[DianneW]

#1071965

My brother-in-law had Euthyroid Graves’ Disease. He had a bad case of TED with normal thyroid levels. Eventually though, he became hypothyroid and now is on thyroid replacement hormone.

What’s known about Euthyroid Graves’ Disease is that it’s a manifestation of the eye disease that occurs separately from the thyroid portion of the disease, but the patient will almost always have the thyroid portion of the disease sometime as well. In my brother-in-law’s case he thinks he may have been hyperthyroid at some point before his eyes were affected but that he just didn’t seek treatment. Then five years or so following treatment for the eye disease, his thyroid began to fail.

I hope this is what you were asking.

[lakeview]

#1019487

I am wondering how much information there is on people who have GD but are euthyroid. Does anyone ever have thyroid eye disease but no thyroid symptoms. What is known about this?

[James]

#1071966

DianneW wrote:My brother-in-law had Euthyroid Graves’ Disease. He had a bad case of TED with normal thyroid levels. Eventually though, he became hypothyroid and now is on thyroid replacement hormone.

Hi Dianne,

I would be curious to know if your brother-in-law had his TPO antibodies tested indicating possible Hashimotos? My father was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos and his elevated TPO level confirmed that fact. I suppose that could be a possibility going from Euthyroid to Hypo. Seems that varying Thyroid Autoimmune conditions; whether it be Graves or Hashimotos, are not uncommon within the same family. We now have a confirmed diagnosis of both conditions in our immediate family now. I will be having my TPO antibodies tested in May to see if I too may be at risk.

James

[lakeview]

#1071967

Thank you both for that information. Right now I have the eye problems but my thryoid remains euthryoid – blood tests as of today. Weirdly, I thought my blood pressure went haywire, but after running to the doctor and getting meds… taking one pill… my blood pressure has resumed to normal and I am off the meds… I think this must be stress on my part..
My father is current hypothyroid, my uncle hypothyroid and my aunt hypothyroid. (Both sides of my family– I have a lot to thank them for ” title=”Confused” /> ) My mom was hyperthyroid with TED.

My hope is that the thyroid won’t kick in for me… but with my family history… who knows. From what I have read so far here, you can have TED and be hyper or hypo or euthryoid – but often some thryoid problems manifest at some time. Am I correct? Is TED with hypo at all common…. that is my perference… ” title=”Razz” /> if i have to have this one way or the other. Thoughts and experiences on this would be appreciated.

[Ski]

#1071968

I’m not sure how common, but there are definitely cases of TED and hypo, rather than hyper. It’s part of the reason behind the "renaming" from Graves’ Eye Disease to Thyroid Eye Disease. TED is connected to thyroid conditions in general, not always Graves’.

[DianneW]

#1071969

James, in answer to your question, my brother-in-law did have an antibody test that was negative, but he doesn’t know which antibodies were tested. I suspect that his stimulating antibodies were tested. I will have to ask him again. I know this test was done before he became hypothyroid though.

Lakeview, have your antibodies been tested? I suggest that you talk to your doctor about the usefulness of testing your TPO (thyroid perioxidase) antibodies. Elevated levels are usually predictive of hypothyroidism in the future. That doesn’t mean you won’t develop stimulating antibodies at some point as well. Most people with Graves’ Disease have both kinds. It may not be useful to test your antibodies now since your thyroid levels are normal, but it’s something you could discuss with your doctor. Many people do have elevated TPO antibodies well in advance of the thyroid levels changing.

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