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...
I have RA and I understand getting Grave's can be common with another autoimmune.
I am not diagnosed. But I would like any helpful tips I can get.
In April, my TSH was 1.01 (only did TSH) and my female hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, FSH) were all normal for a woman w/o menopause. TSH was always around 1.0-1.5.
In July, my full thyroid panel was run because I developed hot flashes, sweating, terrible anxiety, terrible sleep, muscle thinning in legs, and most disturbing, a vibration in my neck/back area plus bilateral calf twitching (saw neuro, had emg and nerve study - normal, declared benign). I had been on beta blocker and all this started when I went off it. Went back on another one but symptoms remain except hot flashes are less frequent.
TSH .81
T3Free 3.1
t4 Free 1.4
T3 total 107
t4 total 8.6
Throyglob. antibodies less than 1
Thy pery. Antiboidies 3
(SO ALL NORMAL)
Declared MENOPAUSAL in August based on FSH in the 50s and low estrogen. Apparently full blow. Explains hot flashes.
Not doing anything for menopause, just dealing with it.
In August, TSH is .61. So, my TSH is going hyper, but is still normal. Is it possible that menopause just drops TSH some?
Could the twitching, vibration, bad sleep etc be thyroid or just menopause. I assume I'm in the "waiting game" to see what happens next.
My next rheumatologist apt in in Oct and I was going to ask to have my thyroid antibodies for Graves and Hashimotos tested. Is there anything I can do to HELP my thyroid if it is going hyper? Thank you very much.
I'm not on anything for my RA as it's been in remission since March on it's own. (increased cortisol can help RA and with my anxiety, I'm sure my cortisol is pretty high)
I am not diagnosed. But I would like any helpful tips I can get.
In April, my TSH was 1.01 (only did TSH) and my female hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, FSH) were all normal for a woman w/o menopause. TSH was always around 1.0-1.5.
In July, my full thyroid panel was run because I developed hot flashes, sweating, terrible anxiety, terrible sleep, muscle thinning in legs, and most disturbing, a vibration in my neck/back area plus bilateral calf twitching (saw neuro, had emg and nerve study - normal, declared benign). I had been on beta blocker and all this started when I went off it. Went back on another one but symptoms remain except hot flashes are less frequent.
TSH .81
T3Free 3.1
t4 Free 1.4
T3 total 107
t4 total 8.6
Throyglob. antibodies less than 1
Thy pery. Antiboidies 3
(SO ALL NORMAL)
Declared MENOPAUSAL in August based on FSH in the 50s and low estrogen. Apparently full blow. Explains hot flashes.
Not doing anything for menopause, just dealing with it.
In August, TSH is .61. So, my TSH is going hyper, but is still normal. Is it possible that menopause just drops TSH some?
Could the twitching, vibration, bad sleep etc be thyroid or just menopause. I assume I'm in the "waiting game" to see what happens next.
My next rheumatologist apt in in Oct and I was going to ask to have my thyroid antibodies for Graves and Hashimotos tested. Is there anything I can do to HELP my thyroid if it is going hyper? Thank you very much.
I'm not on anything for my RA as it's been in remission since March on it's own. (increased cortisol can help RA and with my anxiety, I'm sure my cortisol is pretty high)
I don't know about thyroid fluctuations during menopause- others may help with that more- but they can go all over the place during pregnancy, which is hormonal obviously, so maybe...
TSH does change throughout the day-it goes lower in the afternoon... Also, regarding TSH, some people feel optimum at your below your level. It's really the Free Ts that you should be focusing on. Those levels are best at mid or higher ranges, for most people...
T3Free 3.1 (2.3-4.2 pg/mL)
t4 Free 1.4 (.8-1.8)
T3 total 107 (76-181)
t4 total 8.6 (4.5-12.0)
Throyglob. antibodies less than 1 (less than or = 1)
Thyroid peroxidase. Antiboidies 3 (less than 9)
Sorry for not posting the ranges. I did not know that morning and afternoon were different and will check on that next. Thank you!