(member)

04/07/2008 14:38

hyper thyroid and graves disease

Have recently been diagnosed with an over-active thyroid and graves disease. Would be interested to chat to anyone who had any knowledge on the subject.

(member)

04/07/2008 18:47

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

Hello I don't know anything about this but went to Doctors yesterday as I haven't been myself lately-tired, lethargic, not sleeping, putting weight on in spite of trying to lose it just generally feeling low and under the weather. I was told my thyroid is enlarged which could be the problem. having blood tests tomorrow so will find out Monday?? I'll keep watching this thread and if I learn anything will let you know.

Apart from that good luck!! Ooh and welcome!!

(member)

04/07/2008 19:10

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

Oops When I said I didn't anything I meant personally. My Mum has had couple of episodes of Hyper thyroid. Once while pregnant many years ago and again about 2 years ago. She was treated by a course of tablets (sorry don't know the name) which sorted out the levels of whatever needed to be sorted out??

I also have a brother who has the other type (ther same as my Dr suspects I have Hypo?) who has tabets everyday for life and says apart from that he has no other typical symptoms! His was discovered by chance when seeing his doctor for something unrelated

(member)

05/07/2008 07:44

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

I had it several years ago. Was a bit scary to start, before the diagnosis - the shortness of breath, not being able to walk far without a stitch, shaky hands, extremely rapid heart beat. The weight dropped off. Eat like a pig and still lose half a pound a day! At the end of it, I looked really good! I was on medication for 18 months, with regular check ups. Can't remember the names - sorry. But after that, came off everything and it has never returned. It doesn't usually return but very rarely does. Unfortunately the weight gain did! Had annual blood tests for the first couple of years but then stopped that. I still have a small lump in my neck but you can't see it and I have forgotten it.

(member)

05/07/2008 12:02

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

Thanks for your replies. Your brother and mother were probably taking some form of thyroxine to help stabilise the balance of hormones being produced (or not produced) by the thyroid. Hope your blood tests show that all is normal, although all the signs point to an underactive thyroid. If this is the case, don't worry - it's treatable with thyroxine.
Good luck.

(member)

05/07/2008 12:08

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

Yes, I know what you mean about the racing heart, shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitations etc!! I had an underactive throid for 17 years previously and then for some reason the thyroid has come back to life and started overworking. I am on beta blockers, Neomercazol and levythroxine at the moment and shall have to take it for a least 12 months to try and force it back to underactive. The weight gain with Neomercazole is awful but it has stopped the other symptoms.

thanks for your reply.

(member)

05/07/2008 23:38

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

I had graves disease some years ago. Had to have beta blockers, carbimazole (to block the thyroid) and thyroxine. The beta blockers were stopped as soon as the condition was under control. The block replace therapy carried on whilst they tried to stabalise it. For me this went on for over 6 years. In the end I had to have the whole of my thyroid removed and just take thyroxine now.

My advice would be don't have any radioactive therapy - regardless of what anyone says.

(member)

07/07/2008 19:57

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

Both my husband and my daughter were diagnosed with Graves some years ago.The symptoms were rapid weight loss,rapid heart beat,shakes and a vile temper!! Until we knew what was wrong life was a nightmare.Interestingly,my husband had been a very heavy smoker but had stopped.We were told that smoking makes it worse but also masks the symptoms.As soon as he stopped,all hell broke loose!He lost 2 stone in a month and was like Jekyll and Hyde.He was put on carbimazole for some time and is now free of problems and doesn't take anything.
My daughter however was not so lucky,carbimazole did not do so well for her and she had 2 lots of radiotherapy and is now slightly underactive and takes a low dose of thyroxine on a permanent basis.
Meanwhile,I have long thought that I have hypothyroidism.The usual symptoms,can't lose weight,feel the cold and have very dry skin etc.But my blood tests show fluctuation and yo-yo between middle of"normal" and bottom level of normal,so my GP will not give me anything.He told me that they are seeing a lot of underactive and fluctuating underactive thyroids lately and they don't know why.
Don't know if any of this helps,but good luck and hope it gets sorted.

(member)

17/07/2008 14:56

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

Hi, I was diagnosed with hyperactive thyroid some 32 years ago, I was quite young at the time 25, I had a partial thyroidectomy after being on some medication for a short while and I have been very well ever since and on no medication. I have now been diagnosed with Hypo thyroid and have to take Thyroxine for the rest of my life. This is no problem as I now feel well again although I am having trouble losing the weight I have put on over the last few years. Good luck, I am sure you will be fine.

(member)

25/08/2008 22:24

Re: hyper thyroid and graves disease

Hi
Can I ask about having your thyroid removed; I have had this recommended as there is a lump that they are not happy about, but I am trying to weigh up the op and potential thyroxin for life, versus peace of mind about the limp, even though they say unlikely it is anything nasty. How did you find the op/ recovery please?
Thanks

Contact Us | Privacy statement

Woman and Home homepage