[James]

#1063952

Hello Sheila,

Speaking from my experience, it wasn’t until I saw the Specialist that my Graves’ diagnosis was confirmed with 100% certainty although my GP certainly suspected it. The standard tests that your family Dr. might perform would definitely show hyperthyroidism, but not necessarily confirm that it is the autoimmune related Graves’ disease. There are other blood tests to determine if the suspect antibodies are at play causing the thyroid to become over-stimulated, confirming Graves’ disease. I was given a thyroid update scan (RAIU) which was prescribed by the Specialist to determine how much of the radioactive substance was taken up by the thyroid. This test helps determine the size, structure and the overall activity of the gland. Specialized equipment is used to monitor the amount of iodine that your thyroid has absorbed in a prescribed amount of time. This test sometimes assists the Specialist in determining how much Radioactive Iodine Treatment you would require to ablate your thyroid should you choose that as your treatment option (RAI).

A good specialist should take the time to fully explain all three medically acceptable treatment options and answer any questions that you might have about each one.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted on your progress.

James

[sheila1972]

#1018313

I just found out that I have grave’s disease. What can I assume will happen when I see the specialist?

[sheila1972]

#1063953

Hi James,
I had the throid update scan done on Monday. My family doctor called today and sai he was sending me to a specialist out of town because it showed that I had graves disease. I see the specialist on the 6th and I am terrified.

[Harpy]

#1063954

Sheila
Don’t be terrified, GD is definately no picnic, but you will have a definate diagnosis of your condition and then you can start to put in the appropriate steps to heal your body.
You will come through this process and feel good again, just remain positive and you will keep moving forward.
You should be tested for Free T3, Free T4, TSH and also for thyroid antibodies, along with this there should be a routine set of blood tests done including liver function tests.
Your specialist should explain to you what your treatment options are, the main three are Antithyroid medication, Radioactive iodine (RAI) and Surgery, you will most likely start with the medication to get your hormone levels down and then choose to continue with that or go over to either RAI or Surgery, each of the three options has pro’s and cons, you will learn more of this as you go along your process.

[Bobbi]

#1063955

Hi, Sheila, and welcome to the Board.

The good news in all of this for you, is that the treatment options work to make us healthy again. What makes us ill is the hyperthyroidism, and the treatment options — whether medication, or removal of the thyroid — can bring your thyroid hormone levels back into the normal zone. Once our hormone levels are normal again, our bodies can begin to heal from any damage caused by being hyperthyroid.

[mamabear]

#1063956

Welcome! Hoping all goes well with the appt.
Don’t be discouraged! If someone can go with you it would help a lot. Sometimes we go in there and think OMG what in the world is this dr. talking about and we don’t recall what he/she said. But having another pair of ears can help, maybe have them ask the questions you want to ask or have them remind you of some questions you have forgotten. Ask a family member or friend to be and advocate for you if you seem to be zoning out. Maybe you can if you see me repeating myself or not spitting it out touch my hand or pat my back. Sometimes that is all we need.
I will never forget going in there and I was by myself, this was after a dr. over the phone said to me that the blood work they did 3 weeks before showed I had graves and that was all they said. I went to an endo who then said yes you have graves (i had no scan/uptake) and he said do RAI and that was that.
I went home and told dh and he looked at me funny. He was lets just say… cranky! He did research on the internet, something I didnt have at the ready for help like i do now. I then researched it at the library and found out a lot of stuff.

It was my decision to leave this endo and seek another. I was told to try ADT and I did and it helped. My case was very very lucky though so I am grateful.

You will do fine! Advice here that was given was good advice!

[ladyj]

#1063957

Helli, All, One and half months ago, i was going through, i guess you would call it the storm. tremor finger tips, heat paputating, itching ankle, one ey swolled. cutting to the chase, Graves disease, while testing, they found a noducule (sorry for the spelling) on my thyroid. just had the test last week, waiting for reply. anyways i lost 25 lbs in 1 since starting the middle of june. Hyperthyroid. They put me on propranolol 40 mg a day, and methimazole 10 mg 2 times a day. I feel find. Legs pain, sometime. In 2 weeks i have gain 13 lbs. what do i do. I like my weight.

[ladyj]

#1063958

Just to let you know my text came back negative. Thank God. I started my own topic. Hyper to Hypo

[Kimberly]

#1063959

ladyj wrote:anyways i lost 25 lbs in 1 since starting the middle of june. Hyperthyroid. They put me on propranolol 40 mg a day, and methimazole 10 mg 2 times a day. I feel find. Legs pain, sometime. In 2 weeks i have gain 13 lbs. what do i do. I like my weight.

Unfortunately, weight lost while we are hypER is not “good” weight loss…it’s primarily muscle mass, which can make it difficult just to carry out our daily activities…like hauling groceries and walking up stairs. And hypERthyroidism is a dangerous condition that needs to be controlled. So in one sense, the weight gain is a sign that your hypERthyroidism is on the mend.

You might check with your doctor for further guidance on the weight issue. Your body is just beginning the process of healing from being hypER, so this would *not* be a good time to start any sort of drastic weight loss regimen. I would focus on minimizing processed foods and getting lots of nutritious whole foods, including fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean sources of protein.

I started counting calories this summer, and am finding that it is helping in keeping my weight under control. Other patients have good luck with simply keeping a food journal to keep track of intake. From personal experience, I know the weight issue is frustrating, but your #1 priority right now is to get your hypERthyroidism under control.

[Ellen_B]

#1063960

Hi Sheila,
Did you have a radioactive iodine scan? I am not sure if it is necessary to diagnose Graves’ disease—probably not. The scan is done primarily when there is some additional structural problem such as a nodule. However, if you happened to have had a radioactive iodine scan it would provide important information. It would show whether the whole thyroid is putting out too much thyroid hormone in the case of Graves’ disease or whether only a small area is putting out extra hormone as is in the case of a hot nodule. Another possible cause of hyperthyroidism is a form of thyroiditis (inflammation of the gland). In that case the uptake of radioiodine would be low.
The wonderful thing to note is that you have already gotten over a very important and crucial hurtle — the diagnosis. You are now on your way to recovery. I wish you good luck with your appointment tomorrow.
Ellen Brightly
Administrative Assistant
Graves’ Disease Foundation
400 International Drive
Williamsville NY 14221
Toll-free — (877) 643-3123
Email: Gravesdiseasefd@gmail.com
Website: http://www.NGDF.org

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