[Anonymous]

#1057727

Danielle,

I really don’t regret the PTU decision. My major problem was that at
first I had a bad reaction to a beta blocker and therefore was afraid
to take ANY betablockers. I had trouble with anxiety from this disease
and so the doctor gave me Xanax to at least calm that. I basically put
myself through three months of hell! Once I started the betablocker I’m on
now I felt much better, but then had to withdraw from the Xanax. Not a
pleasant experience!!!! That is what is causing the insomnia I’m having
right now, along with PMS which seems to aggravate Graves’ symptoms. It
has something to do with the overstiumlation of the adrenal glands by
female hormones (and they’re already aggravated by thyroid hormones).

My baby is 8 mos. old. I was hoping it was Postpartum Thyroiditis, too.
I tried to convince myself that it was. Anyhow, getting Graves’ postpartum
does give you a higher likelihood to remit. Plus, it takes 10-14 weeks for
the excess hormones to get out of most of your tissues and feel alright according
to the book I read. I figure, once I’m past this withdrawal thing, I ought to
be feeling pretty AOK. I’m actually optimistic about the PTU at this point,
my blood levels of T3 and T4 are back within the normal range, the TSH is
still virtually undetectable but this will come with time.

I hope you feel well and make the best decision for you. Glynis

[Anonymous]

#1166780

I was just diagnosed with hyperthyroidism yesterday. My doctor told me mine was similar to Graves Disease. I do have all of the symptoms (heat aversion, rapid pulse, weight loss, etc) except my thyroid is not enlarged. Is an enlarged thyroid a typical symptom of Graves Disease? If it is, what could be explainations for mine not being enlarged?

I am only 20 years old and am concerned about my treatment options. I am currently on a beta blocker and another drug to reduce my tyroid production. My doctor told me I will probably have to have radioactive iodine treatment: has anyone had any side affects with this treatment?

Also, what would be the test results for someone who has a normally functioning thyroid. My blood work showed my thyroid was working twice the pace it should. Is that high?

Thanks!
Rochelle

[Anonymous]

#1166781

Hi, Rochelle, and welcome to the board.

There can be causes of hyperthyroidism other than Graves. To know whether you have Graves or not, the doctors look for the existance of a specific antibody — TSA (Thyroid Stimulating Antibody). The treatment options may vary due to the cause of the hyperthyroidism.

My thyroid was of a normal size, too, when I had the uptake and scan. So normal in fact, that the first, oral report back from the test was that I was not hyperthyroid! Three days later, when the written report came in, and the uptake showed 61%, my doctor called me back and said, “(gulp)Uh, you really are hyperthyroid. Sorry about the first report.” Or words to that effect. An endo told me I had Graves, because of the antibody markers which showed up in the blood tests.

There are some good books, written for non-medical people, about the thyroid, and treatment options. I would recommend you read, read, read, so that you completely understand what is involved, and at risk, in any of them, and go from there. You MUST treat the hyperthyroidism. Untreated it can cause you lots of other health problems down the line.

Bobbi — wishing you good luck

[Anonymous]

#1166782

Hi, Glad to find this bullentin board. I have so many questions. I was diagnosed this week with Graves Disease..TSH 0.34, scan showed 66% iodine absorbtion in thyroid. What’s next? How did you decide surgery vs.radiation treatment? Any comments appreciated. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

#1166783

Hi Pat,

Is your Endo suggesting that you should have surgery to remove your thyroid? I don’t know what your circumstances are but in my case I had a wonderful Endo in Boston and when he discussed treatment options with me he told me that surgery was usually a last resort. Most Dr’s will suggest you have the Radioactive Iodine (RAI) treatment done. Again, this is just from my experience and I’m sure there are others who can offer more input to you.

The RAI treatment has it’s ups and downs (if it doesn’t work the first time, you’ll need to go through it again) but is effective for the most part. At least it was in my case. Make sure you ask your Dr. ALOT of questions, even if you think you’re sounding redundant sometimes. It took me until AFTER I had gone through 3 Doctors to finally get some “plain english” answers that I could understand and comprehend.

[Anonymous]

#1166784

Hi Tracy-

RAI worked for me in the sense that I was not hyperthyroid any longer. I was now hypothyroid but, for me, hypothyroid was worse (I had a waking HR of 150 in the am when I was hyperthyroid). Hypothyroidism was much more unpleasant mostly because I didn’t have any drive at all.

Hypothyroidism can be bad for your health too. We’ve, in the past, been inundated with work that shows how bad hyperthyroidism is. But now there are studies which definitively show how bad hypothyroidism is.

Take care,

Julie

[Author]

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