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...
Graves with orbitopathy since 2007, treated medically ie block and replace. Last autumn I came off Carbimazole and levo; it wasn't well done so I went hyper for a few weeks, but it got straightened out and now I don't take a single thyroid drug. Hurrah
However it seems like I have now gone hypo. I don't want to start on meds again if I can avoid, but would like your take please. I don't have any symptoms particularly that I know, I'm a bit constip, maybe a bit moody, weight stable and ok, BP ok, eyes stable no irritation or redness.
Figures:
TSH (range 0.27-4.2)
previously in range or a little bit high from 2009-2012, then Sep 37 Oct 10 Nov 7.0 Jan 0.67 Feb 0.22
So it went way high in Sept after an ill-controlled change of MMI/Levo, it got back into good order in Jan and now it has gone low
FT4 (range 12-22)
Oct 11.9 Nov 13 Jan 14 Feb 13
So consistently at low extreme of range
FT3 (range 3.9-6.7)
Oct 4.5 Jan 4.8 Feb 5.8
So consistently in range
TrAB range
However it seems like I have now gone hypo. I don't want to start on meds again if I can avoid, but would like your take please. I don't have any symptoms particularly that I know, I'm a bit constip, maybe a bit moody, weight stable and ok, BP ok, eyes stable no irritation or redness.
Figures:
TSH (range 0.27-4.2)
previously in range or a little bit high from 2009-2012, then Sep 37 Oct 10 Nov 7.0 Jan 0.67 Feb 0.22
So it went way high in Sept after an ill-controlled change of MMI/Levo, it got back into good order in Jan and now it has gone low
FT4 (range 12-22)
Oct 11.9 Nov 13 Jan 14 Feb 13
So consistently at low extreme of range
FT3 (range 3.9-6.7)
Oct 4.5 Jan 4.8 Feb 5.8
So consistently in range
TrAB range
If your FT4 is constantly on the low end and your TSH is constantly on the high end...you are very hypo. This is not good. Its very important that you supplement with T4 to bring your FT4 up to the upper half of your ranges and your TSH to around 1. Going on Synthyroid will help do that.
When you post labs on here you have to do it a certain way in order for it to show...its a bit of a glip in the system...this is how you do it.
FT4..17...ranges 10.5 - 20.0
You do it this way with all your labs...Big Hugs...Kathy
Yes I worked out the glitch in the system; it's the triangle brackets that cause your posting to get cut off short, which is a pity because they are used to show greater than / less than. Oh well.
OK I'll try to show the resultas as you describe, thanks for the tip
Um, my TSH is now low, below range, my FT4 is low end but in range. You still think Synthroid (levothroxine)?
Steve
I, too, joined the 20% of Graves' patients who go hypo after remission and my TSH was suppressed.
You see, not only do Graves' patients have antibodies that stimulate the thyroid to produce hormone but, some of us produce blocking antibodies which prevent the thyroid from producing hormone. All forms of Graves' antibodies suppress TSH.
Thyroid status is always confirmed by looking at the actual thyroid hormone levels: FT4 and FT3.
Thyroid textbooks indicate that healthy people have FT4 levels near the high end of the range and FT3 levels above mid-range....and, yes, TSH around 1.
Please remember, though, our Graves' antibodies can keep TSH suppressed and it's never a good idea to judge thyroid status by TSH.
With your FT4 need the low end of the range, I think you would benefit from levothyroxine.
I went medication free for a few years and now I am slowly having to add a bit of Synthroid daily to keep my FT4 in the upper half of my ranges to feel well. My antibodies are still quite low so I'm assuming my thyroid is just slowing down because I'm 57 or the small amount of antibodies are effecting it. It really doesn't matter...as long as I am on top of my labs and adjust my meds accordingly...I feel great. Life is good. Its really not that hard to maintain.
The thing we all have to remember is...Graves Disease is an autoimmune disease. It can not be cured. Regardless of your treatment choice...you will still have Graves. Even if you have your thyroid removed. If you have a TT you will be on meds for life. If you have RAI you will also be on meds for life only with RAI...you get a huge increase in antibody production that can cause many problems. If you stay on ATD's you will be on meds with the possibility of going into remission and keeping your thyroid in tact...if you dont go into remission...you can stay on meds for life...but you still have a partially functioning thryoid which is the bodies thermostat. So...really...its not a hard decision to make and common sense dictates ATD's gives you your best chances...Big Hugs...Kathy.