[pebbles2010]

#1060594

I am new here. I have ulcerative colitis and now I may have GD. I am waiting for the complete bloodwork to come back. I am tired of being tired, I have hand shakes, nightsweats, migraines etc. My mother has graves disease as well.

Is GD inherited? Thanks for listening.

[Kimberly]

#1183559

Hello and welcome – although Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, there are other causes as well, such as overactive thyroid nodules and thyroiditis. Once you have a correct diagnosis, you can select a treatment option.

The current theory is that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to getting an autoimmune disease (which includes Graves’, UC, lupus, etc.) — and then some “trigger” actually activates the disease. Suspected triggers can include viral illness, something in the environment, stress, or physical trauma.

But it’s not 100% genetic. If one identical twin gets Graves’, there is a higher probability of the other twin getting Graves, but it’s nowhere near 100%, which would be the case if genetics was the only factor at work.

Wishing you all the best as you go through this difficult waiting period.

[pebbles2010]

#1183560

I found out my T4 reflex came back at .081. They put me on Metrolopol tatra. My shakes and heart rate are much better. I waiting for the antibody test which takes about a week. They said the T4 reflex is normal???

It seems low to me? Plus the metrolopol is helping. So how can the T4 be normal?

Thanks Kim for replying. It is much appreciated.

[Kimberly]

#1183561

Hello – It would be helpful for you to get a hard copy of your labs so that you can see for yourself where your levels are compared to the “normal” range.

TSH is a substance produced by the pituitary gland that either directs the thyroid gland to produce more hormone or to put the brakes on thyroid hormone production. The amount of TSH produced generally depends on a “feedback loop” according to where our thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4) are. When T3/T4 are too high (hypER) the pituitary shuts down production of TSH to try and tell the thyroid to stop producing extra hormone. When T3/T4 are too low (hypO) the pituitary cranks out TSH to get the thyroid to produce MORE thyroid hormone.

However, TSH is often an early warning sign of thyroid trouble, so it can move out of range even while T3/T4 are still normal. Even with just the TSH out of range, patients can still feel symptoms of hyper (TSH too low) or hypo (TSH too high).

There is a test called “TSH with reflex to T4”, which means that they test TSH and if that is out of range, then they also test T4, so that might be the one that you had.

[pebbles2010]

#1183562

The doc sent me my Thyroglobulin Antibodies results:

THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES <1 Range: <=1 IU/mL (Collection Date: 03/04/2015)
THYROID PEROXIDASE ANTIBODIES <1 Range: <9 IU/mL (Collection Date: 03/04/2015)

So if these results are normal, why do I still have symptoms. I am sooooo confused.

[Kimberly]

#1183563

Hello – Hopefully, you have a followup with your doctor to discuss the results.

TPOab and TGab are “markers” for autoimmune thyroid disease, but they are not specific for Graves’ disease.

TSI or TRAb are antibody tests that can detect Graves’ disease. If those tests come back negative as well, then you will want to look at other possible causes.

[pebbles2010]

#1183564

Just recently had a Thyroid Panel with TSH, 3rd gen and reflex. The results are confusing me.

Thyroxine (t4) Value is 5.7 ref. range is 6.0-12.0
TSH value is 0.82 ref. range is 0.3-1.7
T4 Free value is 0.8 ref range is 0.6-1.7
Triiodothyronine, free value is 3.22 ref range is 2.39-6.79

The doctor says this is normal?

The T4 and TSH seems low to me?

Thanks.

[Kimberly]

#1183565

Hello – We’re fellow patients here, not docs, so we’re not allowed to interpret lab results.

You obviously had some symptoms, though, that brought you to the doctor. What was the doctor’s recommendation on moving forward? Continuing with the propranolol? Doing further testing to see if another issue can be identified? Retesting thyroid function after a while?

If you don’t feel that this current doc is taking your symptoms seriously, definitely seek a second opinion. The “Looking for a Doctor?” thread in the announcements section of the forum has a couple of nice links.

Some patients do find that they are symptomatic if levels are at the lower or upper end of the “normal” range. So if you still aren’t feeling well, definitely push for further answers until you get your quality of life back.

[pebbles2010]

#1183566

Thank you Kimberly. I will make sure I follow up on this. Tired of being Tired.

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