[cathycnm]

in reply to: Confused on how GD effects me now ? #1069201

Krystal – Chances are that we are hypo for life – that is without replacement. Some very small percentage of people have a little thyroid that survives and they do not need replacement. However, it is my understanding that they would actually prefer to knock it out all the way, as there is less risk of cancer. I would have to look this up again to be totally sure but I am fairly comfortable that I did read that in one of my sources (about the cancer). So once we are stable on replacement, I think we can live pretty normal healthy lives. Serious eye disease is, fortunately, not common. I think we do have more eye symptoms – and, yes, eye problems can come on later but most of the time it is close to the same time we are diagnosed with hyper thyroid issues. I hope this helps. I am on vacation in at my daughter’s and don’t have my reference books.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Starting to feel better ;) #1069208

Krystal – Congrats. I sure appreciate my health more now than I did before Graves! ” title=”Razz” />

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Antihistimine & GD ?? #1069219

Kimberly – That is correct. It is the stimulation of faster heart rate that is generally a concern.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: iron and infections – not necessarily related #1069294

JLW – I would make sure your endo knows about the frequent infections on the med – it can influence the immune system, so if you are experiencing a change it may be prudent to let him know. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: New Blood test- High Liver Enzymes #1069269

Amber – I concur that this liver enzymes frequently elevate because of meds. It is important to watch this closely so that your doctor can adjust meds if needed. Are you on an antithyroid?

[cathycnm]

in reply to: My big day! RAI tomorrow #1069587

runlacie – YEA – it is done. Let the healing begin!!! On dose, it is my understanding that it has more to do with your uptake (from the scan) than anything. I got a BIG dose because my uptake was on the low side for Graves (33% – up to 25% is usually normal). If your uptake is high – like 80% – you don’t need as much. Thyroid is a sponge – if it is superabsorbant (as it would be with a high uptake) you don’t need as much for it to absorb – like Bounty – the quicker, picker upper.

I am small frame so I thought I would get a small dose but I got the "no work for a week" and keep distance for a month. I often wonder if my cat’s thyroids felt that stuff ” title=”Very Happy” /> Actually, I kept my distance from them and they are as crazy as ever. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Headaches #1069682

Emily – I am not sure I can add much here. I did experience headaches with an aura starting about a week post RAI. I thought it might be eyes, too – my doc put me on beta blockers (he said I was probably hyper from hormone released from my thyroid but my blood pressure was normal). The blockers did not help so I went to the eye doc and he said the aura was a "visual migraine". Two days after I started thyroid replacement hormone, the headaches went away (after 6 weeks of every day!) At least until I got mildly high on replacement hormone 6 months later – and there they were again until they re-regulated the dose down a bit. I had migraines all through adolescence and until I had my second child. Then nothing in almost 30 years. In my humble opinion, there has to be a thyroid connection.

I have read that they are finding some links between hypo and migraines. Interesting, indeed – though mine seem to start when I am hyper and have not eaten – but they also went away when I started thyroid replacement. I think we are just learning how migraines and thyroid relate, though.

I agree on having a doctor follow those eyes closely. And good luck – If I remember one thing I would not want to have to do again it would be live with those headaches daily for 6 weeks. We are here if you want to talk. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Intro #1069625

Thanks all. I survived the test though I might have needed a little of that Grave’s test anxiety back as I turned off my alarm and almost slept through the online test. I made it with 2 minutes to spare. Soooo lovely to sleep well again!!!

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Intravenous Glucocorticosteroids #1069629

Carla – Steroids are, indeed, wonder drugs for inflammation. Over the years, we have learned how to give them more safely. I am sure they will be monitoring her labs closely to watch for complications of the med. I do advise that you let your doctor know your concerns, though – and find out what the plan is for monitoring labs, etc.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: What causes pulse to go faster? #1069844

Ewmb – I am sorry I almost lost your thread but I found it today ” title=”Very Happy” />

Graves disease and menopause symptoms are so similar in some areas that it can throw the doctors off! Many times Graves has been missed because those hot flashes, etc are blamed on menopause. I went through natural menopause at 50 and never had a hot flash until the tender age of 53 after they diagnosed the Graves. I recall them being the worst right after RAI when my levels of thyroid were probably pretty high – now that I am stable, the flashes are gone. I teach nursing and have those nifty devices that you can clip to a finger to see the pulse and oxygen. All last summer, I kept one on my desk by my computer and each time I flashed with heat, I read my pulse with that. It did go up each time sometimes to 100.

It sounds like you have a good plan with your doc about the beta blockers. If you get hypo and, then, normal and are still "flashing" then I guess you will know it was menopause. There are no real good tests to differentiate the cause of the hot flash that I am aware of – other than seeing what thyroid treatment does to them. If you continue to be bothered by them (sleep, etc) you may want to check with your doc about treatments. Midlife insomnia – I feel your pain ” title=”Confused” />

Let us know how it goes with all of this and thanks for the question. C

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Getting Pregnant #1069748

nmasay – Once your levels are stable, then you can usually proceed with trying to conceive. Thyroid disease that is not in control during pregnancy really increases the risk of miscarriage plus there are additional risks for the pregnant women. Happily, once your levels are stable – then preganacy can follow a pretty normal course in most cases. Pregnancy does influence thyroid levels, so expect more frequent lab monitoring when you are pregnant – and some adjustment in your meds.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: GD vs Hyperthyroidism #1069757

Shamrock – Most hyperthyroidism is Graves disease. The thyroid can also sometimes develop nodules that overproduce thyroid hormone – therefore make someone hyperthyroid. The nodules generally show up on thyroid scan and that is how they can tell which is which. So, if you do not have nodules on your scan – then it is highly likely that you have Graves. I believe 80% of hyperthyroid is Graves – I may be off a little but it is some high # like that. Does that help???

[cathycnm]

in reply to: New Here – have questions #1069754

Molly – I was multi-tasking when I posted that crazy responce to you – It was for someone else.

I don’t have a lot of answers on Graves in kids but some of the other moderators are great and hopefully will chime in.

Antibodies are produced regularly – and those that are against "self" are actually generally suppressed by our own immune system. Usually, that is. Autoimmune disease is our immune system not stopping those antibodies that are directed against our own tissue. Antibodies are actually produced by cells of the immune system. They are not stored, per se, but there are immune cells that develop memory so that they can produce more antibodies faster the next time the foriegn material (antigen) is encountered. Again, our problem is that we recognise our own tissue as foriegn because the cells that control the immune system from doing this are not working normally.

There are some good discussions on both RAI and surgery in our archives. I think both are effective treatment options. Both act slightly differently to eliminate the thyroid. One of the facilitators may know of a pros/cons list. I am not sure.

Your endos should be very aware of this, but, as you say, sometimes informed consumers are not what they are use to. There are some good books listed on our website that really helped me with a lot of this when I was making decisions. I read 3 or 4 books before I felt I really understood well enough – and I am a nurse practitioner. So – keep asking, keep reading and welcome to the board.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: Singing #1069763

Light – I accidently posted this to Molly – what I get for multi-tasking

What an interesting question. I am not sure but it seems as if the voice hoarsness that can accompany hyperthyroid would resolve with treatment.

Welcome to the board.

[cathycnm]

in reply to: New Here – have questions #1069752

Molly – What an interesting question. I am not sure but it seems as if the voice hoarsness that can accompany hyperthyroid would resolve with treatment.

Welcome to the board. ” title=”Razz” />

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