My doctor and Elaine say I'm in remission...
Also, went in because of some eye discomfort and redness and I was diagnosed with TED. My doctor said on a scale of 1-10, I'm currently a 2 or 3. I'm pretty sad to hear this- I'm all ears to how to deal with the TED. Hoping it won't become worse.
Side note- haven't seen paminremission on here lately- is everything alright with her???
Got my new labs a few weeks back. Here they are:
TSH
Aug 27: Less than 0.01
Sep 26: 0.02
Nov 14: 9.2 (reduced to 10 mg from 20 mg MM)
Nov 30: 11.8 (reduced to 5 mg MM)
Dec 24: 2.9 (started dividing dose- 2.5 2x day)
Jan 15: 6.2 (2.5 mg of MM ( 1.25 2X day))
Feb 8: 2.1 (Stopped all MMI Feb 26th)
Apr 10: 0.7
Thyroxine,Free(S)
Reference Range: 0.8-1.8
Aug 27: 1.1
Sep 26: 1.1
Nov 14: 0.7
Nov 28: 0.7
Dec 24: 1.1
Jan 15: 1.0
Feb 8: 1.2
Apr10: 1.1
Triiodothyronine(S)
Normal range: 80 - 190
Sep 26: 111
Nov 14: 92
Dec 24: 113
Jan 15: 96
Feb 8: 116
Apr 10: 102
Thyrotropin Recep Ab
Normal range: 0.00 - 1.75
Sept 6: 5.46
Nov 14: 3.29
Apr 10: 1.98
Thyroid Stim Immglob
Normal Range: less than 1.3
Aug 27: 4.7
I know that my labs say that I'm slightly hypo. Here's the deal, though, I feel pretty darn good. Happy, less anxious, sleeping good. Skin and joints are good- the pesky pounds I put on when I was over-medicated are still there- hard to work those suckers off. I'm also thinking my system is trying to settle down a bit. I find it interesting- my T3 and T4 are so close to my ranges before I had any treatment. I'm not really wanting to take a bunch of supplements- just eating brazil nuts currently. I have noticed that goitragens may be effecting me slightly, so I'm mindful of that. My doctor and Elaine say I'm in remission...
Also, went in because of some eye discomfort and redness and I was diagnosed with TED. My doctor said on a scale of 1-10, I'm currently a 2 or 3. I'm pretty sad to hear this- I'm all ears to how to deal with the TED. Hoping it won't become worse.
Side note- haven't seen paminremission on here lately- is everything alright with her???
You might want to lessen in taking the Brazil nuts as these will drop the T3 even lower. Yes, and of course along with the goitrogens so the Free Ts don't drop even lower.
TED might be affected even more so because of the Ts being a bit lower than you'd like for them to be. Perhaps once the levels comes up a bit, your eyes will do better.
Otherwise sounds like you have everything altogether. :-)
{{{hugs}}}
P.S. Pam gets busy a lot with her job. Her job is in relation to working outdoors, I believe. I think seasonal and such?
I was taking the brazil nuts for the selenium- should I not do that? I thought that would aid my eyes. I wasn't aware that the brazil nuts were impacting the T3- so would that be classified as a goitragen???
I'm supposed to take new labs in about two months- is that too far away? Do you have any advice on how to take care of my eyes?
Finally, I was doing a little digging and a long time ago you commented on a posting saying that the antibodies can attack shins. I actually have had some dull aching in my shins- endo said it was because of my thyroid, GP said it isn't and to just stretch. Oddly, increasing activity actually makes them feel better? Is that normal???
Thanks a ton for all of your help! Thanks for the info on Pam- just a bit worried when I haven't seen her around here... Any word on Elaine's new book coming out???
Have a great night :)
Low T3 = take MORE Selenium
High T3 = take LESS Selenium
Selenium will be fine for the eyes.
I can't advise you about the eyes. I don't have the problem with them as many of the people here do. Maybe dairytech can advise? Drop her a note.
I would only suggest you keep your levels as normal as possible where you feel best with them, don't aggravate the TED with doing some things as MSG, Aspartame, cigarette smoke, etc.
No idea about the book. I will drop Elaine a short note on fb and see what she says.
Sounds like you found what works for you about the exercising and shins.
{{{hugs}}} :-)
I'll bug Kathy about the TED- she can hopefully give me some advice...
By chance- do you know if roasting the brazil nuts would at all compromise the selenium level? I prefer them roasted and I'm doing it myself- just want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for my buck :)
Again, much thanks for your help!!!
Just out of curiosity, what does eyes going cold mean?
There are some symptoms that may be there because of permanent damage that can be surgically corrected. These surgeries have to be done in this order "decompression surgery" for buldging eyes, then eye muscle surgery to correct double vision then eye lid lengthening surgery to fix lid lag and retraction.
Its the same antibodies that attack the thyroid that attack the eyes. If you are contemplating any surgeries make sure your antibodies are under control and your Free T3 and Free T4 are in range. There are horror stories out there on patients having decompression surgery while TED was active. The only exception here would be if the optic neurve is being comprimised.
I was referred for all three surgeries when my eye's were "hot" (active (TED). With 3 muscles in my right eye and 1 muscle in my left eye that needed surgery. I was extremely lucky. My eye's settled back into orbit enough to avoid necessary decompression surgery. Also when my syes went cold I only had to have eye muscle surgery to 1 muscle in my right eye and am not being refered for eye lengthening surgery anymore. However there is a chance that I may need more than that 1 eye muscle surgery.
Hope this answere your questions, if you have a more specific question, I'd be happy to share. This is a devistating disease to have to ride through.
Well I also was diagnosed in August 2012 with Grave was sent Hypo of couse ,.. Was told I have Ted I guess it must be mild I went to a specialist at Michigan university bunch of eye test and pictures..
Was told to come back 3 months I did not was only told they would keep a eye on any changes that all they would do is eye lid retraction and he said suck the fat out when they were sure no more changes occured
They never said I needed a cat scan or anything ? My eye's don't seem that bad know that levels are better , also I don't think those are cover under Insurance because it would be cosmetic
I have full vision from the test I do wear glasses and got them tinted
Said no pressure eyes protruding 19 and 20 centimetrers at that time
I hope they just go normal on there own
Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Graves_Disease/forum/15762228-oxidative-stress
I did a ton of research on this and the oxidative stress sounds right.
I had been on steroids for 3 months for GED, there was improvement. But steroids are what I consider a B.....h pill. Oh my gosh. After 4 days on allopurinol the burn and tearing was better. My eye's went totally cold after 6 weeks. I also have researched and not found any evidence of anyone suffering serious side effects of this drug. This is a very safe drug as drugs go.
The 2 opthomologists specialists I have seen also both MD's had not heard of this treatment for GED, but Elaine Moore mentions it in her book.
Print out and reference the links and ask your doctor to prescribe it.
Yes I don't even know how bad my ted is no one says anything and as long as I can see and no double vision I will wait it out
That eye appt with insurance cost $500 unless there is some issue Im not going . And was just told they will watch and when no changes occur they could do lid retaction surgury
Well I'm sure that cost a pretty penny and I don't even really think it's bad now and some say after the burn out stage the eye's correct themself . so going to wait unless a issue
That eye Dr told me usually when you get severe Ted it happens quick when you are diganosied with graves Doon't know if that is true?
I do not have insurance either and have not been to an endo because I cannot find one in the area that only treats thyroid.
Here's the thing. You are the boss, you need to take charge of your body and health. If your doctor refuses to listen to you or prescribe medications you believe are in your best interest. FIRE Him/her. You are a paying customer. Its not like asking for "allopurinol" is drug seeking behavior.
I prefer DO's to MD's they are more versed on nutritional needs not just pharmiciticals. My Doc and I and his staff have had some knock down drag out fights. Like when he said the low end of the Free T4 range was acceptable. Or was dosing MMI on TSH.
Be pro Active.
You may check out my photos on my profile page. It is set for public viewing.