[Ski]

#1073794

Hi lizzycat,

Graves’ Disease is an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism. Once we have been diagnosed and treated, we are no longer hyperthyroid. The damage is caused in the period of time between becoming hyperthyroid and being successfully treated, and it takes a longer time to heal than most patients are prepared for. I remember when I was first diagnosed, my father’s first comment was "I hear you’re in for a long road with this one." He was VERY right, and I wasn’t prepared for that. Once you know what you’re dealing with, the idea is to learn a lot, do the best you can to become a team member in your own care, and appreciate small improvements.

I’m not sure about asthma-type symptoms ~ the fact that our heart is racing can cause a bit of breathlessness, but if you’re truly feeling as if you cannot breathe, you might want to investigate another cause.

You’re early on in the process, but you’re on the road, which puts you ahead of a lot of other Graves’ patients. You WILL get there! Patience. Hang out here. Ask us all the weird questions that come up. We’ll be here.

[lizzycat]

#1019740

What is the difference between Graves and hyperthyroidism? Can you have one without the other? How does the Dr decide it is Graves?

Also, can you have asthma type symptoms with Graves?

I have been on medication for 2 weeks and still feel crummy, just need a little encouragment.

thanks

[lizzycat]

#1073795

I keep hearing about the "damage" that Graves causes and I’m not sure what that is. Could you explain in a little more detail. Thanks for all your help and information.

[Sjefferys]

#1073796

Firstly I just came about this site and what a relief to have someone to talk with as well offer support.
I was diagnosed with Graves 2002 having just routine check up. My Dr. referred me to endocrinologist.

I take synthroid 175 mg and after all these years Why is it I ‘m just now experiencing Signs and Symptoms of Graves’ disease?
I’ve been having very itchy skin outbreak rashes unable to sleep due to itching. This symptom has become regular starts with itch then small bump/rash appears back neck, chest, arms, and hand and now face. Research shows that this could be side affect
• nervousness
• irritability
• insomnia
• sensitivity to heat
I’ve seen Dermatologist and Medical Dr. and they suggest going through Perimenopause?
Jan 30th my eyes became so irritated I made urgent appointment to visit Dr. Hudak. She advised I have Blepharitis common condition of chronic (long-term congested oil glands in margins of the eyelids. This is most commonly associated with changes in body hormones seen in middle age and is often called “Middle Age Acne she also noted signs permenopause. She did provide treatment moist compresses and Doxycycline Hyclate 100 mg 2 time’s day 3 weeks after 50 mg 1 time a day. If I experience oily tear film, itchy go back to 100 mg. This med has worked slowly reducing eye irritation; as well skin rash appears to be healing.
Should I ask to have additional labs to measure hormone levels and will this help to identify if I’m really going through menopause?
• Estradiol -estrogen level-
• FSH -Follicle-stimulating hormone
• LH -Luteinzing hormone

[SherryON]

#1073797

I have been recently diagnosed with Graves. I have been on meds now for almost 2 months. PTU 100mg 2x a day.
Going for my first set of blood work on Feb 20, I guess it’s to determine my levels now that I am taking meds?
I found out through routine blood work that my thryroid was out of whack or I don’t think I would have even known that I had it.
Funny I attributted everything to depression, lifestyle and drinking way to much coffee…my shakes!!! I am noticing now that this is not the case!
My symtoms seem to be those of Hyperthroidism but not so much Graves…is it the levels in your blood work that is the decision maker…or is it more symptomatic?

[sabinaa]

#1073798

The difference between Grave’s and hyperthyroidism is that Grave’s is an auto-immune dysfunction in which your own immune system attacks your thyroid, thus, creating hyperthyroidism (overproduction of hormones such as T4 and T3). Grave’s disease can also affect your eyes and skin, and that’s when doctors are sure that it is Grave’s. Hyperthyroidism by itself can occur for other reasons as well, but it may not mean you have Grave’s.

My Grave’s has been dormant now for over 2 years – I got there with life style changes, like quit drinking coffee, becoming more calm, yoga and relaxation, avoidance of stress and eating healthy. I did take PTU for about 1 year – much less then what was prescribed, and it did lower my thyroid levels, however, I came down hard (gained weight, felt tired, felt down). It was as if I was turning hypo (under production of hormones). Even though I wasn’t hypo according to my blood work. But I didn’t like that down feeling – especially after feeling so up and high with the Grave’s. So I quit taking PTU all together and just focused on fixing my dysfunctional immune system. I did this by treating my body with the best care I could give it. Lot’s of rest, fresh foods, I did some detox for colon and liver, I exercise moderately, and most of all, I avoid stress now by staying calm instead of getting worked up in any situation. I surrender rather than fight when in conflict. And I feel great! My new holistic Dr. thinks that Grave’s won’t come back into my life.

Anyhow, I hope everyone gets well and I wish everyone Good Luck!

[DianneW]

#1073799

I’m replying first to lizzycat, who asked about the "damage" caused by Graves’ Disease.

There are three broad categories of damage the autoimmune process of Graves’ Disease can inflict, though within those there’s more that can be discussed.

The autoimmunity can affect the thyroid (causing hyperthyroidism), the eyes (causing Thyroid Eye Disease) and the skin (causing pretibial myxedema). Pretibial myxedema is a painless swelling of the tops of the feet and fronts of the lower legs (rarely, other places), with an orange-rind appearing deposit in the skin. It occurs in people who also have the eye disease. A rare fourth manifestation of autoimmune thyroid disease is thyroid acropachy, usually associated with pretibial myxedema, that causes soft tissue swelling and clubbing primarily in the fingers, toes, and lower extremities.

Not everyone with Graves’ hyperthyroidism will have Thyroid Eye Disease that is noticeable to the patient, although sophisticated imaging techniques can detect subtle changes in almost every patient. Only 5-10 percent of Graves’ Disease patients have significant eye changes that need physician interventions. Even fewer have pretibial myxedema. It’s not understood why some people get TED and others don’t, though smoking is a definite risk factor for more severe forms of TED.

Is this what you were asking, lizzycat?

[DianneW]

#1073800

Sjeffreys,

Symptoms of perimenopause and symptoms of hyperthyroidism can be remarkably similar, so it won’t hurt to have your thyroid levels checked again, especially since if your estrogen levels are dropping it will bind less of the Free thyroid hormone in your serum (blood), leaving more available for your body to use. This could actually make your levels of replacement hormone too high. When I was going through perimenopause my endocrinologist recommended that I take birth control pills to even out my hormone levels so that my levels wouldn’t be bouncing around. It served to keep both my female hormones and thyroid hormones stable. (I chose to take biodentical hormones, not birth control pills, but that’s a completely different subject.)

You may not be experiencing symptoms of Graves’ Disease now (after all these years), but as your doctor was saying, simply the results of fluctuating hormones. Whether it’s from too much thyroid replacement hormone or too little estrogen, your blood tests will determine.

When I was going through perimenopause I had my FSH levels tested one month and they said I was post-menopausal; the next month they were entirely normal, yet all the while I was having heavy periods every three weeks. It was a number of years still before I went through the change, so you can start all this well before the end.

Blepharitis does become more common when we reach middle age and our female hormones start to drop, but it’s also common for those of us with GD. Having even a little bit of dry eyes makes it more likely. Your doctor’s advice sounds like the advice I was given. My sister has it too, and she doesn’t have Graves’. (Hers began following her hysterectomy.)

[sabinaa]

#1073801

Well, all kinds of damage can occur if hyperthyroidism is left untreated in the long run. You will suffer from muscle weakness and since your heart is a muscle, too, it will weaken over time. But you also put more strain on your heart because of the increased heart rate. In the long run this can do some serious damage to your heart.

Also, your mental state will deteriorate. Instead of feeling depressed, you may feel like you are on a temporary high, then restless, constantly ready to go and do something, but too weak to actually do it. Difficulty sleeping will be hard on your body. Concentration and the ability to focus will diminish. You will feel more achy, and anxious. You may have anxiety. This is not a healthy mental state to be in.

Finally, when I left my Grave’s untreated for a while I noticed that my skin became really thin, itchy and dry. I lost a lot of hair, felt like I was aging more, and I always looked exhausted and tired, not to mention that I had to breath so much faster because of my increased heart rate. The disease was generally really hard on my body, and I literally felt like I was wasting away.

All this is damaging to all parts in your body. There may be no serious permanent damages in the short run, but if Grave’s is left untreated, in the long run, you can face all kinds of un-repairable health problems, especially to your heart.

[DianneW]

#1073802

Sherry,

Yes, it’s your thyroid levels that determine your treatment for the most part. As you presumed, the reason your levels are being tested again is to see how you’re responding to the meds. Usually patients are given a big dose at first to bring down the levels quickly, but when they’re responding it’s important not to over-treat and make the patient hypothyroid. So at some point, most likely your dose will be cut down some.

It’s amazing how we can pass off our symptoms to almost anything rather than admit we might be ill, isn’t it? I went untreated for years, thinking my shakes were low blood sugar, and that I couldn’t sleep because of anxiety. I blamed other symptoms on "getting old" (even in my 30’s and early 40’s). My doctor wasn’t any better, unfortunately. He thought my shakes and loose stools were "stress" too. It took my eyes popping out of my head for him to do a thyroid test.

I suggest you keep copies of all your thyroid tests. Once you begin to feel better, you might be able to tell if there’s a connection to what your thyroid function tests reveal at the time. There should be a normal range for your lab beside your result every time you have your blood drawn, so you can tell how close your result was to where it should be.

I’m glad you found us! Stick around and keep us informed on how you’re feeling!

Best wishes,

[Author]

Posts