[knitlit]

#1019683

I had they radio iodine thyroid uptake test this week, mon/tues. I found out the results this a.m, confirming that my thyroid reacted consistent w/Graves disease.

Thyroid probs run in my family, but no one has had GD to my knowledge. My oldest sis has Hashimoto’s and sjorjens?(sp), my other sister had her thyroid removed due to non cancerous nodules? 20 years ago, my mom has been on synthroid for years for a non-functioning hypothyoid, her parents both had their thyroids removed, my 2nd to the oldest sister also had hypothyroid problems.

Me, I have always been healthy, but thought if I ever had thyroid problems, I would be hypo.

I don’t like going to the dr.s, I hate the whole process of being poked and prodded, so have happily been a patient who only goes to the dr. when they are sick. Not counting prenatal care 25 years ago, I have only been to the dr.a few times in my adult life. I knew that I needed to establish regular care even though I feel good, we lost sister #2 to BC, Dec 2007.

Late November Oldest Sis wants me to go to her dr., she doesn’t like the way my eyes look I feel fine, I haven’t noticed anything about my eyes, (know I need an eye checkup too, know I will probably need to change my glasses prescription). I finally remember to call for an appointment w/her dr. that last week of December and get a mid January appt.. (This was quick! lol I was thinking it would be at least mid Feb before they can fit me in) The dr. aware of thyroid history, includes that test as part of the lab orders, refers me to an opthamologist also. (my mother having glaucoma) Everything seems fine up until I go to see the Opthamologist.

The eye appointment was about 2 weeks after the initial doctor visit and first set of labwork done. I find out that I have a left eye that is bulging slightly, am questioned as to if I had noticed it, and if it had been getting worse, did I have thyroid problems? Graves Disease? I had heard of GD but didn’t know what it was. My response was of course no thyroid probs for me, but the problems run in my family and that I had just rec’d my lab results in the mail, and that they were normal. (WRONG!)My eyes were healthy, but she wants to see me in a month to do a periphial screening etc to rule out reasons for my bulging eye. (I have a good sense of humor, and even though I was taken by surprise over the bulging left eye, when she asked if I had noticed it bulging more etc. I had responded that "I don’t turn my head side to side in the mirror checking out my eyes, and no one had mentioned the bulging eye UNLESS they were just being polite? Except my annoying oldest sister that is, who said that she didn’t like the way my eyes were looking!")

Despite my sense of humor, I was stunned after the exam, mulling over the implications of a bulging eye, GD? probably not since my labs came back normal for thyroid. hmmmm a brain tumor certainly doesn’t sound good either. When I got home I started surfing through my library’s website, Gale Medical Reference center, mayo clinic etc. Finding out that there were over 200 conditions that can cause eyes to bulge! Most those other conditions? much much worse things to have than GD. I start researching GD because, even though I thought my thyroid was in the normal ranges, I knew through my sisters experiences that the levels can be in the normal ranges but still be off?

Reading the list of GD symptoms, I didn’t think I could have it though. I hadn’t had heart palpitations or a racing pulse, I had gained weight over the holidays due to holiday eating, so I definitely didn’t fit the normal profile of hyper losing weight while eating more, I am in a healthy weight range for my height/frame. I have had muscle spasms in my eyes every now and then, but just figured it was normal. My hands do have very slight tremors every now and then, but I attributed this to times when I feel fatigue or when it’s time to get some food.

Fast-forward to my followup appointment w/the dr. and the lab results. He tells me that my cholesterol levels are excellent, sugar excellent, vitamin D very low, thyroid high. I asked how high out of the norm? his response was "Way high". He sends me for more labs, this time specifically for TSH antibodies, Free T 4. I told him of the eye dr.’s questions about GD. I was told that the results of this round of tests will verify if I have GD. He puts me on 50,000 units of D 1x a week for 6 weeks too.

Lab results from Feb 11:
FREE T4 Reference Range .58-1.64
Value 2.82

TSH Ref. Range .40-5.00
Value .02

TRAB Ref Range 0-9
25
Note was: Positive results are consistent with autoimmune thyroid disease.

I had the followup w/the Opthamologist, the additional tests were fine. W/the TED she wants to see me again in 6 months, she said we now have a baseline to keep a check on it.

My dr. has been great, calling me when the results of the 2nd set of labs showed hyperthyroid problems, he is scheduling me for the thyroid uptake and referring me to an Endo. He emphasized that if I hadn’t heard from the Endo by Wed Feb 25, to call his office. ‘That was too long" in his words if I wasn’t contacted. Yesterday I touched base w/his office because I hadn’t heard from the Endo.(I hadn’t thought to ask who I was being referred too initially either) It hadn’t been done, so they called the referral in while I was there. I have an Endo appointment Mar 13. I see my regular dr. on Mar 11 for followup on the vitamin D and probably more indepth comment on the Thyroid uptake test.
Thanks for reading my ramblings, it is a comfort to find this site.

[amyl]

#1073402

Welcome!!
I’m glad you found this Board and, at the same time, I’m sorry that you need it ” title=”Smile” />
I’m definitely no expert but it sounds like you may have caught this early. It also sounds as though you aren’t too troubled by your symptoms which is wonderful. The people on this site are so helpful and can probably answer most of your questions. Good luck!!
Amy

[Ski]

#1073403

We’re glad you found us! Sounds like you’re in good hands all around. Just learn all you can about both conditions ~ Graves’ (the thyroid disease) and TED (Thyroid Eye Disease). For now you have gotten good advice and are proceeding with your treatment, but you will want to know what’s ahead. Breathe deep, you’re on the road to recovery. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[knitlit]

#1073404

Amy & Ski thanks for the warm welcome.

RE: not being too troubled. I have had a range of emotions. At each new nugget of dismal information, I think , "Oh great, just what I need, for people to think I am crazy if I get the dementia symptoms." I was concerned about the Radioactive Iodine Uptake test, worried about a reaction to the iodine going into anapaleptic (sp?) shock. I was confusing it w/the RAI treatment to kill the thyroid. ” title=”Confused” />

You might say that I have had a period of over reaction in comparison to my actual symptoms. (I am so glad I have never smoked! looks like that is definitely in my favor) I am trying to be pragmatic but upbeat.

F.Y.I. I have a book from the library that is called "Living Well With Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism" by Mary J. Shomon, c2005. This book covers a lot of territory: Traditional treatments, alternative and nutritional, as well as info on going hypo after treatments, helpful checklists of symptoms to take to the Dr./Endo are also included.

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