[Anonymous]

#1039923

Thanks! That was the encouragement I needed. I was afraid I was being too naive about this whole thing – -that I was getting off easy and that attitude was going to come back to haunt me. I’m hoping I caught it early enough to avoid too much prolonged damage from my body from being hyperthyroid. All things considered, since I didn’t have the goiter, was able to avoid surgery, (I HATE needles, let alone sharp tiny knives), the eye disease or the dreaded thyroid storm I was worried about, I guess I did get pretty lucky.

Thanks, Ladies.

Jude

[Anonymous]

#1128753

That’s what I wonder. If the thyroid is destroyed by RAI, then what
what do those antibodies attack? Is that why TED develops so
often after RAI? Has anyone heard of any research done on des-
troying the antibodies? I hope genetic engineering will event=
ually find a real cure for this disease, and then we can all
keep our thyroids. Any info from the on-line facilitator would
be welcome.

[Anonymous]

#1128754

The reason TED is more likely to happen after RAI is that for some unknown reason, having RAI appears to temporarily increase the number of antibodies that can cause the eye disease. Administering prednisone will prevent that effect, but of course it has its own side effects, so the doctor must decide in each case whether the risk is worth the benefits.

It would be impossible to say for certain that the antibodies don’t affect anything except the thyroid, eyes, shins or possibly cause clubbing of fingers and toes, but those are the only known effects. There is also some research being done on the possibility that some of the antibodies can be associated with depression.

It’s possible to have the eye disease many years after the thyroid has been treated–but other than that, once the disease is successfully treated, as far as is known the main issues we have to deal with are the thyroid levels, and many people go on to almost forget they ever had Graves’ except for taking the pills daily and monitoring the thyroid levels every year or so.

Studies have also shown that Graves’ patients MAY have continuing problems with certain neuropsychological issues. Whether these are caused by the antibodies or the thyroid levels has not been determined. (See NGDF Bulletin #43, available for purchase on the NGDF home page or as part of membership, new or renewal.)

Much research is being done on autoimmune diseases in general, which should eventually help with Graves’ Disease also, to address the cause (antibodies) instead of the symptoms. AIDS research has revealed much about the immune system which might be helpful in solving this puzzle.

Hope that is what you were asking.
Dianne W
Asst. Online Facilitator, NGDF

[Author]

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