TSI information

[Shaf3938]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with Graves Disease end of 2019 and had RAI in Feb 2020! I just want more info on TSI results so with this value it means it’s surviving and thriving in my body! Now with high numbers like this I will be prone to get other diseases right? Is there anyway to get these numbers down or nothing I can do?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

**Same reply on Graves forum, where your post also mentions your concerns about TED**

TSI is what causes thyroid to over produce and they can continue to be produced even years after thyroidectomy/radioiodine ablation, often higher after treatment. You do still have Graves. It is just that the thyroid (or victim) is removed and therefore the hyperthyroidism is controlled. The route cause doesn’t get treated it remains with you. Doctor’s don’t know how to treat the antibodies they are usually only tested to diagnose the condition.

I don’t think its the case that the immune system inevitably ends up attacking the eyes, or other autoimmune conditions are triggered. It’s just that having one autoimmune condition increases the chance of developing others.

RAI is known to worsen active TED but I have never read any evidence to say it increases the chances of it developing after treatment. It is reported that TED can begin at any time even preceding diagnosis, during treatment or after treatment. The conditions occurs separately. The association is that they stem from the same immune system attack on health tissues.

Having low thyroid levels in known to worsens existing TED & I have read that some believe this was when it was initially triggered although I’ve found no study / research confirming this.

Even if those cases are coincidental maintaining optimal thyroid & nutritional levels will be best for your health.

I know it’s difficult to not to worry about things, I think is natural to be anxious when you have been unwell and having undergone treatment.