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in reply to: hhchong- How did your surgery go? #1172571

Hi Alexis.
I have been doing this for a long, long time. I have never had weight considered as a factor for determining Synthroid (or any thyroid) supplement.
It is always the TSH, T3 and T4, plus the symptoms I have having.
I will be sure to ask my endo when I see him in September. Right now, I question that regimen. Looking forward to learning more, evidence based research, and all that I have not looked up yet.
Shirley

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in reply to: Successful Thyroidectomy! #1172513

Take it easy with your voice! You don’t want someone to tell you to be on voice rest! Think of it as your vocal cords need just a bit more time to get back to baseline.
I guess I sound like your mom!
Glad you enjoyed the sushi.
We have plenty of good sushi in Seattle
Shirley

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in reply to: Successful Thyroidectomy! #1172511

One week and one day!! You’re doing great!
Shirley

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in reply to: Breast reduction #1172548

Thanks, That is a much better study than the one originally referenced in another post.
Interesting to think about. Tricky to do the clinical trials, but they all are.
As an individual, even knowing that there would be some reduction of risk, but not as much as a bilateral mastectomy, I would chose mastectomy.
However, we are all different, and if a high risk woman chose SOME reduction
versus no action at all, there may well be profit from less breast tissue.
Thank you so much for the further reference.
Shirley

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in reply to: breastfeeding with Graves? #1172564

Hi, I’d like to reinforce to you that your baby is having good care. For us to read a small study about antibodies, when you have a pediatric neonatologist on board, does not make us qualified to decide anything. The presence or absence of antibodies has absolutely nothing to do with the treatment of your baby. Your baby will be treated for her hyperthyroidism. If you stop nursing, she will still be treated for hyperthyroidism.
So ask him that question.

Of course there is nothing you could have done differently. Same as if you were RH negative, the baby would be treated if needed. Same if your baby had immature lungs, or low birth weight. You could not have done anything differently then, either.

I guess you have to think and feel it over, and do what you will feel most at ease about. For me, from a distance, and probably if I were in your exact same situation, I would put much more weight on what the docs are saying, and how good it is for a baby to breast feed when you can, and I would weigh that against the lack of knowledge and anxiety of your mom and husband.
And yourself.

If this is so distressing for you, if you continue to breast feed, then make another decision. Try to think it through, do the right thing for you as well as your child. If you are a nervous wreck over this, then decide to wean her. Of course if you believe you are harming here, despite the close medical follow up by the neonatologist, then you must do what is right for you. Bottle feeding is an option, and some people choose it.

My situation is different, but I had one. To give a little background, I had a baby, was hyperthyroid a few days after delivery, which means that I was most likely undiagnosed for some time before, when I was pregnant. I breast feed, took the necessary drugs for being hyper, took the KI drops before my surgery, had my surgery, continued to breast feed. My baby was not hyper, but I was. If he needed to take ATD’s, I would have continued to breast feed. My docs, even back then, said it would have been fine.

I hate to have you experiencing so much distress and stress with this. YOu are tired, with a newborn, and this is hard for both of you.
Shirley best wishes with whatever you decide

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in reply to: breastfeeding with Graves? #1172558

Hi, and congratulations on a lovely new one month old baby!
I think your little one is having very good care, from a pediatric endocrinologist, who has a lot of knowledge and experience because of his specialty.
From every angle, your baby is getting good care and good management. My belief, and I think yours, (and CERTAINLY the thought of Alexis, who has posted here recently) is that breast feeding is the best for the baby and for you. I think in this case, whether antibodies are/are not present in the breast milk, is trumped by the skilled care, management and knowledge that your pediatric endo has to care for your baby. He is very aware of labs, and watching your little one closely.
So he is probably the very best resource for you to follow.
Again, congratulations to you. I remember one month olds! You must be tired! My babies liked to eat frequently at night at that age.
Shirley

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in reply to: Breast reduction #1172546

Well, that is an interesting concept. But I am bothered by it. I really don’t want to belabor this too much, but here I go. I just can’t help it!

In the first place, oncologists should be designing the study. Plastic surgeons (and all surgeons) are pretty much the docs who operate, do post op follow up care from the surgery, then they are done with a patient. And they are not oncologists.

From a research view, this study needs to be an evidenced based study over a very long period of time, with a fairly large population, with a control group. It does not state the period of time, which is crucial for anyone to make any statement or conclusion about this. I read the article. It is an “observational study.” The following statement, by the principal investigator, pretty much says this, and even his statement infers knowledge that is not known. And, there is definitely a financial incentive for the plastic surgeons. A whole new population of potential patients, yet undiscovered. There was no due diligence stated, even that this could be a potential conflict of interest.

“While this report is based on observational studies, it’s pretty clear that breast reduction could hold a key to decreasing breast cancer in high-risk patients. Undoubtedly, as we reduce the amount of breast tissue, we also reduce the risk of developing breast cancer,” continued Dr. Young. “Going forward, we expect clinical studies will support our findings that breast reduction is a viable preventative alternative for many women.”

I don’t think “it’s pretty clear.” He does not have evidence to make that statement.
If anyone is considering this, I suggest they also consult with oncology and pathology.
Shirley
Breast cancer x 2 Stage 2, Stage 3B 12 years apart, with different pathology.

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in reply to: Breast reduction #1172544

I imagine if breast procedures were recommended to reduce breast cancer risk, it would total bilateral mastectomies, not just reducing the size of the breasts.
Shirley

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in reply to: Breast reduction #1172542

Alexis wrote exactly what I was going to say.
Is this something you have been thinking about for a while, and mentioned it to your endo as you were having your Graves’ treatment? Cause it would not be a good idea to elect surgery when hyper. Maybe it is an offhand comment responding to what you said.
But no, I do not see any relationship between the two. Guess you can specifically as the endo that question.
Shirley

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in reply to: Husband Trying to Cope… #1169652

Halbarad,
Gosh, I am so sorry this ongoing issue is impacting both of your lives.
If she is not taking her meds, you are absolutely right her endo needs to know.
I hope she is truthful with him at the WEdnesday appointment.
If she is untreated, and becomes hyper, her very health and life are in danger. This is really true. I know that you telling her this is not going to mean much, since she probably is not listening to you very well.
Maybe, just maybe, the endo will return your call about your concern. I think he can communicate with you enough to tell you that he is/is not concerned.
Since you have gone with her to all the appointments, he may feel comfortable calling you. HIPPA is sometimes a hindrance, and can interfere with good care now and then.
Someone needs to convince her of the relationship of untreated hyperthyroidism and the real possibility of death. And, if not that, damage that cannot be undone if hyperthyroid for a long period of time.
I sure wish the best for you two.
Shirley

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in reply to: thyroid and eye disease #1172294

To jaqeinquotation,
I suggest to you that you may have Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) as well as Graves. Different, but related subjects.
Your eyes are bulging out, probably, because the muscles in your eyes are swelling (called fibrosis) That leaves little room for them to stay where they belong. If your eyes feel dry and scratchy, get non preservative eye drops, and lubricant if you need it.

If you do have TED, an eye doctor who is very familiar with TED is whom you should see. There is quite a bit in the forum about it, but first, I’d get a diagnosis, to see where you are with your eyes.
Shirley

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in reply to: Successful Thyroidectomy! #1172502

I think about two weeks. But I found that I thought my voice was pretty normal. It is other people who told me it was a bit different for longer than I thought it was. They said it sounded a bit weak.
I think the vocal chords feel insulted, just as they do when we are hoarse for other reasons, involving a cold, etc.
You are doing so well! And it is only day 4. is that right?
Shirley
Hi to happy Zach.

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in reply to: Successful Thyroidectomy! #1172493

Hi Alexis,

WHEEEEEEEEEEH! That is great! Your first 24 hours plus are very similar to mine. Your mom, OF COURSE, is right! This was only DAY 1.

To Zach- I am so happy you are back with your beloved milk factory (that is what my older called it when my youngest one wanted to nurse, especially if she were fussy!) I was very confident you would not forget your inherent sucking skills. I am sure you are a very very sweet little baby boy.

Alexis, your post will be very helpful to the folks who follow you. Thank you for doing such a great job. You have great writing and descriptive talent.
Everyone will profit from your experiences.
Shirley

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in reply to: Anyone choosing no treatment? #1172446

try a sporting goods store, like Big 5. Probably Best Buy has them, too. They are pretty cheap.

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in reply to: Thyroidectomy recovery #1172454

Total recovery from surgery in 3weeks But tired more easily. Resumed work full time in 2 weeks. Too soon. I’d wait 3 weksnext time partly so I could simply enjoy feeling and rest when I wanted, basically do anything I wanted including going to a move and out to dinner with friends.

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