Forum Replies Created

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • Turquoise
    Participant
    Post count: 20

    The world is very strange. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism last year after a new primary care doctor went the extra mile in ordering tests and eventually referred me to a rheumatologist, who diagnosed Graves. The key symptom was weight loss. Well, last week I took one of my cats to the vet, who remarked that she had lost a couple of pounds since her previous visit. She’s not a large cat to begin with, so this was something he wanted to investigate. He ordered lab tests and today called me to say she has hyperthyroidism! Of course it’s not “contagious,” and it’s not as if I passed it to her, but I think it’s such a bizarre coincidence. When the vet started talking about treatment and mentioned RAI, it was “been there, done that.” We’re going to start with medication and see how that goes. She’s 15 years old, and I don’t want to put her through anything too traumatic at that age. Fortunately we live in a large metropolitan area with many specialty vets, and there’s also a veterinary medical school at a university less than an hour away. If she does need anything that my regular vet can’t offer, there are resources.

    Turquoise
    Participant
    Post count: 20

    I lost up to 20 pounds over several years before a doctor finally suspected thyroid problems and began the sequence of testing that resulted in the diagnosis of Graves Disease. Since then, about a year ago, I’ve gained a few pounds back, but am nowhere near the weight I was before (which is fine with me!) Since this problem only started recently, and my weight has been fairly stable, it doesn’t seem as if that is a factor. But who knows. There could be something else strange going on that isn’t related to the thyroid. If this tenderness persists I’ll contact the endocrinologist and perhaps my primary care physician just to be on the safe side.

    Turquoise
    Participant
    Post count: 20

    I think I’ll mention it to the endocrinologist when I notify her that I’ve had the tests and give her a general update. If she doesn’t think it’s related to the levothyroxine, then I’ll schedule a visit with the primary care physician. I haven’t seen a gynecologist in years (I’m post-menopausal—in my 60s), although of course I could see someone new.

    Turquoise
    Participant
    Post count: 20

    My first lab tests after starting the thyroid hormone will be about a month from now. Until then I think I’ll more or less just have to see what happens day to day and make some minor changes here and there, whether to my diet, use of the laxative, etc. I’ve been keeping somewhat of a daily record on a spreadsheet of what I eat, what prescription and OTC medications I take, even if it’s just a pain reliever for a headache, what symptoms or problems I have, and exercise. To be honest, it’s hard to make correlations; I’ve been doing it fairly faithfully for several years due to the IBS and can’t say that I’ve ever pinpointed a cause and effect relationship given how many things might influence your health status, but maybe something will stand out that will help with that or the thyroid problems.

    Turquoise
    Participant
    Post count: 20

    I’m kind of confused about the whole issue of what and when I can eat. My doctor prescribed the medication via the patient portal for her healthcare system and sent the prescription electronically, so she never offered any guidance that might have been discussed in an office visit. All I had to go on to begin with was the package insert. So reviewing various reliable medical sites, some say that you shouldn’t take calcium SUPPLEMENTS, which I don’t unless you consider the multivitamin, while others just say calcium. And others say don’t take calcium and/or supplements WITH the pill but don’t specify whether they mean immediately after (which I wouldn’t because of the recommendation to not eat right away) or within 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, etc. This goes for anything on the list of foods/products to avoid. This may be overly simplistic, but is it generally OK to consume anything if you’ve waited at least an hour after taking the medication? My gap between the pill and breakfast will usually be at least an hour and could be 2 or more.

    Turquoise
    Participant
    Post count: 20

    Thanks for the reply. It took another message via the patient forum, but I finally heard from the endocrinologist, and she has prescribed levothyroxine.

    Turquoise
    Participant
    Post count: 20

    I’m also new. I was diagnosed with Graves a couple of months ago, the outcome of a doctor finally taking seriously my complaints of several years of unexplained weight loss. My endocrinologist recommended radioactive iodine therapy, and after several rescheduled appointments due to various conflicts that arose, I’m scheduled for treatment in about three weeks. Will this stop and/or reverse the weight loss (at least 20 pounds over the course of perhaps three years, maybe longer, and still dropping despite my efforts to eat more)? While at first I was pleased to lose a few pounds, I’m below a point that I consider appropriate or perhaps even healthy.
    I’m also unsure what else to expect following treatment. So far I have no eye symptoms, but I regularly see an eye doctor anyway and am due for another checkup, which I’ll set up after I’ve had the treatment. Due to a change in my insurance plan for 2018, I have to choose a new optometrist.
    Can anyone give me any clues as to what I’m in for? I understand that with not just this disease but many others, the symptoms and the effects of treatment, whether it’s medication, surgery, or anything else, can vary significantly for each individual.

Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)