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 everyone! I have to say that without this forum/support group... I don't think I could have kept my sanity thru this journey. Well, my labs are in again.... and they don't look good. Advice please!!!! I saw my endo today regarding the labs... and he decided to INCREASE my Ptu and add a beta blocker... I'm so upset. I know I am still early in this lovely Graves journey but I just want to be "normal" again...whatever that means. I was really hoping for an early remission or hopes of my levels finding their "happy" place already. I am posting my last 3 labs just to give an idea of where i've been with my levels (they are also posted in my journal- my entire journey is). What would cause my levels to increase so much? I've been having shakes in my hands the last week so he suggested the atenolol (however, I was on propranol in the past so I don't understand the change in beta blockers). He said I am definitely going hyper again and suggested increasing my PTU to 50 mg... however, I decided 37.5 mg might be better since I was at my best when I took this dose. I am wondering if my increase in levels could be attributed to the amount of stress i've had in the last month (it's been horrible)... my grandmother passed and then there were other family issues that have followed... and it has taken a toll on me and laid heavily on my heart and soul. Or could it be my diet... I am slowly started to eat "real" foods again... I was only eating plain rice and soups for the most part thru mid January... I'm so frustrated and of course, my anxiety doesn't help cuz I worry about another thyroid storm... someone please share some ADVICE with me!!! I'm in desperate need of hope here!
Labs from December 17, 2009:
Free T3, 503 range 230-420
Free T4, 1.3 range 0.8-1.8
Took 37.5 mg of PTU daily in divided doses of 12.5 mg at 9 am daily and 25 mg at 6 pm daily. Felt the best I'd felt since this journey began.
Labs from January 12, 2010:
Free T3, 438 range 230-420
Free T4, 1.1 range 0.8-1.8
PTU lowered to 25 mg daily (12.5 mg in am and 12.5 mg in pm). No beta blocker. (Just Propranolol as needed)
February 23, 2010 Labs
Free T3, 545 (range 230-420)
Free T4, 1.5 (range 0,8-1.8)
PTU increased to 50 mg daily and atenolol 25 mg daily added. (However, taking 37.5 mg of PTU instead).
Labs from December 17, 2009:
Free T3, 503 range 230-420
Free T4, 1.3 range 0.8-1.8
Took 37.5 mg of PTU daily in divided doses of 12.5 mg at 9 am daily and 25 mg at 6 pm daily. Felt the best I'd felt since this journey began.
Labs from January 12, 2010:
Free T3, 438 range 230-420
Free T4, 1.1 range 0.8-1.8
PTU lowered to 25 mg daily (12.5 mg in am and 12.5 mg in pm). No beta blocker. (Just Propranolol as needed)
February 23, 2010 Labs
Free T3, 545 (range 230-420)
Free T4, 1.5 (range 0,8-1.8)
PTU increased to 50 mg daily and atenolol 25 mg daily added. (However, taking 37.5 mg of PTU instead).
It sounds like me and you have some similarities. I also have the T3 higher or T3 toxicosis. T3 is the hormone that creates the palps and heart pounding. I take Acytl L carnatine and lemon balm and this has helped me to tolerate higher T3 levels.
My heart goes out to you with your stressors. I to will be doing well and lowering meds and normalizing labs then a monkey wrench gets thrown in such as the death of a family member or moving etc and the balance gets upset again and I have to increase meds and add beta blocker until things settle down again.
As Hannah said even many who have had ablation still have problems afterwards and are still on meds permanatly.
http://www.thyrophoenix.com/conversion.htm
I think it explains many of the troubles peeps have with fluctuating levels.....whether the person takes ATD's or is taking replacement meds after RAI or surgery.
Our thyroids have quite the big responsibility......when they are under antibody attack, things must be quite difficult.....meds can do just so much.
Well, keep everyone posted! I've now added broccoli to my DAILY diet until I see a drop in my levels again!
~Hugs