[Ski]

#1073570

It’s not so much that something is wrong with your thyroid, as that it is being tricked by the antibodies to overproduce hormone. There is a third option for treatment, which we refer to here as Anti-Thyroid Drugs, or ATDs. The two choices of ATD are PTU (short for propylthiuracil, you can see why), and Tapazole (the generic is methimazole, in Europe it’s known as carbimazole). They work slightly differently to attain the same goal, which is normal thyroid hormone levels.

Hyperthyroidism makes us feel so completely out of whack that our typical suggestion is to begin by using ATDs, because that is the only treatment decision that is not permanent. In addition to that, it’s much easier to make a rational decision once your levels have returned to normal and you can think clearly.

I’ll write more later ~ just wanted to give you that third option for now.

[bugpulver]

#1019708

Hello …

im 28 and have a 14 month old son….Ive been recently diagnosed with Graves Disease.. i know that i have the option of RAI or a TT… just wanted to get some insight from others that have been through this..

I was diagnosed dec 2008 i had originally went to GP for itching and she happened to test my tsh.. she ordered a thyroid ultrasound she originally diagnosed me with hashimotos but transferred my case as she was leaving the clinic…

my second doctor did a bunch of blood tests ( dont have info with me now can post it later if needed) and a physical exam and he diagnosed me with Hyperthyroidism/graves disease..

I am schedueld for a Radioactive Iodine Uptake Scan in a few days.

Either way im realizing that something is wrong with my thyroid and unsure if a RAI or TT is the better way to go.

Any Info or advice you can Offer me would be GREATLY appreciated!!!! Thank you In advance

[bugpulver]

#1073571

Thank you for posting! Thank you for reminding me it’s not my thyroid, Sometimes it is just easier to think of it that way. I was taking methimazole, right now I am off of it until the RAIU Scan.

Neither of my doctors has informed me that ADTs were a long term treatment. They explained that the end result of Graves diseases would be the thyroid “burning out” and I would end up being hypothyroid anyway. He told me to go ahead and either have a RAI or a TT so that I wouldn’t have to endure the symptoms. My doctor is recommending the RAI.I am not sure if it would be better to see an endocrinologist at this point.

[Ski]

#1073572

Well, all those judgments are really yours to make. ATDs can be a long term treatment, and if your thyroid burns out anyway after using them, then you go on replacement hormone at that time (instead of now). Some people do have trouble getting well regulated on ATDs (it can be a bit of a chore), but if you’re interested in making it work, you probably can. You need to be willing to pay careful attention to things. For that reason, some people choose RAI or surgery to just "be done with it." It is YOUR choice. Your doctor’s recommendation is something to consider, but it’s not necessarily the right answer FOR YOU.

If you end up wanting to decide between the two ablative therapies (surgery or RAI), again, they each carry pros and cons. Take your time with this decision ~ if the methimazole regulates your levels fairly well, you can decide in relative emotional "peace" while you heal from the hyperthyroidism. Everyone I know who has chosen their own treatment with careful consideration has been happy with their choice and has had a successful treatment ~ and I’m talking about people who each chose a different one of the three possible treatments. Honestly, I believe one of the markers for a successful course of treatment is a patient who went into the process fully informed and making every decision for themselves. In order to do that effectively, you need to do a lot of research. Start by reading the posts here ~ there’s a LOT of good information. Be wary of hunting the internet ~ not all sites subscribe to the same standards of medical accuracy. Not all are snake oil either. Look for seals of approval from medical groups.

Oh, and some of the recommended books on our main page can be great basic information about thyroid disorders in general and Graves’ in particular.

If you’d like to look for an endo, go ahead ~ some general practitioners can effectively treat you, but some can’t. You can seek out an endo and decide later, if you like. See how this doctor reacts to your decision to make your OWN choice. If they can "take it," then maybe they can see you through it. Open-mindedness can be one of the most important traits of a doctor. And remember, that also is YOUR choice. If your doctor is not serving you, switch. Even if you have insurance, YOU are paying their paycheck, and you don’t have to if you don’t like the way they’re treating you.

Best of luck as you go through this process! We’ll be here for you. ” title=”Very Happy” /> Remember that reading the BB is typically reading about a LOT of difficulty. People who feel well don’t come looking for advice. So don’t let the stories frighten you. This is largely a group of the newly diagnosed or those having difficulty in treatment.

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