[vanillasky]

#1059727

Hi Guys

Just wondering if you think that stress aggravates Graves’ antibodies?

Was thinking today and wondering if indeed Graves’ is brought on by stress?

what brought it to mind was last summer. My TSH was about 3.0 and then began to rapidly drop. My husband was in the hospital with renal failure and I was very upset. I lost about 3 pounds during that week. No other symptoms although I did take the time to eat properly even though it was difficult.

It was after that, TSH remained suppressed until my diagnosis in October, 2012. Question” do you think that brought it on? I mean, we know i’ve had thyroid issues for years, but just wondering if that was the icing on the cake.

Karen:/

[Kimberly]

#1177086

Hello – The current theory is that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to getting an autoimmune disease — and then some “trigger” actually activates the disease. Stress is believed to be one trigger, but there are others as well (viral illness, something in the environment, or physical trauma). Plus, there are probably some triggers that have yet to be discovered, so it’s hard to say for sure if a particular episode was the trigger in your case.

Personally, I have noticed that I flare hypER when going through a significantly stressful period. And while there is not much research specifically on stress and Graves’, there is definite medical research showing a link between stress and overall health. This presentation from our 2011 Boston conference talks about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mea202U9wgQ

Take care!

[catstuart7]

#1177087

Yes, yes, yes.

[AzGravesGuy]

#1177088

I agree with Kimberly and Cat. There may be other circumstances but when it comes down to it…..yes.

I started a very high stress job 2 months before my diagnosis, no thyroid problems ever before. The first month I was ok, the second month I lost 30 lbs.

Stress hurts the body. Period. How the body reacts is up to the individual.

[vanillasky]

#1177089

Hey Graves’Guy! glad to see you post. how are you?

Yes, looks like it’s unamimous. Stress is indeed a factor

[Khadijah]

#1177090

Absolutely! I know my husband gave me graves for sure!

[jenm05]

#1177091

^^^LOL! I just said the same thing to my friend two minutes ago.

[jaqeinquotation]

#1177092

Same here…..without a doubt my past relationship and the seperation caused the worst flare up. I always said to him that something there was something wrong, that I wasn’t feeling myself but he always brushed it off and said you’re fine, nothing’s wrong with you. Smh

[LaurelM]

#1177093

I certainly think it CAN have an influence. I’d been doing fairly well on PTU but had to raise my dose at my last endo visit. My mother had been critically ill due to a surgical complication. Along with trying to do normal holiday things for the kids, other commitments, and the stress of her illness, I was pretty worn out. Sure enough, my last blood work showed my levels were too high. Sorry for the strong language but darn those pesky hormones!
Laurel

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