[Bobbi]

#1063857

Typically, if it is a "shot", an injection, the annual flu shot is done with dead virus material. If it is given as an inhalant, as the H1N1 last year was sometimes given, it was a live, but weakened virus.

I have received the flu shots every single year, even during my early treatment phase. The only time one of my doctors was cautious about giving it — and only gave me a half dose — was the year I was on beta blockers, and I’m not sure why that was precisely. To find out if it is wise for you, your own doctor would need to weigh in — but a GP would be as good as anyone else.

Do not equate having an autoimmune disease with having a weak immune system. We have an immune system that works just fine. We are not immuno-suppressed. Our immune systems made a mistake in creating an antibody to one of our own body parts, that’s all.

[Kimberly]

#1063858

I am on anti-thyroid drugs and have been cautioned to not get a live vaccine…and to not come in close contact with anyone else who has had a live vaccine. I believe the concern is that the immunosuppressive effects of the drugs can make us susceptible to actually catching whatever virus it is.

However, when this came up at last year’s conference (in the midst of all the Swine Flu/H1N1 panic), one doctor recommended that patients not skip the vaccine, as he believed the benefits outweighed the risks. So for those on ATDs, this is a personal decision that will need to be made in conjunction with a doctor’s advice.

[lhc11]

#1018302

Hi folks,

This may be a dumb question, but I feel I need to check and I’ll get a faster answer asking here than calling my endo. Once you’re euthyroid (or, in my case, thyroid-less) and you have no "active" Graves symptoms, is it safe to get the flu shot? (It would probably be useful for other people to know if they can get the shot while hyperthyroid, too, but that’s not my question). I know there’s some issue with live virus vs. dead virus, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t know what’s in the annual flu shot. I always get one (have to when you deal with disease-ridden students like I do), but this is my first flu-shot autumn with Graves.

Thanks!

lhc11

[mamabear]

#1063859

The "flu" was my Trigger. I will never forget that! I had all the typical oh she must be Hyper symptoms as a kid. But blood work at 18 showed normal.

I had the flu Nov 2000 and by feb 2001 I was finally showing it in my labwork. The virus triggered it to finally show it’s ugly head.

I didn’t get the vaccine until Nov 2008. I had the flu 3/1/08 and it was bad, dh and I both had it at teh same time AND we have 4 kids youngest at the time was only 2.
I have gotten since

[snelsen]

#1063860

I am pro flu shot. Guess it is another personal decision. Just got mine yesterday.
Shirley

[lhc11]

#1063861

Thanks, everyone, for the responses. I am very pro flu shot, not least because if I don’t get one, my mother nags me to death about it, and the college students I teach get the flu all the time. I just truly couldn’t remember what the story was vis-a-vis the vaccine. I’ll be getting my shot as always!

I have another similarly ignorant question about the dentist, but I will post that in another thread.

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