Hello I am new to this site and I posted on the Graves community because I am at a complete loss. I have been getting symptoms which I’m a bit confused about and I suspect it is Graves because most of the symptoms are hyperthyroid ones?
Tremor in face and in small parts of my body
Uncontrollable sweats
Palpitations
Insomnia
Frequent bowel movements
Goitre
But also these ones?
Weight gain
Puffy eyes
Cold feet
Can anyone please help me to understand? There is a history of thyroid disease in the family so I am quite worried. Thank you.
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Cloud6
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Well in the first instance I would suggest you talk with your doctor so the appropriate blood tests can be undertaken, and this should include, a TSH, T3 and T4 blood test plus the relevant antibodies.
For Graves Disease you need to test positive for the TSI / TRab antibodies but the goitre you mention may be responsible for some if not all of your current symptoms.
Either way, best to first get some blood tests actioned as these symptoms may not go away and the more you worry, the bigger the worry becomes, possibly compounding your existing health issues.
Keep us in the loop, and report back when you have some results, so people better able than me can talk you through any issues you may still have.
No nothing apart from supplements. I thought it was Graves because the symptoms and my physical appearance (red eyes that feel like they’re sticking out) seemed to fit.
I don't know enough but it looks as though your TSH and T4 are jumping around and showing signs of struggling and your T3 is very low in range which shows poor conversion :
T3 is what the body runs on and currently you appear ' challenged ' at this very low level and am not surprised you are experiencing many symptoms.
In Graves, T3 and T4 would be much higher and your TSH suppressed at around 0.01:
Have you ever had the thyroid antibodies tested for either Graves or Hashimoto's ?
How long have you had a goitre and what does your doctor advise ?
Well, I'm sorry your doctor makes you feel like a nuisance - sounds like one I used -
Anyway, you need to discuss this swelling with your doctor.
I understand some medics take a ' wait and see ' approach whilst others refer you for an ultra sound scan to find out what is going on, and possible because of the current situation a hospital visit may not be encouraged.
I also understand a goitre can be caused by the patient becoming either hyperactive or hypothyroid.
So, it's also essential to run a blood test to identify which antibodies are causing the issues, as the medication for Graves is different to the medication prescribed for Hashimoto's Disease.
These are both autoimmune diseases so there is probably some genetic predisposition as you mentioned earlier.
It does seem that those of us with thyroid AI conditions need to maintain our vitamins and minerals at optimal levels, and not just somewhere in a NHS range.
I find I need to maintain all 4 vitamins and minerals as previously detailed at good levels to assist my body's conversion of T4 into T3 and maintain my core strength strong and solid.
I hope this has helped in your understanding, and would suggest you consider following SD's detailed reply. I was in a similar place a few years ago, when I too was made to feel I was becoming a nuisance to my doctor.
It's thanks to the amazing people and help I found on this website that I'm now much better and have taken back control of my own health issues.
If your eyes also feel sore and dry you might find some relief from eye drops : there are many lotions and potions to choose from but just be sure whichever ones you use that they are ' preservative free ' :
Just speaking from experience, as this weather does seem to exacerbate eye issues.
Not Graves with those results. Underactive if anything. Probably hashimotos (aka autoimmune thyroid disease). If you have a goitre your doctor should be doing full testing.
These results strongly suggest Hashimoto’s also called autoimmune thyroid disease
Hashimoto’s frequently starts with transient hyperthyroid results and symptoms, before becoming hypothyroid
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested for Hashimoto’s Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies
You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease). Can be slightly raised with Graves’ disease too
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast
Igennus Super B complex are nice small tablets. Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks
Or Thorne Basic B or jarrow B-right are other options that contain folate, but both are large capsules
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
I know if it's Hashis it can start with hyperthyroid results and symptoms, before becoming hypothyroid. Can the hypER phase last a year or so before swinging to hypO ?
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