[Estelle1951]

#1019750

I have been advised that I most likely have Graves Disease. While getting my labs done for my choloestrol, it was noted in early Dec. that my TSH levels were below the range. I was sent for a Thyroid Panel 1 mo. later and it was even lower. I reviewed my labs from the past year and in 2007 they were fine and started dropping in early 2008 which my PCP never picked up. I always get copies of my labs for my own records, but usually only bothered with my cholesterol numbers; I trusted the doctor was looking over everything else! Well, I went to the Endo who told me the levels of the TSH 3 & 4 were indicative of Graves Disease, which I already knew from online research. I am now going this week for the Tyroid Uptake Scan where I take the Radioactive Idodine Pill and get 2 days of "photo ops"! I also have 2 sets of labs being done; one for Lipid Panel and one for Thyroid Panel. While I have most of the symptoms, one of the symptoms I don’t have is the weight loss. In fact, I have been dieting since Jan. 5th and while I lost 6 lbs. in 6 weeks, I have maintained the diet and strayed very very little! I have dieted in the past and had much better results. I am not obese and would only like to lose about 10-15 lbs to feel better. It’s not much but it’s uncomfortable on and for me and enough to make me feel drained. I was not aware of the possibility of Graves Disease when I started the diet, I just knew I had been putting on weight the last few months and attributed it to the fact I stopped smoking in October and of course there were the holidays in between. My endo is concerned with treatment options because of I have exceedingly high cholestrerol (250) even with medicine (LDL is 166 and HDL is 64) and it also appears that my Liver enzymes are off. There is also a possibility that I may have Fibra Myalgia and I am holding off see the Rheumatologist until I deal with this. I can’t handle the blood work & tests for 2 separate conditions. I am on a "Tylenol & Ibuprophren" holiday (taking it only when I absolutely HAVE TO) until I get the labs done to make sure these are not affecting the blood being tested. Some of my symtoms are mild (the depression and heat intolerance) while some of more severe, the muscle pain, irritability, which can or cannot be affilated with Graves. It could also be the Cholesterol meds or the FM. Anyone out there have any t hougts? Particularly why I am not losing weight especially in light of my diet??? Thanks for listening.

[Ski]

#1073843

Hi Estelle,

One of the first and most important things to know about Graves’ Disease is that, while a symptom list exists, it is very broad, and none of us are "one-size-fits-all" patients, so we may not have some symptoms, and we may have DIFFERENT symptoms in some cases. I have a friend who was gaining weight, with her eyes bulging out of her head, and it took the doctors TWO YEARS to check her thyroid levels because "you’re gaining weight, it can’t be hyperthyroidism." SO frustrating. She suffered far too long, simply for the lack of one inexpensive thyroid test.

Doctors will try to back out of the discussion by saying "you must be eating more," and of course that theory goes out the window for you, since you’ve been dieting!! The only other thing I’ve ever heard suggested was to say it could be caused by the muscle wasting that occurs with hyperthyroidism. We lose muscle mass in our large muscle groups (upper arms, legs, and chest muscles), which means our body cannot process as many calories as it did before, since muscle mass actually "eats" calories, even while we’re at rest. When muscle mass goes away, it can’t "eat" the calories, so weight gain can result.

Tylenol and ibuprofen should not have any effect on your thyroid hormone levels, by the way.

It sounds as if you’ve done a LOT of research already, and you’re well ahead of the "average" patient in terms of understanding where you stand, so that is GREAT. You’ll probably have an easier time of treatment, with the understanding you’ve already gained.

We’re here to support you through the process, so please keep visiting, and ask any questions you may have (no matter how weird you think they may sound!!). ” title=”Very Happy” />

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