[snapshot]

#1018669

My sister has graves disease but does not have internet so she asked me to post a question here for her.

She had her thyroid removed 13 years ago through RAI..she now takes 300mg of synthroid for hypothyroid…her doctor told her that is the highest possible dose he can give her but her levels still will not go back to normal. He told her if that didn’t work she would have to take thyroid replacement injections.(similar to a diabetic taking insulin) She was wondering if anyone has heard of this, does this, or has any information regarding this??

[Bobbi]

#1066352

I’ve never heard of shots, but one of the other facilitators might have.

I did want to mention the experience of a friend of mine who was on a similarly high dose of replacement hormone and not "responding" like your sister. She had occasion to switch doctors, and the new doctor made a comment about taking her replacement hormone first thing in the morning, and waiting an hour or so before taking ANY other medications or eating anything. My friend, who has heart disease, had been taking all of her medications at one time because no one had every cautioned her to separate her thyroid medication from the others. She was able to lower her dose of replacement rather significantly. So, check that your sister is taking it and waiting at least a half hour before breakfast. Calcium supplements, multivitamins, etc. should be taken no sooner than four hours after the replacement hormone. Any other medications? Have her talk with her pharmacist about how best to take them in relation to her thyroid meds. And if she is taking supplements of some type or other, she needs to be careful of those, as well.

If any of these comments resonate with her, please have her consult with her doctor about how best to change the way she takes her thyroid hormone while insuring that she is not taking too much thyroid replacement.

[snapshot]

#1066353

Thanks bobbi..i never thought of that ..she is on quite a few medications ..

for anxiety and she is on morphine for her fibromyalgia…her doctor said its the worst case of it he’s seen.. she is also on a couple other meds for various things..i will definitely let her know about taking them separately!

thanks

[snelsen]

#1066354

Hello, I am sorry that your sister has so many issues at the same time. Is she seeing an endorcrinologist for her thyroid status?
If she is not, I highly recommend that she find one, and get a fresh look at her situation. It has been my experience that getting second opinions is always a good idea, and most doctors recommend it, feel comfortable with it, will help send records to the person she chooses. It is my thought that if a doctor is defensive about it, that is not a good thing, but that is my opinion and my experience.

[npatterson]

#1066355

I am aware of injectable thyroid, but only know it for a compliance concern. I, too, wold suggest that your sister get all her medications evaluated relative to her thyroid hormone–timing, interactions and absorption. Plewase keep us posted.

Take care,

[snapshot]

#1066356

Thanks for the replies… i feel so bad for my sister …she has been all over the place since she had the RAI with her meds… she was just in the hospital last month from a mild stroke and the doctor said her thyroid levels were coma levels …(didn’t even know that was possible) all of this while still on the highest dose… i have told her several times to find a new doctor…I have the same problem but i have totally different doctors and i don’t have half the worries she does.. she has been in the hospital several times due to enlarged organs ..not sure if that is from the graves or from medicine that she is on….but i will pass this information on .thank you so much!!!!

Nancy i was wondering what you mean by compliance concerns??

[Bobbi]

#1066357

Nancy may not spot this question quickly, snapshot, so I will try to put words in her mouth. ” title=”Smile” /> Compliance means that the person is actually taking the medication the way they have been instructed to, in the amount they were instructed to take.

[Author]

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