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Thyroid  (Expert Forum)
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Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
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MedHelp Member's Question

Newly diagnosed with Graves Disease

by yourgirl, Mar 26, 2006 12:00AM
I had the terrible itching all over my body about 2 months ago. I was told I had high liver enzymes during a clinical study for birth control. After seeing a regular physician about the high enzymes and doing some blood work I was told I had to do a radioactive iodine scan. I was then diagnosed with graves disease. The scary thing is that my doctor told me nothing about risks involved. I saw an endocrinologist 1 and 1/2 months after the diagnosis due to lack of help from my doc and was told that I have to stop exercising and that the tubal ligation I had schedule needed to be cancelled until this is under control. She advised me that I could have died whil under anesthesia. They now have me on a beta blocker until the I 131 on wednesday. I have plans to stay in a hotel those three days after because I have 3 little ones at home. Other than that I am not really sure what to expect. I have not been checked for cancer and that is another concern. where do I go from here and what do I have to avoid after the 72 hours from the I 131?
Doctor's Answer

by Mark Lupo, M.D., Mar 26, 2006 12:00AM
The treating facility will give detailed advice on the 48-72h post I-131.  Regarding the cancer concern -- would get ultrasound of thyroid to make sure there are no nodules (even if none showed up on RAI scan).  There is a small risk of future thyroid cancer after I-131 but if screened for nodules currently the risk is almost non-existent.  Were other options such as tapazole (or PTU) discussed?  Would make sure you understand the implications of I-131 (a very effective treatment - but most patients will need lifelong replacement with synthroid or similar med).
Member Comments (6)

by ancientmariner, Mar 27, 2006 12:00AM
To: yourgirl
Please, there's still time! Research RAI - and you may want to cancel your appointment! I had RAI in 2002.....I was told by my doctor that the only options were RAI or surgery, and then I'd probably be hypOthyroid, and would just have to take a pill every day for the rest of my life. First off, there was another option. I could have continued to take the Anti-Thyroid drug I was taking (Methimazole) for a longer period, increasing the chances that I could keep my thyroid intact and alive. Also, taking the ATDs can result in your thryoid returning to a normal state (if monitored properly). My doc apparently didn't want to be bothered with monitoring of the ATDs, and only gave me the two options.



Do you have any eye involvement with Graves? If you do RAI can make it MUCH worse. Check out the following site:



http://hometown.aol.com/lisareynolds64/myhomepage/personal.html



Also read:

http://pages.zdnet.com/nana2003/id22.html  and

http://pages.zdnet.com/nana2003/id93.html





READ & THINK ABOUT THIS!!!

by mazzy pazzy, Mar 27, 2006 12:00AM
To: yourgirl
Hey What is the big rush to have RAI?????  STOP and think about your options for a minute.  There are meds that you can take to stabilise your thyroid and after about 18 months or so you may go into remission and the thyroid problem may correct itself.  in any case meds buys you time to decide properly what you are going to do.  I have an 18 month old and there is no way that i am considering RAI at this moment.  I am on medication (i was diagnosed with hyperthyroid 3 months ago).  The docs say that RAI is safe, well I haven't spoken to one person who hasn't regreted taking it. I know RAI is necessary if someone has cancer but otherwise i would go with medication.  Seek advice on this.  Let me know how you get on.  Best wishes x

by Janine Jordan, Mar 27, 2006 12:00AM
To: Mazzy Pazzy
You can suppress thyroid hormone by eating lots of crucifers - cabbage family members.  If you eat broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, etc., raw, you will successfully block much of the thyroid hormone you are producing.  Cooking them destroys that capability. In addition, I would consult with a physician or naturopathic doctor that deals with this subject.  S/he will undoubtedly suggest taking a supplement of bugleweed, which will assist with blocking it, also. Please remember that if you have your thyroid destroyed, you will be hypothyroid, which requires hormone therapy for the rest of your life.  My older sister had Graves's disease, had her thyroid destroyed by the medical profession, and then became severely hypothyroid because her doctor was undertreating her hypothyroidism.  She gained 120 lb.  After going to the Mary Shoman website, she found out how to treat her condition, and lost 120 lb.  She does not exercise or diet. My sister is one and a half years older than I.  She was always lean, and since she had a total hysterectomy many years ago, she wasn't getting estrogen, which often messes with the thyroid.  She became hyperthyroid, her doctor removed it, and she became hypothyroid.  She gained 120 lb on a 5 foot 1 inch frame.  After consulting with Mary Shoman and getting on natural Armour thyroid, bio-identical estrogen in a gel that she rubs on her skin, testosterone spray and adrenal support (her adrenals had failed, also), she has lost 120 lb.  She never exercises or diets.  She is 54 years old.  She thought she was going to die, and it was because she had severe hypothyroidism, but she also had adrenals that weren't doing their job.  To make a long story short, when one endocrine gland fails, it causes failures in others.  She has to take estradiol, progesterone, thyroid, corisone and testosterone.  But she had a total hysterectomy when she was young, which, when your estrogen is too low, can cause failures of other organs.  She only uses natural stuff, no synthetics like Synthroid or Premarin.  The estrogen is in the form of Oestrogel, a clear gel she rubs on her skin.  She really feels she was going to die, and now is very, very healthy.  And lean.  She is 54.



Janine Jordan

by Duchess47, Mar 27, 2006 12:00AM
I too h ave Graves disease.  For 4 1/2 years I was on Tapezole for hyperthyroididsm.  Recently, while inquiring about RAI, my endocrinologist had me come off of the meds. altogether.  Turns out I am in remission from the Graves right now.  I have had a good thyroid test for 4 months now.  Don't rush into surgery.  If you have just been diagnosed, then I wouldn't go to the extreme of surgery until you have tried something else first.

by chomita, Apr 11, 2006 12:00AM
hello, before getting your thyroid radiation whit iodine, please see another theraphy, i had my thyroid whit radioactive iodine and now i feel so much worse!!!, i gain so much weigth and my mental and physical health is worsen every month, please don't listen to your doctors, you will have to take forever levothyroxine hormone replacemet, visit this site i send you the link and order thyroid thro is www.greenlife-herbal.com, see the site completely and don't ever ever for nothing get the radioactive iodine therapy RAI. Chomita for ever sorrow...
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