Hi All, I have just got good news that my TRab antibodies are undetectable, below 0.8
I have been on Carbimazole for a year. Currently taking 2.5mg 6 days a week. My endo advised me to stop carbimazole completely. Is this what you think I should do ?
TSH 0.77 (0.465-4.68)
Free T3 - 5.3 (4.3-8.1)
Free T4 - 14.9 (10-28)
Hey there again ;
It's looking good - but maybe hang on in there a month or two longer - simply because the NHS generally allocate a treatment window with an AT drug of around 15-18 months -
and the most recent research suggests the longer one stays on the AT drug the better the long term outcome for the patient -
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/338...
Your TSH is still on the low side with your T4 running at around 27% with your T3 tracking just behind at around 26% through the ranges.
Hopefully once off the AT drug you will see your TSH rise to around 1.20/ 50 with your T4 come in at around 50% through its range with the T3 tracking behind at around 45% through its range.
I'm surprised the NHS retested the antibody - what was the range ? or was this run privately ?
How are you feeling ?
Maybe get your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D checked out as these need to be maintained at good strong levels which we can advise on as if low, though in range, these can compromise your full recovery from this phase of Graves Disease.
thank you. It was run privately. I also had the vitamins checked, just waiting for the results to come through. My ferritin was 14, so up from 5. Maybe I will gradually start coming off it. I’m meant to go and see endo in the beginning of April as he wants to see how I’m doing without the meds.
Kari - what is being done about this ferritin level -that was 5 and now just 14 - you must be feeling horrible - I couldn't stand long enough to cook for myself when my ferritin came in at 22 !!
You need this investigated through the NHS - what has been done already - and is an iron infusion a possibility ?
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
Do you have any results for folate, B12 and vitamin D ?
When metabolism is running too fast as in hyperthyroid or too slow as in hypothyroid the body struggles to extract key nutrients through food - no matter how well and clean you eat - and low levels of these core strength vitamins and vitamins will compromise your health and well being.
I was offered an infusion, ferrinject but after doing some research i have discovered that 75% of patients have ended up with very low phosphate and a lot of issues triggered by it.
I know 14 is low but I’m actually super pleased with it as I have not got it more than 8 in the past 5 years ☺️ I will keep supplementing (I alternate iron byglycinate and Floradix and it doesn’t give me much side effects)
I took an iron bisglycinate supplement to around 3 x 322mg a day which was the dose to the Ferrous Fumerate I was prescribed but couldn't tolerate -
I also ate liver twice a week and drank down Spatone sachets 5 at a time - way over the recommended suggestion.
I felt better able once my ferritin tipped over 45 :
I now maintain at around 100.
Have you had any investigations as to this very low level of ferritin and have you been tested for celiac and pernicious anemia ?
My low ferritin is caused by heavy periods and short cycles. Unfortunately I bleed every 3.5 weeks on average. I guess perhaps my progesterone levels have dropped, I’m far for menopause but I’m nearly 44 so probably in perimenopause and I have been exhausted by raising twins, working full time and having my house refurbished so it might be also to do with adrenal fatigue.
Yes I totally get that and understand - I'm just concerned for you -
I started taking an adrenal glandular 2 years after I realised the damage that can be caused done by having had RAI thyroid ablation for Graves some 8 years earlier -
and I noticed a marked improvement in my ability to just function for longer upright - after around 3 months and I still take them as you're right, the thyroid and adrenals are closely related with the adrenals picking up the slack when the thyroid is struggling.
I now aim to maintain my ferritin at around 100 - folate 20 - active B12 125 ( serum B12 500++ ) and vitamin D at around 125.
Thank you! ☺️
What is it exactly that you are taking for the adrenal fatigue?
I wish my energy could increase, as it’s so hard to function and my life is so demanding.
I doubt your energy will increase until your core strength vitamins and minerals - ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are built up and maintained at optimal -
as they are the foundation and corner stones of your health and well being :
I take Solaray Adrenal glandular - full gland supplement.
Pennyannie glad your talking about RAI. I had TT years ago and had a few weeks after the TT one round of RAI to make sure that all cancer cells are gone . Can that also affect the adrenals ? I don't know the dose of that one RAI I was given. It wasn't fun that I can tell you definitely. Thank you for sharing.
Yes - RAI is taken up - to a lesser extent - by other glands and organs in the body and there is an increased risk of cancer of the small bowel and breast.
My understanding is from Elaine Moore's first Book - Graves Disease A Practical Guide - and her website now carries the same information if you care to dip in and search the subject - elaine-moore.com
and of course I think more information is now slowly becoming available.
Thank you pennyannie. It's just a shame that studies are done aftermath. We need studies prior to treatments so we know what ramifications may come of it. So that we can make rightful decisions for ourselves.
I don’t have any typical thyroid symptoms anymore but I’m still tired however I have recently had an awful flu and still haven’t recovered properly.
Sorry I don’t have TRab ranges, the endo needs to send them to me.
You will be very tired as you are currently dealing with at the very least - iron deficent anemia !!
Graves - carbimazole dosage 
