What can I do to help Graves Disease ?

[Ianswife]

Hi ,

I recently posted my latest blood test results and I am doing well at the moment but I am wondering how I can help myself . I take vitamin D and a Basic B complex . I stopped smoking two years ago but I keep reading a lot regarding dietary changes and have absolutely no idea what would be beneficial to me . I get my next bloods done on the 14th of January and my Endo said it could go either way and started taking about RAI and total thyroidectomy as I did ask if I could go on another course of carbimazole but she said if it's not worked after one course then another won't make any difference . To be honest I don't want to think about RAI or a thyroidectomy.

Thank you .

[Fruitandnutcase]

I didn't want that either and I saw my GP after I ha been discharged and told her I didn't and that I wanted to have block and replace again should I relapse. She saw no reason that I couldn't and said that the hospital couldn't refuse to treat me.

There are cases of people staying on carb for long periods of time.in fact Dr Toft of the British Thyroid Association says himself in an article in Pulse Online that

"there's no reason why carbimazole shouldn't be used for many years in those who do relapse. Any adverse effects such as urticarial rash or agranulocytosis will have occurred within a few weeks of starting the first course"

If you contact Louise at thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/ she will be able to send you the full article.

I'd say go online and find as much evidence as you can about long term use of carbimazole and make a case for yourself.

I'd see what your B12 is like and if it's low add that to your B complex. I also took CoQ10 or Ubiquinol (whichever was the best price.

I eat loads of vegetables, eggs, fish, chicken, unsalted nuts and seeds, and I tend to eat berries rather than a lot of fruit.

I went totally gluten free a year ago and my thyroid antibodies have really reduced in that time, so it might be worth trying that - it really isn't difficult - it could be a coincidence but I'll stick with gluten free.

I don't snack between meals, very seldom have cake or biscuits, never drink fizzy drinks or fruit juices and I never eat junk food

[Ianswife in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you so much for your detailed response as it's really appreciated . I know of two ladies that have had total thyroidectomies and both regret it and I really want to help myself as much as possible as I have two teenagers and a five year old to look after .

Thank you

[Debsoxford in reply to Ianswife]

Good on you ianswife for trying to help your self to better your health. I have gone gluten free because of hashimotos and it is quite easy, I've always like to cook and now have gluten free flour made pastry as I really wanted a pie it was different but edible (a bit hard) and I did enjoy it! Eating out has been o.k. to I do feel better for doing it,

Good luck x

[Ianswife in reply to Debsoxford]

Thank you and I will certainly give going gluten free a try as it's been two years since I got my diagnosis of Graves disease and the longer it continues the more I realise that I have to help myself as much as possible .

Thank you .

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Debsoxford]

I find GF pastry a bit if a challenge too. Even ready roll GF for some reason.

Tesco now sells a ready roll puff pastry. Be interesting to see what that's like, I'm thinking of making some mince pies.

Pastry is probably the only thing that's given me a problem when it comes to GF cooking, cakes and that sort of thing are no bother 🍰

[Silver_Fairy]

Dont be pushed in to having your thyroid removed or destroyed, you can more than likely stay on a low dose of Carbimazole. I had two go's at it and now Im in remission.

I find that stress is my top enemy, even now and trying to do too much as I take so long to recover. So as well as looking at your diet try to avoid stressful situations, try relaxation therapies or techniques and don't exercise too hard.

[Ianswife in reply to Silver_Fairy]

Thank you