[Kalty]

#1060154

How serious is hyperthyroidism? It doesn’t feel like nothing.

I ask, because the people I’ve told to explain my fatigue have unanimously said that it’s nothing. When I say that I’m exhausted and have very weak muscles, they have no understanding and declare that I should have more energy than normal. They also say, with enough venom to kill an elephant, Well, that’s why you’re thin.” I’ve gained weight, and it’s all fat. I try to describe the fatigue so they get it, and they say, “That’s hypo not hyper.”, like I don’t know what the doctor said.

They also say that it’s curable. I’ve done some internet searches and haven’t seen any reputable sites talking about a cure. Is it considered curable?

Lesson learned. I won’t bother telling anyone else. I won’t give the truth to people who use it against me.

These are co-workers and some friends. Don’t want to look like I’m trashing anyone in my family, because they have been great!

[Kimberly]

#1180801

Hello – Yes, hyperthyroidism is absolutely serious! Every single person on this forum will back you up on this. Untreated hyperthyroidism can cause a number of complications, including bone/muscle wasting, heart problems, and a potentially life-threatening issue called thyroid storm.

Weight lost while hypER isn’t “good” weight loss…it is likely mostly lean tissue, which includes bone and muscle mass. This can eventually make it difficult to do every day activities like walking up the stairs or even brushing your hair.

At it’s heart, Graves’ is an autoimmune disease. In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system mistakenly launches an attack against its own healthy tissues. Different autoimmune diseases affect different parts of the body. The “family” of autoimmune disease consists of 80+ different conditions, including Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac disease. In Graves’ disease, the immune targets can include the TSH receptors on the thyroid gland, the connective tissue cells surrounding the eyes, and the pretibial skin located on the front of the shin.

Although there is currently no cure for the autoimmunity itself, you can treat the hyperthyroidism and reduce the risks that come with this condition. The “Treatment Options” thread in the announcements section of the forum is a great place to start learning about the 3 options available (anti-thyroid drugs, surgery, and radioactive iodine).

[Kalty]

#1180802

Thank you for all of that information!

[Raspberry]

#1180803

Hi Kalty, it’s definitely serious! Graves’ is also a widely misunderstood and complex disease so the odds that any person you talk to who isn’t a doctor will really know about it is low. And even many doctors aren’t as up on the latest about it as they need to be. This is one disease where you literally need to spend many many hours educating yourself on it to make sure you make informed choices and receive the right care. I’m sorry you are having to put up with know-nothings, just remember it’s up to you to be the expert on it and they can continue with their blissful ignorance. I wish I had the option to not even know what a thyroid is….sigh.

[christine1014]

#1180804

Kathy,

I beyond feel for you!! I really do not understand why people can be so heartless just because they can’t “See” your illness. Worse yet, I think it hurts us Graveantor’s even more when they say something, because as my husband says “You will never see a lazy person get Grave’s Disease”. It is because we push ourselves, and do so much, and work so hard that makes this predisposed disease come out, and even more difficult to deal with. We are strong determined people, and now are bodies not only don’t help us get what we need to get done….”It actually fights against us from doing it!!!” My husband says we should have T-shirts saying “It ain’t Cancer, but it sure does suck!” (Of course, no disrespect to our my poor Cancer friends out there) It is just he wants our stories heard, and compassion shown for all of us.

Kathy, please know your not alone, and sadly, know everything your dealing with is beyond real, and as hard as it is, try not to listen to such clueless, ignorant people. Soooo happy for you that you have a family like mine. Don’t know how we would survive without them.

~Christine

[christine1014]

#1180805

Hi Kalty,

I apologize, I called you by the wrong name. : )

~Christine

[christine1014]

#1180806

Hi Kalty,

I apologize, I called you by the wrong name. : )

~Christine

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