[jenlynn724]

#1067608

They should have, or should draw a TSI to determine Graves.. Your symptoms are very similar to mine.. My TSH was 0, and the T3, and T4 were double high normal. I also felt exhausted, and I looked like I never slept. My weight was the opposite, I was starving all the time, and couldn’t lose weight at all. I am on the highest dose of PTU right now, and I felt better within a week, and I lost 12 pounds. My levels are not normal range yet, but they are getting better..
Good Luck.. I hope you start feeling better soon..

[melyssa]

#1018872

Hi, I am also new here. I have been diagnosed with Graves’ Disease. I have questions about the blood test. First my symptoms, to help someone else who maybe searching the net. I am 44 and I have been sick for over a year. My eye area upper lids and under my eyes have been verry puffy. I am very weak and tired. I am only 5’2 and used to weigh around 115-120. I dropped to 95 lbs before I realized I was losing weight. I have been struggling for the first time in my life to keep from losing weight. I almost never hungry any more but I have been making myself eat more. I have managed to get it back to 103. I got worried and went to the doctor when I noticed the lower part of my neck was extremely swollen and I had a lump just above where my collar bones connect. the doctor told me I had an enlarged thyroid. She did bloodwork and they did an ultrasound. Got my test results back. My thyroid very large and I have a very small nodule on one side but that the tissues looked normal. My TSH was 0 and the other tyroid hormones topped the labs testing charts at 4. I am going for more bloodwork and scheduling a radio iodine uptake as well. I think she said classic graves’ thyroid results but I’m not sure. Going to refer me to an Endo after a few more tests. My question is this, do I definately have GD or do they need to do other tests to be sure?

Thank you,
Melyssa

[susandemarco]

#1067609

This post is for Nancy Patterson:
Hi Nancy,
I have been reading posts from the archives, and many of the people have mentioned a book written
by you and Jake.

I would appreciate you letting me know the title and how I could purchase it.

Thank you,
Susan De Marco

[Peter]

#1067610

HI Susan,

Nancy & Jake George’s book is "Graves’ Disease In Our Own Words." You may want to check with Amazon.com or go to the Graves’ Foundation’s website and click on Find a Support Group at the bottom of that page you’ll see contact info for Jake George.

Suggest you contact him for more details.

Peter

[melyssa]

#1067611

Thanks Jenlynn. I don’t know what TSI is but I will look it up and ask my doctor about it next time I see her. I had read that people can also gain weight and not just lose it with Graves’. I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling better and the medicine is working for you. This might be stupid to say but I was actually relieved to find something was wrong with me. I’m not sure how I would have handled it if there was no reason for me to feel this bad. At least there is hope for treatment and feeling normal again.

I will also have a look at the books on graves’. I’m so glad this board is here. A place to help and comfort each other.
melyssa

[Kimberly]

#1067612

melyssa wrote:Thanks Jenlynn. I don’t know what TSI is but I will look it up and ask my doctor about it next time I see her.

Hi Melyssa – TSI stands for Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin, which is the antibody that causes our hyperthyroidism in Graves’.

The test comes back as a percentage. What’s odd is that most labs will consider anything under 125% or 130% "normal" — however, a "normal" person will have negligible results with a TSI test. Measurable percentages under the 125/130% level mean that the thyroid *is* getting stimulation from these antibodies, but it may not be enough to cause overt signs of hyperthyroidism.

The TSI test helps distinguish Graves’ from other possible causes of hyperthyroidism.

Clear as mud? ” title=”Smile” /> If you google "Graves" and "TSI" you should be able to get some additional info.

Best of luck!

[Author]

Posts