[RunDMC]

#1060013

Hi, i’m a newbie here, 28F just diagnosed w/GD this month.

Background on myself, went to my MD start of this year because of dizziness. My MD ran routine labs to check electrolytes etc, only thing that came back out of the ordinary was my TSH. Had it checked again to rule out lab error, and also had T3/T4 checked – T3/T4 were “normal” but TSH still extremely low. Went for an ultrasound, then went to an endocrinologist, had another ultrasound. More labs, then an RAI update scan, diagnosis & immediately placed on 10mg methimazole.

My next appointment is next week to discuss tx options. What are some important questions I should be asking…that a newb might not know to ask? Of course all of my thyroid issues started right as we decided to try to children, so there’s that too..

This is all pretty new to me, any advise would be appreciated!

-DMC

[Kimberly]

#1179681

Hello and Welcome! Having below normal TSH but normal T3/T4 is referred to as “subclinical hyperthyroidism”. The American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists released some guidance last this year on treating subclinical hyperthyroidism. Here is a quick excerpt:

“When TSH is persistently <0.1 mU/L, treatment of SH should be strongly considered in all individuals >=65 years of age, and in postmenopausal women who are not on estrogens or bisphosphonates; patients with cardiac risk factors, heart disease or osteoporosis; and individuals with hyperthyroid symptoms.”

You can find this guidance in the second link in the “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum. This would definitely be a good resource for initiating further discussions with your doctor as you consider next steps. If you do a search through the document (CTRL-f) for “subclinical”, you will hit the right section.

For patients who have “overt” hyperthyroidism (suppressed TSH *and* T3/T4 above the “normal” range), immediate treatment is recommended with either anti-thyroid drugs (like Methimazole), surgery, or RAI. However, with subclinical hyperthyroidism, some docs will “watch and wait” to see if the situation resolves on its own.

Take care!

[Boomer]

#1179682

If I knew then what I know now…

I’ve have ordered a new body a loooooong time ago. Everything was great until right after the warranty expired. Go figure…

Sorry about your diagnosis but there is a bright side (in a dark kinda way): yoo caught things early. That’s gotta count for something huh?

LOTS of great reading here, as noted by Kimberly, and as you read I’ll bet lots of questions will come up. I make a list every time I have a queston and then study that topic here and elsewhere. If I am not satisfied with what I’ve learned I take my list with me to the doctor. Maybe that will work for you too.

I began to feel some relief after about a week of starting MMI. I hope you will too. Be patient, be informed, and be strong. No problem right?
Right! You CAN do this!

Oh yeah- welcome to the messge board!

Hang tough and be well,

Boomer

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