Graves disease and hypothyroidism
Common Questions and Answers about Graves disease and hypothyroidism
graves-disease
My mother was diagnosed in her early 40s with graves disease and her thyroid was removed, around the same time she was diagnosed with stage 3-4 colon cancer. I'm aware there are connections between autoimmune diseases and thyroid and intestinal diseases/conditions. As I'm getting older I'm noticing I'm following in the same physiological footsteps my mother did before she was diagnosed.
Have you been tested for thyroid antibodies to make sure you do, in fact, have Graves disease and are not simply in a hyper phase of Hashimoto's? Both Graves and Hashimoto's are autoimmune.
While Graves is always connected with hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's is most often connected with hypothyroidism, however it's not uncommon for one to have periods of hyperthyroidism in the beginning stages.
You should ask for thyroid antibody tests.
The cause of IC is unknown but is a suspected autoimmune disease. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism affects the skin and one of the possible symptom is eczema. Diverticulitis is not an autoimmune disease but is stated to be very common and is usually asymptomatic (no symptoms).
I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and pernicious anaemia and vitiligo. I'm looking forward to trying LDN.
It should be pointed out that, especially in the US literature, the term ‘hashitoxicosis’ is sometimes used to describe an autoimmune thyroid disease overlap syndrome of Graves’ and Hashimoto’s disease.2 In this article the term is strictly limited to the ‘leakage’ symptoms of active Hashimoto’s disease.
Conventional treatment options for Graves' disease include:
* Anti-thyroid medication:
In the US:
- Methimazole [brand name Tapazole]
- Propylthiouracil [PTU]
Approximately 30% with Graves' disease will have a remission after prolonged treatment with anti-thyroid drugs.
Hypothyroidism slows metabolism and this can cause the parietal cells to produce less stomach acid (hypochlorhydria). Adequate levels of stomach acid is required for vitamin B12 absorption.
Another cause for vitamin B12 deficiency is due to other autoimmune disease that may occur with Hashimoto's thyroiditis such as autoimmune pernicious anaemia or celiac disease.
Prevalence and relative risk of other autoimmune diseases in subjects with autoimmune thyroid disease. Am J Med.
In the mid august I had my second visit with the endocrinologist who continued insisting with Graves disease. When I questioned her about the absence of Graves antibodies she responded that I had the abTG antibodies to confirm the diagnosis.
Now, one month after my latest tests, I am confident I have entered hypothyroidism. I have been eating less, yet I have gained 2-3pounds in 10 days. I am sure it's water retention. I feel a bit tired. My last period came 4 days earlier than usual!
At first my endocrinologist was reluctant to prescribe more than a token amount of levosynthroid, although I was becoming symptomatic with hypothyroid symptoms. She feared Graves disease returning. I see her every 6 weeks and get blood drawn, and she has gradually raised the synthroid every time so that I am up to 112 mg per day. Obviously, every time I get labs done, I am thyroid-deficient. The last TSH level was 9.5.
9.5 is high, but not super high. Nonetheless, I feel exhausted.
I started Effexor xr in 2003. Anxiety and depression. Worked great. Then in 2005 was diagnosed with Graves' disease. I thought I was pregnant I had no energy and was sluggish. My thyroid levels were extremely low. It's now 2016 and I'm still on my Effexor 150. I've been off them tho for almost 14 days. The withdrawal is terrible. I am vomiting and having brain zaps and also have become Dr Jekyll and mr Hyde. Crying, angry, excited.
You need a second opinion.
Based on what you describe, you have autoimmune thyroid disease with markers for Graves' (TSI) and the other common antibodies (TPO and Tg) that are usually associated with hashimoto's. Graves' and Hashi should be considered as entities on two ends of a spectrum, not two completely different diseases.
This may cause fluctuating thyroid function to hypo and hyper and back but this is not common.
Have you been diagnosed with Graves Disease or did you have a hyper phase of Hashimoto's? Graves Disease is always associated with hyperthyroidism and remains that way; Hashimoto's often starts out with hyperthyroidism that alternates with hypothyroidism or periods of normal, but, eventually, settles into permanent hypothyroidism that requires replacement thyroid medication...
What medication did you take, what dosage and why did you stop taking it?
Similarly, sarcoidosis of the thyroid gland may develop in response to an established thyroid disorder including Graves’ disease, nodular goiter, and thyroid cancer. Patients with Graves’ disease may also have concomitant conditions of sarcoidosis affecting the lungs. Patients with systemic sarcoidosis may also develop sarcoid lesions in various organs including the thyroid gland.
What med are you taking?
What are the actual T3/T4 levels and are they Free T3 and Free T4 or Total T3 and Total T4? Be sure to include reference ranges with any labs posted.
Have you been tested for Graves Disease or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? Both are autoimmune diseases that attack the thyroid. All Graves Disease is hyperthyroidism, but not all hyperthyroidism is Graves Disease.
That depends on your individual situation and what you and your doctor decide. Typically, Graves (hyperthyroidism) is treated with anti-thyroid med, and sometimes a protocol called "block and replace", which is when you're given anti-thyroid med to prevent your thyroid from producing hormones, then given replacement hormones to keep your levels up. But if that doesn't work, then your options are either RAI or surgical removal.
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