[jrs1218]

#1058748

I have discovered that my thyroid reacts negatively to sucralose. I hadn’t eaten anything and my thyroid started making me feel like my neck was being squeezed and I realized that the only thing I could have had a reaction to was the Mio in my spring water. I tested that theory and found out that it was true. When I looked on the internet, there were articles about sucralose’s negative effects on the thalmus glad. Does anyone else have this problem with artificial sweetners? I was surprised that the the two different doctors that I have seen didn’t mention it.

I should mention that I have Graves’ Disease. I was diagnosed in June and trying to use meds to control it, but my body isn’t responding correctly to the meds so I need to find another solution. I went very hypo on the meds and now that my dose is cut down I was feeling better, but am starting to exhibit hyperthyroid symptoms again even though my t-3, t-4 and tsh are in the normal range. I really don’t want to do the radiation because my body is so sensitive to medications that I am afraid it will mess me up. (For example, when I had my son, they gave me medicine to induce labor and it stopped my labor. When they got me off the meds, I went right into labor.) I’m scared, depressed, and tired of dealing with this. I just want it to go away.

[Kimberly]

#1169791

Hello – I’ve seen several different theories tossed around about artificial sweeteners, but I’m not aware of any research from a credible source on this issue.

I’m sorry you had such a bad experience with the Anti-Thyroid Drugs. The usual process is to monitor levels very closely and adjust the dose as needed to *prevent* you from becoming hypothyroid. However, remaining in a hyperthyroid state is extremely risky, so you do need to select a treatment option: giving the ATDs another try — or going with RAI or surgery.

If you use the search function on this board to search for "RAI", "thyroidectomy", etc., you can read many first-hand stories from patients who have chosen the various treatment options. Ultimately, though, it’s important to do your research, weigh the risks and benefits of each option, and make a decision that you are comfortable with.

Wishing you all the best.

[snelsen]

#1169792

Hi, Kimberly pretty much covered what I was planning to say. Regarding the sucralose, it seems that for whatever reason, it is better for you not to take it us consume any product that contains it. There are not any good long term studies on it, but there are have been some evidence that artificial sweeteners have some negative physiological implications for people.
Of course you sick of feeling the way you feel! That is all of us, before we made decisions about the treatment we chose, and get on the "other side" of Graves’ symptoms. Sounds like you are taking ATD’s now, and they are managed as Kimberly says. From what you wrote, you are getting labs (how often?) Generally, if there is good communication with the doc about how you are feeling, plus pretty frequent labs after diagnosis when trying to determine the right amount of ATD’s, the dose should have been adjusted so you did not have your hypo episode. Or, as you say, ATD’s may not be the choice for you. But it is, important to take them, and be followed closely when you are first diagnosed and hyper, so you CAN make a decision about the treatment you choose. I suggest, also, that you read the experiences of others about the three choices. You may be moving to your decision if you don’t want to continue with ATD’s, and don’t want radiation. So that leaves surgery. Everyone on this board has chose one of these three options, and all have generally been very happy with there choice.
**The best way to make it all go away, is to move forward, be sure you do not remain in a hyper state (dangerous)
do your research, and make a plan. You will feel much more empowered, and will have every chance to have good health (with a little monitering and some replacement hormone) for the rest of your life.
Shirley

[Bobbi]

#1169793

A thought came to me about this topic this morning. It is only one person’s experience, not validated by research. But about ten years ago, I went to doctors seeking help with nausea. My GP happens to be of the old school — "Let’s see if it is something you are eating…." So, I paid attention to those types of things, and wondered if perhaps the sugar free gum I was chewing in significant quantities could be the cause. So, I gave it up — these gums have sucrose, or some such artificial sweetener in them, known to cause gas, and perhaps diarrhea, but not nausea. My nausea cleared up. A few months later, I was eating some "sugar-free" ice cream, and within the hour was feeling nauseated. I looked at the ingredients, and, sure enough, the same artificial sweetener. So, while I don’t think it’s the thyroid that adversely interacts with artificial sweeteners (because I eliminated my thyroid 15 years ago), I do think that they can cause problems for some individuals.

[jrs1218]

#1169794

Thank you for all of your input. I really appreciate it. I have been doing my labs every 6 or so weeks since June. I finally skipped one because I am broke and tired of feeling like I am getting the run around (and no solid info) from the doctors. I did switch doctors once. I think I am going to look for one in a bigger city. I have not stopped, nor will I stop, taking my meds. I would turn into a raging lunatic again! ” title=”Wink” />

I don’t think that my thyroid is hyper right now. I just have some of the symptoms. (I have heard of people having symptoms without being hyper.) The Methimazole made me hypo quickly and then, with monthly decreases, has taken all these months to get me feeling somewhat normal again. My first test put my TSH at 7.5, the second was 15.8 (after reducing the meds), the third was back to 7.5 with T-4 and T-3(?) back in the normal range, I will be having the next test soon. I think I need a little more time that 4-6 weeks between tests because my body reacts quickly to the meds and than takes time to balance out to what the "normal" reaction is going to be.

My thyroid is still swollen, but I am down to 2.5 mg of Methimazole daily. Does the swelling go away at some point? Is there a "normal" for that?

I feel like I am just going blah blah blah, but I hope you can follow what I am saying. I also wish I knew all the lingo. It makes it really hard to understand what other people are saying when you don’t know the acronyms. ” title=”Smile” />

Two of the websites I looked at about the Sucralose are below:

http://www.redicecreations.com/specialr … alose.html
http://www.edinformatics.com/math_scien … ralose.htm

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