Graves and Stress

[Shaf3938]

Hello it's me again! So I was feeling okay up until last week and Saturday morning we had to rush our 11 y/o dog to the emergency vets because he took a seizure and was limp! he was there all weekend and we finally got him back but he is still doing so so! Also my Uncle passed away this week! So this is a lot of uncontrollable stress!

The reason I am posting is because I was wondering if our hormones can fluctuate from the stress added with this disease? l have been feeling really on edge lately and waking up soaked in sweat and sleeping been iffy! Prior to all this I was feeling decent so I was wondering if I should call the doctors to recheck my levels? I was okay not optimal like 23 days ago?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Hi Shaf3938, You seem to have had a pretty traumatic time and this will most likely explain your adverse symptoms. Experiencing stress can affect so many parts of our physical & mental health, so yes your hormones may be off balance, but this should settle once your stress is reduced.

Do you have your levels from 28 days ago to share with us (with ranges in brackets)?

[Shaf3938 in reply to Buddy195]

I do here! I am on .150mcg and had my thyroid ablation via RAI

T4 Free: 1.3 (Range: 0.8-1.8 ng/dL)

TSH: 0.50 (Range: 0.40-4.50 mIU/L)

T3 Free: 3.1 (Range: 2.3-4.2 pg/mL)

Yeah it’s like I am trying to settle down and relax but it’s crazy I guess Stress/Graves intensifies symptoms when under crazy stress

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Shaf3938]

If you felt ok on this dose before the trauma of the weekend, I would see how you feel as things settle in your life. If your adverse symptoms continue I would consider adjusting your thyroid medication slightly upwards.

Stress massively effects me, so I understand the physical signs. In the next week or so, try to do more of the things you enjoy and relax as much as you can.

If you still don’t feel yourself, I would repost/ consider asking your GP for a 25mcg increase (but you may only need half this amount….. I like to adjust only in increments of 12.5mcg as I’m very sensitive to changes).

[Shaf3938 in reply to Buddy195]

Yeah this is the first time in my Graves diagnosis and treatment that I’ve experienced traumatic events like this and it might take me a few days/weeks to normalize!! Just gotta keep keeping on

[Cavapoochonowner]

hello there, I too have graves disease and am awaiting a thyroidectomy.I also find that I cannot handle stress at all anymore, it just sort of spirals for me now.Anything stressful and I just want to run and put my head in the sand till it goes away.I just try and take things a day at a time now and pace myself.Hope you feel better soon.