[Ski]

#1067526

If you want to test for Graves’ Disease, it would seem reasonable to ask your doctor to have that test run ~ the most difficult part of having Graves’ is that its symptoms mimic other conditions, which of course also means that when we think we have Graves’, we may not…. Fortunately, finding out whether you are hyperthyroid is a relatively simple process, a very routine test, and rather conclusive in its results. If your doctor tests your TSH only (this is the hormone your pituitary secretes in order to give "instructions" to your thyroid), then you may see a normal test initially, if indeed you have only recently begun to have escalating thyroid hormone levels ~ the TSH can lag by a few weeks. Waiting a month or two and testing again would be more conclusive, and if your levels still read normal, then probably you should look elsewhere for the cause of your symptoms. It’s a good thing to have information on Graves’, no matter what, because you do have the family history, and your vigilance could keep you from being hyperthyroid for an extended period of time, if it DOES happen to you in the future.

As far as the swelling in your neck and the fact that it has increased in size while you were fighting off an infection, IF you are a person with Graves’ Disease, then the antibodies can be stimulated whenever the immune system is stimulated, such as a period of fighting off infection. The antibodies mimic TSH and they trick the thyroid into overproducing thyroid hormone, which can also give a patient a goiter (swelling of the thyroid). That’s one possibility for the swelling. There are many more possibilities that I don’t know anything about, so it’s always best to go over these things with your doctor.

Make sure you arrive with your list of questions in hand, and you may even want to bring a family member or friend ~ or a tape recorder or other digital recording device. I’m not kidding ~ I know it sounds extreme, but if what you are going through is hyperthyroidism, it’s hard enough to keep your own questions in your head. You may well miss some information while concentrating on your next question.

Let us know how the testing goes! And try to think of it this way ~ if it’s Graves’, at least you know what it is, you know something about your options, and you’ve found us, so we can guide you through your treatment and recovery. It’s a BIG improvement knowing what you’re dealing with, and Graves’ is very treatable.

[jmaller]

#1067527

Please get the simple test, I am not an expert but my 15 year old just had her thyroid removed due to Graves, you cannot start to heal until you know what ailment you have…it might be a process of elimination but you need to start the process now. It is not worth it to guess anymore, FYI it is a highly inherited disease. Bless you you in your search and recovery.

[SheriMartini]

#1018857

Hello everyone!

I suppose I don’t really know where to start… I feel a little bit silly even posting this. I’m 24 (verging on 25… uuughhh how time flies!) years old. My mother was diagnosed with Graves’ when I was quite young (elementary school) after a number of years of symptoms and problems. She eventually used radiation to kill her thyroid. I’m sorry if I don’t know all the terminology associated with the disease; I never really though much of the disease because she hid her symptoms from me, of course trying to protect me.

I’ve recently been suffering from a major bout of depression. I’ve attributed it to a very stressful work environment, but I have been having a difficult time even dealing with normal life circumstances. Somehow, I came across a list of symptoms associated with Graves’ Disease. At first I didn’t think much about it. And then I read through them a bit closer, and realized how many I have, and that I’ve had them for years.

Depression, dry and sandy feeling eyes, double vision, floaters, decreased sex drive (which I attributed to depression), very irregular menstrual periods, weight gain even though I typically only eat once a day, insomnia at night, fatigue during the day, extremely sensitive to heat, increased underarm sweat (which I attributed to weight gain), occasional choking feeling and neck tenderness.

When I was young, I was told that I have a Thyroglossal cyst. I had a large lump in my neck, that looked very much like an Adam’s apple, and I was told would probably shrink in size. And it has, and typically doesn’t cause any real discomfort. I typically only have a small line in my neck. It has only become inflamed once or twice since I’ve been an adult, and typically only when I have a serious Upper Respiratory Infection. Does this have any correlation with thyroid problems? I’ve researched this in the past, but was never really able to find any specific information with correlation.

I suppose what I’m getting at… and I feel completely ridiculous even asking this… Does this sound like Graves’ Disease? Am I making it all up in my head? I feel like I’m at my wits end and don’t really know what to do at this point… I suppose any help or advice would be so, extremely appreciated! Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this!

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