[James]

#1067584

Hello,

I am also a male with Graves’ disease, but currently in remission. I was about 30 years old when diagnosed almost 16 years ago.

Unfortunately the only person that can interpret your laboratory results would be a medical professional. It appears that you have attached a thyroid uptake scan which certainly is interesting, but cannot be interpreted by a layperson.

The good news is that antithyroid medication IS a medically acceptable treatment option for Graves’ disease. Whether or not is it used more or less in one country over another is irrelevant. In general, my country (Canada) seems to favor RAI treatment as well, although at the recent NGF conference I attended, one of the Dr’s felt that the trend is slowly changing in the U.S.

What is really relevant is that you are properly informed about your decision and that your doctor is onside with your decision. I believe there is some evidence to suggest that a smaller goiter is a good thing as far as remission statistics are concerned. This is something that you can ask your Dr. My thyroid was 2-3 times normal size at the time of diagnosis and my outcome was positive, but I will admit that it was a long process, but not a difficult process with the exception of the first 2 or 3 months when I was very hyperthyroid. Of course every situation is different and outcomes seem to vary widely from person to person.

As far as ATD choices are concerned, there are two of them:

1. Methimazole and;
2. PTU (Propylthiouracil)

You will need to talk to your Dr. about the pros and the cons of each. Generally Methimazole is the ATD of choice (unless you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant) in which case PTU is generally suggested for at least the 1st trimester. I don’t think you need to worry about that being male. There is evidence to suggest that PTU has a higher incidence (although rare) of severe liver disease. These are all things you can discuss with your Dr.

Being healthy to begin with, and having a proper diet are things you should be doing regardless. If you are a smoker, there is rock solid evidence (according to the Dr’s at the conference) that this will exacerbate the disease, particularly if you have any eye involvement to begin with.

There are a great group of people with years of experience with GD who frequent this board regularly who may want to weigh in as well.

Wishing the best of success in your treatment!

Best regards,

James

[ngdfmt]

#1018868

Hi all,

here in Germany we normally prefer Radioiodine treatment, I’ve decided to start with antithyroid agents, this is why I guess that you can please give me some valuable hints. Headache (because of high heart pulse of 120) was the only symptom and is fully stopped by using beta blockers.

Here my questions:
– which ATA do you prefer? Methimazole? Which amount and how often when

starting?
– can I treat with ATA, having those values:
34 years old, male, quite healthy
TSH-basal <0,01 (0,27 – 4,2)
fT3 23,9 (1,9 – 6,1)
fT4 6,4 (0,7 – 2,0)
TSHR-Ab 8,09 (<1,75) –> TSH receptor antibody, German: TRAK
TAK 324 (<115) –> thyroglobulin antibody

Thyroid is a bit too big (15%). No goitre.
No problems detected in scintigraphy, uptake 5,6%.

Thanx a lot already in advance.

[Bobbi]

#1067585

There are medical reasons why a doctor might choose one antithyroid medication over the other. That is primarily why you should discuss your options with your doctor.

Bobbi

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