[Kimberly]

#1061266

Hello – There are no alternative therapies at this time that have been *scientifically proven* to control hyperthyroidism. There is actually a division of the National Institutes of Health that is called the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine — and their mission is to look at alternative and complementary therapies from a science-based perspective. Hopefully, one day, we *will* have more concrete information on the effectiveness of alternative and complimentary therapies. Unfortunately, the Foundation has had contact with patients who became much more ill – and even patients who died – because they were determined to pursue an unproven, “alternative” treatment.

If the visit with your endo confirms that your Graves’ is indeed out of remission, you will have the same three options for treatment that you did on the first go-round: Anti-Thyroid Drugs, Radioactive Iodine, or Surgery.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing!

[snelsen]

#1061267

Hi, in one word? No. Kimberly summed it up nicely. But as you go through your decision process on what to do next, I hope that you will reach the decision that works for you. I am sure all of us hope that there is a better way to manage this darn disease.
Shirley

[Marsha]

#1017842

Hi! I was first diagnosed with Graves in May, 2009 – a rather scarry adventure as each of you have experienced. I would like to thank everyone on this forum. This support group provided me with so much information and helped me in understanding what was going on with me – I was very sick, I was not going crazy. My Dr. prescribed Tapizole for about 18 months and thankfully the medication worked, my Graves went into remission. Over the last 6 weeks, I noticed symptoms of my hyperthyroidism returning. And my blood tests confirmed this: TSH = 0.009 and T4, Free (Direct) 2.04 (which is a little higher than normal). I have scheduled an appointment with my endo for next month. I am hoping that I can get better with reducing the stress in my life. Has anyone be able to control their Graves disease without any of the treatments? I am very thankful the medication worked the first go round, but I had terrific side effects and I swore I would never go back on the medicine. I am quite fearful of the other alternatives and would like to think I can control this myself. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you again!

[Bobbi]

#1061268

Hi, Marsha:

I know they "sound" scarey, but our treatment options are significantly safer — all of them — than remaining hyperthyroid. If you did not tolerate the meds the first time around, do try to be objective about the methods we have for eliminating our thyroid (RAI and surgery). They can make you well again. People live well without a thyroid. Not infrequently after both RAI and surgery, we have "some" of our thyroid tissue left, but thyroid cancer patients have to have every last vestige of thyroid tissue removed, so they have to undergo surgical removal AND go through massive doses of RAI. And if they eliminate the cancer, they live healthy lives. Our replacement hormone works well.

Wishing you well,

[Marsha]

#1061269

Thank you all for your responses. I will keep you posted. Yesterday and last night I felt awful. This was a very good reminder that I have to do something. I am feeling better this morning. I have my Drs appt the first week of August – will check back in after I make my decision.

Thank you again!

[Author]

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