Hyperthyroidism / Graves Disease

Updated on March 01, 2011
S.P. asks from Keokuk, IA
9 answers

Ever since the birth of my daughter (first baby) almost 2 years ago, my hormones have been so out of whack. I have struggled emotionally and have severe anxiety (and also depression) but was diagnosed with those long before my daughter came along. Every 6 months, I get my thyroid checked. This time it came back "abnormal." The TSH was low, but the T4 was high so my Dr said I have a type of hyperthyroidism called Graves Disease. She is sending me to an endocrinologist (sp?) but it takes awhile to get an appointment so while I wait, she has started me on Tapazole to lower the thyroid levels (I have been having bouts of tachycardia - fast heart rate - that she thinks is related to the Graves Disease). I am scared - the more I read about this thyroid stuff, the more serious it seems. I hate taking med's, they make me so nervous as I start them. I am looking for others to confide in that have been through this or are going through it. Support always helps - especially from those who really understand.
Thanks in advance ladies!! :)

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M.A.

answers from Detroit on

I was scared too when I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism about 6 years ago. Had hardly none of the symptoms, but that diagnosis changed my life completely around - for the good. This also runs in my family, but they had the opposite. I was on medication for a year, and then my endo decided it was time to do biopsy to rule out cancer. No cancer so he suggested the radioactive iodine treatment. That made me so sick, I was out of work for a week-plus I was radioactive! Usually after the iodine treatment you are the opposite, but I was one of the 20% that 6 months later I was completely back to normal, no need for medication or specialist visits-ever again!!

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

It's NOT a big deal. It's incredibly common, actually. And know that it can also change in a heart beat.

6mos after I had my son, I was having the same symptoms...hair falling out, racing heart, light headed. Turns out I was severly HYPERthyroid. My TSH was 52!
The doc put me on Levoxothyrine, and 1 month later I went back for more testing. Then I was HYPOthyroid. It had swung completely in the other direction in 1 month.

It took about 6 months to get my levels regulated. I now have them checked every 6 months (used to be every 3), and we adjust my meds as needed.

An untreated thyroid is really bad - so that's the danger. You don't want to avoid taking drugs. You need them for your body to stabilize. Once you get leveled out, you'll be fine. It'll just take a couple of months.
Don't panic. This is extremely common.

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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I am so glad you've been diagnosed and your doctor sees the importance of sending you to an endocrinologist to help you manage this. I have the oposite Hypothyroidism (Hashimotos). So I can't speak to exactly what you are going through other than supporting you. I'm glad this has been diagnosed and you are seeing an endocrinologist! It sounds like you are already researching this but there is some information at http://thyroid.about.com/ if you haven't already checked it out. All the best and hang in there as what works for you is determined and adjustments are made to your ongoing treatment.

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R.B.

answers from New York on

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 3 weeks after my daughter was born and then went through surgery and radioactive iodine treatment. It is horrible.
But that was 5 years ago. You will get through this. But it takes time. The thyroid is tricky and sometimes the treatments are slow and difficult to get right the first time. Make sure your endo is keeping on top of stuff. Get a second opinion. All your symptoms sound normal for Graves disease.
It might get worse before it gets better.
Good luck

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

I take synthroid every day. I will take it everyday for the rest of my life. I thank God for that pink pill!!! I'm a normal, sane person again and I don't sound like Jessica Rabbit! I feel so much better. It has taken about a year to regulate my dose. We started out way too low. Basically my thyroid doesn't work. I have HYPO. If it is untreated then it can be dangerous but once you get on the meds you will feel TONS better. It might take a month or two but one day you will wake up and go "Lord I feel so much better"! Good luck!

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L.N.

answers from New York on

I am sorry you're going through this.Your endo will discuss your options (taking medications) or undergoing iodine treatment (and will still have to take synthroid for the rest of your life).
I had to go the iodine route (twice, because the first one didn't work). Now I wish I didn't. I should have been given steroids at the time of the treatment and was not. graves is not known much about, nor there is any cure. Graves causes a few things: hyperthyroidism, skin condition, bulging eye. I have two out of three. Life is not easy, especially since graves can stay active even after the thyroid is killed. It goes in cycle. Active graves for at least 4 years (then may or may not become inactive for a few years, then back again).
I think your first step is an appt with endocrinologist. Whatever you are advised make sure you go and research before making your decision.
good luck

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T.L.

answers from St. Louis on

I was just diagnosed with an over active thyroid as well. My son is now 7 months old. I am too scared to death. My apponitment with the Endocrinologist (sp) is the middle of March. This runs in my family and I thought I would be able to accept it when it finally happened to me, but I am still having a very difficult time with it. I cried all night Saturday because I don't want to take a pill for the rest of my life. My husband tried to reassure me, but I don't think he understands how this is affecting me. If you want to start some type of support group on Mamapedia I would love to help you out with it. I'm not sure if this is possible, but it would be worth a shot. Please PM me if I can be of any help or just an ear who totally understands how you are feeling right now.

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L.A.

answers from Austin on

I had graves disease and I promise there is nothing to worry about.. Of course Graves does tend to make you anxious and nervous.. Your brain will be going in overtime. You will have to force yourself to slow down and to calm down.

They will either continue to give you meds or they will do a very easy treatment to shock the thyroid. It is completely painless with no side effects. It is like having an xray.. If it gets really bad they will do a simple procedure to remove the thyroid, again not that big of a deal.

I had the procedure with the radiation and all has been well now for 30 years.

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O.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like there are lots of us who have gone through these thyroid challenges. It is normal to worry about something that you don't know about and what I would suggest is to talk with other people, instead of spending a lot of time online looking at info. The internet has a lot of really negative information and MOST of it, doesn't even apply. Talk to other women who are going through this, as you are, and you will be better off.

Also, can you see a different endocrinologist since you have to wait to see them? I had the same type of situation and I found a different doctor. If you are having tachycardia or other unpleasant symptoms, they can put you on beta blockers to help.

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