I’m 38 years old and I had a blood test when I was admitted to hospital after experiencing severe symptoms of hyperthyroidism. My blood test said I had thyrotoxicosis. I had speckled ANA and had thyroid auto antibodies for TG and TPO. I had a TSH of 0.01, FT4 of 33.5, FT3 of 13.2. All were out of range. I was put on 20 mg of Carbimazole and 20 mg of propranolol. This started to work it’s magic pretty quick. I went to have a radio iodine uptake test and results were graves. Endo increased Carbimazole to 30 mg per day. Lately I have experienced this strange weight gain and also bloating of the tummy.. more so pelvic region. It’s so bad that none of my pants are comfortable and i always wore slightly loose pants for comfort so I am guessing I have gone up a size. I didn’t lose weight nor gain weight before diagnosis. I’ve been the same steady weight for years. Anyone experience this annoying side effect? Could I have become hypo so quickly or is this the effect of the drugs changing my metabolism..?
Xo
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Jenzak80
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In my experience, your thyroid can become underactive relatively quickly after starting treatment for graves; in my case within 4 weeks. My dose was then decreased and my results went back into normal range.
had thyroid auto antibodies for TG and TPO. I had a TSH of 0.01, FT4 of 33.5, FT3 of 13.2.
Graves disease is not diagnosed by positive TG and TPO antibodies, that is Hashimoto's.
Graves is diagnosed by positive TSI Abs (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin) and TRAbs (TSH Receptor Antibodies).
It is very likely that you have Hashimoto's which is where the thyroid is attacked and gradually destroyed. The antibodies fluctuate and cause fluctuations in symptoms and test results. It often starts with a hyper phase so you would have low TSH and raised FT4/FT3, then it will settle down and maybe experience a hypo phase.
We often see Graves misdiagnosed and people put on Carbimazole, and it turns out to be Hashi's. I think you should ask for TSI and TRAbs to be tested to confirm this Graves diagnosis. However, as you have had a radio iodine uptake test and results were Graves (so maybe you don't need the other antibody tests), it is possible to have Graves and Hashi's running in tandem.
You can possibly help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members here. Gluten contains gliadin (a protein) which is thought to trigger autoimmune attacks so eliminating gluten can help reduce these attacks. You don't need to be gluten sensitive or have Coeliac disease for a gluten free diet to help.
Thank you for the advice.. yes definitely need to get Endo to further assess me. I personally think i had a lot of the hashi symptoms prior to the grave's symptoms.
I will definitely give the gluten free diet a go - can't hurt.
I see endo and do blood test at end of month so i will see what happens and will also request the TSI TRAbs to be tested. Thanks for the links too.
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