[connie3140]

#1060768

Hello,

I’m posting on behalf of a friend who has Graves’ disease and is considering eye muscle surgery. She needs to have a CT scan before her doctor will consider surgery, but Kaiser said she isn’t approved for a CT scan because her Graves’ disease antibodies are too high. Does anyone know if there is any way to lower the antibodies? She has had thyroid surgery and is currently taken levothyroxine.

Thank you,

Connie

[snelsen]

#1184648

I can only think of a 2nd opinion. Seems like the doc should appeal it. He’s the boss, not Kaiser. If he writes a referral, I would hope Kaiser approves it. Or has that step already been taken?

[Liz1967]

#1184649

That seems wrong. I have never had antibodies checked, have had thyroidectomy and strabismus surgery. Antibodies usually return to low levels within a year of thyroidectomy, so maybe they are waiting for that. I know my eye disease burned out about six to eight months post TT. Antibodies were not checked, eyes just stopped changing. Once there is no change for six months, disease is usually considered burned out.

[Kimberly]

#1184650

Some doctors won’t consider surgery until antibodies are down – but I’ve not heard of refusal to do a CT scan based on antibody levels!

Your friend should definitely look into the appeals process.

Unfortunately, it’s not well understood why the antibody levels fluctuate. Methimazole may have an immunosuppressive effect – although researchers are somewhat split on this. Some researchers believe that it’s really getting thyroid levels stabilized that helps bring down the antibodies.

[connie3140]

#1184651

Thank you, I’ve forwarded her your response.

[connie3140]

#1184652

Thank you, I’ve forwarded her your response.

[connie3140]

#1184653

Thank you, I’ve forwarded her your response.

[Author]

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