Re: Diagnosing Graves without TSI--Cindy

November 15, 2003

,

I was given a TSIs when I requested a TSI test. How do they

compare? Does a TSIs confirm Graves' Disease?

Ever hopeful,

AJ

> Hi Cindy,

>

> As far as I know, without the proper antibody test, diagnosing

Graves' is just an educated guess (the most likely diagnosis). My

endo diagnosed me based on a more general antibody test and the fact

that my levels were hyper. There are also " signs " of Graves'

patients, but I suspect they relate more to being hyperthyroid in

general (velvety skin, quick movements, etc.) And as Elaine pointed

out, even having thyroid eye disease, as in my case, doesn't rule

out other problems.

>

> My endo also adheres to the theory that if you stop the meds and

your thyroid levels stay in normal range, you're in remission.

Unfortunately, the fact that there can be both stimulating and

blocking TSH receptor antibodies involved makes this incorrect too,

although it may work for some people.

>

> Although my young endo doesn't believe in TSI testing, it seems

to me that you're relying on chance to do without it.

>

> Best wishes

> B.

> From: Ken & Cindy DeVries

> Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 1:23 PM

> Subject: Re: Need some advice on treatment for

TED

>

> can they tell that you have graves if they have never tested TSI?

>

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