Graves disease symptoms of hyperthyroidism
Common Questions and Answers about Graves disease symptoms of hyperthyroidism
graves-disease
hi i'm a 28 yr old woman and have suffered badly with symptoms from graves disease for 3yrs i've been on propylthiouracil for a year now as i had a severe allergic reaction to carbimazole!
my symptoms include insomnia,severe fatigue,anxiety,bouts of depression,poor concentration,memory loss,bruising easily,dizziness,nausea and graves rage and weakened immune system (sick often). the problem is that i've recently had a blood test that read normal at 5.
While Graves Disease is always associated with hyperthyroidism, not all hyperthyroidism is Graves Disease, because Hashimoto's, which is most often associated with hypothyroidism, is often characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism in the early stages and can even swing back and forth between hyper, hypo and normal.
The symptoms of Graves Disease would be those of hyperthyroidism, such as sudden weight loss, sweating when others are comfortable to cool, diarrhea, hand tremors, heart palpitations (these can be present with hypothyroidism as well), rapid heart rate, irritability, mood swings, fatigue and many others.
2) The only reason a doctor should/would investigate Graves Disease is if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism and/or lab results indicate increased thyroid hormone levels. If you did not have symptoms of Graves Disease (hyperthyroidism) at that time, the doctor did nothing wrong.
Hi svanhoo1,
It looks like you might have hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) and possibly an autoimmune disease (Graves) which is causing the hyperthyroidism.
TSH = thyroid stimulating hormone, if this is outside "normal range" it can indicate a problem, usually below range indicates hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone which are T4 and T3).
What symptoms did you have when your TSH was 0.0001? Was TSH the only thing that was tested? Suppressed TSH doesn't necessarily make one hyper unless you have hyper symptoms with it, which presumably you did, since you had to go to the hospital. My TSH has been < 0.01 for the past 6 yrs and I've never been hyper.
I'd ask the same questions about symptoms and other tests being done when your TSH was 277. What symptoms and what other tests were done?
s no reason to be afraid. If you develop symptoms of hyperthyroidism, such as rapid weight loss, rapid heart rate, etc, either call your doctor or go to an ER.
Are you on any thyroid replacement medication?
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.
While it's somewhat rare, it's possible to have, both, Hashimoto's and Graves Disease at the same time. It's also possible to have elevated TSI and not have Graves Disease; that's determined on a percentage basis.
Also ask why FT3 was not tested. And remind them that Hashimoto's can be characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism.
Be sure to get a copy of the report. Will definitely stay tuned.
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.
Graves Disease is never cured BUT it is managed better without a thyroid or after RAI.
You still have the antibodies but no thyroid for it to attack.
As for meds, you swap one lot for another.
You go from anti-thyroid meds to a T4 medication so basically you are on meds for life.
The thyroid regulates every organ in your body and if no thyroid, meds have to do the job.
Hyperthyroidism is a lot easier to manage without a thyroid.
I was placed on 300mg PTU daily and some of my symptoms (eg- tachycardia and sweating) have reduced.( I have been feeling quite unwell for around 2 years and, around 18 months ago, my GP wanted to start me on anti-depressants for anxiety and nervousness. I didn't feel right about taking them, however, so the prescription was never filled.)
Do the above results indicate Graves disease?
Anxiety and irritability
A fine tremor of the hands or fingers
Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin
Weight loss, despite normal eating habits
Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter)
Change in menstrual cycles
Erectile dysfunction or reduced libido
Frequent bowel movements
Bulging eyes (Graves' ophthalmopathy)
Fatigue
Thick, red skin usually on the shins or tops of the feet (Graves' dermopathy)
Rapid or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
Sleep disturban
Elevated TPOab is, typically, a basis for a diagnosis of Hashimoto's, which IS a thyroid disease and can be present for many years without symptoms, though many/most people aren't ever tested for it until they have symptoms of the resulting hypothyroidism. Slightly elevated TPOab can also be present with Graves Disease, which is another thyroid disease, and there are those, that have both Hashi's and Graves.
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