[Kimberly]

in reply to: posts after Januaryy 10? #1184232

Hi Shirley – Are you still having this issue? I can see a number of posts dated both before & after Jan. 10th.

One thought is that maybe the “New Posts” option (in the menu at the top right-hand corner of the screen) is messing things up.

If you still aren’t seeing older posts, if you could fill out this form, I will pass it on to our tech person. The extra detail helps him isolate if the problem is specific to a particular device (PC, Mac, iPhone, Android) or browser (Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.).

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://gdatf.org/about/contact/technical-support/

Thanks!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Suggestions for books about Graves Disease #1184227

Hello – Following is a recommended reading list from the GDATF as well as a link to our January e-newsletter, which includes some good links for resources.

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://gdatf.org/about/about-graves-disease/reading-list-for-patients/

http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/1262355/9ca683fd52/ARCHIVE

As Liz1967 noted, peer-reviewed journals are also a good source of info. Although the discussion can be technical, the abstracts and conclusions are usually written in a way that will allow a non-medical person to understand the basic concepts.

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Atlanta, GA Naturopaths? Lyme/Bartonella/Graves’/Hashimotos help! #1184219

Hello – We recommend MDs (preferably endocrinologists) on this site. You can use the “Looking for a Doctor?” thread to find specialists in the area that you will be moving to. If you don’t feel that a particular endo isn’t taking your quality of life issues seriously, don’t hesitate to get a second (or third or fourth) opinion. You deserve to get some answers!

If you aren’t able to find an endo in your area, you might consider searching in your area for “Integrative MD”. These are doctors who use conventional medical therapy, but also who are willing to use alternative approaches if they have scientific validity.

Take care – and keep us posted!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Agranulocytosis?? #1184203

If you are experiencing a sore throat with fever, definitely mention this to your doctor. And if the appointment is *next* Tuesday versus tomorrow, I would use the phone line ASAP to let them know.

[Kimberly]

in reply to: TT scheduled! #1184206

Wishing you all the best – please keep us posted!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Agranulocytosis?? #1184201

Definitely agree with obnursenh – best to call your doctor ASAP and find out for sure!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: From macredi_1975 – Eye Issues, Other Symptoms with Positive Anti-Thyroperoxidase (Microsomal) AB #1064033

Hello and welcome! Here is some info from the Mayo Clinic on the thyroid peroxidase antibody test:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following link, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing, or you will have to log back in to the forum. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://www.mayoclinic.org/thyroid-disease/expert-answers/faq-20058114

Did the emergency room also test TSH, Free T4 and T3? Although the TPO Ab test is a potential marker for autoimmune thyroid disease, some people have these antibodies and yet have perfectly normal thyroid function. In these cases, doctors will “watch and wait” to see if you progress to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Hopefully, you have an experienced ophthalmologist that can check out the eye issues. Make sure that he/she knows about the positive antibody test. Eye pain can potentially be associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders, but there can be other causes as well that will need to be ruled out.

Hope you can get some answers!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: From Laurenleeholley – Hyper Symptoms Years after RAI #1184197

Hello and welcome! We are fellow patients here, not docs, but here are a couple of thoughts…

1. We’ve heard stories from other patients who experienced a return of their hyper symptoms with products like Armour or Cytomel. So it could just be that you need to get recalibrated with a dose of a T4-only product like Synthroid, Tirosint, etc..

2. For patients who were treated several years ago, docs used to try to give just the right dose of RAI that would kill off *part* of the thyroid but not all of it. The theory was that if you destroyed just the right amount of thyroid tissue, that the patient would end up euthyroid (normal) and wouldn’t have to take *any* meds. However, some of these patients ended up experiencing a recurrence of hyperthyroidism and needed to be re-treated. So you might go back to your doc and ask about the original dose that you were given.

Either way, you and your doc will definitely want to keep a close eye on things. Keeping tabs on Free T4 and T3 will be important as well, given that your TSH suppressed and you are obviously having symptoms.

Hopefully, you can get some relief soon!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Post RAI Thyroid Swelling #1184196

Hello and welcome! Depending on the dose given, RAI may or may not destroy all of the thyroid tissue. If there are living cells left, it *is* possible (although somewhat rare) for the thyroid to regenerate.

We are fellow patients here, so I would definitely pose these questions to your doctor ASAP for further evaluation. If your thyroid is indeed growing back, you will likely want more frequent blood testing to make sure you don’t go hyper again.

Take care – and keep us posted!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Well, here goes! #1173725

Happy Anniversary – and thanks for the update!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Terrified of Graves #1184155

Hello – Sounds like you found a gem of a new doctor! Personally, though, I would keep the other appointment for now – 10 weeks is a long time to wait in between appointments when you are first starting out on methimazole. Most people have adjustments done around every 4 weeks until levels stabilize. You don’t want to put yourself in a position 10 weeks from now where you are really hyper or really hypo because meds haven’t been adjusted.

[Kimberly]

in reply to: I’ve been recently diagnosed with Grave’s and I am struggling to keep it all together. Need Advice and support. #1184046

@Tipsy – Great question on exercise, although you might want to start a brand new thread to ask this question. The “New Topic” button is right underneath the GDATF butterfly logo at the top of the screen.

I pulled the plug on all of my activities for the first couple of months after diagnosis, and then slowly got back into things with light walking. Now 8+ years later, I don’t really have any limitations on *what* activity I can do, although my flexibility and stamina aren’t as good as they used to be. I do tennis, boot camp, yoga, and kickboxing every week.

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Just diagnosed #1184192

Hello and welcome – hopefully, those who have had RAI or surgery will chime in.

The issue with the liver enzymes is tricky. Sometimes the hyperthyroidism itself can cause this. However, if your liver enzymes are at a point more than 5x the upper end of the “normal” range, the medical guidance does not recommend starting anti-thyroid meds like methimazole/Tapazole/PTU.

With surgery, your biggest priority will be finding a doctor that does a LOT of these procedures. Some patients who don’t have access to local expertise will choose to travel.

With RAI, considerations include whether you have eye involvement (there is an increased risk of worsening or development of eye issues with RAI) as well as whether you are planning a future pregnancy (not recommended for 6-12 months after RAI, and antibody testing is recommended to assess the risk of passing antibodies on to the fetus).

Wishing you all the best as you make this difficult decision.

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Newbie #1184167

Hello and welcome! I was also very sensitive to caffeine while I was hyper. I had to give it up cold turkey, which was sooooooo painful.

Now I’m fine with a latte or a mocha, but will usually do half caff for straight up coffee. A full cup of the good stuff will get me completely wired (and not in a good way) for several hours. I’m slightly on the hypo side now, so not sure if that’s still thyroid-related or because I was off of it for so long.

Take care – and keep us posted!

[Kimberly]

in reply to: Breastfeeding while hyperthyroid #1184080

Thanks for the update – wishing all the best to you and your little one!

[Author]

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