[jaqeinquotation]

#1059661

Hi guys,

Taking !00mg of synthroid..but now what? Do I still have graves…or am I now just completely hypo? My eyes are still the same an that’s frustrating but I’m hoping that I just need more time and can avoid having surgery on those to?

The TT di remove the anxiety. I’m actually starting to exercise again but when I look at myself in the mirror I wonder what the heck is going on. I will have the stitches removed tomorrow and I am hoping that the scar doesn’t look too bad because then I have to deal with that plus my eyes…UGGGHhhhh!

Anyways,

anyone know (based on your experience) typically what happens next?

[Kimberly]

#1176599

Hello – You should have a follow up appointment scheduled within the next few weeks to see if that dosage of replacement is right for you, or if it needs to be tweaked. The goal will be to get you to a “euthyroid” state — neither hyper or hypo. (Although many people use the word “hypo” to refer to anyone who needs to take replacement hormone to keep levels stable).

We actually had a very “spirited” discussion at our 2009 conference as to whether one is “cured” of Graves’ when the thyroid is removed or destroyed. Now that you have had surgery, your hyperthyroidism from Graves will no longer be a problem. However, since Graves’ is an autoimmune condition, not just a thyroid condition, my non-medical opinion is that yes, you still have Graves’.

Take care — and please keep us posted on how you are doing!

[adenure]

#1176600

Congrats on getting through surgery! I was started on 100 mcg Synthroid as well. My dr. didn’t run labs until 6 weeks post surgery; he said anything before that would be inaccurate (due to our bodies’ own store of thyroid hormone and that it takes about 6-8 weeks for a dose to take effect fully on the blood levels).

At 6 weeks, I was upped to 112 mcg and my levels were good 2 weeks later. Two months after the dose increase, I started to feel better. I had labs again recently (now 7 months post surgery) and my levels are still good on 112 mcg. I had my cholesterol tested as I had read some people’s cholesterol increases on Synthroid, but that is all perfectly good too. I haven’t gained any weight and am doing pretty well. It’s not perfect, not pre- Graves me. I tire more easily, but all in all, I’m doing well.

Surgery was the right choice for me, and I’m grateful to be well again. Sure, I miss the old non-stop energetic me who could go on and on like the Energizer Bunny and work out 2 hours straight and do a 60 min. intense spin class and feel like a super star after teaching and caring for my boys all day… but, maybe I’ll get that back. Then again, maybe not. But, being healthy, being able to care for my family, homeschool, and enjoy my life… THAT is what I truly live for and what matters and that is what I have now.

[Bobbi]

#1176601

To perhaps rephrase what Kimberly was talking about:

What makes us ILL is having aberrant thyroid levels. While we still “have” Graves once those levels are controlled in the normal zone, we are (to my way of thinking at least) no longer “ill,” once our bodies have had a chance to heal. I know others don’t look at things this way, but it is, to my way of thinking, the healthiest way to approach something like Graves. We may not be able to get rid of the antibodies which cause the problem, but if we have health, that is a good thing.

[jaqeinquotation]

#1176602

Thanks for the responses. I really appreciated your story Alexis. Bobbi and Kimberly-thank you as well. I have a better understanding of what to look forward to and at least I know now that my goal will be to become euthyroid.

Quick question if anyone knows: My next appt with my endo is in 2 weeks (no openings until then). I was thinking that I may need to go back on prednisone for a bit as my eyes are still swollen and wondered if my physician can prescribe that for me or do I have to wait to see my specialist?

[Kimberly]

#1176603

Hello – I would guess that your primary care doc would have the *ability* to write a prescription…although it would be a good idea to consult with your eye doc first. Steroids can come with side effects, so it would make sense to evaluate the severity of your eye issues and weigh the potential risks/benefits of another round of steroids.

Take care!

[Author]

Posts