[TerrieC]

#1059631

I have been recently told that I most likely have Graves’, should get the antiboties test results today. I am in need of great assistance. When i asked my Endocronologist about what Graves Disease was, he just stated that it was the same as the information that he gave me on Hyperthyroidism. Is this true? Can this effect anything else? i have read about the bulging of the eyes, no signs of that as of yet.

My symptoms started the first of December, when i thought i was having a melt down. Three weeks later, Dr.’s finally put me on Propanerol and finally after all the scans, they started me on the anti-throid meds. Im not as near as bad as when my symptoms began, however I still dont feel myself. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?? Will I ever begin to feel myself again? I will be 35 in less than two weeks, have two kids and a husband…

Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

[Kimberly]

#1176288

Hello – First of all, yes, you *will* feel better once you are able to get your levels stabilized…but this process does take time and patience!

Graves’ is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s own immune system launches an attack on healthy tissues. The primary targets are the TSH receptors on the thyroid gland (which causes the hyperthyroidism), sometimes the muscles and soft tissues behind the eyes, and much more rarely, the skin on the shin.

The good news is that most patients will not experience the worst of the eye issues (bulging and double vision), but more mild symptoms are fairly common (dryness, swelling, grittiness, etc). If you do start experiencing eye symptoms, you will want to visit an ophthalmologist who can guide you through this process.

Unfortunately, there is no cure at this time for the autoimmune component of Graves’, so the treatment options focus on getting hyperthyroidism under control. The “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section at the top of the forum is a great place to start researching.

Take care – and please check back to let us know how you are doing!

[TerrieC]

#1176289

Thank you for the information! I do greatly appreciate it! I had no idea that the thyroid could effect so much! My left side of my thyroid is enlarged with no nodules. T4 and T3 is normal, My TSI is normal, however my TBII is 6 and my TSH is low (.38). Can anyone tell me what that means?

[ChristinaDe]

#1176290

Hey Terrie! We’re in the same boat!! My labs are very similar to yours. They tell me I have subclinical hyperthyroidism but with significant symptoms. I also have multiple large nodules on my thyroid. I just got my diagnosis a couple of weeks ago…and hearing the diagnosis made my anxiety and thyroid symptoms go through the roof! They’ve already recommended thyroid surgery in my case (apparently I have some mild eye disease)…but we are going to get a thyroid scan in the meantime to see what it shows. I was started on tapazole and beta blockers which knocked my symptoms out pretty quickly (like in about a week!), but had to stop the tapazole for the thyroid scan. Surgery scheduled February 1st, but I’m not so sure yet. At the same time all this happened, I also was going through repeat mammograms and biopsies (which ended up okay). But there are days when I’ve wondered if I’m actually going to be alright. The internet scared the heck out of me! Lol. But this site has returned my hope. Kudos to those moderating it and all those participating in it. I finally feel like I’m hearing voices of reason…

[snelsen]

#1176291

Welcome! Graves’=hyperthyoidism=Graves’! is pretty much what it amounts to.
Will you see your doc again soon?
Re eyes, Kimberly gave you the info about that. Don’t even bother thinking about it. If you have eye changes, tearing, sensitivity to light, double vision, then find a good eye doc who is familiar with thyroid eye disease (TED)
As she said, it is not an issue for most people.
Re labs,there are some really good references about what these labs mean and their relationship to each other. If you use the search engine on this site, and type “labs” or maybe “explanation of labs” I have no idea which phrase would pull up the great explanations of the meanings of each of those labs.
Also, there are reliable resources that explain the relationships-plus asking your doc the next time you see him/her. Your lab sheet should state the normal ranges by the results of your labs, does it?

I know that either Ski,Kimberly or Bobbi, gave a great and simple explanation of the relationship of the labs to each other, and what they mean.
SO GLAD you are reacting nicely to the ATD’s! This is super good news.
YOu will be well again. It is kind of a slug to get there sometimes, because it takes more time than any of us like!
Shirley

[StacyA]

#1176292

Kimberly wrote:

Hello – First of all, yes, you *will* feel better once you are able to get your levels stabilized…but this process does take time and patience!

Graves’ is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s own immune system launches an attack on healthy tissues. The primary targets are the TSH receptors on the thyroid gland (which causes the hyperthyroidism), sometimes the muscles and soft tissues behind the eyes, and much more rarely, the skin on the shin.

Th

I have a question. are there other areas of healthy tissue ever attacked aside from those three? Wonder why those three are involved? Thank you.

[snelsen]

#1176293

Not with that particular antibody. There are lots and lots of autoimmune diseases, and many more probably not identified. Diabetes, Crohn’s, celiac disease to name some of the more well known ones. Different antibodies.
Much research is yet to be done @ autoimmune diseases and the process.
Shirley

[TerrieC]

#1176294

Thank you all for your response!! I have found hope again with this site! I agree, the internet has scared the fire out of me the last few weeks. Along with visiting more Dr’s than I ever have and the meds… going from no meds to a beta blocker, cholesterol, and anti thyroid, my world seems like it has been flipped upside down!

I am truely greatful for all the posts!! This has helped me significantly!

The first Endo Dr. doesnt want to see me back until March 1 (He is the only one in my area), I’m just not conformatable with him and his lack of communication and seeking a 2nd opinion from a Dr. in Dallas.

I have been having issues with my eyes being sensitive to light and having a hard time getting them focused so I scheduled an appointment with the eye Dr. this week as well.

Still having issues with sleeping at night though… At first I was waking up every morning at 2 with night sweats… and couldnt go back to sleep. It then went away, but now I am back to waking up at 2 every morning, sweating. Does anyone else have issues with the insomnia and night sweats?

[StacyA]

#1176295

Good idea to find someone else..that’s too long between appointments, unless you’re getting bloodwork done once or twice in that span that he plans to call you about .

Sleeplessness and sweating are a big part of hyperactive thryoid.

I totally relate..going from no meds to all these pills is maddening! Good luck.

[snelsen]

#1176296

Hi Terri,
For sure, insomnia was part of my world when hyper. I was always way too hot, and both of these are typical symptoms of early Graves’. Probably the ATD’s will help you more and more. I did have some night sweats, too. I was heat intolerant, kept my house at frigid levels for others.

Realizing that you are not seeing your original endo until March, I suggest that if your symptoms and how you feel do not progressively get better, based on how you feel, your heart rate, plus since you are new on ATD’s, the “standard of care” is to be in close contact with your doc, so he/she can adjust the dose of the ATD. The docs have no way of knowing exactly how much ATD or beta blocker you need. They begin with amounts that from experience and general knowledge, are a good “starting place.” But it certainly possible that, as time goes by, you may need a dose adjustment, more or less amount of these drugs.This is what you SHOULD have been told initially. But there is a lot to absorb, that is for sure.

The other thing, and I do suggest that you have labs. Most docs want to have labs done (thyroid panel and liver function, CBC (cell blood count) around 4ish to 6 weeks after first beginning your meds.

I’m just writing as a patient, as we all are, even thought it sounds like we know a lot of stuff! (:

As I write this I suggest you take the content of my post, and perhaps some of the others that prompt you to know and understand more, I suggest you make a list of questions for the Dallas doc.

I have to run to a dental appt. right now, but sometime today, I ‘ll send some suggestions to you to get you started.
Shirley

[TerrieC]

#1176297

Thank you Shirley! That would be great!!

[Kimberly]

#1176298

Hello – Just some general info on TSH and TBII…

TSH is a substance produced by the pituitary gland that either directs the thyroid gland to produce more hormone or tells the body to put the brakes on thyroid hormone production. When things are working properly, the amount of TSH produced by the pituitary depends on a “feedback loop” according to where our T3 and T4 are. If T3/T4 levels are *low*, you should see the TSH levels *increase* in order to prod the thyroid gland to make more hormone. If T3/T4 levels are *high*, then you will see TSH decrease to tell the body to stop making more thyroid hormone.

TBII (Thyroid binding inhibiting immunoglobulin) is one of the antibody tests that can be used in Graves’ testing. Other common acronyms that you will see for antibody testing are TRAb (TSH receptor antibodies) and TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins). Hope this helps!

[TerrieC]

#1176299

Thank you Kimbery for the response on the TSH. That is very helpful! I went to see the new Endocrinlogist yesterday. I liked her! She was very informative however I think I may have stumped her. She said my antibodies test came back good and that it does not show that I have Graves but she said this could be the beginning. She did say that what concerned her was my symptoms and the enlarged Throid. She said my left side is 1 1/2 times bigger than normal.

She ordered more test and stated they would call me Monday.

My memory is really going down the drain the last 30 days…. I forgot to ask her how long it typically takes Antithyroid Meds to start elevating the hormons on an average. Can anyone tell me a ballpark estimate? Im on a 5mg once a day. Started it 2 weeks ago today.

[Bobbi]

#1176300

They start work instantly to block the production of “some” thyroid hormone. But (and there’s almost always a “but”) the thyroid not only produces new hormone, it stores hormone previously made and not released. The ATD doesn’t do anything with the already-made hormone, so until the stockpiles of that are released you won’t feel much difference.

Another “but.” The first dose we are put on is a guess-timate made by the endo. It is an educated guess, but a guess nonetheless. It is typical to need adjustments from that first dose. Until you are on “the” dose…..I sometimes call it the “Goldilocks” dose, i.e. just right…. which is the dose that blocks just enough thyroid hormone production to bring you into the normal zone, your body will not begin to heal. And it takes time AT normal levels of hormone for the healing process to work.

It helps if you look for progress rather than any absolute sense of “normal.” We don’t have a pill that makes us feel good all at once, and it can sometimes be a very frustrating process calibrating the proper dose of medication.

Wishing you good health soon,

[TerrieC]

#1176301

Thank you for the information! It is greatly appreciated. Im starting to do much better. I had a really good week last week, however this week is not as good.

I have an good husband, but it really hurts when he makes the comment…” I wish my old, fun, and happy Terrie would come back.” so I do wish “Normal” would come back sooner than later however I’m starting to think “Normal” is just a setting on a washing machine.

My new saying… “It is what it is… just got to make the best of it”

[Author]

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