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...
Hi, I was diagnosed with Graves Disease on 7/29/16. This is the 2nd time around for me. The first time was in 2014 and I went into remission in 8 months. This time, not so lucky.
I was on 10mg of Methimazole until April, 2017. My TSH went up a bit - not a lot but a bit so they cut me back to 5mg. The 5mg wasn't enough so they put me up to 7.5mg. Now that isn't enough so I'm back on 10mg. I think they cut my dosage back a little too soon. Does that make sense?
I talked to the Dr. last week when she put me back on 10mg and she said it's time to start thinking about RAI or having my thyroid removed. I am really against both options and want to stay on the medicine as long as I can. My liver and all my other labs are fine.
I'm at my wits end. I am thinking of trying acupuncture to help. Has anyone tried that?
I think I'm going to have to start looking for a new Dr. One that will keep me on the medicine until it starts working. I don't even know where to being. Does anyone know of a Dr. in Massachusetts who will work with me?
I'm sorry for rambling and all the questions. I just don't know what to do.
Thank you to anyone who can help.
Kathy
Have the doctor check the thyroid levels of the Free T3 and the Free T4 to see how these are doing. Going by the TSH alone is not going to work because of having any positive thyroid antibodies that will affect the TSH. The antibodies falsely skews the TSH.
Maintenance dose for the MMI (Methimazole) is 5 mg and less per day to keep the FT4 at the mid to the upper third range and the FT3 feels best at mid range.
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My Total T3 was 148.6 and the normal is 80 - 2.00
My TSH was .02 and the normal is .27 - 4.20
My T4 Free was 2 and the normal is .9 - 1.8
I'm hoping to get back in the normal range and stay on a maintenance does if I have to.
I would definitely find out what the Free T3 is doing rather than the TT3. The TT3 is effected by diet, hormones, etc. The FT3 is not.
I have been on many years 14+ on low dosed MMI (Methimazole). I watch all known triggers. You can research at the livingwithgravesdisease.com on me - mmztcass and bring up Thyroid 101 to avoid the known triggers which can make remission harder to come by.
I have several autoimmune disorders so remission is even harder for me. As long as I avoid the triggers, I stay on low dose MMI - 1.25 mg per day and keep my FT4 at the upper third range the FT3 at mid range.
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Just found this site. I'm finding it very informative.
One can stay on ATDs (antithyroid drugs) indefinitely as long as liver numbers are okay.
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