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...
Does anybody know that if it's dangerous to be on MMI for a long period of time? I've been on it for well over 10 years and have developed a 4.5 nodule. My doctor wants me to have a TT, but the weird thing is all of my test results are in normal range. TSH, FT3, FT4, Trab, TPI and even my adrenal glands are normal. The weird thing is I'm having terrible anxiety, panic attack, heart palps, can't sleep and losing weight. My doctor insists my symtoms are not due to my thyroid, but still wants me to have it removed. My question is could he be wrong and my symtoms are due to my thyroid even though my numbers look good? I would hate to have a TT and my symptoms even be worse. So scared and confused!!!!! Anybody have a similar story and had the TT and then felt better?
One can be on the ATD (antithyroid drug) forever as long as all liver labs are okay. I am 14+ years on the MMI and once knew this gal on a thyroid forum who was on an ATD for 35+ years and did fine.
For the symptoms you are describing, where are you at exactly with the Free T3 and the Free T4 in the normal lab reference ranges? Many of us with thyroid issues feel best with the FT3 at mid range and the FT4 at the mid to the upper third ranges.
We all have set points with the Free Ts on where we feel our best with them. Maybe it hasn't happened yet for you?
If you wish to post the last few labs along with how much MMI is taken, we could put our heads together and try to pinpoint what is going on.
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Tsh - 0.54 range(0..45-4.5)
Ft4- 1.11 range (0.82-1.77)
Ft3- 2.5 range(2.0-4.4)
May 5, 20017
Tsh- 1.04
Ft4- 1.00
Ft3- 2.5
MMI dose- 10 mg
My main question was could my nodule be causing my symptoms. My doctor said there is no way it could be.
Right now your Free Ts for May is too low, not any where I discussed about where the FT3 and the FT4 need to be in order to have the thyroid function optimally.
If your last labs were back in May, and that the MMI is still being taken, new labs are needed. Ideally when one is taking an ATD, the labs would need to be checked more often such as every four to six weeks in order to take the lowest possible doses of MMI to keep the Free Ts at the levels I mentioned. The MMI taken can be 5 mg and less.
The TSH cannot be used to dose the MMI when one has positive thyroid antibodies. Were your TSI and TRAb positive? If so what numbers are these?
What is the TPI?
So with the labs for May was showing hypO.
To answer your question, yes enlarged nodules can cause problems.
I moderate at another thyroid board which you can research the Thyroid 101 and also see an extended symptoms list:
http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/forum/2-thyroid-101/
http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/symptoms
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Thank you!
Tina
Here at this thyroid board and the other one I moderate at: livingwithgravesdisease.com, I help others to learn how to be proactive with one's thyroid health.
Another good place to read and understand what needs to be done: elaine-moore.com.
If it were me, I'd get copies of all lab work, go over and note how much meds were taken at the time of each lab draw for the Free Ts. Most people with thyroid issues feel best with the Free T3 at mid range and the Free T4 at the mid to the upper third range.
This will help to find the correct doses of the MMI to take to keep the Free Ts at the 'right' places.
Similar to the last poster - LadyGidget, my current MMI dose is 0.625 mg and I try to keep my FT3 at mid range and the FT4 at the upper third range to feel my best there at.
There is also a Thyroid 101 from the other board which I moderate at that can be read of articles and such on various thyroid issues. Also there are sections on avoiding dietary triggers such as Iodine which can cause problems with nodules.
At the beginning of my GD journey, I kept a small notebook and recorded what problems I had with dietary and environmental triggers that set off my symptoms and I avoided them.
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