Graves disease

[Kitsune777]

Newly registered, could someone offer me advice on Graves' disease. I have hypothyroidism but GP says I have Graves' disease.

Thank you

TPO antibodies 191 (<34)

TG antibodies 256.3 (<115)

TSI antibodies 0

[Rmichelle]

Im no real expert but i think everyone will say you have hashimotos not graves as it says negative but i think they would want you to put your results for tsi aswell. I have high tpo antibodies which is hashimotos, please wait for someone more experienced to reply. Im sure im right though.xx😊

[Kitsune777 in reply to Rmichelle]

TSI antibodies 0

[Rmichelle in reply to Kitsune777]

You have hashimotos not graves!! Once again docs have got it wrong.x

[Kitsune777]

I just don't understand why my thyroid results are subclinical hypothyroid with hyperthyroid symptoms of sweating and tremor? Doctors and family say I don't look like a hypo patient.

TSH 14.6 (0.2 - 4.2)

Free T4 12.9 (12 - 22)

Taking 50mcg levothyroxine diagnosed hypothyroid 2011. Thanks

[bantam12 in reply to Kitsune777]

Your results don't show subclinical hypo, they show you are undermedicated, your a TSH is far to high. The symptoms of hypo and hyper can be very similar and hypo patients don't necessarily have a "look" !

[Saggyuk in reply to bantam12]

Yes I agree - my symptoms when I'm hypo are pretty much the same as when i'm over medicated and hyper. Only difference is a headache when hypo and I actually get more tired when hyper as burn out quicker. Also never put on weight with hypo and have been size 8 most the time even when massively undermedicated and actually put on weight when hyper so bears no relevance to what you are. GPs are often pants so maybe find another. def undermedicated - I get hot and sweaty with tremors when undermedicated.

Most of us are deficient in vits too so get Vit D, B12, iron and folate checked out and post results here as docs often pants in this area too as can have similar symptoms. High cortisol can even cause symptoms like this and studies have shown you can have raised cortisol with tsh over 2.5 so could be not even because of thyroid.

Also if you have hashi's - which you do - as your thyroid gets damaged, it can sometimes also dump excess thyroid hormone into blood that can cause hyper symptoms but this is only temporary

[Saggyuk in reply to Saggyuk]

sorry wrote on wrong post - edit - I have no idea why they would have diagnosed graves based on your results - truly - do get another doc! You need an increase in your meds, likely another two increases at least tbh

[Kitsune777 in reply to Saggyuk]

Thanks I have results of vitamins and minerals but been told no action required.

[Saggyuk in reply to Kitsune777]

Post them on here in a separate thread with all the results and their ranges

[greygoose in reply to Kitsune777]

You are very hypo, and need an increase in dose.

Your antibodies for Graves - TSI - are negative, so you don't have Grave's, But your Hashi's antibodies are positive.

Hashi's starts out with an immune attack on the thyroid, and the dying cells dump all their store of hormone into the blood, so that thyroid hormone levels are high, which causes the TSH to drop very low. Doctors see that and automatically assume that you have Grave's and are hyper. But, unlike Grave's, that excess hormone gets used up/excreted, and you become hypo.

These attacks can be repeated from time to time, but each time the 'hyper' phase is less extreme, because there's less gland making hormone, but each time you go back to hypo, you are a little more hypo, because there is a little less gland to make hormone. And, this continues until the gland has been completely destroyed, and you are entirely dependant on thyroid hormone replacement to live.

In order to minimise these hypo to 'hyper' through euthyroid and back again to hypo swings, the best thing you can do is keep your TSH suppressed. Because the less gland activity there is, the less the immune system attacks the gland. But, that's difficult with some doctors who have absolutely no understanding of how the disease works.

But, you can also try a 100% gluten-free diet, to reduce antibodies; and also take selenium, which not only reduces antibodies, but also helps with conversion. But, apart from that, there is no cure for Hashi's.

It frequently happens that you experience hypo and hyper symptoms at the same time, with Hashi's. It's also quite usual to be a poor converter. Don't let it confuse you. You are hypo. And you do need thyroid hormone replacement of some kind. Although you might not do well on T4 only.

As to not looking hypo, just ask them what they think a hypo patient looks like! They come in all shapes and sizes. There are over 300 hypothyroid symptoms, but you don't have to have them all to qualify. It's true that a lot of hypos put on weight, but quite a few don't. And some actually lose it. But, you know what they say: you can't judge a book by its cover! Inside your as hypo as the best of them! lol

[Rmichelle]

Someone else will be along who can help you shortly, what ive learnt from these great people on this site that when having hashimotos you can have what they call a hyper swing at times even though you are hypo.

Hold on in there someone will reply back, if not post again.good luck.