[Missionfield]

#1059150

Hello! I am writing again due to confusion on what to do. All of my labs are below for reference thus far. I have been taking Methimazole since late 2011 and have not felt well at all. I have had times where I have felt better then others, but always super fatigued and weird.

My current Dr. says that my labs are fine and that I need to keep taking the medicine at 5mg. daily. Or I can choose RAI/Surgery if I feel I am not liking the meds. I recently got severely ill (hypo I think) in the beginning of May and this is what has brought me to investigate. I first thought it was an allergy to the medicine itself, but I think it was severe hypo perhaps.

I have recently had a different Dr. review my labs and she thinks I have subclinical hyperthyroidism and Graves and should not be on the meds at this time. I should wean off of them now going to 2.5mg for a week, then 1.25 a week, then get blood work done again in 6wks.

I think I could lower my dose based on the #’s below, but I also know I have been on 5mg before long term and I still felt pretty lousy. I don’t want to risk correct treatment by going off of the meds., but then if it is true I might not need them then maybe it would help?? So confusing!!! I know no one can tell me what to do, but maybe some help interpreting the labs a bit would help I guess. I just want a solid Dr. who goes by how I feel not just #’s.

Thanks for letting me vent. What a journey this disease take us on. I have learned so much in the past few weeks. Find strength everyone!!

-missionfield

[Kimberly]

#1172537

Hello – We’re not doctors here, so we can’t interpret specific labs, but we can provide some general information.

Having below normal TSH but normal T3/T4 is referred to as “subclinical hyperthyroidism”. The American Thyroid Association and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists released some guidance last this year on treating subclinical hyperthyroidism. Here is a quick excerpt:

When TSH is persistently <0.1 mU/L, treatment of SH should be strongly considered in all individuals >=65 years of age, and in postmenopausal women who are not on estrogens or bisphosphonates; patients with cardiac risk factors, heart disease or osteoporosis; and individuals with hyperthyroid symptoms.

When TSH is persistently below the lower limit of normal but > or = 0.1 mU/L, treatment of SH should be considered in individuals >=65 years of age and in patients with cardiac disease or symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

In the first category, the guidance says treatment should be “strongly considered”; whereas in the second category, the guidance says treatment should be “considered.”

This would be good information to discuss with your doctor as you decide on the next phase of your treatment path.

[Missionfield]

#1172538

Kimberly-
Thanks that information it is helpful. I appreciate it! I guess I will talk over again with my doctor.

Take care-

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