[Ski]

#1072752

Once your levels are controlled and you’re rebuilding the muscle mass that was lost, this might be a good idea, but it won’t help while you’re hyperthyroid. During that time, you just have to rest your muscles, since working them can make them waste faster.

As far as diet/supplements that can help quality of life, you’ll find just about as many regimens as there are people. There’s nothing that specifically goes to solve the issues we suffer because of Graves’, mostly because it affects different people in different areas of their bodies. For the most part, hyperthyroidism will more severely affect areas of our body that were weak to begin with, since it "overworks" everything, and those areas that are weak are more likely to "break."

The diet we recommend is just a sensible, low-fat, high-fiber diet, like any nutritionist would recommend. The only food that is absolutely forbidden for patients who still have a thyroid is seaweed, because of the massive amounts of iodine. No other food has as much. Some doctors recommend a low-iodine diet, but not all doctors recommend it. You could discuss that point with your doctor.

As for supplements, again, that’s very individual. If you’re going to try something, we recommend that all of your doctors are informed about everything you’re taking ~ medicines AND supplements ~ because some can react with each other in unpredictable ways. Your pharmacist can be a good resource to tell you whether a certain supplement may react with something you’re taking already.

[cathycnm]

#1072753

Interesting about muscle strength. I have a suspicion that I am on too much thyroid replacement at the moment. RAI in August –> hypo by early October –> high normal TSH by November –> normal (a little on the low side for my age according to endo) in January. I have stayed on the same dose since October. I am aware of the normal dose per kilo (1.6 mcg) and my dose is clearly more than that – more like 2 mcg/kg or a little higher. I am clearly irritable and tearful, and my eyes have been worse. I am exhausted. And for about a month – one of my theigh muscles aches during my walk. Last week, I pulled a ligament in this area just walking down the street – yes, it was cold out – but I was slow walking. Just – twang! (Honestly – I thought for a sec I had broken my hip!) I get a TSH next week.

As far as diet – I agree – eat balanced and healthy. It is important, as women, to take care of our hearts and bones, too. High protien diets are not the best for bones. Hearts like fruits, vegies and good fats. I have been aweful with school about eating too much fat due to eating out more. I get my lipids rechecked next week, too, because I had become moderate risk for heart disease on my last check in the fall. We are all hoping it was that I was hypo at the time. It seems diet is so important to health and aging. Cathy

[hwalter]

#1019593

I am just wondering if anybody with muscle/strength loss has tried to increase the protien in their diets and cut down the carbs and if they have seen a benefit from this. Are there any other diet/supplements that could help support or improve quality of life for a GD patient?

[Kimberly]

#1072754

You didn’t mention if you are still hyperthyroid…or at normal levels with ATDs. If so, you will want to make sure any supplements (like a multivitamin) do NOT contain iodine.

Sometimes it’s a challenge to figure out…it would be nice if iodine was listed on standard nutritional labels. No such luck.

[hwalter]

#1072755

It is so nice to have feed back here. Last night was probably the worse night ever for me and this all came at a perfect time. In matter of a couple of hours I went from incredbily tired, then with enough energy to do grocery shopping and make dinner and then to horribly angry and then sobbing like someone watching Titanic for the first time and not knowing how the ending is. Seriously, cried myself to sleep while in my hubby’s arms because he was so concerned he didnt want to leave my side. So this is not just effecting me.
As to my knowledge I am still hyper. Last test was about a month ago, go again in 2 wks. I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one with muscle loss/pain. Thank you for the wonderful advice ladies! It has brightened my day. One last thing, any ideas on how to get "some" energy level. It is spring, normally I am bouncing off the walls right now and more than happy and loving life. But i can hardly get out of bed to get a shower and a cup of coffee, this is no way for someone to live. What an ugly disease! I know, I know, look on the bright side Holly, it could be much worse! Sometimes that is the hardest thing to do. They should change the name to the Light Switch Disease, because it comes on just like someone flipping on a light switch, {FLIP} just like that you have Graves!

[cathycnm]

#1072756

hwalter – If zest is a stength of yours, and it sounds like it may be, Graves has to be frustrating. I don’t think we can be at our vibrant level until our levels are stable. I feel exhausted all the time again right now – and tearful, angry, irritable. I really feel a shift in my happiness – and school along with a stressful job and less than optimal support feed that. At the same time – I try to savor a few minutes each day. Maybe just writing down 3 good things that happened that day each night before you go to bed (actually shown to be as effective as antidepressants). Or really savor something – be it a long bath, an ice cream, a glass of wine or whatever you enjoy. I need to take my own advise on this. Cathy

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