So I was diagnosed with Graves Disease when I was 15, and after years of treatments failing to suppress my thyroid function, and causing horrible side effects like wiping out my white blood cells, the doctors decided a total thyroidectomy was the best course of action.
Before my surgery I suffered quite badly with some of the graves disease symptoms, high blood pressure, tachycardia, muscle weakness and so on. Now, I had my surgery almost 4 years ago, and I still depend on my beatablockers. I can go a say without them... and I guess I just wondered if this was typical? Or if anyone else has had to deal with these symptoms after having their thyroid removed.
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LauratheDuke
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I have always had a fast heartrate since Graves diagnosed early teens, thyroid op plus RAI, I've had all the heart tests including an angiogram, conclusion is I have a fast rate, I was given betabs after the angio but now I don't take anything, just got used to it.
Do you have recent blood test results and ranges to add?
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.
Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.
If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
You might find a strictly gluten free diet helps, even after thyroidectomy
Hey there, been there, done that. Graves, suppressing meds, hear blockers, TT. Actually I have been quite decided and I had less than a year between diagnosis and TT (but I really don't think that's relevant to this diacussion)
However, after TT I have dropped off beta blocker after a few weeks and never had any issues, except when, occasionally, going up too much on T4.
Therefore I would imagine there might be another issue here. Could you detail what happens when you stop/slow the BB?
And yes, current, reliable, meaningful tests should be available, to understand the effectiveness of your treatment. I know on my own expense that both high and low levels affect heart rate and heart function.
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