Re: Confused. Am I hypo or hyper still??

[Guest guest]

,

Some of the symptoms are hyper are also common with hypO. If your numbers

are hypO, then thyroid replacement medication makes perfect sense.

At 04:52 PM 10/29/2003, you wrote:

>Hello Everyone

>

>My doctor just told me I am now hypo. I had RAI done about 8 weeks ago and

>my blood levels went way down.

[Guest guest]

> Hello Everyone

>

> My doctor just told me I am now hypo. I had RAI done about 8 weeks

> ago and my blood levels went way down. Anyways, I still feel many of

> the symptoms of Graves Disease-anxious, can't sleep, still getting

> rashes, etc. He said that this is normal. Just because my because my

> blood levels tell that I am now underactive, it doesn't mean that I

> still won't feel many of the symptoms of Graves. Is there anyone out

> there who has had this situation? I am confused because I am now

> hypo and now wants me to start taking synthroid. But is it still

> okay to take synthroid even though I still feel many of the symptoms

> of Graves. If there is any one out there that can take me out of my

> confusion...............

>

> Thanks!

Hi . I'm reposting your post because I don't think anyone responded.

(Or else, I just missed it - my apologies to one and all if I did.) A few

points:

- You say your blood levels went way down. What were the specific tests,

results, and ranges your lab gives for normal? If you don't have the

results, please get them. You want, are entitled to, copies of all your

bloodwork as the results come in. The minimum tests you'll need on a

regular basis on Free (not Total) T4 and TSH. If you find you're not

responding well to the synthroid, you will need a Free T3 too, on a

regular basis, even if you doctor balks. Not everyone does well on the

thyroid replacements that address T4 alone.

- But that's what you'll need on a regular basis (not once or twice a

year). There are baseline tests you should have

now - a Free T3 and certain antibody tests for sure. I haven't been hypo

so my information may be a bit sketchy but enough to give you direction.

- Are you still on a beta-blocker? Just because you had RAI doesn't mean

that you should go off it. If you still have a more rapid heartbeat (not

sure about elevated blood pressure - I never took beta-blockers) it might

still be helpful, though you should be gradually decreasing your dose

with the aim of weaning off of them. Sometimes going on anti-thyroid

drugs are helpful for a patient who's on the way to becoming hypo but is

still hyper.

- You would probably benefit from supplements such as a good

multi-vitamin (iodine-free), calcium, and omega-3. The last is good all

around but especially good for your eyes. Because of the increased risk

of thyroid eye diseas post-RAI Omega-3 is a good idea AND getting all the

info you need to get stable thyroid levels. Check into how to schedule

your supplements (especially the calcium) with synthroid.

- DON'T let your dr. give you another dose of RAI. Many doctors will tell

their patients who still have hyper symptoms after a few months that the

RAI " didn't work " and that they need to have it done again. That's very

sloppy on their part and very unfair to you - you have to turn your life

upside down AGAIN for a few weeks and have to deal with even more

possible side effects.

OK, all this is the tip of the iceberg. You really should get back some

quality of life with decent monitoring and treatment. Good luck going

about researching how to get it. Take care, Fay

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