[Ski]

#1066243

You could well have continued symptoms because of the length of time that your body was under "attack" by thyroid hormone. You may also be within the normal RANGE of thyroid hormone levels, but you may not have found your normal POINT within the normal range. Both of these things could be contributing to your continued symptoms.

The healing will continue as long as your levels are normal, and relatively stable. Some parts of your body may never return completely to normal, others may eventually get there. It’s impossible for us to say with certainty what your outcome will be exactly. You may want to check in with a physical therapist, at least to evaluate your muscle strength, and develop an exercise plan that is sensible and will help you get your body back into condition. Some people come out of hyperthyroidism at only a fraction of the strength they should have, and it’s easy to overdo when that’s the case.

As for finding your normal POINT within the thyroid hormone range ~ you need an endocrinologist who will work with you to find that. If you keep a symptom diary, that can help your doctor function as a "team member" in the process. We used to have one as a bulletin, not sure if we still do, but basically keep a daily diary of your symptoms in some kind of spreadsheet format. Note their severity and frequency, and in your case I would also keep a diet diary, with the foods you eat and the exercise you get. That should probably be separate. Your doctor should be willing to adjust your thyroid hormone replacement by small bits to see how your body reacts, based on what you see in the symptom diary. The end result is that you find YOUR normal, forever, so it’s worth the time spent, but please know that it WILL take time. Everything Graves’ requires patience. When you change your thyroid hormone replacement dose, you need to wait at least six weeks before you have blood drawn again, so that your body will have had full opportunity to adjust to the dose and your TSH levels will accurately reflect your body’s reaction. During that time you will feel a little up, a little down, and after a few weeks go by you typically level out (even if it’s not "perfect").

I’m so glad you finally got a correct diagnosis, and you are well on the way to healing. Be kind to yourself. Your body has gone through a severe assault. You will need a LOT of time to heal.

[sopheus42]

#1018652

Hi! I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease in 2000 and hyperthyroidism. I had the disease since I was about 12 the doctor’s think and was 21 when it was diagnosed. I had a very large goiter (so large that all the doctors and assistants in the hospital were asked to come and look at it). I used to pass out for long intervals, sometimes 15-20 minutes, and had terrible palpatitions. I went to a heart doctor who diagnosed me with Mitral Valve Prolapse and put me on a heart monitor. I had lost about 30 pounds and my personality changed drastically. I finally got a second opinion from another cardiologist who asked if my thyroid levels had ever been checked. When my levels were checked, the doctor asked me to come in immediately because they were so high. I was told that I would have died within a couple of months if I had not had it checked out. I attempted medications to control the hyperthyroidism but was allergic to them and had to discontinue. I was scheduled for radioactive treatment. After the first dose, I was still hyperthyroid and had to have another I-131 treatment. After that, I have been hypothyroid and have been taking increased doses over the past 10 years. I began at 50mcg of Synthroid and am now up to 150 mcg. I am still having symptoms of the hypothyroidism–weight gain, depression, concentration issues, etc. I also get sick often and am wondering if it has to do with my diagnosis of Grave’s Disease? After having the radioactive treatment and going hypothyroid, is Grave’s Disease still present? My doctor says my levels are okay even though I don’t always feel normal. Is it possible that I could still have symptoms because of my extreme case of hyperthyroidism? I would love to understand more about the disease and my case; but, I can’t seem to get my doctor to listen to my entire history and see if he can give me some insight as to why I still have symptoms. (I’ve changed doctors since 2000 because I was in college at the time.) Any help and information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[mamabear]

#1066244

I have nothing advice wise to add but wanted to say welcome and ((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))

For having this disease at such a young age….. wow…. Take a deep breathe, you will get through this too. You know your body and you should fight for what goal you want with how you feel. Picking through dr’s till you find the right one is always OK!!!

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